Chapter I :Love comes in a sperm box

May 15, 1994, Chicago memorial hospital- maternity Floor.

Inside room 415, wearing her blue robe, Lily Manning sits on the cold bed looking out of the window. Her thoughts wonder of as she gazes at the glorious moon outside.

B&W Lily: " Nine months ago Jake told me we needed to have a boy, . which clearly meant he needed it. . . My husband has been cheating on me since he found out we'd have a second girl. . . trying to safe my marriage I agreed to In Vitro . . 8 weeks later we find out that sperm boxes were switched. . . when I told everyone I was keeping the baby, everyone turned against me. ignored the life inside me. Regret? . None"

Beside her inside a hospital's crib lays a newborn boy. Gorgeous newborn, with thick black hair and deep green-blue eyes. And finally beside them both on the couch, lays Rick Sammler. Lily takes a look at him and smiles. The smile is returned with eyes of great adoration towards her.

B&W Lily: "My grandmother used to say that true love is found in the weirdest situations and always when we think we don't need it anymore. . . I used to think true love was only a made up feeling, the kind that only fairy tale princess feel. Yeah. well. that was until I met Rick!" She puts both hands on her face and shakes her head.

B&W Rick: "I never believed in love. . I believed in adoration, safety but love. it was a fairy tale feeling and like my father used to say "Only fools believe in love". Well from the moment I looked into Lily's eyes. you can call me fool and I will proudly shout out that I am a fool in love!"

Rick moves from the couch, pushes a chair, he found next to the wall and sits on the other side of Lily. He takes her hand and looking deep into her eyes he whispers: "Look . . I need you to know that . . that I'll be the best father I can be. I'm ready to fight anything in front of me to give this baby all the attention he needs. I'll be here for both of you at any time . . I just need you to know that I . . you can count on me . always. . . and I think that over these 9 months you and I have developed the kind of relationship that you know I'm not lying ." a finger runs through her face and the look of adoration in his eyes tells her his feelings are much stronger and that he's about to open his heart to her ".and that is why I need you to know Lily that I . I ."

Words fail him and the knock on the door stops him from going on.

Before Lily can answer the door's already opened and Phil Brooks' voice is heard.

"Lilybeth, where's my grandson?"

"Dad?" Lily's puzzled face stairs at her father standing in front of her, he's staring puzzled at Rick.

"Who are you?" Rick stands up and offers his hand "Rick Sammler . I'm your grandson's father!" Rick proudly announces.

"Oh, you're the sperm box owner."

Rick's face sinks, Lily notices it.

"No, dad, Rick is Andy's father"

"Who's Andy?"

B&W Phil: "Lily's always been stubborn. She always wanted her way and no one else's. Like this! . She's insisted on keeping this baby, even though the whole family went against her. Even though we told her this baby was not hers and Jakes, . and now. she chooses the baby's name? . . and this stranger is here? Doing what? This isn't right!"

"Your grandson's name!" Rick informs a little annoyed

"I thought the whole family was going to decide over this." Phil can't finish the sentence Lily interrupts him with a nervous smile "The whole family, funny you should say that, because whenever you say that you mean you and Jake, well Jake has nothing to do with this baby and his father and I have both decided that his name is Andrew Richard Sammler"

"Elizabeth Manning we are already accepting that you kept this baby without our permission." This really pissed Rick off.

"Ok, that's it!" Rick takes Phil by his arm and drags him out.

Outside he looks at Phil's face, showing the old man just how pissed he is.

"Mr Brooks, I can understand how you must feel about this, and I know it is a very unusual situation, but that baby in there, that's my son . my son with your daughter, rather you like it or not. And we have both decided that after Jake himself began to ignore this boy that I as his real father will be raising this boy and will be included in every decision regarding this boy, so please understand that one his name is Andrew Richard Sammler, two Jake is a nothing in his life and finally three his not Jew. I hope you respect that this is my son and that I will care for him and his mother and I will fight whatever's in my way. Please don't get me wrong but the same way you are a father so am I."

"I understand you perfectly well Mr Sammler but my daughter has a family of her own."

"So do I mr Brooks but that doesn't mean that they aren't my family and that I'm not their family. At the minute your daughter had my sperms inside her, she became my family. ." Rick takes a look at Phil and seeing he somehow got the man's respect he smiles a little "Please take a breath before you come back inside and try not to wake Andy up" Rick walks back inside.

B&W Phil: "He loves her! . I can see that. but I can see he respects her"

2 days later :

Lily settles newborn Andy inside his crib at home. Rick stands at the doorway admiring the scene.

He knows that as this moment things will change. Lily will be back with her family and he will have to return to his. His eyes find the floor and it seems easier for him to stare at it, than to look at Lily knowing this is the moment he lost her. All the time they have spend together in the last 9 months are now over and they know they won't have as much time to be together anymore. Lily turns to face Rick, he finally looks up at her.

B&W Rick: "As hard as it might be, knowing this might be the end, every second more I have to look into those eyes . . I just have to!"

B&W Lily: "Looking at him there. lost . knowing he just gave me the most beautiful gift of life . . all I wanted to do was grab him, tell him how I feel and tell the world to take a hike. . the sad part is. . I stopped to think of the consequences . But still I was desperately trying to find an excuse to touch him. kiss him."

Lily opens the house door and Rick leaves, looking back every step he takes. When he finally gets into the car and drives off, Lily closes the door and falls with her back to the door, sinking her face in her hands.

Rick's car stops in the middle of the street and his face sinks in the driving wheel.

"Idiot!"

B&W Rick: "I should have told her, I should! Dam!. . Lily I love you. . I should have grabbed her . ." He raises his head as something click inside him "I can't stay married anymore!"

He drives off perfectly aware of what he has to do now.

Lily's breastfeeding Andy when Jake walks in with the girls.

"Mummy" 4 year old Zoe yells running to Lily.

Andy starts crying.

"Zoe!! . . sweetie you can't yell like this near Andy" Lily stands up and goes upstairs with her son.

Grace and Zoe stare at Jake "See I told you she would give this baby more attention." He states with an ironic smile.

Lily stops at the stairs, but decides it's stupid and useless to argue with Jake.

B&W Lily: "I'm disgusted by him. . God, what happened?"