Stephanie sighed as she looked at another baby magazine. All the little kids inside were so adorable and just made her want one of her very own that much more. Unfortunately she hadn't been able to get pregnant in the last 3 months that her and Hunter had been trying. She knew that they were still fairly early in the stages of trying to get pregnant, but it just wasn't going fast enough for her, or for Hunter.

"Steph, stop torturing yourself," Hunter said, walking into the room.

"I'm just looking," she said defensively.

"I know, but the more you look, the more unhappy you'll get."

"I'm not unhappy."

He rolled his eyes, "And that's why you walk around looking sad all the time."

"I just want a baby," she said somberly.

"I know," he said, kissing her cheek, "And it'll happen sooner or later, you just have to be patient."

"But I'm not patient!"

"Learn," he said, "Because once we have a little rug-rat around, you're going to be needing a whole lot of it."

"Yeah, I guess that you're right, still doesn't make it any easier to wait."

"We've only been trying for a few months," he told her.

"Oh, don't tell me you aren't as anxious as I am," she said to him.

"I am, trust me, but I think I've just kept it in check better."

"You can say that again," she muttered, "It's like you don't even want a kid."

"Hey, don't put words in my mouth," he snapped.

"I'm not!" she snapped.

"God, look at what's happening to us," Hunter observed, "We're at each other's throats, acting like children..."

"I'm sorry," she said meekly.

"It's ok," he said, kissing her.

She was lucky she had him to support her. She didn't think anyone else could have the patience to deal with her. She knew she was a little hard to take at times, but Hunter never seemed to mind. It was these qualities that assured her that he would make a wonderful father. She smiled at him as he pulled away from her mouth.

"So what are you doing today?" he asked.

"I'm thinking of going over to my mom's," she told him, "Just to you know, chat and stuff."

"Sounds fun," Hunter said, though Stephanie could tell he was just humoring her.

"It will be," she nodded.

"Good, when are you leaving? Soon, or do I get you to myself for a little while longer?"

"I was just about to leave," she told him, "But I've got a few minutes."

Hunter pulled Stephanie from her chair and kissed her deeply. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer, running her fingers through his hair as he did the same. He cupped her cheeks with his hands and kissed her deeper. She moaned softly against his mouth and then felt him sweep her up into his arms. He carried her over to the couch and laid her down gently.

Forty-five minutes later, Stephanie was finally on her way out the door. She gave Hunter a parting kiss and then left. She drove the short distance to her mother's house and was let in by the maid. She made her way back into the sun room and saw her mom had set up tea for them. Linda walked in and saw Stephanie, then came over to give her a hug.

"Hi Mom," she said warmly.

"Stephanie, you're looking wonderful," Linda said, inspecting her daughter.

Stephanie blushed, she was still buzzing from the little session her and Hunter had just had a bit earlier, "Thanks Mom."

"Sit down," she said, gesturing towards the table.

Stephanie sat down and watched as her mother poured her a cup of tea. She smiled gratefully and took a sip, it's warmth raising her temperature, since she had become chilled from being outside in her walk up to the house.

"So how are things with you and Hunter?"

"They're fine," she said, taking another sip, "Still trying for that baby."

"It'll happen sweetie," Linda said, rubbing Stephanie's arm.

"I know, I just, I wonder what it'll be like."

"It'll change your life," Linda answered, "It's an amazing thing, having a child, it just makes everything seem so much better."

Stephanie smiled, "I want that."

"I know you do."

"I don't know if I'll make a good mother though," she said quietly.

"Oh Stephanie, you'll make a wonderful mother."

"How do you know?"

"Because you're a good person," Linda told her, "And people can't help but like you. A baby will just show you how good you can be."

"I hope so Mom, I really do."

Stephanie and her mother chatted for a while about pregnancy and babies, before Linda told her that she had a meeting that she needed to be at. Linda escorted Stephanie to her car and hugged her. Stephanie hugged back, then got in her car to go home. She wanted to stop at the drug store to pick up some pregnancy tests, just in case she was pregnant.

She never made it to the store. As she was driving, a car lost control and Stephanie tried to brake to avoid hitting it, but was in turn, hit from behind, propelling her into the other car. She didn't remember what happened next, her entire world turning black.

Hunter looked at his watch. How long was Stephanie going to be? She had said she'd be home by three, and it was now six. She must be having a long chat with her mother. Or maybe her father had been there and wanted to discuss business. He got up from the couch and went into the kitchen, intending to make something for the two of them for dinner. He was just grabbing some pasta when the phone rang.

He went over and picked it up, "Hello?"

"Is this Mr. Helmsley?"

"Yeah," he said, "Who's this?"

"This is Dr. Monroe from Cedars-Sinai, and we have a Stephanie Helmsley."

"What?" Hunter said, his mouth suddenly becoming dry.

"She was in a car accident and taken to our facilities and--"

"I'll be right there!" Hunter said quickly.

He grabbed his jacket and car keys and was out the door in no time. The drive to the hospital was excruciatingly long and he felt like he hit every red light along the way. Finally, mercifully, he made it to the hospital and ran inside. He went to Emergency where he inquired about Stephanie. The man behind the desk said that someone would be out to speak with him shortly.

Hunter paced the Emergency room, wondering how Stephanie was doing. He would never live with himself if something happened to her. He brushed away some tears that came to his eyes and willed a doctor to come to him and tell him what was going on with his wife.

"Mr. Helmsley?"

Hunter whipped his head to see a doctor calling his name, "That's me."

"Oh good, you've made it."

"Yes, yes," he said, "How's Stephanie?"

"She'll be just fine, she just suffered a pretty bad concussion and some cuts and bruises."

"Oh, thank you," Hunter said, giving up a silent prayer to God.

"And the baby's fine too," the doctor added.

"Um, baby?" Hunter said dumbly.

"Oh, you didn't know, well, she's actually about three weeks along, congratulations."

"Can I go see her now?" Hunter asked, suddenly excited.

"As long as you don't rile her up, yes, she's resting right now, and she's a little out of it from the concussion."

"Ok," Hunter said, following the doctor to a room.

He walked inside and saw Stephanie sitting there, just staring up the ceiling. Hunter walked over and kissed her forehead. She looked at him and smiled hazily, her eyes glazed over. He could tell instantly that she had a concussion, her eyes were blank.

"Hey you."

"Hi," she said, "I got in a car accident."

"So I heard. I'm glad you're ok," he said, grabbing her hand.

"Yeah, me too."

"I've got news," he told her, grinning.

"What's with the smile?" she asked, looking up at him.

"We aren't the only ones in this room," he told her.

"So you see that big yellow elephant in the corner too?" she asked.

Hunter laughed, "Um, no baby, I don't see and elephant."

Stephanie blinked, "Must just be me then."

"I guess, but there's something else."

"Huh?"

"We're having a baby."