You guys out there really made me happy so thanks again. Hope you'll enjoy this chapter too…

Chapter 1

Brennan landed the Helix smoothly and gathered the baby supplies. And he wondered not for the first time why such a tiny thing would need such a colossal amount of stuff. Well Emma seemed to know what she was doing. Exciting the plane, he was greeted by Jesse. The young mutant had been waiting for them slightly worried. However his worry was short-lived and he couldn't help but laugh upon seeing Brennan carrying a bag of diapers, a few bags containing baby clothes and a huge teddy bear.

"Do you and Emma have something to tell us?"

He should have felt embarrassed. He should have wanted to kick Jesse for his remark. But the situation felt so normal. He was bringing a baby back home and he wasn't scared by the implications.

"Really funny Jesse. There's a cradle inside why don't you go and bring it back to Emma's room."

The molecular watched his friend pass by him, his laughter quickly dying. Why would he have to bring a cradle to her room? Emma could not be… pregnant; she would not have hidden it. He had only meant it as a joke. Swiftly he ran to the Helix and entered the small aircraft. The psionic was there, holding a baby and his breath got caught again. Her sight completely mesmerized him. Noiselessly he got closer and kneeled in front of her. Emma locked eyes with him and smiled. The young man was too surprised to even ask her what had happened and why she was holding a baby.

"Can you put the cradle in my bedroom and put it together? I'm going to the lab to have him scanned and see if everything is alright. I'll explain later ok?"

"Ok. Do you need anything else?"

"No. Oh if you see Brennan can you ask him to meet me in the lab."

"Sure."

A few hours later, Brennan wearily left the lab. Their leader had called up an emergency meeting after he had scanned the baby. No one had signaled a disappearance; his footprints had not been listed. Virtually the baby didn't exist. On top of that Adam had found out he was a new mutant. The four of them had argued about the present situation endlessly. In the end, Adam had somehow managed to convince Shal and Jesse to talk to Emma. But the elemental highly doubted they would make a difference. Hearing footsteps behind him he stopped.

"Brennan"

"What do you want Adam?"

The scientist rubbed his forehead. How was he going to bring the subject? Brennan had been silent during their talk and he knew he was the only one who could convince her. After all, they were a couple.

"I know that you and Emma are together. And I know that it will put you in a difficult position. But, I… could you talk to her? She listens to you."

Brennan turned around facing the older man. He hadn't joined in the conversation in the lab for a good reason. He respected her choices, even if it was disturbing, even if it meant huge changes in his life. Choosing between his lover and his friends was out of question.

"I'll try to talk to her Adam but I can't guarantee anything. If you want my opinion, she's making the right choice."

"Brennan, do you realize how hard it is going to be. It's just a whim. I don't believe she will…"

"Adam, you were raised in a family with loving parents. Try to understand what she went through when she was a child. Emma's parents abandoned her and I think all she wants to do is give him a family. She's more mature than you think."

Without another word he left a dumbfounded Adam in the hall and went in search for Emma.

Upon entering the living area he spotted the woman who occupied all his thoughts sitting on the sofa. He watched her feeding the baby and wondered. He had overheard her talk with Adam a few hours ago; he had also talked to Adam. The elemental perfectly knew he would have to talk to her about the baby. But how could he try to convince her when he was not convinced himself.

"Emma, I think we need to talk."

The redhead didn't even bother to look up. Adam had already sent her Jesse. Her talk with him had been difficult and exhausting. To say that the molecular was less than thrilled to have a baby around was understatement. After that Shalimar had also tried to convince her but in the end she had agreed it was the only possible decision. Well she had agreed after having held the little one. She had wondered when their leader would use his last weapon. She had her answer. 'How pathetic Adam! I already made up my mind.'

"Em. I know how you feel. But don't you think it would be better for him to be in a real family?"

She put the bottle on the coffee-table and settled the baby on her shoulder to make him burp. Brennan was trying to sound convincing but he was failing. She could feel the doubts laced with his words.

"He is a new mutant, a psionic just like me. His parents probably knew it and that's why they abandoned him."

Her voice broke as she pronounced the last words. The elemental sat on the couch beside her; his fingers brushed her cheeks and she closed her eyes trying to repress her sadness.

"He needs me. I won't abandon him. And yes, I know that I'm giving up many things. It's worth it Brennan, he's worth it. I've made the right decision. I'll give him a family."

Her resolve shined in her eyes so clearly that he couldn't, didn't want to contradict her. Before he had the time to think, the words were out eliciting a smile from her, soothing her fears he might reject her.

"I'll help you."

The baby seemed to have heard him too and noisily burped his agreement. Emma laughed lightly knowing she had two allies now. With a little help she could convince Jesse and Adam.

"Why do you laugh? You never laugh when Jesse or I do the same."

Emma shook her head with disbelief. He couldn't be serious for more than a few seconds.

"First burping is necessary for a baby. Second when you do burp you look and sound like a caveman."

"Hey. Ok, maybe. But I'm the sexiest caveman you'll ever see."

Gently she grabbed his t-shirt with her free hand and pulled him to her, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She brought her lips close to his ear and huskily murmured.

"Wanna talk about that later? When the little one is asleep."

A few hours later, Brennan was in his bed thinking back of the day. In less than a few hours his life had drastically changed. He had watched Emma taking the decision to be a mother without being disturbed or shocked. It had felt right from the start. What had been unplanned was his reaction first with Adam and then with her. He had told her he wanted to help but his knowledge about babies was close to nothing. They had never talked about having children though they had been going out for a few months now. But he knew that Emma wanted children. Maybe it was a sign?

He suddenly felt the urge to check on them. Without a noise he got up and made his way to her bedroom. Emma's door stood ajar and he could see her peacefully sleeping a baby-cover clutched in her hands. The baby was in its crib fully awake and wiggling his arms.

Silently he entered the room, closed the door and leaned over the cradle. The little one appeared so small, fragile, cautiously he caressed his cheek and smiled. Without a second thought, he picked the baby up. He sat down on the armchair causing the seat to squeak. Emma jerked awake slightly panicked.

"Guess we woke mommy up."

The young psionic rubbed her eyes wearily. Two am. Brennan had used the word 'mommy' to describe her. Or maybe she had been dreaming again. The sight of Brennan with her 'son' melted her heart.

"Yeah. Come over here you two."

Emma scooted over in the bed to make room for him and he settled close to her still holding the baby. Both rested their back on the headboard and Emma's head found her place on his shoulder.

"You've really made up your mind?"

The young woman lightly smiled and caressed the baby's cheek. In her mind there was no doubt. She had always dreamt of a family, a real family and she was going to give it to the little one. Somehow, she knew Brennan would be an important part in their life.

"Yeah. Isn't he the sweetest thing in the world? We should find him a name."

The elemental only nodded. He could understand her decision. A family… his dream since he had lost his mother. A dream he had never thought would come true. His heart warmed instantly when he realized she was asking his opinion about the baby's name.

"Don't you have already chosen?"

"No. I was waiting. I wanted you to help me choose. I have thought of Samuel or maybe… Luke. Luke is my favorite."

She had chosen his father name. The enormity of the situation hit him square in the chest. He had watched her taking the decision to be a parent but he was making the same choice. And it didn't even freak him out. No. He was simply happy to be there with her and their baby.

"Luke it is then."

The elemental kissed her forehead unable to hide his happiness.

"It's not gonna be easy to raise him. We'll have difficulties with school and other stuff."

"I know. Wait, you just said us? You're not mad I took that decision without consulting you. I mean I would understand if…"

"No Emma I'm not mad. We're together in this sweetheart. Have I told you that I love you today?"

The little one took one of his thumb, put it in his mouth and started sucking it as if he had heard him. Brennan smiled. It was easier than he had expected.

"You just did. But Luke's hungry. I'm going to prepare a bottle for him."

Emma got up quickly and put her robe on. She would have to find a camera on her way back to her room. There was no way she would waste the occasion.

"You two don't move. I'll be back in a few minutes."

The psionic quietly put the bottle in the microwave oven and turned it on. Mommy, the word sounded good to her hears, better than any other words she had heard. She had been having several daydreams where she and Brennan had children. Maybe it was a sign. The sound of the freezer door opening startled her.

"Shal, what are you doing up? You nearly gave me an heart attack."

The feral nearly dropped what she was holding equally surprised. She hadn't expected anyone to be up at this hour. Hastily she closed her robe and put the ice-cream on the counter hopping Emma wouldn't notice anything. She was a feral, she was supposed to realize, it when other people were in the same room.

"I should be the one asking that question. I'm partly nocturnal."

"I know. Sorry… Luke was hungry."

"So you named him Luke. That's nice."

Emma watched her friend fumbling with a bowl of strawberries and the ice-cream. She looked extremely flushed and her attire was unusual. She chided herself and smiled. 'You're imagining things Emma. You're just too tired.' The oven beeped and she collected the bottle. The temperature was perfect. Upon closing the door she felt a small electrical arc going from her fingers to the door. 'Not again'

"Argh!"

Shalimar laughed lightly. Emma was still having troubles adjusting to her new power. Every now and then the psionic would fry a computer or another electrical device much to Jesse and Adam's dismay.

"That's not funny Shal."

Emma put the bottle down on the counter and began rummaging through cupboards and drawers.

"Do you know where our digital camera is?"

The older woman looked at her wide-eyed. She could not want to… This was Emma, her little sister. Emma turned bright red upon seeing the picture coming from her mind.

"God Shal, get that picture out of your head. I need a camera to take a picture of Bren with Luke."

Silently she reopened the door and stood in the doorway. Watching Brennan when he was not guarded was so rare. He was still in her bed tickling the baby to make him laugh. His hands appeared so huge compared to her son. She took a picture without him noticing her and put the camera on her desk. It would make a great first picture for a family album.

She settled back in the bed and made a move to take Luke in her arms but Brennan swiftly took the bottle from her hand and started feeding him, surprising her with his fatherly love display.

"Careful, not too quickly. You need to see small bubbles at the surface of the milk."

She put her head back on his shoulder. It felt so right to be there with him, to know he would help her. They would deal in time with difficulties like a family. Emma peacefully drifted to sleep against the elemental, lulled by the noises of Luke eating and Brennan's heartbeat.

TBC