Nathan sighed as he stared into the NIC unit. He had convinced Megan to finally get some sleep in her room but he had unable to leave his post as he watched their daughter. He couldn't get over how small Yoanna was or how it seemed like every breath might be her last.

"Nate…"

Nathan turned around to find himself face to face with his uncle.

"Keith…what are you doing here, man?"

"We heard the news and uh, well, we couldn't stay away. Jules and Karen are in the main lobby and your parents are on their way. Peyton is here too…she's with Lucas and Brooke."

Nathan nodded.

"Well, you didn't have to come but um…thanks."

"No problem. We're all family, as dysfunctional and crazy as we are, but family takes care of one another. Where else would we be? I just want you to know, we're all here for you and Meg and whatever you guys need."

"I appreciate it."

"That's her?" Keith pointed to the isolation unit that housed his great niece.

"Yeah."

"She's beautiful."

"She is."

"Things any better?" Keith asked hopefully.

"No", Nathan answered sadly. "No better but no worse so I guess that's something to be thankful for."

"She's a fighter, Nate. It's in her blood. I won't stand here and try to sugarcoat the situation or say everything is going to be okay because I don't know that. But I do know your little girl is fighting for her life. And she's got a lot of people praying for her. That's got to count for something."

"You named her Yoanna Isabella, huh?"

"Yeah. It's something Megan had picked out a while ago when we were going over girl names."

"Pretty name. So…how is Meg?"

Nathan ran his fingers through his hair.

"Scared. Tired. I finally got her to go back to her room but I doubt she gets much sleep."

"Looks like she isn't the only one in need of rest. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, man."

"You sure? When's the last time you got a nap?"

"Keith, it's cool. I'm not tired."

"Well, at least eat something. We could go grab a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria or something…"

"I'm not hungry, dude."

Keith took a deep breath.

"I know you don't want to leave. I understand how hard this must be for you but you're gonna be no good for Meg or Yoanna if you wear yourself out. Just get away, even if it's only for a few minutes."

"I can't."

"Nathan…"

Nathan looked his uncle in the eye.

"I can't leave her, man. Don't you get that? I'm afraid. What happens if I walk away just for a second and her condition changes? I can't chance that."

"Nate…"

"It's all my fault."

"What?"

"This…everything."

"What are you talking about?"

Nathan shook his head.

"Keith, I've been such an ass lately. I just keep fucking up. Basketball, the accident, Haley…it's not fair. Look at everything I put my wife through. Megan went into premature labor because of me. I've hurt a lot of people. It's amazing Meg isn't locked away in a padded loony bin somewhere because of me. But in the end, my daughter is the one to suffer most. That's not fair, dude. Look at her. She's just a little baby. She's so innocent. Yoanna didn't ask for any of this. She doesn't deserve this."

"It's not your fault, Nathan", Keith replied softly.

"Yes, it is. I did this and now my kid is between life and death and there's nothing I can do but watch."

"Yes, there is."

"What?" Nathan asked.

"You believe in God, don't you?"

Nathan shoved his hands in his pockets. He and God weren't exactly on the best of terms lately it seemed.

"Yeah…I guess. Wait, you're gonna tell me to go to the chapel and pray about it, huh?"

Keith shrugged.

"If you want. Who knows? It might help. Besides, a little prayer never hurt anyone."

"Keith…"

"Who says you have to go to the chapel? Son, God hears 'amen' wherever we are. Remember that."

Nathan took a deep breath as his gaze returned to his baby.

"Thanks", he mumbled. "Look you can go on up to the lobby or whatever. I'll meet you there in a bit. I'm just gonna hang out here a few more minutes before I go back and check on, Meg."

Keith nodded.

"Whatever you want", he embraced his nephew before leaving him alone again.

Nathan eyes cast upwards. Of course he had always been raised to believe in God but it had been a long time since he had set foot in a church.

"God, it's me…Nathan", he began softly. "I know You're probably surprised to hear from me. Seems like the only time I come to You is when I need something. Sorry for that. Actually, I guess I'm kind of sorry for everything. I've been messing up a lot lately. I know I screwed up. I just keep hurting everybody, especially the people I love most. I do feel bad for everyone I hurt and if You could take all their hurt away and give it to me, I'd gladly take it. I deserve it more than they do. But of everything that's happened, I…I just beg You, if you're doing this with Yoanna to punish me…please don't. Teach me a lesson in another way. Hurt me…just don't hurt her. She's just a baby. She's my baby. And I love her so much. So does Meg. We don't want to lose her. Please. Please God. I know I don't deserve it but if You could, just do this one favor for me. If you're listening, please just let Yoanna be okay."

"He's listening."

Nathan jumped and turned around.

"Mike. Man, what are you doing here? What are you doing out of bed?"

The dark haired man smiled from his robe and wheelchair.

"I heard about what happened and I'm sorry. I figured you'd be down here. I just wanted to come see her and tell you I'm sorry this happened to you and Megan."

Nathan chuckled sarcastically.

"Some might say this is karma. I mean, look at the irony. What goes around, comes around, right?"

"Don't think of it like that, man. Don't do it to yourself. I don't know what this is. I don't pretend to have all the answers. I just think we're all victims of circumstance in a way. All of it. You, your wife, your ex wife, the accident, your daughter…it sucks but sometimes bad things happen to good people. It's just a part of life we have to deal with. You deal with it somehow and try your best to move on. I know it's rough and this might not mean much right now, but for what it's worth, I'm here for you."

"Even after everything that's happened…everything I've done."

Michael nodded.

"Yeah."

Nathan couldn't believe it. Maybe that was a sign from God. Maybe He did work in mysterious ways after all. The man before him, still relying on a wheelchair to get around after almost two months, the man whose life Nathan had nearly destroyed, could stand in front of him and not only forgive him but be there for him in his time of need.

"Thanks, Mike."

"No, problem", they bumped fists.

"So", Nathan sighed. "How'd you know where to find me? How'd you know I'd be down here?"

Michael shrugged as their attentions turned back to little Yoanna.

"Easy", he said in a quiet voice. "I'm a father, too."