June 12th, 2004

Things weren't perfect, but it was a lot better than it was. Derek still had a hard time trusting Alex, but things would eventually work out in the end. Alex hoped at least. They both had to admit that make up sex was wonderful.

"I love my Lilah bean." Alex cuddled with Lilah in bed. Derek chuckled as he opened his eyes. Lilah was kicking her legs as Alex tickled her belly.

"When did she get in bed with us?" He yawned and stretched.

"She woke up at four." Alex said. Lilah rolled over onto her stomach. Her eyes brightened up when she looked at her father.

"Good morning, Sweetheart." Derek kissed Lilah's cheek as she sat up. "She's getting so big."

"I know." Alex sighed, "If I wasn't stupid and miscarried we would-"

"Don't blame yourself." He said as he sat up, "Mason was meant to be where he is. It's no one's fault." Alex sighed again and slid out of bed.

"Maybe you're right." She shrugged, "I'm going to cook some breakfast. Eggs?"

"Eggs sound great." Derek said putting Lilah on his lap. "Bean, how did you become so gorgeous?"

"Ppppfffffttttttt!!!!!" Lilah gave Derek a raspberry. He laughed loudly.

"Trust me, bean. You're gorgeous." He held onto her as he got up. "Maybe we can put on your bathing suit and we can all go swimming." Derek walked out of their bedroom and downstairs, "I was thinking about taking you girls swimming."

"You can take Lilah." Alex said.

"No I'm taking you too." Derek said. Alex laughed softly.

"You do not want to see me in a bathing suit." She said.

* * *

The sun beat down on Alex's body as she lay in the sun. Derek couldn't help but to stare at her. The blue bathing suit hugged every curve. Who would have known she had a baby a few months ago? Lilah looked adorable in her pink and yellow-stripped suit that had ruffles on her butt.

"Come on. I'm taking her for a swim." He said. Alex opened her eyes.
"I'm coming with you." Alex stood up and stretched. Derek stared at her. Her legs looked so good. Derek got up and scooped Lilah into his arms. He walked over to the water.
"See, Bean?" Derek put her feet in the water. Lilah squealed.

"I think she likes it." Alex chuckled going up to her waist. Derek followed her. Lilah's legs hugged at Derek's side tightly. Her blue eyes stared at the water.

"Yeah I think so." Derek said wrapping his other arm around Alex's waist. She smiled softly at him.
"I'm glad we're here." She said.
"Yeah, I like the beach." Derek said.

"No. I mean, here." She placed her hand on his heart, "I'm glad we're okay and able to do family stuff." He nodded, but his face was serious.

"We'll always be a family, no matter what happens." Derek said. Alex smiled softly at him. She was so thankful for that. She thought when she slept with Jimmy her life with Derek would be gone forever. She was happy that he had given her a second chance.

June 20th, 2004

Derek sat on the engine as it sped down the street. He couldn't help but to drift off to this morning. Alex looked so sexy in her boxer shorts and tank top as she cooked the three of them some eggs. Lilah sat in her high chair only in her diaper.

"Breakfast is almost ready." Alex said getting a couple of plates out. She didn't even bother serving Lilah food on a plate. It'd wind up on her high chair anyway.

"Good cause Daddy is starved." Derek said. Lilah pounded on her high chair top.
"DADEEEEEEE!" She squealed. Derek and Alex froze.

"Are you on earth?" Jimmy asked. Derek looked at him and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking." He said. Jimmy frowned slightly.
"About what?" He asked.

"About being a dad." Derek smiled, "It's a wonderful job."

"I can't believe it!" Alex laughed. "Did....did she just say what I think she said?"

"Yes!" Derek scooped Lilah up. "Say it! Say Daddy!" Lilah giggled.

"Daddeee!!" She squealed. Alex began to cry.

"She's growing up, D." She said, "I cannot believe it."

"I knew she'd say my name first." Derek was beaming with pride. Alex rolled her eyes.

"DK, you with us?" Lt. Johnson looked into the engine. Derek looked around. All the men were out of the engine. He didn't realize they pulled up. He nodded.

"Sorry, Sir." Derek jumped out of the engine. he stared at the blazing apartment building fire. Five other ladders were there. This was a major fire.

"DK, Doherty, and Misson. GO in there find survivors." Johnson said, "Use your heads. Don't be a smartass hero."

"Yes, Sir." Jimmy said.

"I mean you too, Doherty." Johnson said.

"Come on." Jimmy chuckled. Derek swallowed and went into the building. The first floor was filled with smoke. Derek didn't see any flames.

"Let's go on the second floor." Mission said. Derek nodded and followed him. Flashes of Lilah entered his brain. She was so happy this morning. Lilah knew uttering that one word that she had made her parents so proud. Derek would always remember that sparkle that she had in her blue eyes.

"DK! Look out!" Jimmy yelled pushing Derek away from a falling beam. Derek blinked. He didn't realize he had already made it upstairs.
"Christ, Kelly. Don't kill yourself." Misson hissed.
"Sorry." He said looking around him. This floor was certainly on fire.

"Just focus." Jimmy muttered.

"Help!!!!" A blood-curdling scream was coming from one of the apartment buildings. Derek ran over to the door. it was cool. he opened it up. This was where the screams were coming from.

"Ma'am? FDNY here!" Derek called out.
"God, help me! I'm stuck!" A woman screamed from the bedroom. Derek ran down the hallway ahead of the others. He looked in the bedroom. Flames licked up the walls. The ceiling was caving in. A young woman was trapped underneath the falling ceiling.

"Ma'am, I'm here." Derek ran over to her.
"God help me!" She cried.

"What's your name?" He asked glancing behind him. Where was Doherty? Derek pushed the wood off of the woman.

"L-Lindsay." She whimpered. "It hurts."

"I'll take you to a paramedic." Derek said helping Lindsay up. She groaned loudly, "Doherty! Where are you?" Lindsay and Derek stared at the door. A fallen beam blocked it.
"Oh god." Lindsay whispered.
"I'll get you out of here." Derek said, trying his radio. he got nothing but static.
"Wh-what's your name?" Lindsay whispered.
"Derek." He said. Sweat was pouring down his face. The fire was closing in around them. This was it. Alex was going to be a single mother. he just knew it. Derek stared at the floor as he began to cave in beneath them. Lindsay clung to him.
"Oh god." She cried. Derek held onto her tightly as the floor seemed to disappear beneath them and they fell to the bottom in a fiery heap. All Derek saw was Lilah saying her first words. Daddy.

* * *

Alex's heart pounded as she pushed the doors to the ER open. Police Officers and firemen were standing there staring at her. She pushed past them. She knew a day like this could happen.
"Where is he?" She croaked out. Jimmy looked at her.

"Alex...." he said.
"Where the fuck is he?" She asked. Jimmy lowered his eyes.
"In the trauma room...." Jimmy whispered. Alex pushed past Jimmy and ran into the trauma room. She had to make sure Derek was okay. She went into the room and stared at the body on the gurney. Was that Derek? Her knees shook as she went up to his.
"Oh god." Alex whispered. it was. It was Derek. His skin was covered in soot. His arm and legs were bandaged up. "Tell me how much of him in burnt." Dr. Collins walked up behind her.

"His right arm and right leg are burnt. The burn unit said they might be able to salvage something." He said, "He broke his left leg in the fall and cracked his skull." Alex felt sick to her stomach. The smell. God, that smell of burned flesh was horrible. "We're worried about infection right now."

"Has...Has he woken up yet?" She asked.
"No." Dr. Collins said, "We thing their might be some brain damage." Alex's eyes filled with tears. Her fiance might not be able to marry her. There was a possibility he could die. Alex's eyes rolled into the back of her head as she fainted. She couldn't face loosing another man that she loved.

* * *

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