Ian had arranged for Lucy to spend a few extra days in the hospital, wanting her to get some much needed rest before returning home. Even with the added help that Lucy always hired, it was still a strain to be a new mom—especially with three other children vying for her attention. He hadn't consulted Lucy, though, and that was a big mistake. All she wanted was to go home, sleep in her own bed, and get a taste of "normal" for perhaps the first time in her life. And Ian had become so protective of her that she felt like she was being smothered. He had refused to leave the hospital, and spent every waking—and sleeping—moment with Lucy and Caroline. It was almost as if he was afraid they would disappear if he left them for even a few minutes. Lucy was frustrated and exasperated; because it felt like Ian didn't trust her—when in actuality he was just having a difficult time believing in his hard won happiness.

Finally, Lucy had enough, and she snapped at Ian as he was changing Caroline, "You know…I know how to take care of a baby! Just because you're a doctor doesn't mean that you know more than I do! I'm her mother—will you just let me do it!"

Ian looked at her with sad eyes, "I know you can take care of her, I'm just taking care of you. I'm sorry—let me finish and I promise you can do it next time."

Lucy felt badly for hurting Ian's feelings, but she knew she couldn't stand to be treated like a china doll for one second more, "I've been taking care of myself for a long time now. You know that! I DO NOT like to be coddled. I love you, Ian Thornhart, but you have to give me some room to breathe. Now go…leave this hospital…go across the street to Ramsey's and get something to eat and some Irish whiskey and…" She pointed at the door, "… DON'T COME BACK until tomorrow! Do you hear me?"

Ian just looked at her sadly, "Aye, I hear you." He gave Caroline a kiss and laid her in the bassinet. He then took a step towards Lucy, but stopped, turned around, and headed out the door without even saying goodbye.

Lucy just looked at the closed door as a tear escaped her eye, "Now look what you've done, Lucy! Could you have been any nastier?"

Lucy lay across the bed and sobbed into her pillow. There was a soft knock on the door and Alison walked in, "Lucy! What's wrong? Where's Ian?"

"I just chased him out! I was so mean to him," Lucy said, the sound muffled by her pillow. She sat up and used a tissue to wipe off her face, "I'm sorry you saw that. It's good to see you, Alison."

Lucy hadn't expected Alison to visit her in the hospital. She was surprised to see here there, and felt terrible that Alison had caught her crying…especially when she had so much to be happy about.

"I came to meet the baby. I saw Denise and she said I could just come on in. I can come back later…"

"No, I'm glad you're here. It's probably just the baby blues. Come on over and meet her." Lucy said softly. "Alison, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Caroline."

Lucy lifted the baby from the bassinet and put her in Alison's arms. Tears ran down Alison's cheeks as she inhaled the sweet smell of newborn baby, "Oh, Lucy, she's beautiful. I'm so very happy for you. You and Ian deserve this more than anyone I know."

Lucy wanted to mention Alison's lost child, and apologize for her sorrow, but knew better. Alison had made it quite clear that the period of time when she became pregnant and miscarried was not to be spoken of. She would change the subject, or leave the room, whenever anyone tried to discuss it. Lucy valued her friendship too much to risk saying a word.

"Thank you, Alison. We're two very lucky people. Now if I can just let that man of mine know how sorry I am for being so cruel," Lucy answered.

"Lucy, you don't know how to be cruel. You don't have to worry; he loves you so much that he won't be able to stay away for long. Just give him time to feel sorry for himself a little bit—then someone will kick his butt and send him back here," Alison answered. Lucy couldn't help but wonder if Alison was talking about Ian or about Rafe…but she kept that to herself. The two women sat and visited while Alison held the sleeping infant.

When Caroline started to fuss, Alison excused herself so that Lucy could feed and change her. After Caroline was full and dry, Lucy called and asked to have the baby returned to the nursery. She decided to get some rest while she had the chance. She was worried about Ian; he didn't answer when she tried to call his cell phone.

Ian had gone to Jake's instead of Ramsey's—he intended to get very drunk and knew that Jack wouldn't let him. Once he drank enough liquid courage to go back to the hospital, he decided it was time to confront Lucy. He stumbled into Lucy's room sometime after midnight, holding a flower in his hand. He crashed into a chair and barely kept himself from falling. In one part of his brain he knew that he was behaving like an idiot, but his inebriated self was in control at the moment.

"Where's ma baby? I brung her a pressssent!" he slurred. Lucy awoke from a light sleep the minute Ian opened the door. Realizing he was drunk, she started to giggle. Ian, though, had spent several hours feeling sorry for himself and didn't appreciate Lucy's laughter.

"Wha'ssss a matter wit' you? Are ye daft or somefin'?" He said to Lucy. "Ah've come to see ma wee lasssssssss… and she's gone! What did ya do wif her?"

Still giggling, Lucy answered, "She went to the nursery so that I could get some sleep. I'm sorry I was so mean to you, Ian. I love you—will you forgive me? Please?"

She got up out of bed, gave him a tender kiss, and took his free hand. She led him over to the bed, "Why don't you lay down with me and sleep it off, okay?"

Ian had expected Lucy's anger, and he was too far-gone to react to her change in mood. He just followed her to the bed, held her in his arms, and fell soundly asleep while never relinquishing the flower in his hand. Lucy listened to his gentle snoring before surrendering to slumber. She decided that they were going home the next morning, whether Ian liked it or not…and she'd make sure he liked it.

Ian woke up with such a hangover that he didn't have the strength to argue with Lucy when she insisted on going home. Once they were settled in, Ian knew that Lucy was right and had the good grace to apologize for being stubborn. They kissed and made up; while Lucy observed that it was the worst fight they'd ever had.