A/N: Thankyou to the following for reviewing and if theres any questions, feel free to use the nifty new features on the site to contact me! - Ms Fi, tallyz, dogreign, takerlover, Amarantha, betty- boo, leslienicolespeaks, Dani and last but not least, Misty!

Ruby carefully gathered the numerous bunches of flowers from around her room, setting them on the bed as she packed her things. One of the girls from work was picking her up in about an hour or so and she was just trying to get a few things together to make sure she had everything.

Reaching out to carefully shake the water from the stems of Amelia's bunch of flowers, she smiled at the gesture. She'd been sleeping and had woken to a sweet smell surrounding her. Imagine her surprise when she'd opened her eyes to find at least five dozen gerberas littering every surface in the hospital room and a single bunch of blue, pink, purple and white gladiolus' with a beautiful gold card attached. Upon opening it, she was met with Leon's scrawly writing.

Ruby Jane,

You can't even begin to understand the difference you've made in my life. You've brought me joy, colour and in itself – you've brought me life again. Thankyou so much, Gemstone. You are my life – you and the kids. Be safe, baby girl.

Love, Leon…

She traced her fingers over the black lettering on the card and bit her lip, wiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks after carefully setting the card down with the others she'd received. That one would be going in Amelia's baby book – a gift from Vince, Tala and Rory. The pages were decorated in fairies and little elves, mushrooms and glitter. She'd broken down and sobbed when she saw it.

Reaching over, she picked up the envelope that had come with Amelia's flowers – the gladiolus - her name scribbled across the front and the lingering scent of Leon's aftershave clinging to the envelope. He must have carried it close to his chest before sending it. It was too thick to just be one piece of paper, so she knew it had to be a letter – well that and she'd peeked just to see what it was. As soon as she'd seen the first line 'To my beautiful baby girl,' she had quickly folded the letter back up and stuffed it back in the envelope. It was Amelia's to read once she was old enough, and until then it would remain unread and tucked safely inside her baby book with all the other little cards and gift tags she'd received.

Amelia was sleeping in her little crib by the bedside, a bright yellow stuffed Lion at the foot of the crib. It was her first stuffed toy and was from her big brother, its face set in a permanent expression of sadness with big black eyes and a frown, the fluffy mane wild around its head. There had been little letters attached to everything that had arrived and it had said Cade had insisted on the lion – a teddy bear wasn't good enough for his Milly. Already he was a proud big brother and he'd not met her yet. She had no doubts that Cade would adore his little sister. He'd even sent one of his die cast cars along for her too. It would be a while before she could play with it, but still, it was the thought that counted.

Looking around, Ruby decided she'd packed everything and sat carefully in the armchair by the bed, the envelope from Vince and Tala in her hand. When she'd received it she'd thought it was just a normal 'congratulations on your baby' card, but inside there had been a short note and some photos included. Ones of Leon and Cade in their time apart. Flipping through them, she did indeed notice that Leon had lost some weight, but after the first week of him being back in LA, he was looking healthier and healthier. Being with Cade was helping him more than expected.

She was just about to look at the next picture when something in the current one caught her eye. It was one of Cade and Leon on the couch, watching television and Leon was laying back, legs propped up on the arms while Cade splatted across his chest. The date on the photo showed it was just the day before Amelia had been born. It wasn't the position either of them were in, nor was it the fact that Leon was only in his basketball shorts and his hair still damp from a shower – it was the tattoo on his calf that made her stop. It was new – and it was oh so familiar.

"Oh my goodness.." her hand came up and covered her mouth, tears pooling in her eyes as she took in the details. It was the original fairy he'd drawn up for her – the gemstone baby – except for a few minute changes. The hair was a little shorter and instead of having her finger to her lips, her hand was resting over her heart, her skirt floor length and split to the hip… Her hair had red in it. It was her. He had gotten a fairy that resembled her put onto him permanently where anyone and their dog could see it. He wasn't hiding it. It took a great big sort of commitment to do something like that..

Hope flared in her chest. She wasn't sure exactly what it meant, but it could only be good. Still, she wasn't going to get too excited over it before she'd spoken to him and asked the story behind it. She had to know if it was for her first before she'd get all excited and cave, calling him to her right away. Regardless, the gesture was there and it was so beautiful that just for a little while, she wanted to let herself believe it was indeed for her and it did indeed mean what she thought it might. Just for a little while at least.

Looking up briefly when she heard a knock on the door, Ruby smiled at the young girl that had volunteered to pick her up and take her home. She was only a new girl and didn't know her very well, but she'd offered and Ruby much preferred having someone to drive her home with Amelia then having to wrestle all her things and the baby into the back of a cab.

"You ready to head home?"

Ruby carefully slipped her wrist through the handles of a gift bag full of gifts for Amelia and herself – a beautiful little dream catcher with peridot beads and a white gold ID bracelet amongst them. The dream catcher was from Leon, to keep the bad dreams away from Amelia while he wasn't there to do it himself, and the bracelet a gift from Vince to his niece.

"Yeah," she motioned to the flowers on the bed, "-would you mind carrying those and I'll get Bub?"

The girl, Amanda, nodded brightly. "Of course!" She carefully scooped up the numerous bunches of flowers and headed out the door, Ruby in tow with Amelia cradled in her arms. She had been in the hospital for a grand total of five days and every day she'd been there, Leon had called to see how she was doing, how Amelia was and more flowers had arrived. She'd made sure to tell him that she was being discharged that morning so he didn't keep bombarding the hospital with flora. Not that she was complaining about him sending them, she loved them all and was touched that he'd remembered her favourites, but it wouldn't do any good to keep sending them when she wasn't even there to receive them.

Looking down at her little girl, she cooed quietly, rocking her slightly. She was such a good baby, very quiet and not fussy at all and she made the most adorable snuffling sounds as she nuzzled closer to whoever was holding her. The only thing she didn't seem to be overly fond of was people touching her feet. It seemed almost impossible, but she reminded her so much of Leon in ways like that. He loved to be touched now, but if you got him in particular places, he would flinch and recoil something terrible. Definitely daddy's girl.

Almost at the car now, Ruby took a deep breath and prepared herself for the trip back to her apartment. Back home for the first time since Amelia had been born.

Ruby rubbed her face tiredly. She felt like curling up in a ball and crying until she was bone dry.

It had been four weeks since she'd come home from the hospital with Amelia, which meant four long weeks of near constant feedings, crying, diapers, sleeping, more crying – and occasionally it was Amelia's turn too! Once the initial euphoria had worn off the exhaustion kicked in and she'd been running on near empty for the past eight to ten days.

Almost every time he had called, Leon had offered to come and help her out – he'd told her that when she wanted him there, whenever she needed him no matter what time of day that she had to call him. She'd come close to calling him on numerous occasions but at the last minute had chickened out. She'd wanted to prove to herself that she could do it on her own but now that she'd experienced life with a newborn, she realised just how difficult it was. She needed help and she needed it now.

Shaking fingers dialled in the familiar numbers of Leon's cell and she lifted the receiver to her ear, listening to the shrill ringing. She could hear Amelia waking in the bedroom and bit her lip, desperately trying not to cry. She loved her daughter with her all, but she needed rest.

A deep, sleep roughened grumble came down the line just as Amelia woke completely and started to cry. Ruby took a deep breath and just as she was about to say something she heard Leon's voice, clearer now.

"Hello? Ruby, is that you?"

Just hearing his voice did her in and before she could stop it, the flood gates opened and she started to sob. "Leon – I can't do this.. Please, Le, I need your help." Her chest hurt with every heaving breath. She was just so exhausted, both physically and mentally but while she was alone, she couldn't rest and recuperate. She could hear him making soft, soothing sounds and slowly started to catch her breath.

"Ruby Jane, breathe – that's it baby.. Now give me your address and I'll be there as soon as I can." He could hear Amelia crying in the background and instantly regretted not trying to get her to let him come to them sooner, but he hadn't wanted to scare her away. If that had happened he never would have seen her or Amelia ever again.

Ruby told him her address without hesitation and even told him how to get there in a round about way, then after listening to his assurance that he'd be there soon, she hung up and hurried in to see to her little girl.

Amelia's cheeks were pink from crying and screaming by the time she got into the small bedroom that she'd made into the nursery and the tears returned to Ruby's own eyes.

"Oh, baby I'm so sorry! Mommy was talking to Daddy," she told her as she picked her up, "-he's coming to see us, baby." She nuzzled her little cheeks, rocking and swaying slightly whilst humming a soft tune. "Daddy's going to make everything alright."