Changed ch1

This is in response to the Changed challenge on the Sandles group.

Greg Sanders adjusted the soft pink blanket and looked at the tiny infant.

"What was your Momma thinking, Katie? She wants ME to raise you. What are we gonna do?" The baby grinned in response. "Yeah, you laugh now, but I don't know what I'm doing here, and I'M your parents. It's you and me against the world, baby girl." He held her close. "I do love you; that's got to count for something."

His sister had been dead ten days. She and her husband hadbeen killed by a drunk driver on their way home from their first outing without their new daughter. Katie turned two months old the day they died. One irresponsible bastard made a selfish choice and now she was an orphan, robbed of even memories of the parents who had loved her so much. Greg had been stunned when the lawyer had read Kelly and Keith's will. It adamantly stated that HE was to have Katie - not his parents, not Keith's dad, but HIM, probably the least suitable person in the family. A letter penned privately to him explained the reasons - Mom and Dad were struggling with his grandfather and teenage brother and sister, who were both into drugs, and Keith's Dad father was a raging alcoholic. Besides, Greg was crazy about Katie. The letter went on to urge him to find a suitable lady and make a complete family for his new child. In parting, Kelly added, "Don't be afraid, Greg. Just love her. Buy parenting books, ask questions, but remember that everyone goes into parenthood a beginner. I'm sorry to lay this on you, but she needs you. Be there for her. Ever since the day she was born, I've had the overwhelming sense that Keith and I are going to die soon. That's why I'm writing this. You're supposed to do this, Greg. I'm sorry, but you are."

And that was how in less than two weeks he had gone from free spirit to parent. He had a crib in his living room, Enfamil in the cabinet, and lots and lots of diapers and little pink and white garments fresh-washed in a laundry basket on the sofa. He smelled not of Drakkar and Merlot but of baby powder. "I'm a Mom now," he whispered and laid the recliner back. He and Katie were due a nap.

A knock at the door awakened him several hours later. He gently laid Katie in her crib on the way to the door, then quietly opened it. "Catherine! Come in!"

"Grissom said you got back into town late last night; I brought you a casserole for supper. Oh, my gosh; just look at her!" Catherine knelt on the floor next to the crib. "Oh, Greg! She is just precious!" Catherine stayed there for a few minutes, then stood. "So how are YOU?"

Greg shrugged. "In shock. Overwhelmed."

She nodded. "I remember the day Eddie and I brought Lindsey home from the hospital. My Mom came and went, then Eddie slipped out to a bar. It was just Lindsey and me. It suddenly struck me that I was completely and utterly responsible for her well-being. If I messed up, she would be the one who was hurt by it. It's scary, but you move past it and settle into doing what needs to be done."

"I just feel so damned incompetent." He rubbed his eyes. "She's lost everything, and I want to make it up to her, to make her life just as great as it would've been if Kelly and Keith hadn't gotten killed, and I know I can't. "

"Greg, don't go there. It's pointless. Her life won't be the same as it would have been with your sister and her husband, but she'll have a great childhood - you'll make sure of that. Maybe you weren't looking to become a parent at this point in your life, but you'll be a good one. You're one of the most caring men I know. Read the parenting books..." Catherine glanced at the stack of books on his coffee table "... but realize they're just a rough guide; real life isn't exactly like Dr. Spock says it will be. And you have me. I'm here for you whenever you need me."

They were interrupted by another knock. "I have to go." Catherine gave him a quick hug and walked with him to the door. "Sara!"

"You're popular today," Catherine shot at Greg on her way out. "Wait until you see the baby. She's precious," she said to Sara on the way out.

Sara handed him a pizza. "I brought you supper. I would've come sooner, but I had to work late." She put the pizza down and pulled him into a hug. "I 'm so sorry, Greg. How are you?"

He shrugged. "Okay under the circumstances." He glanced at the crib. "A little intimidated."

Sara walked over and looked into the crib. "She is just precious."

"You can hold her if you want. It's time for her to eat."

Sara gingerly lifted the tiny infant out of the crib. "What's her name?" "Katie." "Hello, Katie." Sara pulled her close. "You are a beauty, but you just did a poopie." She leaned to grab a diaper from the open pack beside the crib. "I know just what to do about that, though."

"I'm sorry; I'll..."

"No, I'm fine." Sara was busily changing the diaper as she spoke. "Believe me; you'll have plenty to change between now and when you get her potty trained." Diaper changed, she redressed Katie and picked her up again. "So where's the formula?"

Greg held up a bottle containing a white powder. "Just gotta heat the water." The microwave beeped, and he poured the warm water into the bottle and shook it. That done, he drizzled a few drops on his wrist, the handed the bottle to Sara. "You can feed her if you want."

Sara smiled. "I was planning to." Greg's heart skipped a beat as he watched her feeding Katie. She was so beautiful, and he let his mind wander for just an instant, imagining her here with them, the three of them making a real family. It was never going to happen, but he could dream. "So, Greg, I take it she's yours now?"

He nodded. "It was what Kelly and Keith wanted. " "How are you doing with it?" He looked down at the floor. "I feel totally inept. I want to be a good parent, but I'm not sure I have what it takes." He met her gaze. "It's scary, Sara."

She smiled. "Yeah, but you're going to be a great Dad. And you aren't by yourself in this. You're my best friend. I'm here for both of you." She looked down at the eagerly-suckling baby nestled in her arms. "You're full of surprises, Greg."

"What do you mean?" "You were young, single, full of fun, no entanglements - and you gave it all up for her. Not many guys in your position would've made the same choice."

"There was no choice to be made. I mean, look at her - could YOU turn her away?"

Sara looked him in the eye. "No, I couldn't - but most guys wouldn't see it that way."

Greg stepped forward and squatted beside her. "I would hope that by this point in time you'd have realized I'm not most guys."

She gave him her best Mona Lisa smile. "I know you're not, Greg. I know you're not..."