A/N: Sorry I've been MIA my loves – lots going on. I have to keep writing though b/c I'm desperate to get to the second part of the story – which is the reason I decided to write it in the first place. So. Here you go. Moving on…slowly but surely.

Until 19 – Enjoy! xox -G

Chapter Eighteen

"It's too bad I'll never have a baby brother or sister." Ella said with a sigh.

Chloe laughed as she finished dressing Melissa. Today was an exciting day. They were bringing the baby home. "I have to say it's pretty unlikely."

Ella hopped up on the bed and gently ran a hand over Melissa's head. She knew she had to be careful, her mother told her that baby's heads weren't quite finished growing. They were really soft.

"I know. Daddy asked Mommy if they could have one more yesterday and even though he was trying to kiss her she got all mad. She said, 'It's never gonna happen. Get over yourself Rafe, you're a grandfather.'" Ella looked at Chloe with wide innocent eyes. "I guess he's kinda old to have another baby huh? He's got some gray in his hair."

Chloe decided to tread carefully. She bit back laughter as she replied."I just think your Mom means that you're already their baby and now they're going to enjoy having grandchildren."

That wasn't a very good answer. Ella thought with a sigh. It didn't make her any less confused especially since she remembered something else. "What about your Dad?" Ella asked then. "He has gray hair too."

"What about my Dad?" Chloe giggled as she gazed down at her daughter. It was so amazing. She couldn't take her eyes off her.

Ella looked down at the baby as her face flushed a bright shade of pink. "I shouldn't say. It's not polite."

Chloe stopped laughing as she caught the look on Ella's little face. "Sweetie, what's the matter?"

"Just that Daddy said something about your Dad having a chance to have another baby and that he was kinda jealous." Ella said softly.

Kids were so funny, Chloe thought with a laugh. She fought to reassure her. "Honey – don't be silly. My Dad's not having another baby."

"You don't think so? He won't even have one with Katie's pretty doctor?" Ella replied, more confused than ever. "Mommy said to Daddy that they were so cute together when she caught them kissing."

As if on cue, Michelle walked in, completely oblivious. Her heart beat nervously knowing that in just a little bit of time the truth would all be out. "All ready to go home?" She asked with a bright smile, trying to keep her nerves at bay. "I'm sure you're very excited."

At the sight of Michelle Chloe's face lost color. She gently picked up Melissa and held her close.

Jack followed behind and grinned madly. "How are my two favorite girls?" He asked, his voice full of joy.

Chloe fought to find her voice as she looked from him to Michelle and back again. All of the sudden she knew what Ella had told her was true. It took some time until she was finally able to answer him. "Don't you mean three?"

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"Is there anything else you need?" Danny asked as he stood next to the bed.

"Yeah. You. Going back to work." Lia grumbled.

"I meant from the kitchen." He said with a smile.

"I know what you meant – Thornhart and that's still what I need. You're driving me crazy." She sighed as she glared at him.

"I love you Lia." He whispered then as he leaned close and stared into her eyes.

Whenever he did that she began to melt, but she couldn't take it much longer. "Don't do that. Don't try and sweet talk me – I'm serious." She protested as he settled next to her and began to kiss her. She pulled back and made him listen. "I'm fine now. I really am. Just stop hovering. I'm begging you, Danny. PLEASE. You're getting on my last nerve."

If he thought it would work he'd chain her to their house indefinitely. The thought of her in danger again had his heart pounding. "You need to take care of yourself." He scolded her as he brushed a stray hair from her cheek.

Lia was as tough as they came, except where Danny was concerned. Just a look had her features softening, the tone of his voice could make her dizzy. More than one person had told her that she was never more beautiful than when she was gazing at Danny.

"I know. I'll take it easy." She said softly as she looked at him now. "But you're being ridiculous and honey - you're suffocating me. I'm not the first woman to ever get pregnant you know."

"I'm aware of that – but you're the only pregnant woman I care about at the moment." His eyes twinkled as he thought about what was to come. He knew he had to ease up a bit but it wouldn't be easy. Despite his own wishes he heard himself say, "I'll leave you alone if you promise me a few things."

"What?" She asked, completely suspicious.

"You have to promise me you'll stay here." He began.

"In bed or in the house?" She asked him then.

"I'd prefer in bed but you can relax on the couch if you want." Danny reluctantly conceded.

"But I wanted to go visit Eric today." She pouted. Ever since she found out her partner was going to be OK she couldn't wait to go and thank him for saving her life.

Luckily, Danny had that one covered. "You can't visit him anyway. He's still not out of the woods completely yet. You can see him next week."

"Alright." She sighed loudly. "What else are you going to make me promise?"

"You need to eat." He ordered. "Your mom's coming over and I'm telling her too. You have to have lunch today Lia – no ifs, ands or buts."

"OK. I'll eat." She nodded. "What else?"

"REST." He said as he kissed her again. "Just get some rest. Do it for me – please. I'm so worried about you."

Lia knew that tone of voice well. Danny wasn't joking. "I promise." She said softly as she kissed him back. "I will – I promise."

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Lynnie couldn't concentrate. She was supposed to be writing but she was still thinking of Ethan. She smiled widely as she gazed at the nearly empty screen in front of her.

He stood at the doorway and watched her, not knowing what was making her look so happy but hoping it would last.

Her grin got bigger as she noticed him standing there. "Hey." She whispered.

"You were up early." He replied as he walked towards her. He leaned a hip on the edge of her desk and picked up a heart shaped paperweight idly tossing it back and forth in his hands.

"I was trying to write but I keep getting distracted." She said with a sigh as she gazed up at him.

He chuckled at the look on her face. Ethan looked down and caught a glimpse of what she had written. "Andrew, Brandon, Donovan?" He said with one eyebrow raised in a curious fashion. Somehow he was sure that for once this was not a list of character names.

She giggled as he continued to read, "Alyssa, Callie, Lilly…" He stopped and then stared into her eyes. "I like Lilly."

"You do?" She blinked back tears at the sound of his voice saying the name. She was almost unable to believe it. It was her favorite one too.

"I do." He nodded. "But you know what? I'm not so sure that Lilly's on her way just yet." Ethan leaned down and kissed her nose.

"No?"

"No." He said softly as he grabbed hold of her hands. "C'mon." He urged as he pulled her up until she stood before him.

"Where are we going?" Lynnie asked as she let him lead her from the room. She didn't have any doubt where he was taking her.

"You're not getting any work done anyway…" He began as he gently took off her glasses and placed them carefully on the dresser. "I think we need some…"

"Insurance?" She giggled as she returned the favor, drawing his glasses off and setting them aside. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close, crushing her mouth to his.

"Yeah." He murmured with a laugh as they tumbled back into the still unmade bed. "Insurance…"

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"Ella sweetie, can you go find Grant for me?" Chloe asked in a shaky voice.

"'Kay. Bye baby." Ella replied in a whisper as she hopped off the bed and scurried off.

"Chloe…" Jack began as the door clicked closed behind her. He involuntarily reached for Michelle's hand and held tight.

"How long?" Chloe asked as she held Melissa closer.

"A few months." He replied, knowing he couldn't hide any longer.

"When were you going to tell me?" Chloe asked then, feeling as if she was dreaming. This couldn't be real.

"Clo?" Grant said, unsure of what he was just walking in on. "Ella said you needed me."

"I do." She said as she blinked back tears. "My father – he's…" She looked desperately over at Jack and fought to speak. "…I can't even believe you…"

"Chloe…" Michelle said tentatively.

"DON'T." Chloe replied, cutting her off sharply. "Don't you dare. You're just as bad. How could you? Month after month you saw me and you never said ONE word."

"What's going on?" Grant asked, alarmed that Chloe seemed so upset. He put his arm around her and rubbed a hand gently over her back.

"Tell him Dad. Go ahead. I want to hear you say it." She said as she shook back her curls and glared at him.

It was harder than Jack realized, because when she did that she looked exactly like her mother. He stared into the face that was so like his Melissa's and cleared his throat. "Michelle and I…" He paused for a moment trying to compose himself. "We're moving in together."

"YOU'RE WHAT?" Chloe gasped. She sank down in a chair near the bed, her heart breaking as she heard the baby cry. She knew that the fact that she was upset was upsetting Melissa. "I just thought you were dating now you're LIVING together?" She gazed desperately at Grant. "This isn't happening. Grant – please…" She begged. "Tell me I'm hallucinating."

He knew this was probably not a smart move, but he had to bring something up. "Honey – you suspected something like this a few weeks ago." Grant whispered.

"But I wasn't sure." She protested.

Jack knew he was the one who had to repair the damage. "Chloe? Honey. I shouldn't have waited so long. We should have told you before. But, honestly? I knew that it would be hard for you to understand. I always found someway to avoid it before. But there's a really good reason…"

"I'm on pins and needles." Chloe snapped back at him.

"I wanted to surprise you." He said softly.

"Well. You succeeded. I'm surprised alright." She said bitterly.

An uneasy silence fell around them. Michelle knew she had played a part in this going so badly. She should have insisted that they break the news months ago but they had been so happy and neither she nor Jack wanted to ruin it.

She knew it would not be easy but it was something she had to do. "Chloe? I'm sorry. Please understand that your father and I – we never meant to hurt you."

"Too late." Chloe replied, still furious.

Michelle ignored the comment. "When we met I was sure that it wouldn't go anywhere. I was sure I'd never ever fall in love again." She gazed over at Jack with tears in her eyes. "I found that once. I didn't think I could be that lucky twice."

Chloe wasn't sure what she meant by that, but something Michelle's words made her take a breath and stop pouting.

Grant took Melissa from Chloe's arms as Jack walked towards her. He knelt next to her chair.

Jack held onto Chloe's hands as he promised. "I'll always love your mother Chloe – and Michelle - she knows that. If you'd just give her a chance and get to know her you'll see that Michelle and I - we have a lot in common."

Chloe realized she sounded like a spoiled brat, but when she first heard the news she didn't know what to think or what to do. She hadn't seen her father this happy in…well…forever. If Michelle made him happy – who was she to deny him that?

It wouldn't be easy, but she took a deep breath and replied. "I'm sorry. You just – I mean – it's all so sudden. I want you to be happy, Daddy. I really do."

"Then let's talk about all this some more later." Jack said with a grin, happy that the first battle seemed to be over. He was sure there was more to come, but at least the truth was out. "Right now, I have another surprise for you." He said as he helped her to stand.

Ella's words from earlier filled Chloe's head as she sank back in the chair. She gazed over at Michelle, her voice shaking as she said. "Oh my God. If you tell me you're having a baby I'm going to lose it."