Chapter 11

The show Grey's Anatomy and the characters are the sole property of Shonda Rhimes and do not belong to me.

Burke returned to the hospital later that evening showered, shaved and dressed casually in blue jeans and a simple sweater, he looked so unlike the Dr. Burke that everyone knew. He looked leaner and more handsome than he ever looked before. The nurses on the third floor most of whom were new and did not know Burke personally were all gossiping about how lucky Dr. Yang was and how her little boy looked so much like his father. They were so intent on gossiping that they didn't even see Burke standing there. One nurse was in the middle of saying"I heard that she didn't even tell him about the little boy, I don't think she knows how lucky she is" Burke cleared his throat. "Nurse. I'm sorry I didn't get your name"

"Alexander" the nurse answered, "Emily Alexander."

"Nurse Alexander, I sincerely appreciate your keen interest in my relationship with Dr. Yang but I suggest in future that you limit your comments to medicine where it relates to her care and not her personal life. Oh, and one other thing, I am the lucky one."

With that Burke walked away without giving the nurse the chance to speak. As he approached Cristina's room he got the sense that something was different, there were voices coming from the room, one in particular which he recognized but had not heard in years. It was Cristina's mother Helen. He came close to the room glanced at the window to see who was there. He did not want to intrude and he thought it was wonderful that Cristina's family had finally come to see her. He was very close to his family and he always wanted Cristina to be close to hers. He was sure that they know about Christopher because he saw a picture at Cristina's apartment with Helen holding the baby. Aside from Helen, there was an older gentleman, tall and distinguished looking with greying hair and a younger woman, probably a few years younger than Cristina with the same unruly hair except that her hair was a lighter color. Burke assumed that this was Cristina's sister, although she never once told him that she had a sister. Helen was brushing Cristina's hair and Burke could tell that Cristina hated that. The younger woman stepped aside as if to get closer to the bed and it left a space between the window and the Gentlemen and Burke could see Cristina clearly but she couldn't see him because she had turned sideways. As Burke was about to leave, she turned around and saw him. Their eyes locked and Burke smiled at her, she didn't say anything but she looked at him pleadingly and he knew that she didn't want him to be there right now so he left.

He had rented a car a few days earlier and decided that since it was still early he would phone Meredith and see if it was okay to visit Christopher. Meredith sounded happy to hear from him and said that Christopher would be happy to see him. As he pulled up in front of Meredith's house, he could see Christopher peeking out the window Burke got out of the car and as soon as he did the little boy came running out of the house, Burke bends down with his arms stretched out and Christopher ran right into his arms. He wrapped his arms around him and picked him up and all the turmoil of the day suddenly just disappeared and he just wanted to hold his son. He had been In Seattle for over a week and this is the first time that he had felt so welcomed. He closed his eyes tightly fighting back tears as the little boy wrapped his little arms around his neck. Meredith stood at the door looking at them and she hoped that one day she would experience such unconditional love from a child. Burke smiled at her and said "So Auntie Mere what time does he go to bed. ?"

"Oh he's got about an hour but I think it's okay for him to be a little late tonight."

"Did you know that her family is here?"

"Yes, came this evening, don't worry have fun with your little surprise."

"You've been good to him, thank you."

"No problem, consider it payback for not getting me arrested for forging your signature that time."

Burke smiled and for the first time in weeks the smile reached his eyes and it was a happy smile. "I'll bring him back in an hour."

He was going toward the car when Meredith stopped him, you're forgetting something and she handed him a booster seat. His mother will have a fit if you put him in a car without this she said. Here, I'll show you how to strap him in. In ten minutes they were at the ice cream store and Burke asked Christopher what flavor he liked. "I like chocolate" Christopher answered "which one do you like Preston"

"I like chocolate too."

They bought their ice cream and sat at a little table, just the two of them eating and talking like they've known each other their entire life. When they were done Burke started to wipe Ice cream from Christopher's hands and face when the little boy said.

"Preston, are you my dad?"

Burke froze he didn't know how to answer the question and he didn't want to lie to his son. He looked in the little boy's eyes and something tells him that Christopher knew exactly who he was. No medical book ever prepared him on how to answer this question.

"Do you think I'm your father?"

"Yes."

"How do you know that? .'

"I figured it out."

Burke smiled, he couldn't believe he was having such a grown up conversation with such a little boy and he remembered something Cristina said, "Christopher was wise beyond his years." While Burke was busy thinking how to get out of the conversation Christopher continued.

"My mommy told me that my daddy is a doctor, she said he takes care of hearts."

"What else did she tell you. ?"

"She said he has a dwimple in his chin just like me."

"What else?"

"She said he was tall and handsome."

Burke started to tickle Christopher and he started to giggle, the child had the cutest giggle, they were making a game of it and they both seemed very happy, no one seeing them would believe that they had just recently met each other.

"What else did she tell you. ?"

"She said my daddy's name was Preston, just like me."

Burke stopped tickling Christopher and just stood there looking at him. She told him, there was no mistake, Christopher knew.

"What else?"

"She said sometimes mommies and daddies can't be together but that they still love me."

"Are you sure you're only two and a half".

"I'm gonna be three on cwistmas day."

"You were born on Christmas day"

"Yeah, just like baby Jesus."

Burke picked the little boy up and held him close, Christopher wrapped his arms around his neck and Burke told him.

"Christopher, I love you and yes, I am your dad."

He took Christopher back to the car and strapped him in his seat, he checked the time and realized that he should have taken him back more than an hour ago. They were late and Christopher was getting sleepy. By the time they got to Meredith's he was already fast asleep.