Two hours later

Doctor Dawson had called in a consulting physician to assess Danny's current physical condition. He hadn't eaten anything or had anything to drink for more than seventy hours. After some blood was drawn, vital signs were taken including his current weight. Doctor Torrey had submitted orders to be started immediately. Intravenous hydration would be given along with certain additives. His input and output would be monitored over the next week. After twelve hours of hydration, he would be offered ice chips and sips of water and the diet would be advanced as the patient tolerated. He would begin some basic physical therapy in his room and once he was able to move around without assistance, he would be taken for therapy including physical and occupational therapy. He would also have sessions with Doctor Dawson twice each day and once a week the family would gather with the patient and therapist for intensive family therapy. For now, visitors would be kept to a minimum. Frank and Linda had said goodbye to Danny and headed back home. Maria entered the room once Danny was alone. She needed to apologize to him and then she would also leave.

"Danny, I'm sorry I poured all that ice and water over you. I've been so frustrated by everything that's happened since the wedding that wasn't, and my hormones are all over the place. I find myself crying at the craziest things and getting mad when my officers disobey or ignore my orders. Maybe this wasn't the best career choice, but I needed the increase in salary to support the baby."

"I haven't been too helpful either, I'm sorry. Alex says there may not be an answer with everyone happy. Dad said you haven't been to family dinner since Linda came back, is that true?"

"Yes, I'm not a Reagan, why would I be there?"

"The child you're carrying is a Reagan."

"No, the child is Latina, and is a Baez. The child will be raised with my culture, will learn of my heritage, and be raised bilingual. The schools where I live teach subjects in both English and Spanish. So many of the jobs now are looking for applicants fluent in at least two languages. Learning both from the time the child can speak can only be a good thing."

"And there's no way I can change your mind?"

"No, not in this lifetime."

"Would you do me a favor?"

"That would depend on what you want."

"Linda went to my house, the place we were going to call home and raise our child. She moved things around and tried to throw away everything that is yours. I'm going to sell the house; I can no longer live there. I have too many memories of the time we spent together there. Would you be able to go there and pack up your things? Maybe Eddie can help you. Before I can sell the place, it has to be cleaned up. I stopped Linda from continuing to remove your things and when I got drunk, I had fallen asleep on your things that remained on the bed. They smelled like you do when you've just taken a shower and washed your hair. It brought back so many memories that now are too painful to bear. But If I sell the house, I can give some of that money to Linda so that she can find something she likes. Or she can save the money and live with Dad and Pops. And I want to open an account for our child for you to use as you see fit. You're gonna need so many things – a crib, changing table, car seat, stroller, and many other things."

"Danny, I don't want your money. I can take care of my child. Goodbye, Danny." She turned and walked out of his room. Danny pushed the button marked Nurse and requested Doctor Dawson to see him as soon as he could.

One week later

Danny had been moved back to a regular unit and had begun to try to rejoin the human race. Every day at least one person from the family came to visit. Danny had regained the weight he lost and was doing well with his physical therapy. He found the gym and saw there was a punching bag. When he wasn't in therapy or any of the mandatory meetings he would work out with the bag. He was regaining physical strength as well as his endurance. His outward appearance was getting back to normal. His mental state was not.

One afternoon he had a visitor – a woman who was a lawyer as well as a child advocate. She ran a large practice specializing in cases where there was great animosity between the parents. She had her own building with offices for her partners as well as rooms for children to be able to spend time with their non-custodial parent. Toys in the different rooms were age appropriate and there were multiple social workers on staff to supervise all visits of parent and child. The process was to have the custodial parent bring the child to the office and meet with the social worker. After that parent left, the other parent would be brought in and allowed to spend time with their child but under supervision. This parent could also meet with the social worker as needed to discuss any issues or other concerns. This practice had thrived for the past twenty-five years and was the model for other facilities around the country.

Danny was brought to one of the consult rooms and was met by Jamie and the child advocate, Jan Terpstra. Ms. Terpstra had met with Maria regarding what custody arrangements she wanted and now needed to see what Danny wanted. Jan presented a proposed schedule to Danny, but this wasn't close to what he had expected. Jamie presented what Danny wanted and Jan would meet with Maria to try and find an equitable arrangement.

After dinner, Frank visited Doctor Dawson before speaking with Danny at the hospital. The tests had been completed and while Linda had been told the results it was decided that Frank would be the person to tell Danny. Doctor Dawson called Danny to his office.

"Hi, Dad, I didn't realize it was your turn to visit. I hope things are okay at home."

"We're all just waiting for the day you can come back home. But I do have some news for you. And I've asked Alex to be here as well. Please, son, have a seat."

"Is it about the boys, are they okay? Is it the baby?"

No, the boys are fine and according to Eddie, Maria and the baby are also doing well. We finally can confirm that the woman that interrupted your wedding is your wife, Linda. Both the DNA and fingerprint analysis are confirmed. Now, Rojas was never charged with the murder but now we can charge him with kidnapping and transporting across state line, another federal crime."

"Has Maria been able to get the annulment? And what do I do now?"

"Well, I'm hoping that Alex can help you with some of that and if we need more help we'll get whatever you need. She's working on getting her life back and it will be for you two to decide what the future holds. Now, I'm gonna leave, I can't imagine what you're feeling and thinking right now. Alex can help you but it's gonna take time. We're all here for you, whatever you need, we're all behind you."

"So this confirms what we thought when Linda appeared at the church. I'm glad she survived, the boys missed out on so much while she was gone. That's my first concern, that she and the boys are okay. Everything else, I'll deal with one step at a time. Thanks for telling me, Dad. Guess Alex and I are gonna be doing some overtime but I'm relieved as well that we finally have the answer."

Frank stood up and prepared to leave. "Alex, if you need anything, just let me know. And thank you. Danny, if you want to see anyone, have Alex call me."

"The only person I'd like to see won't see me yet and I don't know how I feel about Linda. Guess we'll work on that first."

"Good night, Danny. I think your sister is up next to visit. Is there anything she should bring you?"

"It will be good just to see her, Dad, but thanks anyway."

Frank left the office and walked over the nursing desk to let him out of the unit. He could only hope that this latest wrinkle would be something Danny could handle.