Syd and Noah stayed a full day in the hospital and were both given a clean bill of health. Elizabeth drove to the hospital with a car seat and the new outfit Syd had bought for her little boy.

She carried the seat into their room. Syd was sitting in the recliner by the window feeding Noah. "Good morning, Syd. How's my grandson doing this morning?"

"He's doing just fine. We just got our discharge papers so as soon as he's finished eating, we'll be ready."

Elizabeth smiled and watched Syd feed her son. She was such a mother already. Elizabeth remembered back to when she had Syd.

EIGHTEEN YEARS BEFORE, DILLON

"Push, Honey. She's almost here," Jack told her.

"I can't, it hurts so much." Jack grabbed her hand tighter and sat on the bed next to her.

"Yes, you can. Sydney Chase wants to meet us."

"No, not Chase." She took another deep breath and pushed through the next contraction.

"I thought you liked Chase."

"No, Sydney Grace. It has to be." Jack was surprised. Elizabeth was not close with her mother, so he didn't understand why she wanted Grace as a middle name.

"Elizabeth, push, with all you have," Dr. Rose yelled. Elizabeth took a deep breath and bore down with every bit of strength she had left. Then she felt a release and heard her cry. It was a wonderful sound.

"Is she ok?"

"Yes, she's tiny but ok. We are taking her to the NICU now."

"What? No. I want to hold her, please."

"Elizabeth, she needs oxygen. As soon as we get her settled, we will let you go see her."

Sydney was early, about six weeks early. She needed oxygen for the first week after she was born. When Elizabeth went into labor, she decided on Grace as her middle name. Grace meant "God's favor", and she knew if Syd survived with no problems, she had to have God's favor, so it needed to be Grace.

PRESENT DAY

"Mom? Mom, are you ok?"

Elizabeth snapped out of her memory. "What? I'm sorry."

"He's ready. Let's go home." He had a full tummy, strapped into his car seat, and was dressed in his little navy blue sleeper with a matching hat.

"Ok, babes. Let's go."

Elizabeth lifted the car seat into the Tahoe and snapped it into place and then Syd climbed up beside it.

Elizabeth watched Syd as they drove. Every time she looked in the mirror, Syd was staring at Noah, a look of love on her face.

"Syd? Your grandparents want to see you and Noah today. I told them to text before they come."

"Ok, Abigail and Connor and Katie are coming too."

"Are you sure you are going to feel up to so many visitors?"

"Yeah, I'll be ok."

They walked in the door twenty minutes later and Grace and William were there. "So much for texting first," Elizabeth muttered under her breath.

Elizabeth carried the car seat in and put it on the island. Syd unbuckled him and carried him in the living room. "Hi, everyone."

"Oh, Syd! Let me hold him, please?" Grace asked immediately.

"Sure, Grams." She placed the sleeping newborn in her arms and he immediately curled into a little ball.

Syd took out her phone and took a few pictures. William sat, his arm around his wife, staring at Noah.

"He's beautiful, Syd."

"Thank you, I think so too." Syd walked over and sat down in the recliner, slowly, wincing from her sore body.

"Honey? Do you need anything?" Elizabeth asked as she watched Syd.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you though."

Elizabeth walked back in the kitchen to start dinner in the slow cooker. She heard a knock on the door and then Julie and Quinn walked in. "Hi!"

"Hi, Aunt Libby!"

"Hey, Quinn! Give me hugs." He ran over and hugged her, his head on her belly.

"Hi, baby." He kissed her tummy and then went to go see Noah.

The rest of the day brought numerous visitors, including Charlotte, Tom, Lee, Rylee, Rosie, and Katie.

After everyone left, Syd and Noah went to go sleep in the nursery and Elizabeth chose the recliner.

Just as she drifted off, the bell on the door jingled and in ran a barking dog, puppy to be exact, with Liam hot on his heels.

"Liam Thornton! What is going on?"

"I got a puppy. I named him Fred."

"Ok two things. One, who said you could get a puppy? And two, what kind of name is Fred?"

"I figured since you let Syd have a human, I could get a dog."

"Liam, there is a big difference between a baby and a dog. We didn't "let" Syd have a "human", he's her child. It's way different than letting you have a dog."

"Mom, please? I'll take care of him."

Elizabeth looked down at Fred, who was chewing on one of Liam's shoelaces.

"There are two months left of school. What happens when you go to school? Who takes care of him then?"

"Well, I bought a cage for him to sleep in. So, in the morning, I'll feed him and walk him, and put him in the cage. After school, I'll do the same thing."

"Honey, he can't stay in a cage all day."

"Well, can't you let him out while I'm gone?"

She thought about it. The backyard was fenced in so she could let him out and leave him there in nice weather.

"Ok, this is what you will need to do. You will take care of him, walking him and feeding him. I will let him out during the day as needed but everything else is you. Got it?"

"Yes! Thanks Mom."

Elizabeth sat back in the recliner as Fred followed Liam around, gathering toys and food and things. As she thought more about it, maybe Liam needed someone to take care of, to occupy his time. Syd had Noah and she and Jack, with a baby due in a few months, would be quite busy themselves.

FIRE STATION, DOWNTOWN DILLON

That evening, Jack was busy doing paperwork when the fire bells sounded. He and the men on duty jumped into action and were on the road in less than three minutes. As they rode, they were briefed on the details. A pile-up on the interstate just outside of town. A semi had collided with a car causing a chain reaction and one of the cars was on fire.

As they reached the crash site, Jack could see the smoke and it looked as if about five cars were involved in addition to the eighteen wheeler.

It promised to be a long night, when all Jack wanted was to be home with his family and new grandson.

As they stopped and he jumped out of his vehicle, his heart dropped. The vehicle flipped on its roof was all too familiar.

THE THORNTON HOUSE

Syd sat up and stretched when she heard Noah whimper. It was great to be in her own bed, but it didn't take away her pain and cramping. It resembled menstrual cramps but a bit worse. What seemed to help was nursing Noah.

"Hey, babe. Mama's coming." His whimper was becoming a cry now so she walked over and picked him up.

"Are you wet?" She checked him, finding a thoroughly soaked diaper so she laid him down on the changing table.

After she was done, she picked him up and sat in the rocking chair to feed him.

She watched him as he ate greedily.

She could see his light brown hair matched hers. His eyes were green and he had a small rounded nose that matched Gavin's. She'd be happy if that's all he inherited from his father.

She turned her head as she heard a quiet knock. "Come in."

Liam peeked his head in. "Hey. You awake?"

She resisted the urge to make a sarcastic comment. "Yeah, he's just eating." She covered herself with the blanket that was over the chair.

"Oh. Well, I was wondering…."

Liam walked further into the room and sat on the bed.

"You were wondering….?"

"If I could maybe hold him? Everyone else has, but I haven't."

"Sure. He's almost done and then I'll let you burp him. How's that?"

"How do I do that?"

"I'll show you."

About ten minutes later, Syd took him to Liam, placing a cloth diaper over his shoulder.

"What's that for?"

"In case he spits up."

"Spits up? You mean like pukes? I don't want baby puke on me."

"That's why I gave you the cloth. Ok, relax, Liam." She helped him place Noah on his shoulder, showing him how hard to pat his back so it would have the desired effect. As soon as he let out a good burp, Liam chuckled.

"He sure knows how to burp for such a little guy."

"Yep, he's a Thornton."

"You didn't give him the jerk's last name?"

"Nope. Didn't even list a father on his birth certificate."

"What if one day he asks who his father is?"

"I'll tell him. I won't lie to him, but he will have more than enough love from me."

"And me." Syd's eyes teared up at the comment.

"Yes, and you."

INTERSTATE 94, JUST OUTSIDE DILLON

Jack watched as the paramedics loaded the limp body into the ambulance. He would need to speak with the boy's parents and hated the thought. Every time he delivered terrible news to next of kin, it broke his heart. This time, it was going to be even harder.

"Captain? We've located next of kin."

"Yes, thank you." Jack walked over to the police cruiser and got in the front seat. It was protocol in Dillon that a police officer accompany him to deliver the news. Sometimes Jack didn't have to do it, but in this case, he offered, given the connection to the deceased.

As they drove, Jack prepared himself. "Captain? Do you know the boy?" Officer Horton asked.

"Yes, I do."

"You don't have to go. I can get someone else."

"No, I need to."

"Ok." The rest of the ten minute ride was silent, which Jack was grateful for.

They pulled up to the Porter home, a large estate with a locked gate. Jack had no idea they were well off. Not that his own family was destitute by any means, but they looked it compared to the Porters.

Officer Horton pushed the intercom button on the pad just outside his window. "Can I help you?"

"Officer Horton and Fire Captain Thornton from the police and fire department, ma'am."

A moment went by and then the gate opened slowly allowing them access to the spacious grounds.

A moment later, they knocked on the door and removed their hats.

The door opened and a blonde middle-aged woman looked at them. "What's happened?"

"Perhaps we can have a seat, Mrs. Porter?"

"Yes." She led them into the home, through a large richly furnished foyer and into a den.

"Is Mr. Porter here, ma'am?"

"Yes, but he's bed ridden from his cancer. He cannot join us. What has our boy done now?"

"Ma'am, I'm Jack Thornton."

"Thornton?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"You're …" Her face showed that she knew exactly who he was. He nodded.

"Ma'am, we responded to a call late this afternoon on the interstate. It seems a car, a blue BMW sedan, was traveling east when it lost control and collided with a semi and several other cars."

"Captain, are you saying….?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, but Gavin was the driver. His vehicle rolled several times and caught fire. The paramedics and our department were able to put it out and remove him from the wreckage but he passed away. I'm sorry, ma'am."

The two men watched and waited for a reaction of some sort. Instead the woman sat motionless, expressionless.

"Where is he?"

"At the hospital. If you'd like, we can escort you to St. Joes."

"No, Captain Thornton. Thank you for the offer. If you don't mind, I need to be with my husband now."

THE THORNTON HOUSE

It was eleven o'clock when Jack finally wandered in the house. The first thing he heard was Syd singing. It made him smile. She had a nice voice but she was shy about using it. He removed his shoes and walked in the living room.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hey," she said, a tired smile on her face.

He walked over and kissed the top of her head.

"Want me to take over?"

"Will you hold him while I take a shower? I feel gross."

"You look beautiful and of course I will."

She stood, kissed his cheek, and handed him over. "Thank you, Dad."

Jack sat down in the recliner and cuddled him. He kissed his head, taking in his clean, baby scent. "You smell good, buddy." Just sitting there, in the quiet, holding the precious life his daughter had nurtured, brought tears to his eyes. He would never know his father.

"I will love you enough to make up for it. In fact, I already do." Noah sighed in his sleep, curling up against Jack's chest, his little mouth moving and his tongue slipping in and out. "Papa will always be here for you, I promise."

About fifteen minutes later, Syd came out of the bathroom in her robe and pajamas. Jack was asleep with Noah in his arms. She decided to just leave him and go rest herself since she would need to feed him again in about two hours. Before she did though, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture, one she would print and add to those she would use in his scrapbook.

About two hours later, Noah started whimpering, squirming around, waking Jack. "Hey, Noah, you're wet. Let's go change you." He stood, carrying him carefully into the nursery and laid him gently on the changing table. Once he was dry, he picked him back up and walked around for a moment, trying to put him back to sleep.

"Dad, he's getting hungry." She stood slowly, groaning from her sore muscles. "Thank you for keeping him for me. I appreciate it so much."

"Of course, sweetie. Love you."

"Love you." She watched him leave and then fed her son.

"Oh, Syd?" He peeked back in the door.

"Hmm?"

"In the morning. I need to talk to you, ok? It's important."

"About Gavin?" She looked down at Noah.

"You know?"

"I watched the news. They said alcohol may have been involved."

"Yes. Are you doing ok?"

"I'm ok." She touched Noah's cheek with her fingertip. "I've been thinking. I want Mr. and Mrs. Porter to meet Noah. I think it's important now that Gavin's gone, that he knows his other grandparents."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I think I'll call them after a week or two." Jack kissed the top of her head again.

"Whatever you want, babe. I'll take you over."

THE NEXT MORNING

Elizabeth got up early to make coffee and breakfast. She could eat pretty much anything at this point in her pregnancy, but she wanted to go healthy. She took out eggs, low fat cheese, onions, green peppers, asparagus, and milk and made omelets.

She made bacon for the boys, knowing Jack would be out as soon as the heavenly smell reached his nose.

Liam and Fred walked by to the back door to go for a walk.

"Did Liam just carry a puppy outside?" Jack asked as he walked in the kitchen and kissed her good morning.

"Yeah. That's Fred."

"A puppy, babe? Don't you think maybe we have a few too many things going on right now to get a puppy?"

"He walked in yesterday assuming that since we "let Syd have a human" we would let him have a dog." She laughed and flipped the bacon.

"Sounds like Liam."

"He promised to take care of him and I said I would let him out while he's at school." She rubbed her tummy as she got kicked.

He walked up behind her and put his hands on her tummy. "I love you, babe." He kissed her neck, just behind her ear, slipping his hand under her t-shirt to touch her swollen tummy.

"Jack, be careful. Kids should be in soon." She really didn't mind though. His kisses always took her to another place, making her heart beat erratically.

He turned her chin, kissing her thoroughly, taking her breath.

"Jack…." He kissed her again and smiled. "I wish it was Saturday. We could go back to bed."

"Let's go." He turned off the stove and grabbed her hand.

"No, we can't. My little bees are coming in twenty." She kissed him back. "Let's go up north for our anniversary. Mackinac Island."

"I will take time off. One week. You and me. We can stay in bed all day." He winked and pulled her in for a hug.

Liam walked in, grabbed a piece of bacon and ran to his room, Fred hot on his heels.

Elizabeth sat at the island to take a few bites of her omelet and Jack watched her. "What? Do I have egg on me?" She looked down and brushed her shirt.

"Good grief, you're hot."

"Stop. I'm fat, no makeup, wearing your old t-shirt and sweatpants. I'm a mess."

"Unbelievable sexy mess," he whispered as he kissed her once more and left the room to get dressed. She blushed and smiled, grateful for his silliness.