One Year Later

Nathan paced the floor anxiously, feeling like time was passing much too slowly. He looked at the clock on the wall for the hundredth time. Running his hands through his hair, he let out a pent-up breath.

Lee eyed him, holding six-month-old Lily in his arms. "Nathan, sit down. You're burning a hole into the floor with all that pacing. And we just got this house finished a few months ago! Do I have to repair it already?"

Nathan sat for all of ten seconds, then got back up again. "I can't sit still, Lee. I'm too nervous. What's taking so long?"

"These things take time," Lee said with a chuckle. "Rosemary was in labor for over a day with Lily. I'm sure Elizabeth is just fine."

A loud cry from Elizabeth punctuated his sentence. Nathan's head followed the sound, and he wanted nothing more than to be up there with her, but Rosemary had forbidden it.

"I hate the thought of her suffering," Nathan said, a little break in his voice. "What a time for Carson to be out of town!"

Lee stood and clapped Nathan on the back. "That's part of childbirth, my friend. Elizabeth is going to be fine, and so will the baby. Carson may not be here, but Rosemary helped deliver Jack. She knows what she's doing."

"I know," Nathan sighed. "But this waiting is killing me."

"You'll be fine," Lee said calmly.

Nathan eyed him. "As I recall, you were just as bad as me, if not worse, when Rosemary went into labor."

Lee shifted Lily, patting her back gently. "Details, Nathan. It's different when it's your own child."

"Gee, thanks," Nathan said dryly. "Very helpful."

Lee grinned. "Glad to be of service."

Nathan laughed in spite of himself. He knew Lee was trying to lighten his mood and distract him. It almost worked. But another cry from Elizabeth brought him right back to his worrying. The next hour was much the same, until he heard a long cry and then silence. He stopped at the foot of the stairs, listening.

After a few minutes the door opened, and Rosemary called down, "Nathan?" He took the stairs two at a time, coming to a halt in front of Rosemary. "Is she okay?" he asked breathlessly.

Rosemary smiled. "Of course she is. Come on in and meet your baby."

Nathan felt awe wash over him. He stepped into the room. Elizabeth was sitting up in their bed, a small bundle cradled in her arms. She looked exhausted and weary, but she was smiling. Joy shone from her face. "Nathan," she said as he sat on the side of the bed. "We have a daughter." She smiled down at the child in her arms.

"A daughter," Nathan said in wonder, leaning forward to see her. The baby was wrapped carefully in a blanket, her little eyes closed. "She's so small!"

Elizabeth laughed lightly. "She is. Isn't she beautiful?"

A smile crossed Nathan's lips. "That she is. Just like her mama." He cupped Elizabeth's face in one hand, giving her a gentle kiss. They both gazed at their daughter, taking in her tiny features.

"Here," Elizabeth said, holding out the baby. "Hold her."

Nathan carefully accepted the precious bundle. He rocked her in his arms, amazed at how this child was part of him and part of Elizabeth. "Hello, little one. I'm your daddy." He ran a finger over her soft cheek. "I love you very much." He looked up at Elizabeth. "Which name did you want to call her?"

They had been over several options, and Nathan liked all of them. He had told Elizabeth he would leave the final choice to her.

Elizabeth leaned back on the pillows, studying the baby. "I think she looks like a Sophia," she said.

Nathan felt his heart swell. The fact that Elizabeth chose that one meant a lot to him. He smiled. "It fits her well." He took one of Elizabeth's hands, raising it to his lips. "And thank you, Elizabeth. I feel honored that you want her to have my sister's name."

She returned his smile. "You get to pick her middle name."

He answered without hesitation. "Elizabeth. Sophia Elizabeth Grant."

Elizabeth nodded. "I like it. That's what we'll call her." She yawned, clearly tired from her labor and delivery. "Where are Allie and Jack?"

"They're with Bill. He said he'd bring them by once word came that the baby was here. I'm sure Rosemary is letting him know as we speak." He placed Sophia next to Elizabeth. "Why don't you rest for a bit? I'll make sure the kids are okay, and then we'll come up to see you again."

"Okay," Elizabeth agreed sleepily. She beckoned him toward her, her hand reaching up to his shirt to pull him close. She kissed him, then smiled. "I love you, Nathan."

"I love you, Elizabeth. Now rest, sweetheart." He bent to kiss her one more time, then kissed Sophia's forehead. "And I love you too, little Sophia."

He quietly slipped from the room, closing the door behind him. He stood there for a moment, his heart swelling with emotion. He hadn't thought his heart could be any more full, but it was. It was expanding and growing, creating room for his new daughter. He already loved her more fiercely than he thought possible. And his love for Elizabeth was growing too. Nathan smiled, heading down the stairs. Love was a powerful thing.

Elizabeth woke to the door opening. Nathan peeked in. "Hey, sweetheart. Are you up for some young visitors?"

"Of course," Elizabeth said, sitting up. She picked up Sophia and cradled her. Nathan opened the door, and Allie and Jack walked in. Allie lifted Jack onto the bed, then sat on the side of it. Her eyes were wide with wonder. "She's beautiful, Aunt Elizabeth!"

"Sister?" Jack asked, looking at the little girl, something akin to awe on his face as well. He had begun to understand the concept of a baby when Lily was born, and now he saw that his mama had one as well.

"Yes," Elizabeth said, to both of them. "This is Sophia Elizabeth." She smiled at Allie. "Would you like to hold her?"

"Oh, yes!" Allie breathed, positioning herself to sit right next to Elizabeth. She cradled her new baby cousin carefully in her arms, a smile on her face. Jack peered at the baby, touching her little hand. Sophia's fingers curled around one of his, and a smile broke across Jack's face. "She likes me!" he exclaimed with delight.

Elizabeth and Nathan smiled. "Of course she likes you, my sweet boy," Elizabeth said, giving him a kiss on the head. "You're her big brother."

"Me a big brother!" Jack repeated proudly, letting Sophia continue to hold on to his finger.

Nathan sat next to Elizabeth, putting an arm around her. "Our little family keeps growing," he said, his eyes on the children. "Watching them together makes my heart happy."

"Mine too," Elizabeth said, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"For the record, Rosemary is already delighted at the prospect of Lily and Sophia becoming best friends."

"I'm sure she is," Elizabeth said with a chuckle. "She's already started planning Jack and Lily's wedding, so planning a friendship must be a lot easier."

They laughed together, their eyes still focused on the children. Allie and Jack were clearly head over heels with Sophia. Elizabeth could tell Nathan was too. The look on his face when he'd held his daughter for the first time was something Elizabeth would remember forever. She turned to look at him, placing a hand on his cheek.

"Have I told you lately how much I love and appreciate you, Nathan?"

He smiled, his eyes burning into hers. "Yes, you have. And I love and appreciate you right back."

"I know." She shook her head, amazement filling her. "This isn't how I thought our lives would turn out. But I'm so glad they did."

"Me too," he whispered, giving her a gentle kiss. "And the best is yet to come."

Elizabeth smiled, feeling safe and protected within the circle of his arms. Allie and Jack talked to each other softly, giving equal attention to each other and to Sophia. Elizabeth's heart was full, and she knew Nathan was right.

The best was yet to come.