A/N: I wish to dedicate this chapter to fatkat, for it was one of her comments that made me change the direction of this story. Thank you hun :) and thanks to all of you who have continued to follow this fic. A writer's biggest inspiration is their readers. I know I said this would be up sometime next week, but I found that I had some spare time this weekend. This is the last chapter. Enjoy!
THE MORNING AFTER - CHAPTER 9
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
"Are you ready?"
Lindsay closed her eyes and nodded to Dr. Evans, wincing as she felt a needle prick her abdomen, which was quickly followed by another. The numb pain spread through her mid-section, and she clasped Danny's hand tighter. Due to a mixture of her own request and Dr. Evan's advice, Lindsay had chosen to have a Caesarean section over normal childbirth. It wouldn't be as painful, the doctor had said, and regional anesthesia would be given to dull the severe pains that accompanied birth.
Danny caught her eye and smiled softly. In the months following Matt's arrest her symptoms had decreased in severity, although she still struggled to fully trust anyone. They had discussed the possible idea of giving the child up for adoption if the DNA results proved that Matt was the biological father. Abortion was out of the question; both believed in the decision but were not willing to end the life of a child who had done no wrong in the world. However, if Danny was the father, they were prepared to keep the baby. Dr. Evans stated that if this were the case, it could help improve Lindsay's symptoms. In the end, though, the young woman would never be the same person she was before the vicious rape. Danny knew this, but he had promised her he would always be there, and he was prepared to keep that vow come hell or high water.
---
Danny peered over the sheet that blocked Lindsay's view of the risky yet necessary procedure. They were now cutting into her uterus, and although he could not see the child, he could hear their small cries. Not wanting to know whether it was a boy or girl just yet, he watched as the doctors went to work. Lindsay was breathing heavily, clearly nervous, and a bead of sweat dripped from her temple. Smiling gently, Danny took a tissue and wiped it away, kissing her forehead as he did. "You're doing great, Montana. You're almost done; just a few more minutes now."
Lindsay opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced by a loud, shrill cry that filled the room. The newborn was lifted from her uterus, and Danny suddenly found himself holding a pair of scissors that Dr. Evans had handed him.
"Care to do the honours?"
Swallowing the massive lump in his throat, Danny snipped the umbilical cord with one cut of the sharp utensil. The child cried again as they were taken to a nearby table, where they were cleaned and weighed. Danny turned to Lindsay, who was looking at him in admiration. A question was forming in her eyes, and he kissed her nose before answering.
"It's a beautiful baby girl."
---
Once the child was dressed in fresh clothes, an important matter had to be settled. Gently opening her mouth, Dr. Evans swabbed the inside of her cheek whilst another doctor did the same to Danny. The latter took both swabs and headed out of the room towards the lab, where in a few hours would determine if Danny was the biological father. Although they had a first name picked out, they would not officially name the girl until this was known, and so for the time being she was Baby Girl Montana-Messer. Lindsay was whisked off to the recovery room without her newborn daughter, as breastfeeding could prove rather uncomfortable for one in her current position. Danny joined her in the room, preferring to stay with her until they knew the results of the DNA test.
He watched her slumber peacefully, obviously exhausted after such a procedure. She had gone through hell these last few months, but her spirit was tough and she had managed to pull through and start on a path to recovery. Grasping her hand, he brought it to his cheek, closing his eyes and praying to whatever angels that were still listening that the child would be his.
---
Dr. Evans smiled warmly as he and a nurse walked into the room, the latter holding a tiny pink bundle. She passed it over to Lindsay - who had only been awake for several minutes - and Danny stared at Evans in initial confusion before realization hit him like a thunderbolt.
The older man's tone reflected his kind features. "I thought you would like to see your daughter, Detective Messer."
It was as if a giant weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Right here, in his girlfriend's arms, was his child. Never would he have imagined that he would be a father, or at least not until he had met Lindsay. After the trying months they had endured, after all the agony both had gone through, this was God's gift to them. Danny raised his eyes in a silent "thank you" and felt a shiver of joy run through him. Lindsay smiled brightly and handed the girl to him, where he cradled her protectively in his arms. With the exception of Lindsay and their colleagues, Danny rarely showed affection to anyone, yet he was beaming with pride as he gazed lovingly at his child. The babe cooed and stared back at him through wide eyes, which housed the same oceanic blue as his. Her slightly curly hair was a darkish brown, and she had a cute button nose just like her mother. No words could describe what he felt at that moment, and for a split second it seemed like they were the only two in the world.
"Do you have a name for her?" Dr. Evans inquired, shattering Danny's daydream and bringing him back to reality.
Lindsay smiled at the loyal man who sat beside her, and carefully took the child back as Danny handed her over, kissing his daughter's forehead in the process. When he spoke, his voice was laced with simultaneous gratitude and tenderness.
"Armel Montana Messer."
---
Danny gazed in wonder as Armel snuggled into Lindsay's chest, and he engulfed her tiny hand in his much larger mitt, squeezing it ever so gently. A ray of morning sunlight was sectioned by the window panes as it filtered into the room, encasing Lindsay and the babe in a wondrous golden aura. It seemed as if the Lord was shining His love down upon them, and Danny's spirit felt like it had been wisped away to some far-off paradise. Placing a chaste kiss on Lindsay's lips, he settled back into his chair whilst his girlfriend and daughter fell asleep together.
His daughter.
Fin.
A/N: "Baby Girl Montana-Messer" is credited to the writers of Friends, and the name Armel is credited to Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall series.