Sam's POV

Derek and I, while not as close as Tom, had become friends. When I saw him leave the room something inside of me told me to follow him. I knew he wouldn't leave the hospital so I figured I would give him time alone on the elevator. I watched as the numbers descended and finally stopped on the first floor. I could feel someone behind me and when I turned I saw Tom. We waited in silence, I think at least for me, because I was uncertain of what to say. I wasn't a parent nor was I a husband so who was I to judge what an appropriate response would be in a situation like this. I couldn't say Karen's parents were wrong for wanting to protect their daughter but to accuse Derek of not loving Karen was absurd.

I remember when Karen first told us she was pregnant. She had come to rehearsal carrying gift bags for everyone and as she passed them out instructed that we couldn't peak until she was done handing them out and she counted to three. Derek sat on his desk with a smile spread across his face from ear to ear. He tried to play the part of annoyed Director by telling Karen "we don't have all day, some of us would like to get and out of rehearsal before it gets dark," but his voice carried no inflection of authority. When we finally did get to open the bags each of us pulled out a t-shirt with a personalized saying on it. Jessica's said "My Aunt Jessica knows how to party like a rock star." Bobby's said "I got my sense of fashion from my Uncle Bobby the Diva." And when I read mine, I almost cried. Mine read "I got my faith and strength in the goodness of others from my uncle Sam." As the meaning behind the use of uncle and aunt finally kicked in, there were squeals, screams and claps of congratulations. Derek was so happy he even cancelled rehearsal that day. We were all leaving to celebrate when Karen and Derek pulled me aside.

Karen asked if I would mind if they joined me for church service that Sunday. I couldn't help but grin as I looked to Derek. He rolled his eyes at me and said "I promised Karen I would have a go at this church thing for the good of the baby." I tried to hold in my laugh in but it was too much. I braced myself for Derek's wrath but found instead, Derek too laughing while at the same time trying to defend his answer to Karen who had hit Derek's arm upon hearing his response. "Its true he defended himself, I'm doing this for you. I'm not going to stand here and lie to Sam that I finally found God." Karen gave up and turned back me. I realized I hadn't given my answer, so I assured them it would be more than fine. From that Sunday forward Derek and Karen became regulars at services and every once in awhile when Derek thought people were too caught up to notice, he even participated in the signing. Derek loved Karen that much was evident.

When Tom and I reached the first floor we decided to split up. I told Tom I would take the side to my right. I had eyed the chapel sign and I had a feeling I would find Derek inside. I opened the door to the quiet room. It was simple in décor, a cross in front of several pews. The room seemed empty and I was about to leave when I heard soft cries. I followed them and I was lead to one Derek Wills. He was sitting on the floor behind a pillar, his back to the wall, his knees pressed to his chest and his face cupped in his hands to muffle his sobs. I know he was aware of my presence but he did nothing to acknowledge it, so I inched myself down against the wall and sat next him. I placed my arm around his shoulder and offered the only comfort I could provide, a small embrace. We sat like that for about five minutes until Derek finally became quiet. I took the opportunity to speak. "None of us can fathom what you're going through Derek but I want you to know that all of us are here to support you." He didn't say anything so I continued. "I know right now your questioning God and to be honest so have I today." At this, Derek turned to me. "But then, the more I thought and prayed about it, I came to understand why Karen made you promise." "You see, Karen knows you have faith in her and in her strength. You proved it when you believed in her as Marilyn when everyone was against you and when she was at her lowest with Dev and Ivy." "She didn't make you promise because she's given up, she made you promise because she intends to fight." "Derek, she knew you would take care of the one person who couldn't take care of themselves, your baby." "Karen needed to know your child would have someone to fight for them and you've done that."

When I finished my speech, I felt moisture on my face and I noticed for the first time that I was crying. I had spoken facing forward so now finished I turned my head towards Derek. He was sitting straighter now and he was furiously trying to wipe his eyes with the sleeves of his shirt. He took several deep breathes and slowly started to get up. He looked at me and with a small grin playing against his face he said "well what are you waiting for, the doctor will be coming out soon and Karen would want me to be the first to know the sex of our baby." "She wants a boy you know, she says she hopes it looks like me." Before this happened if I was asked I would have said I wanted a girl who looks like her mother. But in a serious voice Derek said "I just want my baby to be healthy and my wife to be alive." "It's amazing its it, how priorities change."

I grabbed Derek's extended hand and smiled. As we headed back upstairs, I knew that things would be ok. I can't explain what I felt but in that moment I just knew Karen and the baby would make it.