Sam and Derek headed back up stairs to the waiting room. Derek dreaded going back inside because he didn't want to have to face Karen's parents again so he decided to take a seat against the wall just outside. An hour later the doors to the surgery room opened and Derek could see the doctor coming out. He rose off the ground and headed inside the waiting room. As the doctor entered room, Karen's parents made their way to the front and stood directly next to Derek. The look on the doctor's face revealed nothing so a mixture of anxiety and fear simmered in the pit of Derek's stomach as she began to speak.

"Mr. Wills, congratulations, you have a beautiful baby boy." She stated "Even though he was approximately a month early, his lungs seem to be functioning properly and he his heart rate and pulse are steady." She continued to say. "What about Karen?" Derek asked. "Your wife is an incredibly strong woman Mr. Wills. There were complications during the surgery and we lost her once; but, she fought back. The next 24 to 48 hours will be critical." "We are giving her transfusions to replenish the blood loss but until we can get her stabilized its touch and go." "She is however, breathing on her own so that is a good sign."

"Can I see them?" he asked. "The nurse will come out to take you back to your son. She will take the names of the individuals here as I assume you will want them to visit your son." "Yes, thank you" Derek replied. But "when can I see Karen?" The doctor smiled and said "She is in recovery. When she is moved to a private room the nurse will come and find you." In the meantime Mr. Wills, because of your wife's condition, it is important for you to bond with your son as quickly as possible." "Under normal circumstances a baby finds comfort in the mother's embrace when they are first born as well as most mothers initially breast feed. In your case, you will need to provide your son with that initial level of security until his mother is able to." "Oh and Mr. Wills, do you have a name for your son?" Derek hesitated for a minute and said yes "Dustin Christopher." "That's a beautiful name. The nurse will come in a few minutes to take you to see Dustin." "Thank you" he whispered.

As the doctor left, Derek stood frozen as a range of emotions overwhelmed him. He turned to Sam and said "She made it! You were right, she knew she could fight." Sam smiled and Derek for the first time allowed himself to think that maybe things would work out after all. The others in the room approached Derek as well as Karen's parents offering embraces of congratulations and relief. Karen's parents however remained stoic and it was clear that while even though Karen had made it through the surgery and appeared to be fighting with all her strength, her parents were still not easily going to forget the decision Derek made. Derek understood but he had hoped that the birth of their grandson would have at least made the atmosphere tolerable. Derek couldn't worry about Karen's parents right now. He needed to take care of their son. He knew that when Karen came too, she would be sure to get a report from everyone as to how he did. The thought of her made him smile.

Derek, Julia and Sam walked into the private room where a nurse holding a baby boy waited. "Look whose here" the nurse whispered to the baby. "It's your daddy." The nurse approached Derek and providing simple instructions placed the baby in Derek's arms. Derek looked down at his son and felt tears on his face. Julia and Sam too were crying as they watched Derek cradle the small child. "Hello Dustin, I'm your daddy Derek said while placing a small kiss his son's forehead. "I'm going to look out for you while your mommy gets better ok." "You mommy loves you and is fighting real hard so that she can hold you." "Derek was mesmerized by the sight in front of him. Dustin had Karen's eyes in size but they appeared to be the color of Derek's. He had a fair amount of dark brown hair on his head and it formed small wavy curls. His check bone structure and nose where Karen's too. In one word, he was an angel and Derek loved him.