It was 2 a.m. and when exhaustion finally hit Derek. He fell asleep his head lying next to Karen's hand. The nurse had just left with Dustin after his feeding. Since Karen wasn't able to breast feed the nurses were preparing bottles so that Derek could feed him. His eating habits seemed to be a bottle every four hours which the nurse had commented was a good schedule for an infant as most required a bottle every two to three hours. Still, Derek was grateful for the support everyone was giving to him.

Karen's parents still weren't talking to him and aside from the initial visit with Dustin after his birth, they hadn't returned again. He assumed it was because seeing Dustin reminded them of Karen's sacrifice but Derek admitted to himself he was hurt and disappointed by their reaction. He wondered if the dynamic would change once Karen came too but none the less it was something he would never mention. He knew Karen would never forgive her parent's regardless of how distraught they might be, if she knew they had turned their back on Dustin when he needed them the most. Especially her mother whom Derek so desperately wished he could ask questions of. Instead, Julia had become a savior. Being the only mother among them, Julia had helped Derek change Dustin's diaper and showed him how to burp him after a bottle. The nurse had tried to explain but was in a rush and Derek grew impatient so Julie had stepped in. She also created a schedule that would start today where someone would come and stay with Karen while Derek was with Dustin or to allow Derek to go home. While they all knew he wouldn't be leaving Karen's side anytime soon, he still needed to change and freshen up. Tom had offered to go first so that Julia could catch some sleep and see Leo and Frank off for the day.

TOM & IVY

It was 5 a.m. and Tom was heading to the hospital after picking up some coffee. He hadn't been able to sleep very well as every time he closed his eyes he could see Karen's face. He really needed to know what happened. When had he stepped out into the hallway he had seen Ivy gripping Karen's arm but before he could say anything Karen had pulled free losing her balance in the process. He knew Ivy hadn't pushed Karen but he needed to know what she was thinking by gripping her arm. What had Ivy hoped to accomplish.

Lost in a day dream Tom hadn't realized he was at the hospital. Stepping out of the taxi he paid the fair and headed to the nursery. He wanted to see Dustin before relieving Derek and hoped the nurses would let him hold him. It was clear to Tom and everyone else that Dustin would now hold a special place in each of their hearts. For Tom the feeling was one of protectiveness. He wanted to do everything he could to make sure Dustin knew he was safe and loved. It wasn't lost on Tom that Karen's parent were no where to be found when it came to their grandson and he hoped for Karen's sake that would change.

Tom stepped off the elevator and made his way to the nursery. When he arrived at the clear windows overlooking the cribs, he was greeted by a familiar face. "Hi Tom" Ivy said. "I see the King and Queen have themselves a prince; where Derek anyway?" sarcasm dripping from every word. "Ivy, what are you doing here?" Tom asked coldly. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to come around at this time" "Well, if someone would answer their phone I wouldn't have bothered but to my humiliation I got to the studio this morning and I found the place locked and sign saying rehearsal wouldn't start until 11 a.m." "Is a late rehearsal how the King decided to celebrate the birth of his prince?" She asked. "Stop Ivy, that's enough" Tom said in a raised voice. "Derek is with Karen. The pregnancy was complicated with the fall and she is in ICU. The Doctors aren't sure she will make it." "No one answered because we were all here and it was Eileen who decided rehearsal would be moved to a later time."

Ivy was stunned "What do you mean the pregnancy was complicated" she asked when she finally found her voice. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen!" "What did you expect would happen Ivy?" Tom asked. "Why did you grab her and why did you tell her those things." "And don't you dare lie to me because we all heard you through the walls." Ivy looked at Tom and in voice barely above a whisper said "I don't know." "I thought I was ok with everything until I saw her. I hadn't seen Karen since she started to show." Ivy continued. "She looked so beautiful and when she passed me in the hallway and smiled at me, I just lost it." "I was jealous; she stole the life I was supposed to have." Ivy said bitterly. "Derek was supposed to be with me; I should have been the mother of his children, not Karen" anger now evident in her voice. "I grabbed her because I wanted her to see me. I didn't want her to let things slide by like she always does; I wanted her to acknowledge my pain but I didn't mean for her to fall."

Tom stood there unable to find his voice as he was desperately trying to grasp what Ivy had just told him. Did all of this really happen because of jealousy? When he finally came out of his daze, Tom moved towards Ivy and said "Ivy I think you need to leave. I think you need help and I'm sorry but I can't be there for you right now, I don't know how anymore." "I will also be making a recommendation to Eileen that you be replaced as Marilyn." "You can't do that to me Tom!" Ivy cried. "Marilyn is all I have, I need it, please." Tom was about to ask Ivy again to leave when suddenly he heard Derek's deep voice coming from behind him.

"What the bloody hell are you doing here Ivy?" "How dare you come here looking for sympathy!" "You are lucky I don't call the police or better yet that I don't kill you myself." "The only thing stopping me is the fact that my son and wife need me. But I swear you won't be so lucky again if I ever see you near my son or wife." Tom put a hand on Derek's shoulder and told him "come on Dustin is hungry and wants his dad." "Derek turned from Ivy and walked away."

Alone in the hallway Ivy was lost.

Karen's POV

Everything was dark and her body felt so heavy. She could hear the sound of muffled voices but why couldn't she make out what they were saying. Frantically she tried to piece together images flashing in her mind. She remembered having lunch with Derek and Julia. She remembered kissing Derek goodbye before going home. She remembered passing Ivy in the hallway and then everything after that was a blur.

Why couldn't she open her eyes, why was she in so much pain. Then suddenly fear began to consume her. The baby, what was wrong with their baby? Why couldn't she feel her baby anymore? Try harder to remember she kept telling herself. Wait she couldn't sense Derek either. Did something happen to both of them? She thought, had they been in an accident? "Derek" she tried calling "Derek." Another image flashed and this time she was in Derek's arms. He was crying and asking her to stay with him. He was telling her they would get through this together, the three of them. Finally she remembered him saying he promised. What did he promise her? Why couldn't she remember? Think she told herself, concentrate.

A fall! That was it! She remembered falling and remembered asking Derek to save the baby. She needed to open her eyes she needed to see who the voices belonged too. She needed to see Derek; she needed to look into his beautiful green eyes. He would tell her the truth about their baby. Karen could feel her eyes flicker but they were so heavy. "Derek"

Karen's mother was sitting the closest to Karen when she thought she heard a whisper. Immediately she jumped from her seat and began to call to Karen. "Karen, sweetheart can you hear me?" Karen's father ran out into the hall yelling for a nurse to call the doctor as his daughter was coming too. "Derek" Karen whispered again her eyes now almost fully open. "Karen, it's your mother, Derek isn't here right now." "The baby, please he promised me he'd save our baby." Karen was now crying and her heart rate was rapidly increasing.

The doctor came in and immediately asked Karen's parents to leave the room. "Karen, Karen can you hear me, my name is Dr. Baxter." "Derek? I want my husband please I want to know about our baby." "Karen, listen to me" Dr. Baxter said in a soothing voice "Your husband is downstairs with your baby. I've sent a nurse to go get him for you ok." "Your baby is fine, I'll let your husband tell you the sex but it's healthy." "I need you and your baby needs you to calm down for us ok; can you do that for us?" the doctor asked. "Karen was still crying but she nodded. "Do you remember what happened?" the doctor asked. "A fall." Karen stated. "Yes you took a bad fall; there were complications as a result. You lost a lot of blood during the delivery and we are trying to get your pressure stabilized." "You staying calm will help us accomplish that ok" once again Karen nodded her response. Knowing their baby and Derek were both safe and her eyes still heavy Karen allowed herself to fall back to sleep.

The doctor stepped out into the hallway and was greeted by Karen's parents. She could see Derek approaching and decided to wait until he was with them to speak. "How is she? He asked "Her heart rate has steadied but she still isn't where we'd like her to be." The doctor told them. "We are going to keep her sedated but she is conscious and very much aware of her surroundings." The doctor continued. "She is asking for you Mr. Wills and I'm sure she will have a number of questions concerning your baby. I thought you should be the one who tells her the sex." She smiled to him. "Thank you doctor" Derek said. "Can she see Dustin? I know she will ask." "I'll have the nurse bring him down, I think seeing her son will help to stabilize her condition." "You can go in if you'd like she's asleep but was anxious to see you." "If you have any questions have the nurses buzz me." And with that the doctor turned to leave.

Derek & Karen

As soon as the door opened Karen could sense Derek's presence. She turned her head to look at him and tears began to fall from her face. "Derek" she called to him. "I'm right here love don't cry." "Our baby, the doctor said it was healthy." she looked into his eyes searching for his answer. Derek smiled and placing a soft kiss on her lips said "He is beautiful" Karen lifted her hand to his cheek and asked "He?" "Yes, we have a son, Dustin Christopher Wills and he can't wait to see his mother" Derek confirmed, gently placing his hand on top of hers. "Does he look like you?" she asked. Derek gave a small laugh "He has my eye color but thankfully his dashingly good looks come from his mother."

Karen smiled and breathing a sigh of relief she looked at Derek. "I love you Derek Wills" she said "I knew you'd believe in me" she continued "I knew you'd keep your promise." Derek felt tears forming in his eyes and this time it was Karen turn to dry them. "Don't cry" she said holding him.