A/N – So I think I'm only going to do a few more chapter's of this as it's depressing to write lol.

Eric had Blair pick him up on her way to the hospital; he wanted to go see his little niece too. They sat in a comfortable silence the whole ride, just giving each other the occasional smile.

Dan had stayed out all night, wondering the streets, thoughts running through his head all night long. Not daring to go home, he didn't want to go back into the nursery without his little girl in his arms, didn't want to see pictures of his beloved wife throughout the house, to see her beautiful face he had planned on spending the rest of his life with. He felt he had failed her by not stepping up to his responsibilities of taking care of their daughter. But he was not giving up on her, he wouldn't allow it. Placing his hands in his pockets and hunching his body trying to protect himself from the cold, he pulled out the baby hat he was supposed to give to Molly yesterday. It was so small that it fit into the palm of his hand, he could still faintly smell Serena's favourite perfume on it.

He knew he had the love and support from Serena's and his own family if he should struggle to cope. He knew very well that it was going to be tough, the hardest test, but he would overcome this hurdle, he had to. Dan didn't even go home to shower before he made his way to the hospital. 3rd time lucky he told himself as he entered the unit.

The first person he came across was Nurse Susie, the same nurse who had helped him the previous day. He looked down in embarrassment for the way he left the day before. He walked up beside her and all he could whisper was "I'm sorry". She just smiled at him, not needing the apology, he had nothing to apologise for in her eyes.

"She's just through their, I'll leave you to it" Susie pointed in the direction of Molly

"Thank you" Dan replied

Taking a deep breath Dan made his way through the door and to the side of a sleeping Molly. Looking around the room he noticed it was just the two of them and for once, that didn't scare him.

Although hesitant at first, Dan picked her up, remembering to cradle her head as he did and sat on the rocking chair. Feeling comfort when she wrapped her tiny fingers around his own

"Hey baby, its daddy here, but I'm also going to be your mammy too, I'll be your everything, if you let me. You know mammy picked out your name, I remember the day she came up with it, we each made a list of names and picked from that, Serena – I mean mammy didn't like any of my choices, your mother was very adamant that she was choosing your name, she thought she knew better than me, and you know what, she was right, Molly is perfect, a perfect name for such a perfect little dumpling like you" Dan whispered

Blair and Eric had came in unnoticed and watched the scene unfold in front of them, Dan taking his first step into fatherhood. Not wanting to interrupt just yet she placed the picture she had intended to place next to her cot, back into her purse.

Molly opened her little eyes and stared into his big brown ones. Relief and happiness washed throughout his body as she didn't cry instead gave him a little smile, as if she had heard everything he just said.

"You smiled baby, a smile for your daddy, yes. It's me and you now baba, it's time for you to come home now" Dan said kissing her forehead over and over. Looking up he noticed Eric and Blair for the first time.

"Look Molly, Aunty Blair and Uncle Eric have come to see you"

Dan placed her in Eric's arms.

"Hey, how are you Humphrey?" Blair tenderly asked

"Better thanks, I'm going to ask the Nurse if I can take her home with me, she needs me and I need her it just took me a little while to realise that" Dan spoke softly

"That's great Dan" Eric said quietly not to frighten Molly

"I'm happy for you, and believe it or not Cabbage Patch but I actually like spending time with you so I'll be with you every step of the way incase you need anything, and I cannot wait to get to know Molly. And you know you have everyone else's support whenever you need it" Blair said with a smile and a gentle rub of his shoulder

"And Serena would be really mad at me if I just left you to it" she laughed

"Thanks, I think... Blair"

They all played and cooed over Molly for 20 minutes before Dan left to see the Nurse

"Nurse Susie, hey, can I take her home with me now, I'm ready to take care of our little girl"

"You sure your ready Dan, it's a major responsibility Dan, you ok with that" the Nurse replied

"Yes I'm sure, that little girl in their needs her daddy, I'm not just 'Dan' anymore, I'm a father, and it's time I stepped up to that" Dan said with a hopeful smile

"OK let's get everything sorted for you then"

After gathering everything he needed from the hospital Dan put the little hat that Serena had bought her when she first found out she was pregnant, and wrapped her up tightly, cuddling her to his chest. Blair and Eric carried the bags. Thanking the nurses for everything before they left.

"I wish Serena was here with us, so we could take our little girl home together" Dan said with a sad smile

"She's here don't you worry, always" Lily said as she sat up off the bench outside the door making them turn around in shock.

"Lily, what you doing here, I thought you weren't coming in today"

"The hospital called, I've come to take you's both home. Would you like to stay with us or do you want to go home?" asked Lily

"I want to go home, thanks. I've got to face it" Dan said

The five of them left the hospital, the first chapter closed and ready for the next to be written. Dan was just starting his journey. So far so good he thought to himself.

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