Dillon asking me to marry him was everything I had ever dreamed of. I knew that we were young, but it felt so right. My mother was only 19 when she married my father, and I don't think she ever regretted her decision. Even when they were at their worst, my parents have always loved each other. I guess it's hard to be truly cynical about love when you have them as your role models.

By the time Dillon and I marry, I will be 19 as well. Dillon will be 20, and I am not naïve enough to believe that everything will be perfect. We are in for the fight of our lives, but we have each other. I am choosing to believe that our love will see us through. And we have not only our love to hold us together but that of our family. Who would have ever though that the Spencer and Quartermaines could find common ground on anything, let alone a child?

We are still kneeling in the middle of the nursery when Dillon stops kissing me and pulls back to look into my eyes. "Who do you want to tell first?"

I know the answer even before he finishes the question. If she were here, she is the first person I would want to tell. That shouldn't change just because she can't put her arms around me and congratulate me with tears in her eyes. "Let's go see my mom."

Brushing hair from my forehead, he nods silently before leaning in to capture my mouth again. There is urgency in his kiss, a sense of protectiveness as he puts his arms around my body. I know that something is off in his embrace, but I am choosing to ignore it for now. I have to trust that he will tell me when the time is right. Whatever he is holding back is important, and I know that Dillon wouldn't keep something from me unless he had to.

Wait -- what are you doing? What are you doing? Lulu?

"When can we move into the house?" I asked softly when we were in the car again. His arm is around my shoulder, his breath against my cheek. I can't seem to let go of his hand. It's as if his very touch is my lifeline, and I might fall apart without him.

"Alice is working on taking care of a few essentials. We should be able to stay there tonight," he answered.

I grinned. "I can't wait to go home with you tonight. To our very own house, I don't really see how life could get much better than this."

"It will soon," he replied mystically.

"What do you mean?"

"Just that our lives will be complete when our baby is born."

"I think it's going to be a little girl," I told him.

He cocked his head and looked at me. "What makes you think that?"

"Just call it a mother's instinct. I just know."

"A little girl that looks just like you? I don't know if the world could handle two such beautiful women."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," I murmured, kissing him deeply. "What do you think our child will be like?"

"I think she will be amazing and beautiful like her mother."

"And intelligent and kind like her father."

"With her mother's independence and humor."

"And her father's patience and strength."

Maybe you should slow down.

"Thank you."

"For?"

"For everything," he replied. "For agreeing to marry me, for having my baby, for living with me, for vowing to share our lives together."

"I should be the one thanking you," I said. "You forgave me. You told me that you loved me, and you made me realize how much I wanted this baby. You asked me to marry you, and you gave me the chance to have this family and this life. You even bought my childhood home so that we could raise our child there. I don't think I could ever repay you."

"You love me, and that is more than enough. In fact, that is everything."

I squeezed his hand as the car pulled up outside Shadybrook. My mother had lived here for the last four years with little change. She didn't acknowledge our presence, and she had no idea how much had changed since she had gone inside herself. I wished now, more than ever, that she would come back to us. Since there was little chance of that happening any time soon, I just had to thank God for what I did have and let go of what I didn't. Dwelling would get me nowhere.

"Lulu! I haven't seen you here all week," the nurse behind the desk greeted me. The staff of Shadybrook had become well acquainted with my family during my mother's tenure here. Between Dad, Grandma Lesley, Aunt Bobbie, my brothers and me, my mom had the most visitors out of anyone on her floor. Someone was with her every day, an amazing feat given the amount of time she had been comatose. Lucky had once told me that if this was all we would ever have, we had to make the best of it. And so, we each spent at least one day a week with her, filling her in on what she has missed and praying that she will show a sign of life.

"I know, but Lucky and Nikolas have both been by, and I'm here now," I told her as I signed Dillon and me in. With a quick wave, we were headed down the empty hallway toward my mother's room.

Dillon wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his body just as we came to her door. "Are you sure you are ready to do this?"

I nodded confidently. "Either way, she should be the first person to know."

Lulu, you've had enough.

Dillon opened the door, and I led us inside. My mother was sitting facing the window, rocking silently in her wooden chair. Her eyes were vacant, her breath even and shallow. I kneeled in front of her, taking her frail hand in mine. "Hey, Mom. I have some really exciting news to tell you, but first, I want you to meet someone. Mom, this is Dillon. I know you've heard me talk about him before."

"Hello, Laura. I have heard a lot about you," Dillon spoke up quietly from beside me.

"We're getting married, Mom," I explained, tears just beneath the surface. "Dillon bought the house, you know the one where we used to live. And then he asked me to be his wife. I said yes."

"Everyone says that we are a lot like you and Dad,' I continued. "I don't know if that's true. I mean, how can anyone even begin to compare to the great Luke and Laura Spencer? But I think we are going to have a great love of our own. I know that you would like Dillon, Mom. He is gentle and kind, caring and sensitive. And he loves me. I know that is all you would need to know."

"I couldn't ask you this before, Laura, but I want you to know that I did ask for Luke's blessing. He gave it to me this morning. He told me that he thought you would approve. Wherever you are, I hope that you do. I want you to know that I love your daughter."

"That's not all that is going on," I told her. "I'm having a baby, Mom. I found out a few weeks ago. I think it's going to be a little girl, but I won't know for awhile. Anyhow, we're really excited. Dad is being really supportive, and the Quartermaines have offered to help. I'm even going to stay in college. I think I might actually get to have it all."

What the hell is wrong with you? What are you talking about?

"I'm going to do my best to give her everything," he said, looking at me with a warm smile. "Your daughter gave me the one thing I've never had – a family."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Spencer, but it is almost time for your mother's physical therapy session," a nurse said from behind us.

I nodded. "Okay, we'll just be another minute."

"I'll just wait outside," the nurse said.

"Well, Mom, I guess we have to go," I sighed. "I just wanted you to be the first person to know. I hope that you are happy for me, for us, wherever you are. I'm happy, if that makes any difference. I think it would. I love you, and I will see you in a few days."

I kissed my mother's cheek without any reaction from her. Smoothing her hair affectionately, I reached for Dillon's hand and allowed him to guide me out the door. The nurse passed by us and headed back in to take my mother to her session. I turned and buried my face in Dillon's chest so that I couldn't see her being wheeled away.

"Are you okay?"

I shook my head against his chest. "It never gets any easier. You'd think I'd get used to it eventually, but the pain never goes away. It doesn't even lessen. It still hurts as much today as it did the very first moment four years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"You're here," I shrugged. "That makes it a little bit easier. I'm not alone in this anymore."

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "You'll never be alone again."

"You asked my father for his blessing. I think you proved that you are here to stay."

I'm sure she'll understand.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"You can take me home. I'm ready to go home, home to our home."