A/N: here's chapter 7. Hope you'll like it.

Chapter 7

Teresa was still reeling from Patrick's question. She simply had not expected it. They were together only since yesterday. She turned completely toward him while searching his blue eyes to see how serious he was. How could she cope with the look of such determination and sincerity? She had never really thought about having children. Her work was far too dangerous and she was uncertain to start a family. Until now her personal life was so empty. She had never posed the question on having children. She had to face this reality and it was not easy. What could she say? He seemed to want it so much and she was afraid to disappoint or hurt him. Could he be ready for it? Would not it be too hard after what happened to his family? Would he love this child as much as he loved his daughter?

Jane was still awaiting the response of Lisbon. He knew it was not a decision taken lightly. He had to struggle just to think of it. His little girl would be much older now if this monster Red John had not snatched her from life so early. He often fantasized that she would have become a beautiful young girl who would have turned the heads of pretty boy. Of course being the protective father he was. He would have spent most of his time trying to scare the various contenders. Secretly he would have been really happy to do it.

Now he was with Teresa who was a wonderful woman with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. They were not together long. True, he knew her so well that he had no doubt about it. They were made for each other. Life had given them a second chance to be happy. He didn't want to miss it. He wanted a new family with Teresa and Amy.

He turned so he could gaze at her asleep. She was so beautiful, so fragile and so alone. She had neither father nor mother. She was just too young to be alone.

Teresa returned to Earth when she felt Patrick moved toward the baby. She let her eyes get lost in the room. She was recalling what had happened the day before. There were massive changes in her life since she found Amy. Then she had asks Patrick for help. He was so wonderful with the girl, so nice and attentive. He was compassionate to her, not laughing at her lack of knowledge and being just the friend she needed.

The fact that they were compatible was very surprising to her. She felt for some time that things were going good between her and her consultant. It was only a matter of time before they cross that line. The arrival of Amy had only accelerated things and she was happy. She thought about the loss suffered by the little girl. Her mother died trying to protect her from her dangerous father. It certainly was a bad start in life. What would become of her now? She would end in one of those institutions where children were placed alone without any care? Leaving them to fend for themselves?

She definitely didn't want that for Amy. She had been through the system. She knew how it was not easy life. It had been hard for her then what would it be like for a baby? Perhaps she would have the chance of being adopted. She could be happy and have a good life.

A tear trickled down her cheek at this simple thought. Amy could not find anybody to take care of her. She was alone in the world in the midst of other children like her. What a sad irony.

She felt a finger come to meet her tears. She glanced up to gaze into Patrick's eyes. He certainly had a lot of questions and wanted to know what made her so sad. She sniffed and came to hug him very tight then pressed against him. He placed his head on hers waiting for her to speak.

- "I don't want Amy to live what I lived through that is no life for a child little alone a baby." she whispered.

- "What…? I thought that was settled. I am going to raise her but the Question is: Are you going to be by my side?" Patrick questioned.

- "So this would be our child?"Teresa asked still having trouble believing it.

- "Yes…our child…Only if you join me. We don't need to have another. I already love her as if she were my daughter. Plus she's a nice mix of both of us." Patrick stated.

- "What do you mean both of us?" Teresa questioned. She didn't see how the little girl could be a mixture of the consultant and of herself.

- "She has beautiful brown hair and beautiful blue eyes." Patrick teased. "So what do you say Teresa we would make a beautiful family."

What could Teresa say there was only one idea she had that of a family with Patrick and Amy so she could only say.

- "Yes Patrick I would love to raise Amy with you." Teresa said then sealed the deal with a long and passionate kiss.

Teresa loosened her grip on him to lean over to see the little princess. It is true that she did have beautiful brown hair. For confirmation on eye color she would have to wait until she awoke. Before she simply did not feel knowing the eye color was important but now it seemed very important indeed.

And as if Amy felt she was being watched. She opened her big blue eyes then stared at Teresa waiting to know why she was staring at her.

Seeing Amy awaken Teresa got up to pick her up. Yes, her eyes were a beautiful blue color. She really was a nice mix of Teresa Lisbon and Patrick Jane even if they were not her biological parents.

Amy played with Teresa's hair. She pulled on it gently with her little hands. Amy laughed and Teresa who was infected laughed with her.

Patrick as a proud papa watched the two women in his life. There were two brunettes who he would be ready to do anything. Teresa was comfortable around Amy now contrast that with other day. It definitely was 'The maternal instinct' he thought.

He got to his feet then hugged them. Teresa rested her head on his shoulder while totally at ease with the situation Amy just yawned.

- "It seems that the princess still need more sleep" announced Patrick.

- "I'll put her to bed" said Teresa moving away from him.

He gazed up the stairs at Teresa speaking softly to the little girl. Amy was listening. Her little eyes fluttering to stay open for a few moments. He was alone in the living room then he decided to go make a tea for himself and a coffee for her. While he filled the kettle he thought how lucky he was to have Teresa as a partner in this endeavor. Patrick recalled the sweetness of her lips when she said yes to co parenting Amy.

Time passed and Patrick had almost finished his tea, but Teresa still was not back. Intrigued, he set his cup on the kitchen counter and went to join her. He made as little noise as possible not wanting to wake Amy. Arriving at the baby's room, he found Teresa bent over the crib he had set up the day before. He smiled at seeing her. She was a good mother to this little girl. He approached her slowly then encircled her waist. She jumped slightly then leaned against him with her hands grasping his.

- "I'm Sorry…I was unable to leave" she apologized.

- "No problem Teresa…I would surely have done the same thing" Patrick reassured her. "But we'll have to warm your coffee."

- "This is nice however I'm tired I want to go to bed then wake up next to you Patrick as long as I live." Teresa solemnly said.

- "Teresa, that sounds like proposal? Are you proposing to me?" Patrick tease.

- "No proposal at least not yet but I want a promise…Patrick." Teresa said.

- "In that case I promise Teresa to wake up next to you until I no longer can." Patrick said. "Is that a good enough promise Teresa?"

- "Hmmm it will do for now Patrick" Teresa said and again they sealed it with a passionate kiss.

- "Hmmm I am getting to like promising you things" Patrick said.

- "Good when are you moving in?" Teresa asked.

- "All in good time Teresa all in good time but first we need to rest. Who knows when Amy will awake and be hungry?" Patrick said.

They left the room quietly, hand in hand. They opened the door with Patrick's lips on hers. She moaned with pleasure, her hands around his neck, and shaking against him. Patrick felt her arms slide around his waist and that caused a series of shivers that ran through his body as he maneuvered her to the bed. She wanted more than this hug and tender kiss. She wanted him.

- oooo -

They were asleep on the bed together. But Amy awoke. Patrick was awake first and told Teresa to go back to sleep. He took care of poor Amy she was crying hard. He took her down stairs to prepare her bottle and to let Teresa to sleep.

After feeding, burping and changing her Amy was going back to sleep. Patrick placed her carefully back into her crib.

Entering the bedroom he saw Teresa was fighting against an invisible demon. She was thrashing about in the sheets. She was gesturing in all directions, screaming, crying then calling Patrick's name.

He rushed to the bed then held her in his arms, trying to calm her down and to comfort her.

- "Teresa It is Patrick Please calm down" he told her but she continued struggle while still asleep.

- "NO… Patrick… Please…help me." She moaned.

Patrick did not know what to do? If she continued she would awake Amy with her shouts. So he covered her mouth with his in a passionate kiss. That worked since Teresa stopped immediately and started responding to the kiss. Finishing the kiss Patrick saw that Teresa's eyes were open.

Her eyes darted around then she looked into his. She realized that it was only a nightmare. Looking at his eyes she saw he was worried.

- "Patrick…" she whispered before she fell against him.

- "I'm here Teresa, I'm not leaving you." He said "I honor my promises."

He pressed her a little against him and settled comfortably in bed. He encircled her waist with his protective arms and kissed her on the forehead as she resumed a normal breathing. When finally her sobs were completely subsided, she turned to him and let a few tears escape from her eyes.

- "I'm sorry" she apologized.

- "Don't be I know you have nightmares. I have them too but never so active." Patrick said.

- "Still this is not what you wanted when you made that promise." Teresa said being embarrassed.

- "Why do you say that Teresa?" Patrick asked being intrigued.

- "I'm too weak" she replied in tears again.

- "You're not weak Teresa…You're just afraid. It happens to everyone. I'm afraid too sometimes, like yesterday for example I was so afraid it was you not Amy's mother on that gurney." Patrick said.

- "Patrick it wasn't me…I'm here…alive…with you." Teresa said

- "I can not thank the heavens enough for it" Patrick said. "Now let's get back to sleep."

They lay next to each other entwined in each arms with their lips touching. It was that special touch which made all of her fears dissipate. They moved their lips apart being both breathless. Teresa laid her head on his chest as they moved as one to get comfortable. Patrick with a free hand stroked her forehead gently while saying.

- "Teresa you are loved and no harm will come to you this night or any other night." Patrick said.

Teresa barely awake agreed with an Uh huh.

Patrick satisfied fell asleep holding her.

- oooo -

Teresa did not stay asleep long. She started to play with her companion. Awaken by her ministrations he placed a tender kiss on top of her head. Teresa stopped what she was doing to crane her neck to smile, kissed his neck then his lips. Suddenly she wanted more than simple kissing. She felt the primal urge to get closer then show him how much she loved him.

Teresa then move even closer to him then left a multitude of kisses on chest which was bared because earlier she lifted his shirt it off of him while he slept. Patrick responded by removing her night shirt and let his hands roam over her very soft skin. He felt a wave of desire taking possession of his body and captured her lips. Teresa let out a sigh of well being. He smiled against her lips and slid his hands very slowly down her back. He let the warmth of his body spread to the woman he loved. She arched against him then she could feel how much he loved her. She smiled against his lips and tilted her head to reach his ear to whisper a few words.

- "Patrick do you have something in mind?" She teased by whispering these words in his ear sensually.

Just that sparked in him a wave of desire as he had not felt for a long time.

- "Patrick I want you now" she whispered again.

TBC ...

A/N2: let me know what you think of this chapter. Next one tomorrow.