Chapter 8

"We tell our son that I'm his father," he replied softly. "We'll tell him that it's a long story as to how it came to be but that we'll share that when he's old enough. I don't think it's something he really needs to know."

"I agree," she replied sadly.

Hawke moved closer to Caitlin and put his arms around her, pulling her gently to him. "Caitlin, you did the right thing giving Cameron up for adoption. Even if I had known, I was in no position to be a father any more than you were to be a mother."

"I know," she replied. "It still hurts a lot but I know it was for the best. I guess now I understand why I've always been so drawn to you and why you always seemed so familiar."

"You mean you didn't follow me all the way to California because of Airwolf?" he teased.

"Well, I didn't say that," she said with a smile.

"I know what you meant," he admitted. "I've always felt it too. I trust very few people in my life but there's always been something about you that I was comfortable with."

"I'm glad it was you," she said softly. "The biggest mistake I've ever made in my life and now I think it might turn out to be the best mistake I've ever made."

"I guess we'll have to chalk it up to destiny," he replied softly.

"I need to go and speak with a lawyer I guess," she replied. "I'm sure they'll want you to submit a blood test to prove you're the father before we set up joint custody. It'll take a little planning but I think we can work it all out."

Hawke turned and stared at her a moment.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "You don't want joint custody? I'm sorry did I jump the gun here?"

"That's not it," he replied. "I want more than just my son. I want his mother too."

Caitlin laughed lightly. "Come on Hawke," she replied. "Just because you found out that we have a child together doesn't mean you're obligated to me now. It doesn't have to work that way."

Hawke pulled her close to him again and hugged her tightly. "Caitlin, maybe that night didn't mean anything to me then," he admitted honestly. "It doesn't mean that it doesn't mean anything to me now. I'm thrilled that your first experience was with me even if it was a blurry memory. I'd like to have more experiences."

"Hawke, I love you for saying that," she replied sadly. "But, I don't think I can handle it. I'm so overwhelmed with everything that's happened so far that I don't think I'm quite ready to pursue anything like that right now."

"Okay," he replied softly. "I understand."

Caitlin turned and looked him in the eyes. "Do you really?" she asked. "I don't want to hurt you Hawke but if and when we decide to take things further between us I want to be sure it's for the right reasons and it's what we both really want. If it's meant to be, then it'll happen. If not, we'll always have Cameron. I'm not going to regret that anymore. I can't."

"You're right," he replied. "But, I'm not letting this go fully. I'll back off of it for now though."

"Thanks," she replied while wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tightly. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I guess we might need to get me back to the hospital."

Hawke scooted towards the tree house steps and pulled her gently with him. "Yeah, I think that's a good idea," he replied. "Your health is priority."

Hawke helped her down the little stairway and held onto her as they made their way back to Airwolf. He couldn't help but notice that she was a little wobbly on her feet so he leaned over and picked her up into his arms. Caitlin didn't object and rested her head on his chest as he carried her the rest of the way before helping her back into the helicopter.

The next morning Caitlin awoke to find Hawke sleeping in the chair beside her hospital bed. Before she could wake him, Cameron and Dom came in and jolted him awake.

"Hey mom, you look so much better today," Cameron told her as he handed her a bouquet of flowers. "Here, I wanted to get you something."

Caitlin smiled. "They're beautiful," she replied looking at Dom. "Thank you."

Dom smiled as he noticed the color had returned to Caitlin's cheeks. "You sure look better," he told her.

"I feel a lot better too," she replied looking at Hawke who seemed to be lost in thought.

"You okay String?" Dom asked. "You look a bit haggard."

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied staring at Cameron. "Uh, Dom how about you go with me to get a cup of coffee and give Caitlin and Cameron a little time together?"

"Sure," Dom replied sensing that Caitlin also wanted the time alone with her son. "I can always use some coffee."

After they left, Cameron sat down on the edge of Caitlin's bed. "You think you might get out of the hospital today?" he asked.

"Maybe," she replied. "I am feeling a lot better."

"That's good," he said. "So, I get the feeling you wanted to talk to me about something. You haven't changed your mind about my staying have you?"

Caitlin smiled. "Wow, you are one pretty smart kid," she told him. "Yeah, I do want to talk to you but no, I haven't changed my mind. I want you to stay."

"Then what is it?" he asked softly.

Caitlin stared at him a moment. She couldn't help but notice how much he reminded her of Hawke. "I never noticed before," she thought. "But then again, why would I? I never dreamed it would all turn out like this."

"Cameron, what do you think of Hawke?" she began.

Cameron smiled. "I think he's pretty cool," he replied. "Why, is he your boyfriend or are you two married or something?"

Caitlin laughed. "Well, I guess you could say it's complicated," she replied. "But, for now we're just friends. Maybe someday that'll change. But there is something you should know about him."

"He's my dad," Cameron replied matter of fact like.

Caitlin gave him a confused look. "How do you know that?" she asked. "Did someone tell you that?"

"No, they didn't have to," Cameron replied. "When we went to Dom's last night I noticed some of the pictures on his wall. One of kids in the picture looked just like me so I asked Dom who it was. I figured there had to be a reason we favor so much. Dom even said he saw a resemblance but he didn't know anything about Hawke being my dad."

"How do you feel about all of this?" she asked trying to figure out how to explain why Dom wasn't aware of Cameron's paternity.

"I think it's great!" He replied. "I already like him a lot and he's a pilot."

"Yeah, well so am I?" she replied with a smile.

"You think sometime you could teach me to fly?" he asked anxiously.

"Sure," she replied. "I think I could do that."