"We made the wrong choice," Ryan muttered to himself as he frantically paced in the waiting room. "I shouldn't have even let her see the paper. I should have just done it all myself. There can be other babies but never another Kelsi." He turned to Gabriella, "Is it too late to change my mind? Can I just … override what we said? Please? I can't …" his voice broke as he sat heavily beside his friend. "I can't lose her."

"She'll be fine," Gabriella said soothingly as she ran her fingers through his hair (much like she did with her son). "Everything's going to be okay. I just know it. Right here," she added as she indicated her heart with her free hand. "Kelsi's too strong to let anything happen to her or the baby."

"Hey, guys," Troy said softly as he walked with Hunter back into the room. "Taylor's on the plane now and Chad'll be here tomorrow morning. He's flying in from Seattle after tonight's game."

"And Martha texted and said she'd come tomorrow night. She has a surgery in the morning but can leave after that. She would come immediately but this is the last surgery in her rotation before she moves to Surg Med. And Jason's shooting in Egypt so …"

"It's okay," Ryan said softly. "I don't want to pull them all away from their lives. Mom, Dad and Cal are on their way now. Dad got the jet and sent it to Albuquerque and then it's coming straight here. My parents are coming in commercial from Oahu."

Ryan was trying to calm down (outwardly, at least) but on the inside he was a mess. They wouldn't let him in to stay with Kelsi and he was more than a little nervous at that fact. He'd called Sharpay and told Zeke what was going on but made sure that they would not being coming up under any circumstances. As Ryan thought about the papers he and Kelsi signed, he wondered if she should have stipulated that they come in the event that Kelsi …

He shook his head sharply and wiped at his eyes. He couldn't – wouldn't – think like that. The doctor would be coming out soon and he would say that Kelsi and the baby were fine and smiling and happy. He'd be allowed back to kiss his wife and cradle his daughter and it would all be just a memory.

But it'd been six hours and nothing had changed. He figured Taylor would be there within the hour and he could send Troy and Gabriella home. Hunter had been extraordinarily well behaved and he didn't want them to press their luck on that front.

With another sigh he heaved himself out of his seat and resumed his pacing.

He absurdly wished Roscoe was there with him. He always knew when Ryan needed a cuddle.

"Have you picked out a name for her yet?" Gabriella asked as she placed a sleeping Hunter on a chair and covered him with Troy's jacket.

"I think we're going to name her Cassidy," Ryan replied. "Kelsi just seemed to fall in love with that name when she was thumbing through one of those baby names books. It means clever and curly-haired."

"You know that means she'll have your hair, right?" Troy asked with a smile. "Just so she can be contradictory."

"Actually," Ryan said with a small smile though it really didn't reach his eyes, "if I let my hair grow out it's curly too. So she's got a great chance of living up to the meaning of her name." Ryan's voice had broken on the word living but he somehow held it together. He couldn't allow himself to think it was possible to lose his wife and daughter. He wouldn't lose either of them.

"Ducky?" a quiet voice called from the doorway and Ryan turned to see his mother and father standing there.

He took a deep breath and strode to her before allowing her to wrap him in her embrace. He didn't cry – hadn't allowed himself anything but a few rogue tears – but his breathing was uneven and everyone in the room knew it was a fight. "I need you to tell me that it's all going to work out. I need you to tell me that my wife and daughter are going to be fine. I can't do this without her, Mom. I can't …"

"Mr. Evans?" Dr. Hunt called quietly as he entered the waiting room. "A word, please?"

Every person in the room tried to read the expression on the doctor's face but no one was able to. He was professional – but looked very tired – and didn't slouch or smile. Troy figured it was something they trained a doctor to do whilst in medical school. He vowed to ask Martha when she got there the next evening.

Ryan moved over to a secluded part of the room and spoke in hushed whispers. No one could tell what Dr. Hunt was telling their friend and they couldn't discern whether it was good new or … not good news.

Before any of them could grasp what was happening, Ryan's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to the floor. Troy and Vance dove for him and managed to keep his head from smacking the linoleum but Ryan was out cold.

--

After Ryan left Zeke made good on his word. He took a quick shower – he hated airplane funk – and proceeded to get Sharpay ready to go for a nice, long walk. Where he would finally be the one who could do the talking.

"Want to come with us, Roscoe?" Zeke asked the basset hound. When the dog simply laid his head back down on his paws, Zeke shrugged and put the leash away. At that point, Roscoe jumped off the couch and headed to the door. "Oh no," he said. "Ryan warned me about this. If you want to come, you have to come on a leash." Roscoe wagged his tail and let out a whine. "Not gunna work on me, boy," he said with a smirk. "Either you go on your leash or you stay here." The dog petulantly sat by the door but allowed Zeke to put his leash on him. "Stay. I have to go get Shar."

Sharpay was sitting on her bed, a scowl marring her pretty face. This is bad, she thought to herself. He's here and he's dead set on staying. If he stays for more than two days I'll never be able to let him go.

"Let's go, beautiful. Show me that little park around the corner." She frowned at him and crossed her arms. "You know," he said with a slight smile, "that used to work on me. But right now, I don't care if you want to act like a three year old. We're going for a walk and you're going to listen to everything I have to say. If you behave, I might let you hold my hand. So, let's get going."

She sighed and followed him out, opting to grab Roscoe's leash as opposed to Zeke's hand. If he wants me to act all lovey-dovey with him he's going to have to work for it. She sighed and looked over to her companion. He'd changed so much since high school. Sure, he was still fun-loving and happy and sweet … but he seemed to have a bit of an edge to him. She assumed this meant he meant business.

She had no idea how she was going to be able to let him go once Ryan got back.

Zeke walked in silence to the park and directed Sharpay to a bench near a small doggy playground. They let an excited Roscoe off his leash and sat down to watch the parents and children play with the dogs. He absently wondered if Roscoe was fixed.

"So, I know this isn't what you want to hear right now, but I'm going to talk and you're going to listen. You can talk back all you want once you get your voice back." He took a deep breath. "It hurts knowing that I wasn't the first person – after Ryan, of course – that you wanted to call. I thought I was more than just some dirty little well-known secret. I felt like an afterthought, Shar, and I hated it." He took a deep breath before reaching over and taking her hand. "And despite all of that, I am still so in love with you it makes me physically ill. And when Ryan called and asked me to come out? I turned to my co-workers and told them not to hold my place. You're my priority, Sharpay. You have been since you set your first pink-covered foot into the halls of Chelwood Park Junior High. So don't think I'm going to give up on you. I know you want your brother to take care of you but, damnit, let him take care of his wife."

He paused a moment and took a good look at the blonde who was sitting beside him. She didn't look angry or indignant about what he was saying. She actually looked more shocked than anything.

He furrowed his brow before saying slowly, "You can't not know how long I've loved you, Shar," he said softly. "Every single time I tried to catch your attention … and, you know, I told Chad and Jason that I came out about the baking because Troy did … really, it was you. Troy just gave me the opening. I'd been baking things I thought you'd like for years. Everything's been for you, Shar. Everything."

She frowned slightly as a silent tear fell down her cheek. She hadn't really taken the time to stop and think why Zeke had always been attentive to her. She chewed on her bottom lip before signing – really signing – Why do you love me?

Zeke was a little taken back by the fact that Sharpay was signing. Ryan had told him she'd refused to do so even though both he and Kelsi were about to read at least the minimum of signs.

"Why do I love you?" he asked. When she nodded, he sighed and turned to face her fully. He took her hands and looked into her eyes. "I love you for so many reasons. You're smart, dedicated, beautiful … and you care. You care more than you let anyone know. You always want what's best for the people you care most about … even if you do have kind of a sketchy way of showing it. And you know you're not the easiest person to get along with but you never change; not in the ways that count, at least. How could you ask me why I love you? How could I not?"

Tears were slowly trickling down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around him. She hadn't known that she'd needed the words but she did. She could see now, clear as day, that Zeke loved her – really loved her – and nothing she did would make him stop. And the most startling revelation was that she didn't want him to.

She took a deep breath and pulled away before signing, Even after what happened? You'd still want to be with me?

Zeke traced a gentle hand over the fading bruise on her cheek with a slight frown. "What he did to you was awful, Shar. And I know, no matter what anyone says, that you weren't asking for it. Yes, you were interested in this guy. But that was from the car. I know you, Sharpay. And I know that despite the public face you put on, I'm the only one you've ever been with."

How? she signed. How do you know that?

"Because I know you," he whispered. "Because I know all of you friends out here are all about who can hook up with whom. I read magazines. I watch television. I've seen all your little girlfriends out with dozens of guys. I've never seen one picture or news clip that even hinted you were doing that." He paused and closed his eyes for a moment. "I remember every single word you said to me the first time we made love, Sharpay. Every single word. And I know you weren't lying."

I wasn't, she replied.

"Good," he smiled. "So, are you ready to talk about it?"

How about with the counselor the doctor suggested?

"That's fine," he said as he pulled her into a gentle hug. "Just so long as you talk to someone."

She smiled slightly and signed, I should probably apologize to Ryan and Kelsi.

"You definitely should. You should just wait until we're sure she's going to take him back."

She stared at him for a long moment and he was getting confused. She had this cute little look on her face – like she was trying to figure out an advanced trigonometry question – and then she directed his eyes to her face before taking a deep breath and signing, I love you more than I ever thought possible.

Zeke thought that would be a safe moment to kiss her.

Several hours later they slowly walked home hand in hand, Roscoe trailing behind them happily. Almost as soon as they got in Ryan called.

"Hey, Ry. How's it going?"

"Kelsi went into labor," he said shakily. "And they're saying there can be major complications. We … they made us sign a form, Zeke. It was the scariest piece of paper I've ever had to read."

"What was it about?" he asked as he motioned for Sharpay to sit down.

"In the event that both of their lives are in danger, we had to pick which one the doctors would work on: Kelsi or the baby. We … she made …" he took a deep breath. "Kelsi said they should save the baby and she told me to sign the paper and then they rushed her off. I didn't … I didn't get to say goodbye," he finally whispered.

"We're on our way," Zeke said strongly.

"No! No, you guys stay there. Shar's seen enough hospitals for now."

"Ryan …"

"No, it's … Troy and Gabriella are here and I think they called Martha and Taylor. And Chad, I think. And my parents and Kelsi's dad are coming too. I just … don't come up. We'll see you soon enough. And … and I'll keep you updated."

"Be strong, Ryan. Just like your wife and daughter. Everything's going to be fine," Zeke said with more conviction than he felt.

"Right," Ryan whispered. "Tell Sharpay I love her."

Zeke disconnected the phone and turned to Sharpay with a devastated look on his face.

What is it?

"Kelsi," he whispered. "She went into labor and there have been major complications. They took precautions and made Ryan sign a form … well, both of them had to sign it … but it was basically a form that asked whether they wanted Kelsi or the baby to be saved if it came down to it. They … they made Kelsi a DNR and said to save the baby. Ryan's really broken up."

Let's go.

Zeke shook his head. "He wants us to stay here. He'll update us when he finds something out."

Sharpay had never felt guiltier in her life.

--

Moments later Ryan smelled something sickening and he opened his eyes, clearly disoriented. "Wha …?"

"Mr. Evans, how are you feeling?" Dr. Hunt asked.

"I'm okay …" he said as he shook his head. "Wh-what happened?"

"You fainted," Troy said gently as he knelt beside his friend.

"Because of what Doctor Hunt said," Ryan nodded as he allowed the men to help him to his feet. "Did you tell them?"

"Figured you'd want to do it, Dad."

Ryan smiled softly before turning to the assembled group. "We have a little girl. Healthy. Born about twenty minutes ago. Lungs like Shar, apparently. A little small … five pounds, six ounces. Seventeen inches."

"And her mother?" Vance asked slowly as he wrapped a comforting arm around his own wife.

"Feeding her as we speak," Ryan said as his resolve finally – finally – crumbled and he allowed Troy, of all people, to wrap him in his arms. "She's alive and okay," he whispered as he clung to the man's shirt. "She did it. She made it. She's going to be okay …"

"Hey, hey …" Troy said in a quiet voice as he held Ryan's head to his chest. "Calm down. You don't want to be a mess when you go in and see you wife and meet your daughter, do you? Just take deep breaths. That's right … That's good …"

Gabriella came over and took Ryan from Troy's arms. She hugged him tight before allowing his mother and father to envelope him in a bigger hug. She could hear Ryan's sobs as he clung to his parents like a wounded child.

Dr. Hunt came and placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder before handing him the mask, hat and apron. "C'mon, Dad. Time to go meet your daughter."

"Please fill Cal in if he gets here before I come out. And I'll let you know when it's safe to come in. I'm just going to …"

"Go," Darby whispered.

Ryan nodded and put on the required accessories before following Dr. Hunt back into Kelsi's room. He took a deep breath before opening the door and going inside.

"Nice hat," Kelsi whispered as she held their baby to her breast.

"You're the most amazing and beautiful woman in the world," he replied just as quietly as he made his way over to the bed. "Thank you so much …"

"You helped," she said with a smile.

"I mean for not dying. I wouldn't have been able to live without you."

"Ryan …" she whispered but at that moment, the baby decided she wasn't hungry anymore. Kelsi rubbed her back and she spit up a little before the new mother adjusted her gown and cradled the baby. "Want to meet your Daddy?" she asked in a sing-song voice before slowly handing her to Ryan.

"She's beautiful," Ryan whispered as he looked down onto his daughter's curly-blonde hair.

"So, are we going with Cassidy?" Kelsi asked as she watched her husband hold their daughter.

"Cassidy Hope," Ryan responded as he placed a gentle kiss on her head.

"It's perfect," his wife replied. "Can I have a kiss?"

"You can have every kiss I have … except for the ones I'm giving my little angel …" he replied as he slowly leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. "I'm so proud of you …"

"I love you."

"I love you too," he smiled. "Both of you. My girls …" He paused for a moment and then couldn't help himself. "I got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside I go the month of May," he sang. "I guess you'd say … what can make me feel this way? My girl …"

"You're such a dork," Kelsi laughed.