The coffee machine brewed hot morning coffee when the phone kept nearby vibrated. Amanda yawned and reached for the phone. But one look at the caller id and all her morning fatigue was gone. She picked up the phone in a hurry. 'Louise?'

'Am… Amand..' Louise tried to speak while panting.

'Louise what happened?' asked Amanda in an agitated tone.

'My… My water broke.' Pain from contractions was reflecting in her voice.

'Oh! Just hold on. I'll be there in 5 minutes.' Amanda cut the phone. She put on her overcoat and left the house. She started hastily on foot.
The picture of Louise and Nolan holding their child together flashed in her mind. She felt sick. Like she wants to vomit. She slowed down until she stopped and looked around. It felt like the world is coming to a stop. The baby was about to come out. All her hopes of being with Nolan is going to be burnt forever with that. Is this the end to Nolan and Emily? Her heart ached as her mind raised the question. A strange sense of paranoia hit her. Her vision went dark even in broad daylight. She leaned forward, placed her hands on her thighs and panted.

Her memory traveled back to the last time she met Nolan. It was a week back. He was leaving for Paris with Margaux to attend some meetings. She remembered how intently he asked her 'Will you look out for Louise in my absence?' After everything how can she say no to Nolan? She nodded in response and said 'With my life.' Though the obvious truth is that she was jealous of Louise. But anything for Nolan. The determination of her promise brought her senses back. She stood straight, pulled all her strength together and started running. She had to do everything she can for Louise. After all, she has made a promise to the most important person in her life.

Amanda sat in a corner of the room and looked around. If it was any other time, she would have praised the pink décor of the posh maternity suit that Nolan chose for Louise. But today every beauty sunk under Louise's scream. The nurses did their best to comfort her while asking her to push the baby at the same time. Amanda observed the nurses carefully. These were the same overly trained nurses who were taking care of Louise 24x7 for last 6 months. She recognized the doctor too. Dr. Addison Montgomery is the country's best known O.B/G.Y.N whom Nolan personally flew from Seattle. She closely observed the doctor who was doing her best to encourage Louise to push a little more. But Louise already started to give up. The tiredness from the struggle was making her dizzy.

'No, no, no. She cannot fall asleep. Keep making her try.' Dr. Montgomery instructed the nurses. She then turned to Amanda. 'Where is Mr. Ross? The patient could use his support in this scenario.'

'Ah… He is out of the country. It'll take him few more hours to reach. He's on his way.'

'Are you her friend?' Amanda stared at her with confusion. She couldn't decide what to say. Addison didn't give her the chance anyway. She continued. 'Because she really needs one at this time.' She tilted her head to silently instruct Amanda to step beside Louise's bed. She obliged.

Amanda placed her one hand at Louise's right shoulder and with the other she brought her face to look at herself. 'Louise, wake up. You got to try again.'

'I can't.' said a panting Louise. Even the super-chilled air conditioner couldn't stop her sweating.

'You have to.' Amanda said while rubbing off sweat from her forehead.

Louise closed her eyes and said 'I can't. It hurts.'

Amanda cupped her face with both of her hands. 'Look at me.' Her hands steady, her gaze fixed at Louise. 'After everything you've been through in your life, is it that tough? Really?' At this, Louise finally made an eye contact with her. 'There are so many people who want to be in your place, but they can't.' Amanda's own pain reflected in her voice. 'You're blessed Louise.' She continued in an intimidating manner. 'Now try again.'

Louise nodded, closed her eyes, gathered all her strength and pushed as hard as she can. She kept squeezing Amanda's hand in the process as she was holding them tight.

'Okay, I got it!' Dr. Montgomery exclaimed. She took the baby out carefully. Louise took a look at it. The tiredness wore her out and she dozed off. Amanda looked at the baby and smiled. Tear automatically filled her eyes.

After initial cleaning up, the doctor placed the baby at Amanda's hand. She felt amazed at the sight of Nolan's baby girl in her hand. The baby locked her gaze at her face and looked on as if the newborn could already recognize Amanda's face. She smiled at the sight. She wondered through her features. She has got Nolan's blue eyes and blond hair. Amanda marveled at her tiny nose. She adjusted her left arm to give the baby more sleeping place. With her other hand, she patted the kid's torso lightly. The baby curled her fingers around Amanda's and slept peacefully as if this was the world's safest place. Amanda kissed the baby's forehead. Her eyes filled with tears of joy. The joy of forming an immediate bond with the kid.

Margaux entered Nolan's house and found herself standing in a candlelit room. She looked around. The arrangement was romantic though simple. And simple is not Nolan's thing if he is doing something wholeheartedly. It didn't take Margaux long to guess what's going on. Apprehending the scenario, she started looking for Nolan hastily. She found him sitting in his room staring at the jewelry box in his hand. Margaux went closer to peak in the content of the box. And as she apprehended, it was a ring. 'Don't tell me it is what I think it is for.' She startled Nolan.

'What are you doing here Margaux?'

'Stopping you from committing suicide' Nolan looked at her with shockingly. Margaux continued. 'Wasn't being in a loveless marriage with her once enough?'

'The situation is different now.'

'Really? How? Have you started feeling for her?'

'We share a kid Margaux' Nolan implied.

'So?'

'I cannot run away from my responsibilities.'

'You're not running Nolan. But marrying her is madness.'

'A kid needs both of her parents. No one knows that better than me' His pain was clear in his voice.

'Parents who love each other.' Margaux specified.

'Louise loves me. She has been by my side all the time- well, most of the time.'

'Listen to…'

Nolan cut Margaux short. 'I've made my decision. Now leave me alone.'

Margaux fathomed Nolan's rigidity on the matter. Everything she could say is going to be useless since he has already made up his mind. She shook her head in disapproval and left.

Seeing Nolan's villa all dark, Louise apprehended something wrong. To be honest, ever since Amanda has come back into their lives, she hasn't been able to shake off the fear. The fear for Nolan's life. She looked around. The pool was usually lit. But there was no light coming from inside of the house. She held the car steering tight with nervousness. Should I go in or call someone? The thought crossed her mind. But the fact that Franny, her newborn was in there too, doubled up her anxiety. Maternal instinct outweighed her judgment. She got off the car in a hurry leaving the keys behind.

Her heart raced as she touched the front door. Slowly she unlocked it. And the magic happened. The electronic candles lit up and paradise unveiled in front of her. Well, Nolan's candle-lit drawing hall looked no less than that. She turned to the other side and found Nolan standing in the corner. 'Nolan! You scared me!' She took deep breaths to calm herself down.

Nolan raised his eyebrow in confusion. 'So this arrangement looks scary to you? Then I must sue the decorator.'

Unlike other times, his humor didn't work on Louise. She was still panting heavily. 'Where's Franny?'

'In her crib.' He now observed her anxious expression. 'Hey! What's wrong?'

'I'm going to check on her.'

'Hey! I just checked on her, like n-o-o-o-w. Can you tell me what's going on?' He grew impatient.

'Nothing. I am just having a bad feeling. Why is your driveway so dark tonight?'

Nolan smiled. Coming close to her, he put his hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner. 'Relax. Everything is fine.' Nolan felt her muscles relax beneath his touch.

'You still didn't answer me.' She said in a calmer tone.

'It's just the decorator. She blew a fuse while trying to set these up.' He pointed to the candles and explained in a relaxed tone.

'Oh!' Louise replied. 'I guess motherhood is taking a toll on my nerves.'

They both laughed.

Louise continued. 'And what's this all about?' She pointed at the arrangement with her eyes.

Nolan's smile vanished. It was so easy to be a friend Louise. But marrying her? It was just like any other loveless marriage. A walk down the road of spikes. 'Yeah about that. Come, sit here.' He led her way to the couch. Nolan tried to think of a good speech. But he couldn't think of any. His courage started falling short. He hoped for an intervention. He looked around hesitatingly. He looked at his phone kept at the nearby table hoping it would buzz right at that moment. But nothing happened as such. He felt the need to run. But there was no running from his own conscience. Louise sat patiently waiting for Nolan. Putting a stop to his thoughts, he finally spoke. 'You once talked about having a baby when we were married. You talked about making up for the mistakes our parents made with us. It is time we start doing that.' Louise looked at him with soft eyes. He flipped out the ring from his pocket. 'Louise Ellis, will you marry me?' after a pause, 'again?'

A moment of silence passed between them. She looked at him as if this was everything she wanted to hear. But slowly, after a couple of deep breaths, she lowered her gaze. A lump passed down her throat. 'No.' she looked at Nolan with thoughtful eyes. Like she knew better. 'Just because I had a baby with you doesn't mean I want to marry you.'

'But Lou…'

She cut Nolan short. 'You are a good father Nolan. But unfortunately, you're not in love with your kid's mother. And I'm not knowingly setting my step into another mishap.' She sounded confident. Nolan could find no dilemma in her voice. She walked straight inside. Nolan sat there, confused and scared. She reappeared in the hall seconds later with Franny in her arm.

'Listen to Louise…'

She didn't let him speak again. 'No you listen' she continued after a pause 'to your heart. You'll know I'm the one speaking sense here.'

His pain-stricken eyes looked straight into hers. 'And in my heart, I know that the most important person in this world to me now is Franny. She's my girl. And I love her more than anything or anyone else in the world.'

Ever since Nolan held Franny in his arms for the first time, Louise has observed their bond. No matter how much confused he felt before, all of that was in that single moment. And now Louise saw his paternal apprehension. Understanding his fears, she replied calmly. 'Don't worry. I'm never going to take her away from you.' She smiled. 'I promise.'

Nolan stood rooted in his position. It took him time to realize all his worries and obligations were gone now. His lips widened around the corner, forming a broad smile.

'I'm taking Franny home tonight. That should find you time to call Emily, oops Amanda.' She winked at him and left.

Nolan stood there in silence and his face lit up. Like the weight he has been carrying all these months has been lifted with her few simple sentences. He took his phone and dialed Margaux.

'If you're calling to hear congratulations, well, all I can offer you is my condolences.' Margaux said in a harsh tone.

Nolan laughed. 'Are you talking about Louise and me?'

'What else could it be?' she said with disappointment.

He laughed again. 'Things has changed. Tomorrow I'm going to tell Ams that I love her. And that I want to be with her. Forever.'

Louise put Franny's car seat properly at the front passenger's seat. She then settled herself on the driver's seat and started the car. She took the highway which seemed quite lonely at that time in the night. Franny started crying. Louise caressed her. 'Oh baby only 5 minutes more. We take the next right turn and we are home.' She spoke to let her know that her mother was there with her.

'Take left.' A voice spoke from behind. Louise felt the tip of the gun pressed against her head. Being scared, she tried to scream but the man pressed his hand to her mouth. 'Don't try anything stupid. There you do that, here I press the remote.' He continued in a poetic tone, 'Boom… Goes Fanny.'

A/N: Please read and review :) Favs and Follows helps.