Where was I? How is the baby? The first face I see is Anita's full of relief.

"Where am I?"

"Maria, you're in the hospital. The baby is alright. You've been unconcious for a few hours. Lupe ran by the bridal shop and told me everything that had happened. The police came and arrested several of the Sharks at random for jumping Baby John. The rest who were left, along with a few of the Jets helped carry you to Pepe's car. He, along with Lupe, Action and Kiddo took you to the hospital. I came as quickly as I could."

My head hurts. Closing my eyes, I murmur, "Where are they?"

"Outside."

"Can I see them?"

"Si."

The four of them emerge from outside my room. They all stare at me and in their faces I see a glimmer of relief. I beckon for them to sit down on either side of me.

"I didn't mean for so many of you to be arrested," I say to Pepe, "Lo siento."

Kiddo speaks before he can. "The police followed you. That's what they said. They had questioned Tony's parents about Baby John's attack and found out you had been with him."

"Maria," Pepe cuts in, "Por què? Why are you doing this?"

"I must finish what Tony started," I try to explain, "He didn't want to the Sharks and Jets to fight anymore. After what happened with the rumble, we had been planning to run away together so we could be safe—so our children could be safe. Must one of them be born into a world of hate?"

"Maria, you don't get it," Pepe urges, "We tried to keep you safe. That's why we started the Sharks in the first place, to protect our families, especially from these americanos who would use you wrongly. Chino was your parents way of securing you a safe future. You needed it after Bernardo's death."

Anger boils in me at his words. He has no idea what I've been through. "And because of all that I lost the man I loved who has done me no wrong. It is through his life that I found a voice to call my own. None of you can take that from me!"

Pepe is silent, taken aback at my words. He should be. It's about time someone knocked some sense into their heads if it would eliminate some old prejudice. I don't know if I fully can, but they will have no choice, but to accept my child.

I turn to Kiddo and Action. "Have you seen Baby John?"

"Yeah," Action replies, "He's been asking about you. He wants to see you, but isn't allowed to leave his room."

"Then I must go to him."

Lupe tries to stop me. "The doctors say you must rest."

"And I have. Anita, will you help me?"

Anita supports my arms as Action grabs a wheelchair for me. Pepe and Lupe watch me in amazement. They have no control over my decisions and they know it. Now they'll just have to get used to my friendship with Baby John.

Action gently pushes me in the wheelchair, leading me to Baby John's room. Anita and Kiddo follow closely behind. Finally we reach him. There's Baby John sitting up in bed with several bandage wrappings on his head and one wrapped around his side. He had been stabbed.

"Baby John, thank God you're alright!"

He smiles over at me. "Same to you. Action got me worried when he said you were here."

"I'm alright and so is the baby. It was a close call though."

I have Action wheel me beside Baby John's bedside before having everyone leave us to be alone. Once the door shuts behind them, I turn to my dear friend.

"Baby John, I'm so sorry. If I had known this would happen…"

"Maria, it's alright. You said so yourself. We'll both be fine."

I shake my head. "At this rate, the Sharks can't really trust me anymore."

"I trust you," he smiles, "That must mean something."

I take his hand in mine. "Will you be my child's godfather? You were the first to help me cope after Tony's death. You've been so good to me."

"Well you were the first not to pick on me 'cause of my size," he chuckles, "You made Tony a better man. Of course if you think I'm up to it."

"Yes…yes I do."

After I leave Baby John to rest, I confront Pepe and Lupe who are waiting with Anita outside. Action and Kiddo have already left to avoid growing tension. They probably have gone to Docs. I will speak with them later.

"Baby John is going to be my child's godfather and you will show him your respect. He is family now."

Pepe and Lupe stare at me as I'm crazy.

"Anita, will you be the godmother?"

"Si," she smiles, "I will."

I turn back to the boys with a warning. "If there's more fighting, I will find all of you and this time I will bring the police along with me. Don't make me resort to that."

Both boys are silent as I heave a sigh, turning to Anita. "I'm ready to go home."

"So am I Maria," she sighs in relief, "So am I."