A/N: So this is the last chapter. I hope you have all enjoyed the story. I'd love more people to review now that it's done.

Chapter Seven

Charlie was back at the hospital by 10 am the next day. Liz and Nikki had taken him to the safe house and stayed with him. He'd slept better than he would've thought after the events of the previous day. Of course the pain medicine he'd taken for his arm helped.

His first stop was the ICU on the ground floor. Colby was doing better and had woken up. Charlie was allowed to see him for a few minutes.

Charlie slid into the chair by Colby's bed. "Colby, I wanted to thank you for saving my life. If you need anything. . ."

Colby pushed the button to raise the head of his bed. "Thanks Charlie. I'm glad you're okay. Was Don hurt? I thought I saw him try to reach you too."

"Yes, he was shot in the side, but he's doing well." Charlie couldn't stop the sad look that crossed his face as he spoke. Apparently the look wasn't lost on Colby.

"Who else was hurt Charlie?" he asked.

"Colby, they sprayed the whole house with bullets. My dad was hit in the shoulder." Charlie had to swallow before he could continue.

"And Amita?" Colby prompted.

"Amita was hit in the side. It punctured her lung." Charlie paused and realized that Colby was thinking the worst by the look on his face. "Oh no. She's going to be okay. But they had to take the baby."

"Oh Charlie, I'm sorry."

"What? Oh. She's alright. The baby I mean. Here look." Charlie pulled out his phone and brought up the pictures. "This is Margaret Emily Eppes."

"She's beautiful Charlie. Just like her mom."

"Thanks Colby." Just then a nurse came in and told Charlie he'd have to leave. "I'll come see you later Colby. I'll let Nikki come in now."

Charlie turned and left as Nikki came in. He smiled to himself. He'd have to ask Don about Colby and Nikki. He was sure something was going on, or it should be by the look on Nikki's face.

Next Charlie stopped off to check on his daughter. The nurse said she was doing very well. "Can I take her up to meet her grandfather and uncle? They're in room 403."

"Yes. Professor Eppes. I'll have a nurse bring her up in a few minutes. If your wife is awake she can take the baby in to see her as well."

"Thank you. I'm not sure she's awake yet. Her doctor thought not 'til this afternoon." Charlie was glad the nursery staff were so understanding and helpful.

"Okay. When she does wake up call down and we'll have the baby brought up."

As Charlie and Liz entered room 403, they found Agent Farmer talking to Don. Alan appeared to be asleep.

"Hey," Don said in greeting as Charlie entered. "Agent Farmer just came by to let us know that they caught the rest of the people who tried to kill you Charlie." Don looked better than he had the previous day and was allowed out of bed to sit in a chair.

"I'm so glad you caught them. And I appreciate you coming to tell us, but after everything that has happened I'd like you to leave." Charlie turned and held the door open.

Agent Farmer looked sad, but he headed for the door. As he passed Charlie he said, "I'm sorry Charlie. You have every right to be angry and upset at the NSA but I hope you'll forgive us."

Charlie simply pushed the door closed behind the agent without saying anything.

Alan, who was not asleep like Charlie thought, spoke up. "Charlie, that was harsh. He admitted they were wrong. And they did catch the people responsible."

"Maybe Dad. But you were all hurt because of the NSA. It will take some time for me to forgive them. If ever."

Liz had gone to sit over by Don and was quietly talking to him. Charlie walked over to the chair by Alan's bed and sat down with a sigh. Taking the book bag he'd been carrying, he placed it on the floor.

"I arranged for a nurse to bring the baby up, Dad. They should be here any minute." Just as Charlie finished speaking, a nurse walked in with the baby. Charlie stood and carefully took the baby from her.

"I'll return in fifteen minutes to take her back to the nursery," she said as she quietly left the room.

After kissing her forehead lightly, Charlie took his daughter and placed her on Alan's lap so he could hold her with his good arm.

"Charlie she's beautiful." Alan seemed unable to say any more, the emotion of holding his first grandchild overwhelmed him.

Liz helped Don up and walked him over to the chair next to Alan's bed. After about five minutes of watching Alan hold Margaret and coo at her, Don spoke up. "Do you think I could hold her for a few minutes? I think I need to practice."

"Oh, of course Don," Alan said with a guilty look. "I didn't mean to monopolize her." Liz, who was still standing by Don, took the baby and placed her in Don's arms.

Charlie could only smile. It was great to see his dad so happy and the smile that lit up Don's face as he held his niece was amazing. It was hard to believe that it was only yesterday that they had almost all died. As that thought crossed his mind, Charlie lost his smile and sadness overwhelmed him.

With a sigh, Charlie picked up his book bag and headed for the door. "I'm going over to Amita's room now. You guy's look after Margaret until the nurse comes back. She won't be long."

The first thing Charlie noticed as he walked into Amita's room, was there were far less machines hooked up to her. The respirator was gone and had been replaced by a nasal cannula.

Robin was sitting in the chair next to the bed, reading. She smiled at Charlie as she rose to leave.

"Thanks for being here Robin, I'll take over now," Charlie said quietly.

As Robin passed, she reached out and hugged him. Charlie returned the hug gratefully. "Baby Margaret is in Don and Dad's room." Looking at his watch Charlie continued, "she should be there for another five minutes."

"Thanks Charlie. I'll go get acquainted." Robin kissed Charlie lightly on the cheek. "Amita's going to be fine."

"I know." Charlie sighed, then moved towards the bed as Robin left. He sat next to the bed and lifted Amita's hand to his lips. Kissing it he felt tears come to his eyes. Amita looked so much better than she had the day before. He could almost believe that Robin was right and she would be okay.

Charlie pulled some math papers he needed to grade out of his book bag. Settling the chair close to the top of the bed, Charlie pulled out a red pen. "Amita, I'm going to mark some test papers. I'll read them to you as I go and you let me know if you have any comments to make." He started reading the first paper. He was still reading aloud and marking papers two hours later when the doctor came in to check on Amita.

Charlie moved out of the way and watched as she went about her job. When the doctor was done she smiled. "She's doing really well and should wake up anytime now."

After thanking her, Charlie reclaimed his seat and resumed his reading. He was on the last paper when he saw Amita's hand move. Then in a weak voice she said, "Charlie, that was the best paper so far."

"So you were listening." Charlie said with a smile.

Charlie took Amita's hand in his. "I love you. I'm sorry this happened because of me." There was the guilt again. He'd thought he'd overcome it.

"Charlie, am I going to die?"

"What? No you're not going to die Amita." What was she thinking. Did she really feel she was going to die?

"Well, if I'm going to be fine, then lose the guilt. This was not your fault." Then as Charlie watched, the smiled slipped from Amita's face to be replaced by fear. "The baby? Is that why you feel so guilty?"

Easing onto the bed Charlie stroked Amita's face. "No love. The baby is fine. It's a girl. Margaret Emily Eppes, just like we decided."

"Oh. I want to see her Charlie."

"Okay. But lie still. I'll let your doctor know you're awake, then I'll have Margaret brought up from the nursery." Smiling, Charlie left the room in search of the doctor. He found her at the nurse's station. As the doctor headed to Amita's room, Charlie used the phone to call the nursery to have the baby brought up.

Charlie entered room 403 and found Don sitting in a chair by Alan's bed. The two were watching an old episode of Taxi on TV.

"Amita's awake!" he said. "The doctor's checking her out now. Then they're bringing the baby up." He knew he had a stupid smile on his face, but he couldn't help it. The world seemed to be righting itself.

"That's great Charlie. If you get a chance, bring her in here again. I'd love to see my granddaughter."

"Okay." Charlie saw the doctor coming out of Amita's room as he headed back. "Well doctor?"

"She's looking really good. Better than I'd hoped. The sight of her baby can only help." Smiling, she headed off down the hall.

Charlie found Amita sitting up smiling. The nurse had just placed Margaret in Amita's arms. As Charlie watched he felt his heart skip a beat. They looked so perfect together.

Charlie produced his cell and took a picture before Amita realized he was there. Then, as the nurse left, Charlie walked over to the bed and kissed the foreheads of the two people who were so special to him.

What he'd done to deserve such happiness he didn't know. But after thinking he'd lost Amita six months ago, and nearly losing her now, Charlie realized that he had to let go of the fear he'd been carrying and embrace life. He had a daughter now, and maybe in a couple of years they'd have a son. Then their family would be complete.

Pulling the chair closer to the bed, Charlie couldn't help smiling as he sat down and watched Amita kiss their daughter then smile at him. "She's perfect Charlie. Next time let's try for a boy."

The End