Chapter 30

Scotty woke up slowly, his eyes adjusting to the light. He swallowed thickly and coughed, winching in pain. He had never felt this uncomfortable in his life and as he tried his hardest to remember why exactly he was here...nothing, he couldn't remember a thing.

He looked around the room and spotted his beautiful wife, fast asleep beside his bed.

"Lil" He whispered, his voice hoarse and his was throat sore.

Lilly stirred and looked over at him, a smile spreading across her face. A smile that conveyed such relief "hey you're awake" she replied

"What happened?" he asked her

"You don't remember?"

"The last thing I remember was walking out of the elevator in the parking garage with Jack and our witness and then…..it just goes blank"

Lilly took his hand in hers and pressed a kiss to it "you were shot, Jack said that someone on a motorcycle was aiming to hit your witness, he missed"

"Is that why I feel like I've been hit by a truck?"

Lilly smiled "your parents were just here, I finally managed to convince them to go home. Your Dad was dead on his feet and your Mum was so worried" Scotty winced in pain and groaned "here, press this button" Lilly said gently, placing a clicker in his hand "its morphine" He pressed the button gratefully and closed his eyes "your brother will be over after work and Chris is bringing the kids to visit after school, Laura misses you so much"

Scotty sighed, the pain relief washing over him. He opened his eyes again and suddenly noticed that his wife was wearing a hospital gown, and she was sitting in a wheelchair beside his bed. "What happen to you?" with concern.

Lilly smiled "I'm fine"

"But you're wearin' a hospital gown"

"I was so worried about you and all the stress caused me to go into labour"

Scotty tried to sit up but the pain in his chest was too much "you had the baby?"

Lilly nodded, tears of joy filling her eyes "Dr Palmer tried to stop the contractions but my water broke and he couldn't….you have another beautiful little girl daddy"

Scotty smiled, despite his pain "a girl?"

"Yeah, you're not disappointed are you?"

Scotty shook his head "God no, she's healthy right?"

Lilly nodded "yeah, she's up in the NICU, they said its routine because she was born early but the doctors say she can come home in a few days" Lilly took out her phone and opened the pictures app, holding it out for him to see.

Scotty's eyes fell on his new baby girl, she was gorgeous. Dark hair was fuzzy on the top of her tiny head and she looked directly into the camera with soulful brown eyes.

"Your mum reckons she has your nose and ears"

"She's beautiful, just like her mummy" he replied, looking over at Lilly a tired smile on his face.

Lilly took his hand in hers and pressed a kiss to the back of it "I was so afraid Scotty, I thought I was going to lose you"

"Take more than that to get rid of me Querida"

A nurse came over to them, smiling compassionately at them "your awake Mr Valens, you in any pain?"

"A little"

The nurse smiled "the Doctor will be over in a few moments to check your incision, I'll talk to him about your pain medication" Scotty nodded "Mrs Valens, the NICU called down, your daughter is due for her fed, they want to know if they should give her the bottle or if you would like to try breast feeding her again"

Lilly looked torn between her husband and child, Scotty squeezed her hand gently "it's alright, go. I think I am just going to sleep"

"You sure?" her husband nodded "tell them I'll be right up" she told the nurse who nodded and walked over to the nurses station to return the call.

"I guess I should go upstairs then, I'll see you later"

Scotty nodded "you should get some sleep yourself baby"

"I am fine" she kissed his hand again "I'll call your family, let them know you're awake. I love you"

"Love you too" he replied as he closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep once again.

Scotty had been moved out of the SICU that morning and now was sitting up in bed in his own room on the cardiac floor. Dr Wallace had stopped by to check on him and to give him the post surgery information. Basically he was to take it easy for the next few weeks, no work, no alcohol and now strenuous activity. Meaning no sex. That last part Scotty wasn't too happy about. He felt like a child being told he couldn't have desert and now, the desert was all he could think about.

After a long, boring day watching mindless daytime TV, and practically non stop visitors, he was ready to spend some time with his wife and children. He smiled as his children and wife walked into his hospital room, Laura's face lighting up as she saw him "Daddy, I missed you"

"Hey Princesa, Daddy missed you too, all of you" Scotty replied as Laura hauled herself up on the bed.

"Remember what I said Laura you have to be gentle with Daddy, he's still not well"

Laura nodded, carefully kissing her father on the cheek before sliding off the bed.

"Hey Daddy" James said cautiously, hiding behind his mother.

"Hey buddy, Daddy's ok. You don't need to be scared"

"Did it hurt?" Matthew asked, staring at his father's chest and the white bandage that covered his incision.

"Yeah but I'm ok now"

Lilly ruffled her curious son's hair "hey, how are you feeling?"

"Pain is still about a 7 today"

Lilly pressed a quick kiss to his lips "I'll talk to the Doctor again about upping your morphine again"

Scotty shook his head "I asked him to lower Lil, it was making me to tired. I am just taking aspirin"

Lilly rolled her eyes and was about to lay into her husband when she remembered her children where in the room. Sensing his wife shift in demeanour he decided to change the subject, asking James how school was, how Matthew's pitching practice was going and about Laura's science project.

The door opened and Lilly recognised the nurse from up in NICU, wheeling in her daughter "looks like you have another visitor" the nurse said happily.

"Thanks Vanessa" Lilly replied as she walked over to the plastic cot and lifted out her daughter "wanna meet your Daddy little one" Lilly asked pressing a kiss to the baby girl's forehead.

Scotty smiled broadly as Lilly carefully lowered her daughter into his arms, making sure not to brush against his incision. "Hola muñequita, I am your Daddy"

"We have to think of a name" Lilly told him

Scotty grinned, staring down at his little girl "to tell you the truth, I've been thinking that we were having a boy….didn't think of any girls names"

Lilly grinned "I was hoping to call her Amelia…after my grandmother"

"It's perfect for her Lil"

Lilly kissed the side of his head "you have to come up with her middle name" Lilly ordered gently.

Scotty thought for a few minutes and then said "Gabriela, after my Abuela" he suggested.

"Amelia Gabriela Valens…it's perfect"

"Can I hold her?" Laura asked hopefully

"I don't think so baby, your too little"

Laura pouted, crossed her arms and stomped her foot "I am a big sister, I am not too little"

"Why don't you sit up here beside Daddy and we'll hold her together?" Scotty suggested, patting the side of the mattress beside him.

Lilly helped lift her daughter up beside her father once more and Scotty carefully placed baby Amelia in her lap, making sure to hold onto both of them. "Hello Amelia, I am Laura…your big sister" Matthew and James pushed closer to the bed to get a better look "and those are your stinky brothers"

Matthew stuck his tongue out at her and Laura responded in kind "ok, that's enough you two" Scotty chuckled as Lilly carefully lifted her daughter up into her arms. "Let's let Daddy get some sleep and get your sister back upstairs" Laura kissed her father's cheek again and slid off the bed "Bye Daddy"

"Bye sweetie" Scotty said.

"I'll talk to you later" Lilly replied, pressing a kiss to his lips "love you"

"Love you too Querida"

Lilly and left the room with her children in tow, closing the door of her husband's room behind her.

"I don't know if I can do this by myself Chris" Lilly confessed to her sister as they drove back from the hospital a few days later.

"You'll be alright Lil; Scotty is coming home at the end of the week"

"I know, how can I handle the triplets and a new baby by myself"

Chris smiled "I'll stay a few more days if you want?"

Lilly shook her head "no, you're moving in with Jack, you're happy. I suppose I could call Scotty's mother if I get into trouble"

Chris parked the car in the driveway and they got out, Lilly opened the back door and removed the baby capsule with her four day old daughter in it.

"Mummy!" Lilly looked over and saw her daughter and two sons running over to her.

"Is Daddy home too?" Laura asked hopefully

Lilly shook her head "he'll be home on Friday sweetheart"

When they reached the front door, Lilly was relieved to see her mother-in-law standing in the doorway "Hola Mi hija how is my Nieta?" Rosa asked, holding out her hand to take the baby capsule from Lilly.

"Sleeping, for the next few hours I hope"

"Bet you're glad that you're home?'

Lilly sighed "think I'll be happier when Scotty comes home"

Rosa nodded "I made some dinner for the triplets and there is some leftovers if you are still hungry"

Lilly sat down on the couch, looking down at her young daughter and Rosa smiled "I better get going home, I suggest you get yourself some sleep while she is" Rosa added nodding down at her angelic granddaughter.

Lilly yawned "good idea"

Lilly was jolted awake by the sound of a crying baby coming through the baby monitor. She yawned and rolled out of bed, rubbing a hand over her face as she walked down the hallway to the nursery.

Amelia's tiny face was screwed up, screaming loudly.

Lilly sighed and leaned down into the crib, lifting her little girl out of the crib and cradling her against her body. She tried bouncing her up and down, rocking her from side to side.

"What's wrong Amelia, you hungry, huh?"

Lilly eased herself down into the rocking chair and unbuttoned her pyjama top, lining her daughter up with her breast. Amelia immediately latched on, sucking greedily, her eye sliding closed.

"I love you little one" Lilly whispered pressing a kiss to the top of Amelia's head.

Lilly watched as her daughter started to fall asleep on her breast and she lifted up and over her shoulder to burp her.

"There you go sweetie, you gonna let Mummy sleep now?" she asked as she carefully lowered her daughter back down in the crib, tucking the blankets around her. "Goodnight Angel" Lilly whispered "see you in the morning" Closing the door behind her.

Mike came with Lilly on Friday to help get Scotty home, his Doctor had suggested that he take it easy and not take too many stairs so he would be sleeping in the den. Now that Chris was living with Jack the room was free again.

"I can walk you know" Scotty complained as Mike wheeled him down to the parking garage.

"Doctor's orders Scotty" Mike simply said

"Do as you're told for once" Lilly retorted with a smile and Mike chuckled

They reached the Mini Van and Lilly hopped in the back to clip in Amelia's car seat, and tucking her small blanket over her. Scotty eased himself into the back seat beside his daughter, wincing as he leant over to buckle up his belt.

"Here baby, put this between the seatbelt so it doesn't rub" Lilly suggested, handing Scotty a small towel which he gratefully took.

"Thanks Lil"

Mike dropped them at their place and after helping Lilly get Scotty and the baby inside, he headed off to work. "You want something to eat, or drink?" Lilly asked as Scotty eased himself down on the bed in the den.

"No I am alright"

Lilly nodded "Ok, I am gonna put Amelia down for her nap and then I'll be back to keep you company"

Scotty smiled "ok Querida"

Lilly leaned down and kissed his lips "I am glad you're home" she murmured

"Me too" he added as she left the room.