Title: The Devil Wears Vengeance
Chapter 15 – Starting a Brand new Chapter

A/N: Well we have finally reached the end to this journey (always bittersweet emotions at the end)! But I have enjoyed writing this all for you and THANK YOU all so much for your amazing reviews and support for our fave AU couple! I hope you all like this ending as much as the other updates. Thank you all again!

"What is it?" Donna asks Ed mid-Sunday morning about seven months later.

"Just can't believe how fast these last few months have gone by. Have missed both of you on a daily basis," Ed lightly frowns as he looks at his wife with a warm smile.

"I'll be back soon and then…" Donna's voice trails off as she looks over at their daughter, contentedly playing in her highchair. She plucks Cassandra free and then makes her hand wave at Ed; bringing an automatic smile to his face. "Cassandra are you going to miss mummy when she goes back to work?"

Cassandra's sweet face looks up at her mother…her little pink lips trying to babble her first word, until…

"Mamaa…" she utters her first coherent word, making Ed and Donna look at each other in shock, happy smiles instantly spreading their lips.

"Ed…oh my g…did you hear…" Donna's eyes water as she looks down at the smiling face of their daughter.

"Cassandra can you say daddy?" Ed asks in haste, making Donna giggle.

"Daa…" she tries and then goes back to the soft yellow bear in her grasp.

"It'll come Ed…I'm just glad we were both here to hear this," she kisses the top of Cassandra's head and then looks at the small stuffie in her hands. "And how has this lasted this long?"

"Spike and his everlasting toys," Ed smirks as he takes the little yellow bear and teases Cassandra with it, her small hands trying to grasp the toy until her face starts to scrunch and Ed's quick to hand it back before a wail is heard. "Where'd he get it?"

"He still won't tell me and everyone else seems sworn to secrecy."

"More like if they tell on him, he'll hack into their email and send lewd pictures around."

"Lewd?" She arches her brows.

"Well I can't use the P word," Ed retorts as he takes Cassandra from Donna's grasp and starts to playfully bounce her as Donna puts a few things away. He notices her slightly stiffen and frowns as she turns to face him. "What is it?"

"I'm gonna miss her," she looks at Cassandra who looks up and smiles at the same time, holding her toy up for her mother to see.

"Maaaaa," Cassandra utters with enthusiasm and then giggles.

"We talked about this. It's your choice. Whatever you decide you know I'll support."

"Ed I can't be a stay at home mom…I just…I want to work but I want…I don't want to miss so much and…I mean the hours we keep and…"

"I've done pretty good about…"

"You have but still. I just…I don't know. I'm torn and we are a few months away and now I'm feeling anxious."

"Come here," he entreats, taking her hand as they head into the living room; Cassandra between them happily playing with her toy before she discovers her indoor booties and decides to play with them instead. Ed's free arm tightens its grasp around his wife's shoulders as she leans into him, her head resting on his shoulder.

"I love the fact that you have had almost every weekend free but…but I can't exactly be a part time supervisor now can I?"

"There is a daycare right by the SRU and you know it's a good one. It caters to…"

"I know and I have signed us up for that and with Shelly and Rachel's mother it will be better than leaving her with total strangers but it's still not quite the same," she pauses as Cassandra looks up and hands Donna one of her booties. "Thank you baby girl," she whispers with a warm smile.

"Okay I know that tone," Ed interjects, "you've already made up your mind? You're leaving the SRU?"

"Actually…I heard Buddy Anderson is taking early retirement."

"Yeah who said that?"

"Holleran…when he called this morning."

"He called you directly?" Ed asks in surprise.

"He did. And he…oh…so that means…"

"There is or will be a new opportunity available in the SRU and Holleran wanted me to know. SRU training officer. Interesting but…"

"But what? It would take you…"

"Out of harm's way?" Donna asks with a sharp twinge in her tone.

"I didn't mean it like that," Ed replies with a small sigh as she twists her head and looks up with a small frown.

"I know and I know we have a lot more to lose now," Donna turns and looks back at Cassandra who is trying to get back to the yellow bear that Ed had placed just out of her reach. "I would never want to do anything to have her lose one of us but…I love the field Ed…you know that. We are both alike that way. Would you take a position that is basically a desk job with some field instructor?"

"Not only a desk job. There would be some field work. Training rides and…but this is your decision. I wouldn't want to be responsible for making you unhappy."

"You never could Ed," Donna assures him by a brief peck on his lips. Cassandra's small hands grasp her jeans, wanting to pull herself up.

"She'll be taking her first step soon," Ed comments as he offers his hand for Cassandra to take; her fingers grasping his finger and wanting to pull it into her mouth.

"But lunch comes first," Donna smirks as she picks up Cassandra and looks at her with a loving expression. "Do you want mummy to take a safer job?"

"Yaaaaa…" Cassandra squeals as Donna smiles.

"There you have it."

"I could ask her if I was from outer space and she'd say that. Come on…we could eat also."

"Donna…"

"Ed, I merely mentioned this in passing. I…don't know what I want yet."

"Okay. So what are we introducing today?"

"Time to play spin the bottle," Donna smirks as she places Cassandra in her high chair; planting a kiss on the top of her head, covered with golden strands.

"Mmm I'd like to play that with you," Ed playfully growls as his lips nip her ear; Cassandra's little pink lips offering happy giggles in the background.

"How about for her first nap?"

"Sounds good to me. Okay so mushy orange goop for Cassandra and what for us…"

"Ohhh mushy orange goop," Donna laughs as she opens the freezer and pulls out a small frozen pizza and pops it into the oven; Ed having already placed Cassandra's bib around her neck starts to feed her her less than stellar lunch.

"She likes the orange goop," Ed teases his daughter as he gently wipes some off her fingers.

"Just don't let her get…" Donna tries to warn before Cassandra's fingers grasp the idle spoon and toss it toward Ed's face, "the spoon."

"Thanks," Ed groans as he stars to wipe his face, Cassandra laughing at her father at the mess she had caused.

"I think daddy likes the orange goop also Cassandra," Donna tells them as she turns back to making them lunch. Ed looks at her and can tell by the her tense stance that she's now processing the internal conflict between returning to the front lines of the SRU full time and taking Holleran's offer which while it would be full time, would afford her normal hours and guaranteed weekends off; something he inwardly hopes she takes.

They sit down to lunch, the talk of work on hold until she would bring it up again; Holleran having told her that the position wouldn't start until she was back from maternity leave and was the first to either take it or turn it down.

"She's down for a nap…" Donna announces as she reenters the kitchen and wraps her arms around Ed's waist. Ed twists around in her grasp and within seconds, their lips are locked and a sexual encounter about to ensue.

XXXXXXXX

"Donna where is…" Ed's voice trails off as he rushes back into the living room with a perplexed expression about two weeks later.

"What do you need?"

"That book for Wordy. The one on mechani…found it," Ed holds up the book and shows it to Cassandra who claps in return. "Look baby girl, daddy found the book he had lost."

"Daddaaaa…" she giggles, forcing Ed to stop in his tracks and look at her with a growing smile.

"Donna did yo…"

"I heard," she replies warmly as she nears him and gives him a hug. They gather up their things and head downstairs and then to Wordy's; keeping to their tradition of spending regular visits with their closest friends.

"Cassie's here!" Wordy's youngest shouts as the door opens and the three girls converge on the giggling toddler.

"Yeah we just showed up for the free food," Ed smirks as Wordy heads toward them.

"The novelty still hasn't worn off yet," Donna tells Shelly with a friendly smile as she follows her into the kitchen.

"They are still asking for a sleep over. I think they just want to play dress up all night long," Shelly laughs. "And then I mentioned they'd all take turns on diaper duty and they said they'd wait until she could pee on her own. So what is new on the baby report?" Shelly inquires.

"Dadda…"

"Ed must be happy."

"I think he was worried it would be Spike since he dropped off another yellow bear yesterday."

"Yeah were does he get those things? He wouldn't even tell Kevin," Shelly smirks.

"Ed tried to order him to tell but still nothing…so the name Spike was banned until she said dadda…" Donna giggles as she just shakes her head and gratefully accepts a cup of warm tea.

"Miss staying at home?" Wordy asks Ed as he walks up to him standing by the mantle and hands him a beer; following Ed's eyes to the newest Wordsworth family picture.

"I miss being there for Donna and all the daily stuff," Ed huffs as he takes the beer. "Never thought I would but…"

"But when it's your own it's different. And Donna? She's back in a few months."

"I know…and then…I don't know what she's going to do yet. She has a few options but she um…"

"Isn't a stay at home mom and I get that I do. But Wordy…I don't want her in the thick of things again," Ed sighs as he takes a swig of his beer. "I can only say so much and I can't be the one to sway her either way. Even when she was pregnant she…she gets the call and…"

"And acts on instinct like you," Wordy comments lightly as Ed looks over and nods.

"I wish there was an easy answer but I know there isn't and either way…either way she's worried about missing a few other major milestones but…"

"I know…I had to hear a few second hand things from Shelly but…but she is a stay at home mom and likes that. She's busy with a lot of other stuff just not…"

"Things that can kill you," Ed retorts with a heavy frown. "We'll just play it by ear and see what happens a few months after we are both back and then…"

"Do you guys…want two?"

"We've talked about it but then that would…one is a lonely number right?"

"It is," Wordy nods as he pats Ed on the back. "Okay so I tried once more to ask Spike where he got the yellow bears."

"I say we stake out his place and when he leaves…"

"Who are we staking out?" Donna asks as she renters the room with Shelly at her side; the three Wordsworth girls in the family room with Cassandra on the floor between them.

"Spike. I say he has a stash of those in the basement."

"No way, he gets them out of a back of a van in a dark alley," Wordy jokes as the other three adults laugh. They all talk a bit longer until supper is ready and then all sit down at the table; Cassandra in her usual place, a high chair between her parents; the banter always light and friendly, especially when the little girls were all still at the table.

"Thank you once again for an amazing evening. Next time it's on us," Donna thanks Shelly as they prepare to say goodnight a few hours later; Cassandra soundly sleeping in her travelling chair.

"Just don't fuss….we don't mind, you know we have more room."

"For now," Ed reminds them.

"Ah yes how has house hunting been going?" Wordy queries.

"It's in its infant stages," Donna replies with a light smile. "A lot to think about."

"Well if you need any help with that."

"You'll be the first we call," Donna gives Shelly one last hug before they take their leave, securing Cassandra in the back and then heading for home.

"About that…"

"You having second thoughts now?"

"Actually I found an area that I think we might like."

"Really? When was that?"

"Hot call yesterday."

"You want to go into that neighborhood?" Donna teases. "Where is it?"

"Well…" Ed's voice trails off as they near their apartment.

XXXXXXXX

"Wordy, I saw the news…what happened? Where's Ed?"

"He was Sierra one…I know they said it was Sam that got the shooter and that one of the team was shot but the news guys screwed it up. Ed's at SIU. Sam was shot in the vest but he's okay. The whole thing was a mess," Wordy huffs over the phone.

"Okay thanks," Donna hangs up as she turns back to the news and frowns at the 'live breaking coverage' headline and then looking at Cassandra with a worried expression. "Daddy's okay…he'll be home soon."

"Daddaaaa…" Cassandra looks up from her spot on the floor; her now nearing the end of her tenth month.

"Yeah…dadda…he's okay…" Donna huffs as she turns and starts to fix a few things on the counter. About half hour later, she hears the door opening and takes a deep breath before pouncing on her husband.

"Donna?"

"In here."

"Hey baby girl."

"Dadda…" Cassandra looks up with a wide smile as Ed bends down to her, kissing her on the top of her head and then looking up to see Donna watching.

"It was Sam…the news…"

"I know," she sighs as she pulls him into his arms and holds him close. "Longest ten minutes of my life Ed. How is Sam?"

"He's okay, he's okay. He'll have a nasty bruise but he's gonna be fine. I'm sorry about the mix-up. How was your day? Holleran said…" Ed pauses as he follows Donna's distracted gaze; both of them now locked on their daughter as she had crawled over to the table and was trying to pull herself up right. "Donna…"

"She's tried a few times today Ed," Donna whispers as both of them hold their breath just as Cassandra flops back down on her bum and looks up with a small sad face. "You are doing so good Cassandra," Donna praises as she lightly claps her hands. "Wanna walk to daddy?"

"Come on Cassandra…" Ed encourages as he drops to one knee and smiles at his daughter. "Come to daddy."

Donna's hand on Ed's shoulder clamps down a bit tighter as they both watch with bated breath as Cassandra slowly pulls herself upright and then stops, holding onto the edge of the table and looking at her parents with a somewhat expectant expression.

"Come to us baby…you can do it," Donna urges as they watch Cassandra pull away; a few seconds later flopping down onto her bum and then looking up with a small frown. "I swear that frustrated frown is yours."

"Mine?" Ed smirks as he slowly takes off his jacket and exhales heavily. "Sorry I'm late."

"Don't be," she assures him with a kind tone. "I only had a small heart attack when they said the officer shot in the chest was Ed Lane…not that the one shot in the vest was Sam Braddock."

Ed's hand squeezes hers still on his shoulder, both their eyes fixed on Cassandra as she tries to stand up once more.

"Ed…"

"She's doing it…" Ed whispers happily as Cassandra holds herself up on the table leg and then looks at her parents before venturing out on wobbly little legs.

"Jules nonslip shoes are working."

Donna quickly snaps a picture of their daughter freestanding and then both happily clap, cheering her on toward them. Cassandra takes a few more wobbly steps and then plops back down, looking at them with a sad expression.

"Oh no…don't cry little one," Donna kneels down beside her, kissing the top of her head. "You did an amazing job," she states happily as she finally picks her up and squeezes her before handing her to Ed.

"She has your determination," Ed compliments his wife as he kisses her full on the lips.

"That…comes from both of us. Come and tell me about the rest of the hot call."

Ed carries Cassandra in his arms as he follows after Donna into the kitchen, his daughter happily playing with the edge of his sweater, her hand playing with the short stubble on his cheek and making his very soul feel inner contentment and happiness.

XXXXXXXX

"Now that…was amazing…" Donna lightly pants as she flops down on top of Ed's firm and sweaty frame moments after the end of their intimate encounter. "Ed…wow."

"I have to agree…a real fave so far. You are so beautiful," he warmly praises. "Glad we kept that pregnancy book," Ed smiles up at her as she props herself up on his chest, his fingers brushing a small bruise on her cheek. "You okay?"

"It was a small fall and yes…I'm fine. You know technically I can blame…"

"Technically…" Ed whispers as a small frown appears and Donna's face mirrors his. "It happened at the barn right?"

"Who ratted me out?"

"Donna…"

"Tom right?"

"His partner in crime."

"Sam," Donna lightly huffs. "I thought I could reach the top without the stool and look I'm fine okay…"

"Did you talk to Holleran? One more month to go and…"

"I just wanted to go back and see what it was like. Spending the day there without Cassandra was…"

"You know it's your choice right?"

"Ed, it…it felt good," Donna confesses as she finally flops down on her back and looks up at her husband as he props himself up on his elbow and looks down, her fingers gently teasing the soft dark hairs on his chest.

"And you felt guilty about that?" Ed wonders. "Is that why you were so quiet tonight?"

"I thought I made a lot of noise," she giggles as his face breaks into a smile, his fingers tucking a damp strand behind her ear. "I know…I picked up Cassandra from Shelly's and…yeah I just…damn it Ed I don't know what to do. Holleran's offer is very tempting but…being in the field…you know I'd go stir crazy not being in the field all the time."

"I love you…more than anything."

"You want me to take the new position."

"Donna…"

"Ed I love you too…and I know you have been respectful of this for the past few months since you found out but…you have also been quiet when I bring it up."

"I just don't want to be responsible for swaying you either way."

"I want you to be honest with me. What do y…"

"I want you to take the new job," Ed replies firmly. "I want that for you because I know you'll get used to it and…we talked about expanding the family and getting a home…a real one and you, you could be at home at a more reasonable hour. I want this for us…for you," he tells her as he leans in closer and plants a warm kiss on her lips. "But…but it's your call. If I still had my way, I'd have you on team one," he pulls back with a grin.

"Poor Greg would have two kissing couples to contend with."

"Nah…we're more mature than Sam and Jules are," Ed chuckles.

"You sure about that?"

"He hide it better," he playfully growls as he nips at her neck, warm laughter filling the dimly lit room; lasting for a few moments longer before it dies down, the lights go out and it's time to bring the busy week to a close.

XXXXXXXX

"Oh you little trouble maker," Donna lightly scolds Cassandra who had managed to get upright and walk a few steps into the living room with the spoon full of blueberry jelly, dropping it onto the carpet and looking up at her mother with teary expression. "Cassandra…no," Donna says firmly as Cassandra's lower lip curls under and she starts to whimper; Ed entering the area and looking at both of them in wonder. "She didn't listen. Do we have that baby gate set up yet?"

"I can get it," Ed looks down at Cassandra with a heavy frown. "You have to listen to mummy," he utters before she starts to wail. Ed offers a small curse as he picks her up and looks at Donna who offers a weary expression. "I know…"

"Wait until she really gets mobile. Then we'll really be in trouble."

"At least we got all the plastic plugs into…Cassandra…" Ed groans as he finally realizes she had some jelly residue on her hands that end up on the collar of his freshly washed golf shirt.

"Mmm daddy tastes yummy," Donna teases their daughter, finally eliciting a soft laugh. "Okay breakfast time."

"What time are we going to Greg and Marina's tonight?"

"Six."

XXXXXXXX

"Wow I can't believe a year has gone by already," Donna remarks later one Friday night as they sit on the couch flipping through a family album in their living room, Cassandra in Ed's grasp, looking at the pictures in wonder. "Look Cassandra…the day you were born," Donna looks at their daughter and smiles.

"I remember every second of that experience," Ed remarks as they look at the pictures of them in the hospital; the first few pictures taken by Dr. Chan's nurse and the others from Wordy in their private room. There were a few of them coming home and their first few presents. "Was an amazing day."

"Exciting and scary at the same time."

"For both of us. Ah look. Cassandra's first bath."

"Where is that tub now?"

"Oil pan," Ed smirks as Donna looks at him in shock. "Well you said I could have it," Ed teases as he looks down at Cassandra and makes a mock horrified face to which she giggles. "How about the baby shower?"

"How about Sam, Tom and Spike having that cupcake eating contest?" Donna recalls the memory fondly.

"The one Gary ended up winning?"

"Hey he's the one that said size matters," Donna laughs. "Was such a fun night."

"And we got lots of great stuff…what's lasted since then?"

"This…" Donna points to a picture of the everlasting yellow bear from Spike. "Where is the new one by the way?"

"Dresser. So I asked Greg if he knew Spike's secret."

"And?"

"And he said Spike bought shares in some sweatshop in china that…" Ed's voice trails off with a small chuckle. "No one knows and he'll take that secret to his grave. Hey how about this one…Cassandra's first big outing to Wordy's."

"We never saw her the entire night," Donna remembers. "Sure made her tolerant though."

"We have great friends," Ed comments as Donna looks at him and nods. "Remember this event?"

"Baby girl's first tooth. Remember her teething?"

"I remember we couldn't keep things cold long enough and me running out to Shoppers Drug Mart at 2am for a teething ring," Ed remember with a small smile as he kisses Donna on the cheek. "I just didn't want you out there in…"

"My sheer nightgown?" Donna giggles back. "How about this one? First word…or so we say."

"I'm so glad I never missed any of these," Ed confesses softly as Donna looks at him in wonder. "I was worried I would."

"Would never let you," she assures him as his grasp around her shoulders tightens.

"How about this…first step," Ed points to the next picture. "And there was no looking back."

"Tupperware was a very wise investment," Donna smiles as she flips the page.

"Ah another naked one of Cassandra," he gently pokes their daughter in her belly, making her giggle.

"First trip to the SRU. Look she likes your vest."

"She's a Lane alright," Ed grins as they look at the picture of Cassandra in her father's vest. "That was a fun day."

"You're just lucky you had clocked that day off when that hot call came in or else…"

"Mummy would have been very mad if daddy took Cassandra along for the ride."

"Trip to the zoo…"

"And to the old man's farm," Ed points to them in the bushy wilderness with Cassandra in the frost field.

"Spike and Sam…trying to babysit."

"Jules looking very content."

"Marina too," Donna adds as they slowly flip through happily looking at their family pictures. "Ah yes…the big move."

"Our new home…"

"Our first real home," Donna looks up at Ed who nods and gratefully accepts a kiss from his wife before they look around their new living room, a few piles of boxes on either side but the path to the gated off fireplace open for some added warmth. "I love this place."

"I do too. Close to everything we love," Ed reminds her as he looks down at Cassandra as she yawns and rubs her eyes.

"Am glad you took these last two weeks off Ed."

"Wasn't going to make you unpack all this stuff on your own. Besides I don't mind helping. I'm glad you liked it as much as me."

"Us moving here…it was our decisions…for the better," Donna pauses. "We weren't chased out by anything this time. We really did win," her voice dies out in a whisper as her mind for a brief seconds pictures the placid expression of Ida Logan; a nemesis they had at one time feared would destroy their very lives. But they prevailed and now her name didn't even factor into the conversation. They had really won; took back their lives and freedom and were now planning for the future. "Speaking of changes."

"You mean my time or yours?" Ed inquires.

"Mine."

"Ah. Tom called you didn't he?"

"Sam really wants that team lead spot. I don't know Ed…him and Tom on the same team?" She shakes her head.

"Wordy and I do fine…they'll be good for each other when it comes down to the job. You know you are leaving it in good hands right?"

"I know," she agrees as she looks over toward the table to the freshly signed new employment opportunity acceptance letter. "I am actually excited about this. Besides…my first assignment is…"

"Training which team?"

"Team One," she replies with a happy smile. "And then Team Three."

"Hmm so does that mean you'll be the boss then?" Ed flirts with a wag of his brows.

"You like that?"

"You know I do," he tells her in truth as Cassandra's now sleeping little form flops further into her father's safe and loving embrace. "Are you nervous?"

"Actually…" Donna pauses as she tears her eyes away from Ed's handsome face and looks at their precious daughter and smiles tenderly, "I'm glad I did it. I want this family to work and that means sacrifices. We've both made them."

"We both want this," Ed tells her in truth as his hand reaches for hers and squeezes it firmly.

"We do."

They both sit in silence a bit longer, looking around the main floor of their modest home; their first for the two of them; an affordable home in a safer neighbourhood, with a small yard, deck and room for growth if so desired; a few blocks away from Wordy's.

"What's up?"

"Thinking about that day."

"Donna…"

"The day we got married," she tells him in truth, her gaze fixed on a picture of them on their wedding day on the mantle.

"Best day of my life…the birth was second," Ed smirks.

"Was an amazing day. And that means…our anniversary is coming very soon."

"Few months. Anything special you'd like to request?"

"Actually there is."

"Yeah?" Ed looks at her in wonder. "What's that?"

"Another one of these," Donna nods to Cassandra, "to fill that second room," Donna replies with a tender smile as she looks up at his expectant face.

"Really?" Ed inquires as his grin widens.

"Really. Come here," she entreats.

"Gladly."

Their loving kiss lingers as thoughts of the future now fill their mind; starting a new career path, welcoming new members to each team to fill the gaps, expanding their family and strengthening their bond. Their love had started the day they met but it wasn't until an evil mob mistress forced their bond to unite sooner than expected did their future path really start. After that they had faced several severe trials; both of them facing life altering and changing moments, near death experiences, happiness and sorrow. But through it all they had faced each day together, never wavering in their course to stay true and faithful to each other and the vows they had promised with heartfelt words. In the end they had secured their future by taking down their enemy for good and proved to the world around them that they'd never lose the future they had both worked so hard to secure. They had faced the devil and won. Nothing would stop them now.

Their happy future was set and secure; now they just had to go and enjoy it. All of it.

"Donna…You are my best friend. You have taught me what it is to truly love something more than my own self. I commit to you that I will love you forever. I will give my life for you and I promise to always protect your life with mine. I will celebrate with you in times of great happiness and I will not just stand by you, but carry you during times of life's greatest sorrows. I will cherish our love from now until the day that I die. I will always stand by you, and you will always be taken care of. I will never give up on our love these things I pledge to you today and all the days of our life together. I love you."

"I love you."

"I love you too," she whispers as his hand cups her face and brings her mouth to his, Cassandra still safely nestled between them.

"Ed…You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you. Using the love that we share I can promise that you will always have my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and my most tender care. I promise to love you, to always strive to encourage and inspire you to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and also when times become difficult, when our love is simple, and when things becomes complicated. I promise to honor you, and to always hold our love for each other in highest regard. These things I pledge to you today, and all the days of our life together. I Love You."

"Forever."

THE END!

A/N: Okay so got a few happy milestones in there (I had to google a few things but they said a first word between 6-9 months and first real steps between 9-12 so went with that. I know it differs for all children so I took the middle 7 and 10 months respectively lol please don't flame). But I hope you liked the first words and the first steps and the overall family fluff of the chappy. The vows of course were taken from chapter 15 of Desperate Measures at their wedding.
And since it is my AU I took a few liberties with employment outcomes (yeah my outline had Sam going to team 3 before the show took the idea lol but at least my reasons were better – no freakin deaths! Lol and hope you all liked it – it made the most sense for where I wanted the new family to go! I hope you liked the final story in this three part series (Desperate Measures, Choices & The Devil wears Vengeance).
Please do leave us a final review before you go for this story and if you'd support (via reviews) more AU stories in the future and thanks so much!