"The doctor's going to take care of you. He's going to make you all better," Cate said, smiling lovingly down at Lux.

Baze stood beside Cate. He didn't really know what to say. He just knew he felt like he was going to be sick. His stomach was tied in knots. He looked at his daughter with fear in his eyes.

"You are such a strong girl," Cate cooed. Lux's little hand gripped Cate's recently washed hand. Cate squeezed Lux's hand gently.

Baze smiled slightly, reassured by Cate's optimism.

"It's time," Alex said gently.

Cate hesitated. She couldn't bear to let go of Lux.

"I need to prep Lux for her surgery," Alex said more firmly.

Cate removed her hand from Lux's basinet and watched as Alex scooped Lux up.

John put his hand on Cate's shoulder reassuringly. "Dr. Burke is the best. Lux will be just fine."

Cate bit her lip, her eyes glued to Lux.

"I'll be here waiting when you get done," Cate promised as Lux disappeared from view.

Cate and Baze sat down in the waiting area while John went to square things away with the doctor.

Baze buried his face in his hands.

Cate stared at him in surprise. "Are you scared?"

Baze raked a hand through his wavy brown hair. "Yeah. I mean, she could die."

Cate swallowed. Leave it to Baze to voice her worst fear at the worst possible time.

Baze winced when he saw Cate's expression. "Sorry."

"It's not your fault. I mean, it is, but I know you don't think before you open your mouth," Cate said.

"I guess I deserved that," Baze acknowledged, shifting uncomfortably.

"No one deserves this. What we're going through right now," Cate said gently.

Baze nodded in agreement. "Cate?"

"What?" Cate asked, meeting Baze's gaze.

"Do you think she'll be OK?" Baze asked quietly.

"She has to be," Cate whispered desperately.

"You usually seem so OK. You always know what to do," Baze said.

Cate smiled ruefully. She hadn't really known what to do since she'd had Lux. She definitely hadn't known whether she should approve Lux's surgery. It was the hardest decision she'd ever had to make and it could have deadly consequences. Cate wouldn't be able to live with herself if her decision caused her daughter's death.

Baze watched the emotions play on Cate's face. "Now you don't seem so OK," he continued, subconsciously reaching for Cate's hand.

"How can I be OK when our daughter is fighting for her life?" Cate said, tears in her eyes.

"I don't know if I'm more scared because Lux is in surgery or because you're scared," Baze admitted. "I know if you're scared, there's something to be afraid of."

"There you are," Laverne said, panting as she joined Cate and Baze. "I came as soon as I could. Work was crazy busy."

"Thanks for coming." Cate smiled at Laverne.

Laverne had been trying. She'd gotten Cate and Abby's old crib out for Lux.

"Who's this?" Laverne checked Baze out and smiled approvingly.

Cate rolled her eyes. "This is Baze. This is my mom."

"Baze?" Laverne's smile widened and she nodded knowingly. She was relieved her daughter had lost her virginity to such a good-looking guy instead of the dorky school mascot.

Baze shifted uncomfortably. "It's, uh, nice to meet you."

Laverne noticed that Baze's hand was clasping her daughter's and raised her eyebrows. "Are you two together?"

"No!" Cate said quickly. She hastily freed her hand from Baze's.

"No," Baze agreed. He stood up and began pacing.

John appeared with coffee for Baze and Cate.

"Thanks," Baze mumbled, taking his and handing Cate hers.

"Yes, thank you," Cate said gratefully. She nodded toward Laverne. "This is my mom."

John extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Laverne shook his hand, smiling flirtatiously.

Cate rolled her eyes. "Mom, he's married," she hissed under her breath.

"Oh," Laverne said, disappointment evident in her voice. "How long is the surgery going to take?"

"I don't know. A few hours," Cate replied.

"In that case, I'm going to go get a drink," Laverne said.

"You do that," Cate muttered, her cheeks burning in embarrassment.

Baze pretended he couldn't hear, though he'd heard every word of the exchange. No wonder Cate seemed so self-sufficient. She'd probably been taking care of herself her whole life. Her mom was a disaster waiting to happen.

"Sorry. She's-" Cate began.

"It's OK," Baze said quickly, smiling slightly.

"No, it's not," Cate muttered under her breath. She still had serious reservations about bringing Lux home. She didn't want Lux living with an alcoholic.

"Where's your dad?" Baze asked curiously.

"They're divorced," Cate said.

"Do you ever see him?" Baze wondered.

Cate shook her head sadly.

Baze opened his mouth to ask another question, but stopped, realizing it might be a sensitive subject.

Cate noticed and smiled slightly. "You're actually filtering. I'm impressed."

Baze grinned boyishly.

"Your dad is great," Cate commented.

Baze frowned. "Yeah, as long as you're not me."

Cate smirked. "Can you blame him? You never even told him you got me pregnant."

"Yeah, because I didn't want him to be disappointed in me," Baze said dully. "So much for that."

"Of course he was disappointed. What, do you think my mom congratulated me when I told her?" Cate shot back.

Baze looked up in surprise, blinking. He'd never even though about how Cate's mom had reacted. "Was she pissed?"

"That's an understatement," Cate said, rolling her eyes. "But she got over it. And so did your dad. He's not disappointed anymore. He loves you. And he loves Lux."

"He loves Lux anyway," Baze muttered.

Cate smiled slightly and touched Baze's forearm. "He loves you, too. Can't you see? He loves Lux because she's yours."

Baze looked unconvinced.

Dr. Burke cleared his throat to get their attention.

Cate immediately sat up straight and fixed her gaze on Dr. Burke. "Did you perform the surgery? Is Lux OK?"

"Lux is in recovery. I was able to repair the defect," Dr. Burke said.

Cate breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Dr. Burke nodded.

"Can I see her?" Cate asked hopefully. She needed to see for herself that her daughter was OK.

"The anesthesia hasn't worn off. She's sleeping," Dr. Burke said.

"Please?" Cate asked desperately. She needed to see for herself that Lux was OK.

"Alex will take you to her room," Dr. Burke said.

Alex nodded and led the way to Lux's room.

Cate stared at Lux. She was lying so still. If Cate didn't know any better, she'd think Lux was a doll.

Lux's little chest moved as she breathed in and out. Cate beamed down at her daughter.

"She's OK," Cate murmured. For the first time, Cate knew Lux was going to be OK. Everything was going to be OK.

Cate felt as though an enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt more carefree than she had, well, since before she took the pregnancy test. It was ironic that a little over a year ago Cate would have done just about anything to not have a daughter and now she was relieved that her daughter was OK.

"Good night, Kiddo," Baze said quietly, smiling at Lux. He blushed slightly when he felt his father's gaze on him.

"Can I talk to you?" Cate asked John while Baze watched Lux sleeping.

"Of course." John smiled and held the door, following Cate into the hall.

"I just wanted to say thank you again," Cate began.

John stopped her. "Cate, Lux is my granddaughter. I wanted to do this for her. You don't have to keep thanking me."

Cate nodded.

"I'll continue to do what I can for Lux. I don't want her to go without. Do you have her nursery set up?" John continued.

"I have a crib," Cate said, wondering what else she needed and how much it would cost.

"Ellen loves to decorate rooms. She'd be happy to help," John said kindly. He hesitated. "I don't know how much…support you have at home, but Ellen and I will also have a room for Lux at our house and you and Lux are welcome anytime."

"Thanks," Cate said gratefully.

It felt weird to depend on John. Cate wasn't used to depending on people for things. Her own mother wasn't very dependable, Cate thought. Where was Laverne, Cate wondered. Cate hadn't seen her mother since she disappeared to get a drink.

It felt good to have John there. Cate wasn't alone anymore. Lux would have a family. Lux would have the family Cate had never had. A loving mother, a father who was there and a wonderful grandfather. Cate smiled at the thought. She wanted to give Lux everything she'd never had.