Sorry for the delay between chapters. The next chapter will come faster, I promise. I'm heading down the home stretch with this storyline, but I have one or two more surprises up my sleeve. Until then, enjoy!
Dani woke up to sunlight streaming across the bed. Her sleep had been deep and dreamless and as she woke to the natural light. For the first time since the hotel room during the blizzard, she felt more settled and more hopeful.
Things were going to work out just fine.
As she got up she noticed the note from Nico on the night stand. Opening the half sheet of paper, she read his crisp handwriting and smiled as the note was all Nico.
"Had to take care of a Hawk's issue. Shouldn't be gone more than a few hours. Stay put. N."
Dani smiled at the order given. Normally that would rile her up, but today, she was willing to acquiesce and let him take the lead, after all he had told her that he loved her.
Well technically he had told her half asleep/half awake self. She had been drifting off when he had said the words, and if she didn't know better, it was part of her dream. But she knew and when he came back she was going to tell him that she loved him too and that together they were going to figure this out, this marriage thing.
Marriage to Nico would not be boring that was for sure. Walking into the bathroom, she continued her daydreaming as she reached up on her toes to take a closer look in the mirror. And it was then that she felt a pain that almost took her to her knees and when she looked down saw the couple of blood spots that had fallen to the floor.
It took a minute for Dani to catch her breath. She could not believe that this was happening. They had been so close. As Dani pleaded with the Universe, she fell to her knees on the bathroom rug and dialed the front desk
"No, no, not now, oh this can't be happening. Please hang on baby; we can't lose you now, oh please, somebody help me."
The front desk answered on the 3rd ring.
"It's Dr. Santino in Suite 1108. Please call 911 right away, I think I may be losing my baby."
As she waited, she called Nico, but the call had gone to voice mail and she didn't leave a message.
This couldn't be happening it just couldn't be happening. But as she felt the next twinge, this one stronger, she felt her heart breaking. She was losing this baby and there was nothing that she could do. She was huddled on the bathroom floor when the paramedics arrived 10 minutes later.
Nico was heading back to the hotel when his cell phone rang. As he reached for his phone to see who was calling, he silently hoped that it wasn't another issue that would keep him from Dani. He had seen her missed call, and figured she was wondering when he would be back to finish their day together.
Now that he had said the words out loud, that he loved her, he wanted to tell her again when she was awake. Things were going to be all right. He would make sure it was all right.
When he looked down, he saw Ray Jay's phone # come up. When he had given the number to him shortly after the stadium incident, it was supposed to be for emergencies. Since they were still tip toeing around each other, he knew that Ray Jay wouldn't call unless something was up.
"Ray Jay? What's up?"
"Nico, its Mom. You need to come quick. Lindsey and I are here, but we aren't sure what to do and Lindsey said to call you and that you would know."
Ray Jay was talking so fast, Nico had to ask him to stop, take a breath and repeat the words before they sunk in."
"Ray Jay, where are you now?"
"We are at NYU Medical Center."
"Okay, I'm heading there now. Ray Jay what happened?"
"I don't know Nico, but the hospital called the house looking for someone. They said that Mom had been admitted but that was it. We left a message for Grandma and then Lindsey and I drove in and we are in the waiting room. They aren't telling us anything and we can't get in to see Mom." Ray Jay's voice broke. Nico, we're scared."
"Ray Jay, listen to me. You are doing all the right things. I'll be there is less then 10 minutes. Just hang in there okay."
Nico wasn't sure how he got to the hospital. He walked through the automatic glass doors and followed the signs to the emergency room registration desk. When he had left Dani, she was fine and sleeping. What could have possibly happened? The thought of the baby hit him like a physical blow and he had to take a moment to take a deep breath.
Nico wasn't someone who prayed very much. He's seen to too much with the seals and so much that was the dark side of human nature to think that there was a higher power. But now, as he took the elevator up to the 3rd floor, he found himself asking for help. Help for Dani, help for the baby, just help.
As the elevators doors opened, he spotted Lindsey sitting in one of the waiting room chairs. The bell of the elevator had Lindsey looking up and like a shot she got up and ran into Nico's arms. Nico's arms closed around her and he held her. He could feel her shaking.
Her words were muffled in his black wool coat.
"Shhh, Lindsey, its okay, it's going to be okay."
"No its not. Nico, I told her I didn't want a brother or sister, I told her she had ruined my life. I was horrible and now this has happened. She's going to hate me forever. I'm going to hate me forever."
As Nico spoke, he made eye contact with Ray Jay who had come up behind Lindsey. His hands were in his pocket and Nico suspected it was so that no one saw that his hands were shaking.
"Listen, both of you. We don't even know what's going on. But nothing you said or did caused anything, do you understand? Your Mom loves you more than her own life and nothing is ever going to change that."
"We have been nothing but trouble. I bet you hope we go live with Dad now?" This time it was Ray Jay and his voice broke, but he kept eye contact with Nico.
Nico knew he was scared. He was proud of Ray Jay. Even with everything that had happened between them, Dani and Ray had done a good job with this boy.
"That's your decision to make. But I would like for us to try and make this work. Listen, no matter what happens. I'm not going anywhere okay? I would very much like to be part of this family and if we both give it an honest try, we may have chance, what do you say?"
Both nodded. It was a start.
"Ok, so let me go see what's going on okay, and as soon as I can, I'll get you in to see your Mom."
Nico went to the Nurses station and asked to see Dani.
"Ms, Santino is still with the Dr. and ….."
Nico didn't let her finish. Looking at her name bade, Nico leaned over the counter.
"Nurse Lipton, is it? I'm the baby's father and I want to see her NOW. So either you tell me where she is or with one phone call I will have the CEO down here. He's a personal friend and I won't hesitate to call him."
She had no way to know he was bluffing, but looking into his dark eyes, she wasn't going to take a chance. She needed her job. Looking at the roster in her hands, she motioned to he double doors.
"Room 405, it's down on the left."
Nico paused outside of the room and took a deep breath. Whatever happened, they would be okay. He couldn't get this close and lose everything.
Coming into the room, his gaze went to Dani, lying so still and pale under the white blanket. The room was quiet, with the exception of the machine that was monitoring her vitals.
He pulled up a chair to the bed and took her hand. Brushing her hair back from her face, he placed a kiss in the palm of her hand.
"Oh Dani, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I promise it won't happen again. Everything is going to be okay. I love you so much. It's going to be okay. It has to be."
"Nico?"
Dani came awake to Nico's voice. The last few hours had worn her out. She had been through a series of tests and the Dr's had given her a mild sedative to relax her. She remembered asking someone to call her house and leave a message and then she had drifted off. When she opened her eyes, there was Nico.
She knew he would find her and take care of things. Nico always would.
"Dani, I'm so sorry I was here. I should have been here for you. The baby…?"
Nico couldn't bring to say the rest of the words…
"Nico, the baby is fine. We are both fine. Just spotting. They ran every test in the book and I'm fine. Just on bed rest for a few days"
Nico released the breath he had been holding.
"Thank God. Dani, you need to know that I love you. I think I have since that first day I came to your door. Whatever happens from here on out. I don't ever want you to doubt that you have my heart, and you always will. And you if don't want to get married right now, I'll be okay with that. I just need you in my life Dani."
Dani couldn't help but smile. This tough guy, her tough guy, her Navy Seal was not anything she ever thought she wanted, but turned to be all she would ever need.
"I love you too Nico, more than I expected. I've been scared. Scared of loving you too much and losing again. Margo said you need to take the leap. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take the leap."
"What are you saying Dani?"
"I'm not saying anything. At least not until you ask me again Nico. Please ask me again, unless I'm too late?"
"I need a minute Dani. I can't do this right now."
With those couple of words Nico left the room. Dani eyes filled with tears. What if she was too late? He said he loved her but what if she had finally pushed Nico away. She knew that he would always love this baby. But her, he didn't always have to love her. What if left? Well she deserved it, didn't she?
She turned her face towards the window and looked out. She had waited to long and Nico had gotten tired of her and had left. She didn't blame him but her heart was still broken
"Mom?"
Dani turned back to find Ray Jay and Lindsey at the door. Without a word, Dani opened her arms and in seconds her babies were both in her arms.
"Mom, I'm so sorry." Lindsey said.
"Me too", Ray Jay chimed in.
"It's okay you two, everything is going to be okay, really it will be. We are a family and we will get through anything as long as we have each other."
Lindsey moved away from the bed.
"Nico told us the baby is going to be okay. We just wanted to say we are sorry about everything and that anything you need, we will be there for you. You won't ever have to be a team of one anymore."
A team of one…..Dani closed her eyes and was trying to figure out what to do next when she heard him.
"Do you have room for one more on your team? "
Dani locked eyes with Nico. "I thought you had left, that you had had enough."
"Never. I just couldn't do what I was planning without the kids."
With that, Nico got down on one knee next to the bed and the kids went to stand by the window.
"Dr. Santino, would you do me the honor of being your husband?"
She never took her eyes off of him. "Are you sure? Nico the baby is okay, you don't have to…"
"Dani, the baby isn't the only reason I want to be with you. You and the kids, you are my life. Please say yes."
Dani's eyes shone with happiness.
"Yes Nico, on one condition."
Nico leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the lips "Anything".
"That you promise you will not be a pushover for your little girl." Looking up at Lindsey she smiled. "Either of your little girls."
Nico couldn't believe his ears.
"A girl, we are having a little girl?"
"Yep. Once the Dr's realized that everything was okay, they asked me if I wanted to know. I didn't think you would mind."
Nico laid his hand on her stomach.
"A girl?"
"Yes Nico, we are having a little girl." Looking at her kids, she asked.
"How do you both feel about that?"
The smiles on both their faces said it all, they were okay. They are all going to be okay.
Dani cleared her throat. "Nico, about that question you were going to ask?"
Nico pulled a ring out of his pocket. It was a flawless solitaire, surrounded by two perfect sapphires.
"What do you say Dr. Santino? Will you marry Me.?
"Yes Nico, Yes I will marry you."
As Nico kissed her again, he had a sense of peace and completeness that he had never felt before. He knew the next few months were going to be filled with surprises, but for today, he had everything he needed, right here in his arms.