53. The plan

"I can't stop thinking about you. I wanted to see if you were okay. I was worried about you," Andrea said when we alone. I can hear her words over and over. I kept replaying them in my head.

Andrea loved me. What the hell was she doing with Shane? It had been four months since I had really seen Andrea. We talked on the phone about the baby, but I didn't get a chance to see her again.

"We got to get back to work," Martinez said interrupting my thoughts in the break room.

"I am coming," I said following him.

"Did you fire Glen, yet?"

"No, I just gave him a verbal," I said smirking.

"Really? I don't know why you don't fire him. He such a smart ass," Martinez said.

"I was thinking we never hang outside of work," I said changing the subject.

"Because you are to busy crying about that blonde chick that dump your ass," he grins.

"Andrea," I corrected him.

"She dumped you for a cop, right?"

"It's a long story. But would you like to go to a concert with me?"

"Yeah sure," Martinez replied thinking nothing about it.

Poor Shane wouldn't know what hit him, I think laughing to myself. This was the first step into putting my plan into action. Andrea and that baby would be home with me soon.

Suddenly I hear my phone ringing. Unknown number, but I answer it anyways.

"Hello," I answer calmly.

"Philip?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"This is Shane. I hate calling you. But looks like Andrea is having the baby early. She wanted you to know."

"Thanks. I'll be right there," I said hanging up the phone.

"I have to go Martinez. I am having a baby," I said running to the door. I rush to be my Andrea's side.

54. Premature baby

"Andrea is going to have a c-section. Only one person can be in the room," Shane said as saw me in the hospital.

"What are we going to do?"

"The baby is two months early. I am scared for her. Andrea wants you. I agree. You should be with her," Shane told me overwhelmed.

I nod in agreement, and then I am off to be by Andrea's side.

"Our baby isn't going to make it," Andrea says when I get in the room with her.

"No, don't say that. A baby with a mother as strong as you. That's going to be a tough baby," I reassured her. Andrea wraps her arms around me.

"You're tough too," Andrea smiles taking my hand. All I can do is hold her hand the whole time while the doctor does everything she can. Finally, the baby is taken out, and we get to see it for a few seconds before they have to take her a way.

"It's a girl," the doctor tells us.

"I want to hold her," Andrea begs.

"They have to her to the NICU now. But she is going to be fine," I promise.

"I hope so. I love her," Andrea says barely keeping her eyes open.

55. Names

I walk in the room carrying flowers for Andrea. I see Shane setting beside her. He looks at me and I look at him. For the moment we have put aside our differences.

"I'll leave you two alone," Shane said leaving.

"Shane's taking me home tomorrow," Andrea said half smiling.

"I know you aren't upset because baby E is not going home with you. But the doctors say it won't be long," I promised.

"Emily is what we planned on naming her. Unless you hate it?"

"No, Emily is perfect," I said.

"Emily Blake, but she is going to need a middle name."

"Do you want me to pick one out?"

"I was think Penelope after her sister. Unless you don't think it's a good idea," Andrea said touching my arm.

"No, I love it. I love you," I said without thinking.

Andrea says nothing in return. She has made it clear that she is going to stay married to Shane. But somehow I find it hard to believe she could just let our family go.

"I can't wait to take her home," Andrea said finally.

"You think her first night home could be at my house? I have the nursery set up for her," I whisper.

"I don't know. I mean I want to be with her too," Andrea says.

"Well, you could stay with me."

"I'll talk it over with Shane," Andrea replies.

"You could still change your mind. We could raise our daughter together," I whisper.

"Philip, please don't make things worst," Andrea pleads.

I look into her deep blue eyes, and I wish for once I could let her go. I knew she loved Shane. I had seen the two of them together. Shane was good for her. And she was good for him. They brought out the best in each other.

Shane would be a good father to Emily too. If I could do the right thing I let her go. Keep Andrea safe from me.

But I was not a good guy. I could not let Andrea or Emily go. They were mine. And I could not go on wanting Andrea, but not being able to have. I was a man who got what he wanted. I am sorry Shane, I thought.

56. Peace

"I love you," Andrea said looking into my dark eyes.

"I love you. I am sorry that Emily won't be going home with us," I told Andrea.

"Next week will be here soon," Andrea smiled.

"Philip has been great. Maybe I misjudged him. Do you want to be with him? If I gave you a get out free pass would you take it?"

"Shane, do you want me to leave you?"

"No, I just see how you look at Philip and the baby. I know you love Philip," I whisper.

"I love him, but I am not in love with. He gave me Emily so of course they are feelings of love there. I want to stay with you. Please don't ask me again," Andrea said taking my hand.

"When I see you two looking at that baby. It messes with my head. I keep thinking he'll have this bond with you I'll never have," I admitted.

"We will have own babies," Andrea promises.

"I think Philip has come around. I think all three of will be able to raise Emily together. We'll finally have peace," I said smiling at Andrea.

"I am glad," Andrea says taking my hand.

"So you ready to get everything ready for when Emily comes home?"

"You know me so well," Andrea smiles up at me.