I just want to start off saying some of you are dead on with the predictions and some of you are way off. I'm enjoying the questions. I hope you enjoy the build up to the end. I couldn't leave this unfinished. Bear with me as I honestly had to re-read this whole thing since I lost my events timeline. Enjoy!

cHaPtEr 29

Remember the Dead, Remember the Living

At 3 am, the sharp pain in her back jerked her from a deep sleep. "Fuck!" she breathed while grabbing a handful of whatever she could get a hold of. The startled, painful shout told her it was was Lucas' thigh.

"Fuck Brooke wha-"

"Labor!" she managed to get out between the pain induced pants.

Lucas' eyes widened and suddenly he was awake and rolling out of bed and heading to her side.

The next few minutes were followed by disgusted sounds of Sam when she entered to see what all the screaming was about. Then there was the shell shocked looks of both boys who stood in the doorway listening to the copious amounts of curse words leaving Brooke's mouth as Lucas helped her clean up and get dressed. Then as they made their way downstairs, there Gianno stood by the door with what looked to be tears in his eyes with her "baby go bag" as Angel had named it. Which was really code for a small suitcase.

With a quick hug from each of their loved ones Lucas escorted Brooke to the running Range Rover waiting in the driveway.

"How the hell are you so fucking calm" Brooke seethed as yet another contraction hit, her hand squeezing Lucas' like a vice.

When the squeezing subsided, he lifted their joined hands and kissed her hand, "Because I can wait to freak out when he gets here."

"You are NEVER, ever, EVER coming anywhere near me until you get neutered" she breathed out. Lucas only laughed. "I'm am so fucking serious right now Lucas Scott!"

"I promise this'll be the last one for a while…" the growl his wife let out only made him laugh a little harder.

After a second, Brooke could only join him. Life was really fucking unbelievable right now. She was about to have a baby with a doting husband, in a hospital with… she looked behind them and saw at least five other black SUVs following them. So she'd have security and a shit ton of drugs. She did a full on belly laugh then thinking this shit was really crazy.

Lucas however looked over at her wondering what the hell was so funny.

The Rover skidded to a stop in the emergency lane at the hospital. Lucas hopped out rounding the front and helped Brooke out as she growled when another contraction hit.

"Keep breathing baby, we're almost to the drugs."

She chuckled as best she could and mumbled a damn straight.

The rest of the night went by in flashes for both soon to be parents. Brooke growled through the pain because she refused to scream. In her eyes that was a bitch move for someone like her (being as she'd been shot, stabbed and beaten).

Lucas did his best to hang on tightly to his calm exterior once the birth really got underway because Brooke was already 10 centimeters by the time they got her to the delivery room.

After what seemed like an eternity but turned out to be three hours, the newest Mafia prince made his debut screaming like a banshee and making both his parents proud, coming in at a healthy 9 ibs and 3 oz. The cord was cut, and mommy and baby were fine.

Lucas was scared shitless. Nothing went this smoothly for him or her. He kept looking at the door for an intruder, the windows for a sniper dot or reflection, hell he asked Brooke if she was feeling okay just to make sure she wasn't bleeding out. He was convinced the other shoe was going to drop and destroy his carefully protected world.

He picked up his phone and called Keith again. Voicemail. Karen was in the room rocking the angel in her arms as Brooke slept. She'd shown up right as they made it to their private room.

"Why isn't he answering?"

Karen kissed her grandson's forehead and whispered, "Don't worry. Whatever has his attention now, we'll know soon enough."

"You're not worried?"

"Worried? How can I be worried when I have this little angel in my arms. Besides, wherever he is, Whitey is with him. Camilla will let me know if I need to worry."

Gianno walked in beaming and headed straight for the bundle in Karen's arms. She smiled at the man and relinquished the baby. She'd already been holding him for a while and had to admit Gianno had come prepared.

The man had on scrubs, gloves up to his elbows and a mask on. She and Lucas both failed to hide the laughter.

"Come here piccolo G."

Karen joined her son at the window and snuck her own phone out of her pocket to see if Keith had answered any of her messages. To her surprise he had.

Big news. Call me. Alone.

Karen stashed her phone in her pocket and kissed her son on the head. "I'm going to go grab some coffee and maybe some breakfast. Do you want anything?"

"Nah. I'm good" Lucas sat down in the bedside chair and smiled at his wife. Brooke had passed out when they got to the room and went to sleep after her and the nurse had gotten the baby to latch and feed.

Karen shut the door behind her and walked a ways down the hall before she dialed her husband's number.

"Karen baby I'm sorry I missed it. How are Brooke and the baby? How's Lucas?"

"Oh Keith. I hate you missed it but it's good. Everything is good. The baby is absolutely adorable. He looks like Lucas did when he was born. Spitting image. And Brooke is fine. Handled it like a pro. Although I doubt we'll be getting any more grandkids anytime soon."

Karen giggled at the murderous threats Lucas told her Brooke made during labor. She cleared her throat and listened as the tone of the conversation changed.

"How is security?"

"Gianno had his guys follow Brooke and Lucas when they left the house. Rotating six on her room. When the baby isn't with her, he already has his own team. The boys are back at the house with eight on them and four circling in case Sam tries to slip away."

"I talked to Lily a little while ago and she couldn't stop talking about feeling left out. Think we should bring her here?"

"No. I miss her terribly but it's not safe yet."

"How about I bring her and drop her with Camilla?"

Karen's eyes narrowed at his nonchalant tone. "How hard did she beg for you to come up with that?" Karen shook her head as he laughed. Their daughter was an excellent negotiator and knew which of her parents would cave faster than the other.

"I-...she cried. I couldn't say no. So, Camilla?"

"You really want to put her in the same building as-"

"Whitey said he'd be taking them with him when we get back."

"Oh…" well that sounded final. She would be lying if she didn't feel a little happy this was all coming to an end soon. "Well…Okay, sure. What was the big news?"

Keith exhaled the weight of a thousand tons from his shoulders and said, "We got word that someone made it out of the warehouse the day Nathan and the Davis kid died."

Karen inhaled and blurted, "Was it-"

"No. I'm sorry sweetheart. It wasn't him. I'm with Whitey now on the way to confrim it's the Davis kid and then see if he knows what happened to Nathan."

Karen nodded knowing Keith couldn't see her. She knew this news was going to bring Brooke so much happiness. So much joy but Karen teared up at the feeling of the ache she felt for the little dark haired boy she had loved like a son of her own. In that moment she regretted not snatching the boy and running when she had the chance. She had been told so many times over the years to not blame herself but she did.

"I assume Whitey wants to confirm before he says something to Brooke?"

"Yeah. We both want to get answers to some big questions before we say anything to Brooke or Lucas."

"He's worried about where you are."

"I'll call him. I just…I wanted to make sure I could give him peace. I can't do that until I have it."

"I know. I love you. Be careful."

"Love you. You watch your back. Something tells me Danny boy will show his face soon enough."

Karen smirked, "Of course he will. We'll be ready."

Brooke awoke slowly to the sounds of a cooing baby. She blinked her eyes open slowly and watched as her eyes focused on two of the most important men in her life. Three now. Gianno held a bundle of blankets in his arms as Lucas looked on with the biggest smile she'd ever seen.

"He's got the Gianno chin see?"

"Yeah, I guess. But those eyes are all mine."

"Kids gonna be a heart-breaker when he gets old enough."

Brooke frowned at that, "Not if I have anything to do with it. He's gonna be a 40 year old virgin. All my boys are."

Both men laughed as they migrated back towards the bed and handed the baby over to her. She hadn't asked but both men knew she wanted to see her son. "I still can't believe it, Lucas. We made him. He's here. He's healthy and so….ours."

Lucas kissed her up turned lips and smiled at the baby in her arms. His blond wisps of hair, his puffy eyes cracked just enough for them to see he may keep the infamous Scott blues. Brooke had been robbed of this the first time around. Now, she had a cold feeling of dread. The same one Lucas and Gianno had been feeling.

The knock on the door brought their attention to the guard who entered and they all knew where the feeling was coming from. When he said "Dan Scott is here to see you."

Brooke looked down at her son who had fallen back asleep and she made a decision. Too many times her father and Dan Scott had managed to ruin their lives all in the name of family disguised as power in pursuit of more.

Lucas shot up from his seat about to bulldoze over the guard with Gianno hot on his heels when Brooke stopped them with, "Show him in after we say so."

Both men spun on their heels in shock as the guard nodded and made a quick exit. He knew not to get in the middle of these arguments.

"Brooke no-"

"Stop right there Lucas or I swear you'll regret it. You too Dad. We need to face Dan Scott head on. He's here because someone in the hospital already snitched that I had the baby." She gestured for Lucas to take the baby while talking to Gianno, "Lucas and I will meet with Dan, I need you to get us discharged out of here immediately. I don't feel safe here anymore even with the freaking SWAT team just outside the door. Can you do that Dad?"

Gianno ground his teeth and turned to leave and coordinate their exit hasty. He'd make sure that when she was ready to go, his girl was going to fucking do so. Lucas laid the baby in the bassinet and turned to Brooke.

"I don't want him to even lay eyes on him."

Brooke smiled, "He won't. You are going to take that little man and put him in another room under guard. No one in or out. I don't know who spilled it but someone did and I don't want him going back to the main nursery."

Lucas nodded and left to set up another room. As he left, Brooke reached for her phone and called Haley. "Has he changed since the last pictures you sent?"

"No Aunt Haley. He's still as handsome as ever."

"Have you named him yet? You said you wanted to see him first."

Brooke exhaled and knew she and Lucas would have to name the kid soon. Gianno and Karen had already been badgering her. Poor Angel and Nicky just called him little dude.

"No not yet. Listen, Dan is here-"

"Do not let him near that baby."

"We're not but something is up. He showed up too quickly and I have a feeling he's going to try and take the baby. Have you heard from Whitey?"

"No. I called Camilla to gush over the pictures but she said he was out on business."

"What business?"

"Personal she said. I get the feeling it's something big."

Brooke hummed. Whitey would tell her when she needed to know but she didn't like secrets. "Spent any more time with daddy dearest?"

Haley laughed, "Just a little. He may need someone for the foot though. I got a little hammer happy. It may need to go."

"You sound so broken up about that. Call Camilla back and see if that Doc she uses will stop in."

"Sure…Brooke?..." she waited. She hadn't wanted to ask this soon. She hadn't wanted Richard Davis to be a part of this day. She had not but…everyday he still breathed was a knife to her heart and a reminder that Jake was gone. "When are we going to deal with him? He needs to die."

Brooke knew this. She knew Haley and Lucas were hurting from Jake's loss. It had only been a few weeks and she knew Haley had been hanging in there and trying not to let her pain overshadow Brooke's happiness. "We will deal with him as soon as I get out of here. It's time we start to clean house and he isn't the only one." Brooke had a nice long list and it was time to start marking shit off. She was looking forward to it. Her phone chimed with a text message alert. "Hang on Hales."

Whitey:

Crown

Which was code that a meeting of the head families was being called. Which meant something big had gone down.

Whitey:

I need Davis and Scott

She waited. She hadn't exactly gotten permission to take her father out but she wasn't sure she needed it since he wasn't head of anything anymore. No matter what was said at the meeting, she'd ask for forgiveness. Fuck permission.

Dan is here now. I'll make sure to extend an invitation.

She waited and then wrote,

Richard is mine to judge.

Dan Scott walked in with a smug look on his face. He stared down Karen, the first of his "Unwelcome" party. She sat in the chair closest to the door, flipping through a magazine and ignoring him for all she was worth. He then looked to his son who was seated by the window looking out at the view from the 15th floor and ignoring him as well. Lastly his eyes fell onto the brunette in the bed who was looking at him and smiling just as hard with a hint of sinister that gave him a moment's pause.

He'd gotten the call that morning about the commotion at the hospital and knew his grandson was here already or almost here. He wasn't sure why Brooke was smiling so hard but she wouldn't be when he was done.

That baby was leaving with him and he had a court order to prove it. He'd been patient but was done letting these kids control shit. Last he heard Davis, Rachel, Morello, and that idiot Keller were missing. He had waited too long to let them take this from him. All of his other opponents had been taken off the board and he was about to take the prize.

"You're looking rather well Brooke. I don't recall Karen looking as beautiful so soon after birth" he guessed.

"What do you want, Dan?" she asked. Her tone a little too calm and pleasant. Like they were friends. He didn't like it.

"I came for what belongs to me." He tossed the papers in his hand on the bed and smiled.

Lucas snapped around as Brooke reached down for the papers. The minute she saw that it was a court order of protection for her son she laughed and handed the papers to Lucas who read the papers and then tossed them to his mother.

"I wouldn't laugh if I were you. They are as legit as they come. You and this little band of mafioso familia are done if I don't leave this hospital with my grandson within the next 10 minutes. If not, I have instructions for someone to turn over a nice hefty file over to the FBI. You can rest assured you will all be taken into custody. Shame someone has been building a case on all your little crimes and willing to turn state's evidence against you."

Karen's eyes rose from the paper, "Dan you are a lot of things but you wouldn't do this. You would not do this to the only son you have left."

"Don't be so dramatic Karen. The boy will be taken care of. He'll be a hell of a lot safer with me anyway. "

Lucas seethed. After everything Dan had done to him, to their family, he had the audacity to try and steal his son from him. "You are not leaving this hospital with my son."

"You don't have a choice Luke. He's mine as of the moment he took his first breath. The only concession I'm willing to make is Brooke may accompany him for the first few months. I'm not a total monster."

Karen sneered, "Yes you are. After everything, I finally see you for the opportunistic son of a bitch you really are. Nathan would be so disappointed in you."

"All I have ever wanted was the legacy my family deserves. I am doing this FOR Lucas and Nathan and my grandson. She probably hasn't told you about that fucking trust that she and her sons will get."

Lucas looked at Brooke but she spoke up, "My family trust is not yours to have."

"Now it is. I want that baby brought to me and you are free to stay or go. I don't really give a shit."

Gianno walked in with two of his guards and smiled at Dan.

"Danny boy, you should know better than to threaten my daughter. Besides, you ain't going nowhere anytime soon."

Dan backed away, eyeing the guards. "Anything happens to me and you all go to prison for a long fucking time."

"Relax. You've been summoned to a meeting. Whitey is calling a meeting for the heads of the families and you have been personally extended an invitation to join Brooke and Lucas. I get you have a hard on to burn us all with the cops but no one blows off an invitation to meet with the families."

Dan thought it over. He couldn't afford to piss the other families off. He'd decided that Brooke and Lucas had to go so that he could take his grandson and have a hold on Brooke's seat at the table AND the trust.

He knew Karen and Keith would fight him on it but they would be dealt with too. Gianno was a different matter but he'd cross that bridge soon enough. He needed to keep a level head. He had all the cards now. "I'd love to join you all. It's time I introduced myself anyway. There is still the matter of my grandson. I want him. Now."

Gianno 's fist snapped out and Dan dropped like a sack of potatoes. "Man that was satisfying."

Karen laughed and balled up the papers. "Keith will be heartbroken that he missed this."

Lucas kneeled down to grab Dan's phone and scrolled to find the name of the judge that had been on that bullshit paperwork. He had a feeling Judge Deitric was the son of a bitch that had that file on him. He grabbed his own phone and called Agent Hargrove to try and head off any complications. If anyone knew about a big crime family syndicate about to go down it was him.

Richard was somewhere between agony and numb. That blonde bitch had been to see him a few times and he was sure his foot would have to be amputated. The doctor that had been in had alluded to that fact. Camilla was here now, trying to get him to swallow a few spoonfuls of oatmeal. He dared not spit it out at her as she'd already stabbed him once.

"Camilla."

"Richard."

She spooned another bite and fed it to him. Her job was to watch this asshole and keep him alive until his bitter end.

"This has gone too far" he managed to get out.

Camilla sat quietly thinking over his words. He hoped she would either put him out of his misery or stop them from coming in here and hurting him. He'd known his daughter was a heartless bitch. Yes, now he claimed the girl. He'd raised her after all. He'd known she'd be formidable but he hadn't thought she'd take his lessons of cruelty to heart.

"Richard… I have hated you for so many years. First for everything you did to Victoria and then how you treated Tyler, rest his soul, and how you treated Brooke and Haley. You have destroyed so many lives that I have no sympathy for you. You are not going to appeal to my sense of humanity. I am a woman who believes in karma and as far as I can see, this and whatever comes next…is a long time coming."

"They're torturing me!" he managed to scream. His weakened voice ringing in the silence.

Camilla coked her head and spoke as sweetly and softly as she could manage. "And funnily enough Richie, it's still not going to be enough. Not even when you are rotting in the ground."

She allowed him the swigs of water and made sure he was still bound. She had other prisoners to see too.

After she locked his door back she made her way down to the lowest level of her home. She could already hear them bickering. She had known Chris Keller since he was an infant. It broke her heart he'd allowed himself to be drawn in by the viper.

"Okay you two, knock it off. I'm not in the mood."

"Camilla please can you get Whitey to see reason. I'm not with these psychos. I wasn't going to hurt Brooke I swear."

"Oh please, you are absolutely pathetic. These people don't give a shit what your intentions were. We dared go against their precious Brooke and that's all that matters." Rachel groaned. "Can you please move him? This is cruel and unusual torture to have to listen to his whining."

"You two won't be here much longer so don't you worry. And Chris, I'm sorry. Whitey has been real testy today. I did try to plead your case but he was hearing none of it."

"What's that old bastard up to? Wouldn't that have been funny if he turned out to be the one behind all this bull-" Camilla backhanded her so fast she wasn't even sure she had done it till her hand started to throb.

Chris hooted, "Damn Camilla. Nice one."

Camilla dragged a chair over and sat in front of a seething Rachel.

"I remember you. I remember your mother too. I remember what kind of conniving bitch she was when she showed up on Victoria's doorstep with a red headed baby squawking in her arms. I remember how heartbroken Victoria was when her fairytale with Richard came crumbling down that day and how triumphant your mother looked. It's sad to think that she felt most sorry for you."

"Here we go, another story about Saint Victoria-"

The next slap came and Camilla felt even more satisfaction from the dazed look. She laughed when Rachel began to cuss and struggle to hit back. Chris laughed with her.

"Get a good look Chris. This is who you allied yourself with. Remember that."

Chris sobered and began to beg once more as Camilla stood and left them down there. They'd eaten yesterday. She'd feed them tomorrow if she felt like it.

As she climbed the stairs and exited the basement she checked the cameras and then exited out the steps and locked the door behind her. She found herself in front of her photo wall that was in the hallway between her kitchen and dining room.

Her eyes roamed the high wall looking at the many picture frames that held the many captured moments of her life.

A picture of Victoria when she was just 7 years old and beaming at the camera. Her eyes drifted to a photo of Brian and Angelis frowning with cigars and cards in hand. Next she saw herself in a three-way hug with an adult Victoria and a toddler sized Tyler smashed between the two beaming women as they baked in the same kitchen to her left.

Tears came to her eyes as she looked at the wall of photos and teared up as her eyes ran over the many years of photos of her life and family. Angelis and Talia getting married with Brian and herself as the best man and maid of honor. Being there when Victoria was born. Family vacations, school plays, it all lived frozen in time on this wall. It was like a memorial to Angelis, Talia, Victoria and Tyler. She'd never had her own children but Talia had not allowed her to feel like she was ever alone. She'd shared her kids and grandkids without hesitation.

So many happy memories. She'd be adding Angel, Nicky and that cantankerous Sam to the wall soon. She'd also be adding this newest baby and she couldn't wait to expand the wall. She hated to admit it but as she gazed at the photo of her and Victoria on her wedding day. She remembered how happy the bride was that day. Tears gathered as she made nonsensical wishes that she could jump into that photo and hug her one more time.

{Flashback}

"Oh Vic you look so perfect."

Victoria spun to see Camilla by the doorway with a tearful smile. She carried in a small box and bouquet placing them on the vanity.

"Don't you start. I have to make it down the aisle with this makeup."

Camilla laughed lightly as she hugged Victoria tightly, mindful of the make-up.

"I promise to be on my best behavior. Brian already has his handkerchief ready."

Victoria released her and went back to looking at her reflection in the mirror. "Is daddy here yet?"

"He's here. Last I saw, he and Brian were heading into the groomsman suite to have a word with the groom-"

Victoria shot up out of her seat she'd just taken to try and head her father off but Camilla blocked the door, arms out and mom face firmly in place. "Young lady you will continue to get ready and leave the boys to talk."

"Cam-"

"Don't Cam me. I made them both promise no blood and if I saw one bruise before those pictures were taken there would be hell to pay."

Victoria smirked and turned to grab her veil while Camilla reached for the box she brought in with her.

"If I know them I know that threat will be taken with the utmost respect."

"Damn straight. Those photographers cost a fortune and there is no way in hell I will let those pictures turn out less than perfect."

Victoria looked at Camilla as she approached with the box. "Now I know your other bridesmaids did the whole "something old, new, borrowed and blue but I had one last thing I wanted you to see." She opened the box and Victoria gasped and instantly began to cry. Inside the box were her mother's wedding rings. She hadn't thought about them since Richard's ring had been so beautiful but as she looked at them, she knew this was what she wanted most of all.

"Now your father was a little upset that Richie hadn't asked for these but he understood. He wanted you to have the option to wear them if you wanted though."

"I'm shocked he didn't bring them himself."

Camilla sighed. "He wanted to but…sweetie I don't think he had it in him to make the offer. He and your mama were like soulmates."

Victoria nodded and looked down at the rings once more and nodded again. "I want to wear these."

Camilla smiled and hugged her again. "I'll go find that make up artist again and go give the band to Richie."

Just as Camilla was walking out, Whitey and Angel walked in, with the make-up artist in tow, "Oh boys I see the talk went well, don't see any blood."

"We were on our best behavior Cammie", Angel grumbled as he took in his baby girl in her dress. "I'd like to have a word with my baby girl if you two don't mind."

The make-up artist tried for the door but Angel was faster. "Not you" he said with a firm grip on the collar.

As Whitey escorted her out, she recalled Angel asking Victoria if that little upstart made her happy, truly. Victoria's response is what to this day breaks her heart, knowing how it all ended. "He's my heart daddy…my everything…"

{End Flashback}

"Oh Vic. He wasn't worthy of you my sweet girl."

She shook her head and headed into her kitchen and began dinner since it would take a few hours. Her husband would be home with guests. It had been a while but she planned on putting Lily in Brooke's old room upstairs. She'd like that.

Whitey

He had seen the picture. He had known it was him the moment he saw those eyes. The same eyes that used to belong to his Vic. He clutched his chest as he looked at the man in the hospital bed.

They'd traveled for two hours and arrived at a light blue house that was surrounded by a little white picket fence. He'd been led into the cute house by a heavily pregnant woman by the name of Millie. She'd greeted Keith and himself at the door with a smile that was as sweet as his Camilla's. She'd told him the story of how she had worked in a little hospice and a man had dropped the stranger off.

He himself had been bleeding and made her promise to save the man and not let anyone know he was there.

Millie looked like she had been near tears as a short man with big ears rubbed her back as she spoke in their living room.

"I was so scared. I knew Mouth would be in for his shift soon and the guy was so desperate. He said his name was Nathan. Probably to calm me down. He was nice. He said if anyone came looking for the man….he asked me if I could lie to protect a stranger."

Mouth took over then, "I walked in on him with his hands on her arms and was about to call security but she told me the man needed our help. Millie and I moved the man to another room and…I felt shady for doing it but I checked him in as my cousin and back dated the entry in the system."

Millie picked back up, "We'd just gotten him settled when I noticed Nathan was gone. Last I saw of him. He was running from some guys down the road. Those guys came back a couple hours later and grilled us. I told him he cornered me in the break room and scared the shit out of me. Asked if they were cops and if they caught that creepy man."

Whitey nodded as he noticed the pensive look on Keith's face. "That was quick thinking on your part. Probably saved your life."

"I couldn't…when I saw how desperate he was to protect his friend, I had to help. We weren't even sure we could save him. He'd lost so much blood and the bullet was lodged in his lung. That was by far some of Mouth's best work." Millie beamed at her husband. "Do you…want to see him? He's been trying to remember things. We told him your name and he seemed to remember it."

Whitey feeling emotional nodded and held back his own tear. He followed the couple down a flight of stairs and tried to prepare himself for what was coming next.

As he rounded the corner he saw those eyes, Vic's eyes, first. He searched the man's face for any recognition.

Tyler

I heard their footsteps as they came down and braced myself. I'd been trying to place the name with a face. I still didn't remember as much as I wanted to. I had dreams every night of people I wasn't sure were real but seeing this man would put some of the blankness of my memory to rest.

First Millie and her beaming smile greeted me first followed by Mouth. When an older man rounded the corner I looked at him and then to the taller man behind him with a blank face. My eyes snapped back to the older man as something niggled in the back of my mind.

I'm sure I looked similar to a confused dog as my head tilted to try and remember where I knew him from. There was a strong feeling of nostalgia that overtook me as the man grasped his chest and gasped a name I came to learn was my own.

It was like muscle memory. Hearing this man say my name. I remembered him somehow. It wasn't a memory. It was a feeling that had been foreign to me until now. I knew this man and I knew somewhere in the back of my mind, this man was family.

I smiled. It felt strange on my face. As I did though, the man who looked like he had lived a thousand hard lives and conquered them all, that man, walked over to the bed, hugged me harder than Millie ever had since I woke up and the man cried. I laughed and patted him on the back.

The old man whispered in my ear "I don't care what kind of fucking miracle this is but I'm damn glad to see you son."

I inhaled as a fuzzy memory tried to surface. The man's cologne, his gruff but warm voice and his smile as he said "I'm proud of you son."

I laughed again. Maybe I'll get my memory back after all. Maybe I'd remember everything with the right trigger. Maybe I'd finally get to know if the shy honey blonde and vivacious brunette were real and who they were to me. But first…I wanted to know who was responsible for me being in this bed.

Brooke's phone rang drawing her attention to her caller ID. She didn't want to admit it but she had been a little worried about him and Keith since no one had really heard from them all day. The day her son had been born. A day she knew Whitey would not go radio silent on unless it was something big. And the short exchange she'd had with him earlier didn't count. That had been business.

She answered but waited to hear his voice first. His laugh was what she heard on the other end.

"I see I taught you well darlin'."

"Damn right you did. So…what kept you away from the hospital on the day my son was born?" The haughty tone ever present.

"Cutting right to the chase are we?"

"Yes, Spill now. I have been thinking of the worst all day since Karen told me you and Keith went on a mission and were no contact at the moment."

"I uh…I have some big news to share but not over the phone. I need to get back to town and we can talk before the meeting tomorrow. Did Danny boy show his face?"

"Showed up with court papers and tried to take my son."

"Is he dead?"

Brooke laughed. That would be what she would jump to but since he'd asked her to extend a meeting invite before Dan had come to cause trouble, she didn't give in to her knee jerk reaction to shoot first. Probably wouldn't have been the best idea in a crowded hospital.

"My dad took him with him when he left. I'm packing up to leave the hospital now."

"Any idea how he found out where to go so fast?"

"Don't know, don't care. Too many variables. Chances are he had nurses or doctors or something in the area hospitals as his snitches. It's not like we were super careful with hiding our arrival. I would be happier not being here."

"Where are you headed next?"

"I was thinking of staying with you and Camilla for a little bit. Lucas and I don't exactly know how to take care of a baby and I know Camilla-"

"Would be a workshop and a babysitter all in one. She'd love that. I'll call her so she'll be expecting you. You'll have a little helper too."

"Who would that be?"

"Keith is bringing Lily. She managed to sway him into being nearby so she could see you and the baby, we're headed to grab her now."

Brooke smiled. She knew Lily was a hustler and probably turned on the water works to get Keith to cave. She'd seen it first hand. "Well that will be perfect. I'll get my dad to bring the other kids. They'll love that."

"I gotta say, I love hearing you call Giannao Dad. I bet he's loving it too."

"It felt strange at first but…I think it feels nice. To have a dad who actually gives a shit about me. It's strange but good."

"Well deserved. Keith and I are headed back soon so we'll see you soon. Do I need to talk to Andy?"

"Lucas already did but a call from you couldn't hurt."

"Smart man. Do me a favor, send me a picture of the baby to tide me over. We have a lot to talk about next time I see you."

"I'm sure Camilla has forwarded all of them to you by now. Check your email."

"Will do. Love you sweetheart. Keith says congrats and we'll see ya soon."

"Love you too. Bye."

She hung up as Lucas entered the room with the baby in his arms and her father right on his heels. The poor doctor walked in right behind them looking haggard, Those two had been especially hard on the poor man. Asking a million questions, second guessing the answers to his face, being condescending and that was just the things she'd witnessed herself. They were real assholes because she had to play the counter so the poor guy didn't quit. He was a good doctor. She didn't want that.

"Ms Dav- I mean Mrs. Scott," the doctor corrected as he observed Lucas' death stare, "Your paperwork is all set and while I wish you would stay your father and husband have made it clear that is not an option."

Brooke smiled and thanked the doctor for taking care of her and her son. Also thanked him for making it easy so that she didn't have to rush to name her son before she left. That bit hadn't been the norm and she was sure it broke some kind of law. She and Lucas had been going back and forth with names and while she had wanted to settle on Tyler, he didn't look like a Tyler. She kissed the doctor's cheek and thanked him again as she walked around him and out the door. Lucas had the baby and Gianno had her bag.

She didn't speak again until they were all safely in the armored SUV, the new mom and dad on either side of the car seat that held their little prince. Grandpa Gianno held the honors of driving with one of the body guards in the passenger seat.

"Whitey called. Said he was headed home with big news."

Gianno frowned, "Never known the old man to keep secrets. Did he give any hints?"

"My guess is it's really bad. He said it needed to be said in person."

Lucas stroked his sleeping son's cheek, "Could it be good news?"

"Stranger things have happened but we already have everyone that needs to be seen to. Except for Peyton" Brooke growled out the name as if the mere mention would summon the Blonde so she could rip her to shreds.

Lucas frowned this time. "Well shit I guess I forgot to mention I have her on ice too."

Brooke's eyes snapped to his as he sheepishly looked back at her. "You and I will talk about that as soon as the baby isn't present. No negative vibe around little Aston."

Lucas snickered at the disgusted look on Gianno's face in the rearview mirror and said, "Nice try but no. Pretty sure Gianno would never use it."

Brooke laughed softly to avoid waking the baby "We need to settle on something someday soon. We can't just keep calling him piccolo. It's cute but weird."

Gianno tsk'ed from the front, "It'll come to you. No need to rush. That doctor that was sweet on you saw to that."

Lucas growled and Brooke laughed.

Gianno's smile dimmed as he wistfully thought of his wife. "When Nicky came to us, it took us a minute to settle on what to name him. I didn't really want to name him after me but Sadie wouldn't hear of anything else.

Tears gathered in Brooke's eyes and she watched her father. So much loss in the last few months, years, decades. She looked down at her son and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "If you had been a girl I know exactly what I would've named you."

"She would have been honored B. Besides, there's always the next one. You two owe me a granddaughter next."

"Grand pappy G is hilarious, isn't he my baby boy."

She couldn't believe she was having this moment. Her baby was safe, her father and husband were here. She was alive and dare she say, happy? She couldn't wait to get to have many more like this one with her growing family.