"How you doing sis?" asked Josh a few minutes later.

"Tired, but fine, have you been to see my baby yet?" Shari said.

"Not yet," said Beth. "We'll go up to the nursery next."

"You should see him. His is the most beautiful baby boy," Shari said.

"So what did you name him?" asked Beth.

"Davey William," said Shari.

A tear came into Beth eye at the mention of the baby's middle name. "You named him after Bill?"

"Yes," said Shari. "I miss dad so I figured; at least one of our sons should bear his name. Why, not the oldest?"

"Why not indeed," said Josh. "I love you sis."

"I love you to Josh," said Shari.

Beth kissed her forehead and said, "Well, we better go so that other's can visit. You have a whole family waiting out there wanting to say hello and congratulate you on the birth of your son."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Marcus held his son tenderly in his arms and looked down at his small face and blue eyes stared back at him. He had heard that most babies were born with blue eyes, but they could change color in the next few months. Davey had weighed in at 7 pound 8 ounces the nurses had told him, even considering he was nearly three weeks early. It was a good healthy weight, especially for being three weeks premature.

He was in the nursery now sitting in a rocking chair holding his son. They'd let him in only after he had washed his hands and put on one of those sterile outfits. He had left Shari because she was sleeping after an exhausting eight hours of labor. He had decided to come to the nursery to visit his son before going back to Shari's room. Besides, she had the rest of the family to keep her company.

"So have you named your son?" inquired one of the nurse's an older matronly woman with silver hair and green eyes. There were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and mouth that looked like she smiled and laughed a lot Marcus thought. Somebody, who took joy out of living, "Oh, I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Cathy Smithe,"

"Marcus O'Malley. I'd shake your hand, but I'd be too afraid I'd drop him."

Cathy laughed softly seeing the humor in Marcus's statement. "So what have you and your wife named him?" Cathy asked again.

"Davey William O'Malley," said Marcus.

"Nice name. I'm guessing Davey is short for David," Cathy guessed.

"Actually, it's long for Dave, who also happens to be my brother-in-law," Marcus answered. "William is for Shari's father who died a few years ago."

"Ah," said Cathy. "It's still a nice name. So is this your first child?"

"Yes," said Marcus. "We're hoping to have others sometime in the next few years."

Marcus fell silent and continued feeding Davey his bottle.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Shari awoke to the sound of Davey crying. She rose from her bed and sleepily stumbled to answer it. It was a few days after they had brought Davey home from the hospital and in that time they had been extremely busy, changing diapers, feeding him every couple of hours and generally doing what it took to take care of a newborn baby. She entered the room only to find Marcus had already answered the crying and sat in the rocking chair Stephen had made. He held Davey in his arms and was slowly rocking back and forth holding a bottle of milk to his lips. The scene brought a strong feeling of love for this man and her son and a lump of emotion rose in her throat. She stepped to his side and Marcus looked up. "You might as well go back to bed." Marcus looked great, Shari noted. Even with his hair all tousled from sleep.

"I think I'll stay up awhile," said Shari. "As long as I'm already awake."

"Your choice minx," said Marcus, not sounding the least bit sleepy.

"How can you be so awake at 4:00 am?" asked Shari grumpily.

Marcus laughed softly at that. "I just wake up faster is all," said Marcus.

"Obviously," said Shari still sounding grumpy.

Davey finished his bottle just then and Marcus gently put him up against his shoulder, which was covered with a burp cloth and, gently patted his back until he burped. Shari took him gently out of Marcus's arms, cradling him in her own. She gently kissed his brow and placed him back in his crib, which Stephen had also made. It was a beautiful piece of work the crib. The wood shone and was so smooth there wasn't a chance of getting a splinter.

"Good night Davey," said Shari quietly, as she watched Davey close his eyes and fell fast asleep in a second. Both Shari and Marcus quietly left the room closing the door part way behind them. "Isn't he just the sweetest little thing?" asked Shari quietly.

"He is that," Marcus agreed, also quietly. "Well, it's back to bed for us minx. We both need our sleep."

Shari yawned and agreed.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

One year later, Sara was just putting the twins down for a nap right after lunch when the phone rang. The twins had been born a little over eight months ago and brought much joy as well as worry to her heart since then. Adam adored them and was always playing with them as well as doing his share of the baby chores. The twins were absolutely identical down to the last freckle. All the family had been there to see them born except her father. Of course, she hadn't bothered to call him, but Mary Beth Adam's younger sister had been there along with Jordan her husband and all three children. All the O'Malleys as well. Now there was a family that stuck together through, thick and thin and were more brother and sister then most families she had ever seen. She hurried to answer the phone before it woke them up. "Hello?"

"Is this Mrs. Sara Black?" asked a voice that sounded unmistakably British.

"Yes," said Sara hesitantly, wondering if she was doing the right thing answering the guy's question.

"This is Alfred Dunning you fathers Charles Richmon's lawyer."

"What can I do for you Mr. Dunning?" asked Sara.

"I was told to inform you that you father is dying and that he has requested both you and your brother fly to England with your families of course," Dunning explained.

"Requested? What do you mean requested?" Sara snorted in disbelief. "My father's never requested anything in his life. Demanded maybe, but never requested. It's been years since I've seen him and as you are probably aware Mr. Dunning my father and I how shall I say have never been close."

"I am aware of it and the cause as well," Dunning said.

"I see," said Sara, her tone totally devoid of emotion.

"He's a changed man and would you really deny him the chance to see his grandchildren and to make up in some small way for his behavior?" Dunning asked.

"No I suppose not," said Sara. "Mind you, I can't promise anything, but I'll talk to Adam and my brother and get back to you."

"Just don't take too long or it may be too late," Dunning told her.

"All right, I'll call you in a few days," Sara promised and hung up the phone without saying goodbye. She stood there for a few minutes in shocked silence then went to check on Darien and Darryl.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Adam came home to find Sara in the kitchen trying to get the boys fed. "Come on, just one more bite for mommy," Sara begged. The boys on the other hand were not cooperating and giving her a hard time.

"I'll take over," Adam offered.

Sara looked up, and smiled in gratitude and pushed a strand of dark hair out of her eyes.

"When you finish that I need to talk to you," said Sara, sounding extremely somber.

Adam raised an eyebrow questioningly at her tone of voice, which was absolutely neutral.

"Sara?" Adam questioned, as he came into the den after feeding the boys and putting them in their playpen

"My father's attorney called," said Sara without preamble.

"About what?" Adam inquired.

"Apparently, because my father is dying and he wants to see Dave and me and of course, his grandchildren."

"Are you going to go?" asked Adam.

"I don't know, I haven't decided yet. Dad and I, as you well know, were never very close even before we were kidnapped and Kim died," Sara said.

"But don't you think he deserves the chance to see his grandchildren at least once if nothing else?" Adam asked gently.

"I don't know—I'm struggling with myself. I have a feeling that I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life if the boys don't at least get a chance to meet him and if I do not make peace with him," Sara admitted.

"See, there's your answer and just think it could be like a second honeymoon for us," Adam suggested.

"Now there's a great idea," said Sara, enthusiastically.

"The only difference being we'll have the twins with us," Adam said.

"True, but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun," Sara said giving him a kiss.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Within two days Sara, Adam the twins, Dave, Kate and their two girls were winging over the sea to London England. Sara had called Alfred Dunning with the number he had left with her and told him they were on their way and also when their flight would land. Dunning had offered to send a limo, but Sara and Dave had both nixed that idea for security reasons. They agreed; to have two cars put on reserve in their names. They landed 15 or 16 hours later and all the children were fast asleep and so were Adam and Sara with Kate keeping an eye on all four children.

Holly, Kate's, and Dave's oldest girl was a bouncing two and a half year old and Annabelle was barely a year old.

Sara's, and Adam's twins Darryl and Darien were only eight and a half months and just beginning to walk, but they sure could get around and into trouble for all that. They all exited the plane Darryl in Sara's arms and Darien in Adam's.

"Holly," said Kate holding little Annabelle in her arms.

"Yes mommy?" asked Holly

"You take your daddy's hand don't let go understand?" Kate told her daughter.

"Yes mommy," said Holly, grabbing Dave's hand.

"Come on short stuff let's go get our car," said Dave. Holly giggled at being called short stuff and they proceeded to the car rental agency.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

"Can I help you?" asked the guy behind the counter at the Hertz car rental agency.

"Yes, there should be two cars waiting for us. The names Richmon and the other's Black," Dave said quietly.

"Ah, yes, you have two vans with two children safety seats apiece."

"That sounds about right," said Dave thinking of the baby necessities they'd brought with them. There were two strollers the double ones, two suitcases for the adults, two smaller suitcases for the children and two baby bags filled with bottles, formula, baby food, toys as well as diapers, baby wipes and other baby necessities.

"If I could see some I. D.?" Both Adam and Dave handed over their driver's licenses.

"Here are the keys I'll just have two of our employees bring them to the front for you."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

A few minutes later, they were on their way towards where both Dave and Sara had grown up.

"I can't believe we are actually in London," said Kate in awe looking at all the tall buildings.

"We'll make sure to tour some of the more famous historical places before we head back to the states," said Dave.

"You could even go shopping," Dave suggested with laughter in his voice knowing how Kate hated to shop.

Kate made a face. "Me shop? Please...!"

Dave hid a grin knowing Kate would misunderstand his smile. Then his smile faded and he turned suddenly serious.

"It's too bad your father dying has to put a damper on the trip," Kate commented.

"It won't," Dave assured her. "Dad and I have never been close. It took me a long time to forgive him for what he did to Sara and Kim when she was still alive. He practically hated them and didn't even think they were his and when they were kidnapped he wasn't even willing to pay the twelve million dollars, but decided to bargain. If he had just paid up Kim might still be alive today."

"If it was my kids, I'd move heaven and earth to get them back," said Kate.

"I know, me to," said Dave. "I'd give up my fortune in an instant it wasn't so with my father," Dave said sounding bitter.

Kate didn't have time to respond because they pulled up at an imposing looking estate just outside the city.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

The house was huge almost like a castle in design and size—almost but not quite. They parked in the long drive and all four adults stared at the huge estate in awe. There was a manicured lawn and a garden in back with dozens of different kind of flowers and plants. The walk was paved in stone and led to the garden and also to a pond.

"Wow!" said Kate, "This sure is a big place."

"Welcome," said the butler as he opened the door to them after Dave rang the bell. The butler looked tired like he hadn't been sleeping very well and who could blame him his master was dying.

"George, you look well all things considered," said Dave.

"Thank you Master Dave. If you will all please come in he's waiting for you."

"They didn't need to ask who he was. They knew whom he meant. They all entered the huge imposing house leaving their things in the car for the time being.

"I'll have the nanny take the children to the nursery, which has been cleaned."

Sara was shaking her head no rather vigorously. Dave saw it and nodded in understanding.

"We will see to them ourselves," said Dave. "Sara is afraid to let them out of her sight and you can understand why."

"We'll interview this nanny, before I will leave my children in her care."

Adam who hadn't said anything thus far said, "I'll go with her. Dave why don't you go see your father while we get the children squared away?"

Dave nodded and Kate handed over Annabelle without comment, as she understood how Sara felt. It was hard to trust people she had never met.

"Holly," said Dave.

"Yes daddy?"

"You're follow your Uncle Adam and Aunt Sara and do what they tell you to do," said Dave. Holly nodded obediently and followed her aunt and uncle up the stairs. Another servant led the way and they came to a brightly lit and colorfully decorated nursery. There were toys and children's books on the shelves most of them ancient.

"It hasn't changed much," Sara observed, "from when I was a child here. Of course, this is all from a child's perspective."

"Welcome, welcome," said a voice that Sara recognized, even after all these years.

"Gertrude," said Sara in delight.

"Mistress Sara," said Gertrude. "My how you've grown from the little girl I used to know."

"It's so good to you again," said Sara, giving a quick hug.

"And you. When I heard you were coming for a visit I asked to be reinstated as nanny."

"Gertrude; meet my husband Adam Black," said Sara.

"It's a pleasure young man," said Gertrude shaking Adam's hand and then giving him a hug.

"You call me young?" Adam asked with a chuckle. "I'm 39 years old."

"And I am 62 young man so to me you are quite young."

"I guess you are right," said Adam with a smile liking Gertrude immediately. He could see why Sara was so fond of her. She was loving, genuine and warm and seemed to care about other people.

"I know I am," said Gertrude and Adam chuckled. "And who are these young ones?"

"The two girls are Dave's, and Kate's children. Their names are Holly and Annabelle or Anna for short and the boys are Adam's and mine. Their names are Darryl and Darien, their twins."

"Aren't you all just the cutest things," said Gertrude taking Darryl out of Sara's arms. "You're as cute as a button," she said tickling Darryl under his chin. Darryl happily gurgled and Sara smiled. "I'll take care of them. Why don't you go see your father." In her tone was a note of disapproval for how he had treated his own children nearly thirty years ago.

"You don't approve of my father do you?" asked Sara.

Gertrude looked up her expression neutral. "Let's put it this way. It's not the man himself I disapprove of, but his attitude towards his own children. He never treated you great even when Kim was still alive and he treated you worse after her death. Of course, I really shouldn't say that with the poor man dying and he has changed quite a bit over the last five or six years and it was far past time that he did so as he should've changed a very long time ago back when you and Kim were still young."

Sara took all this in without comment. She would have to see for herself, before she would believe it.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~