"Time to go." With apologies to Kevin and Jen, who just waved me onward, I collected the girls and then we were racing to the hospital.

“Oh, she's soooo adorable," Amber cooed over the baby, hesitantly reaching out to run her finger over the little leg.

“Aww... she has her mother's eyes.

Cherys was resting but awake, her bed angled up as she held her baby girl in her arms. I looked up at her and our eyes met, a twinkle of joy on both our faces as we gazed upon our little creation.

Sitting on the side of the bed, Danielle stroked her lover's hand and at the same time reached out to touch the baby's cheek.

"Hello little Ellie. Your parents are here."

FALL (September 2006)

Cherys and I stopped at our familiar spot. I was pushing the stroller, and Cherys went around to scoop the baby up and kneel beside the headstone.

“Hi Ellie. I want you to meet your namesake. I'm sure she'll grow up to be just as beautiful as you were." Cherys held up the baby's hand and waved it towards the headstone.

Little Ellie herself just looked around with brilliantly iridescent eyes and drooled a bit.

Cherys then smirked at me.

“Of course, if you grow up to be that pretty, we might have to keep your dad away from you.”

FALL (October 2006) "Hello?"

“David! You'd better get the FUCK over here within the next TEN FUCKING MINUTES!"

“Cherys? What?"

"now!"

"What?"

"I just got back from the doctor's! She said I can start having sex again!" “Oh...

Cherys was panting with obvious arousal, even over the phone.

“Can Amber come too?"

I sighed, "No. She's at the hospital tonight."

“Aww... but she's sooo good with her tongue..." Cherys whined.

"UL make do with what I've got," I promised.

"You'd better," she growled.

"You. Here. Fucking. *NOW"