The sunlight shining through the windows pierces my eyelids, and I squint against it as I stretch as much as I can on this tiny bed. MOving from under the covers trying no tot wake Lily up, I walk over to Mariano's bassinet and just watch him sleep. His tiny little snores are eventually replaced with cries as he begins to wake up and search for food. I gently pick him up and cradle him against me, trying to soothe him as I walk back over to the bed.

"Seems like someone is hungry." Lily says as she reaches for him. I hand him over, and she places him against her breast as he latches on and begins to feed.

"Nothing is more beautiful in my eyes."
I sit down next to her and kiss the top of her head. I watch as he feeds from her breast, and my heart swells a little bit more with love. He may not be mine, but I already love him as if he were. I sit lost in the moment before me when I hear a knock at the door and the doctor peaks his head in.

"Good morning, am I disturbing anyone?"

"No, come on in. Leo is just having his breakfast." I answer as the doctor walks over to Lily's bedside as Leo finishes nursing.

"How are you feeling this morning, Lily?"

"I feel good. I do have some tenderness in my belly, though."
"Let me check everything over with you and little Mariano, and we will see about getting everyone out of here."
"That sounds wonderful."

"Thank you, doc." Lily hands Leo over to me while the doctor checks her over, and then comes to check over our baby. Once he is done he smiles as he walks to the door.

"Everything looks great, and I will go get your release papers and some pain meds for you to go home with."
"Thanks again, doc." I say as I place Leo back in his bassinet as he has fallen back asleep.

"No problem, I'm glad to see everything worked out for you." He walks out the door and leaves us alone again.

"Ready to get out of here, momma?"

"I am daddy, but first, I need a shower."
"Okay, let me help you out of bed and into that shower."
She gingerly sits up and puts her feet on the floor. I reach out and take both of her hands and let her pull herself to her feet. She winces as she stands and I move to put an arm around her as support. We walk into the bathroom, and I go to turn on the shower. She slowly takes off her gown and turns away from me as she finishes undressing.

"Baby, why are you hiding from me?"
"I look horrible. I don't want you to see me like this."
I slowly turn her around and pull her face from her hands. I tilt her face up with a finger so she can look me in the eyes.

"Sweetheart, you are beautiful, and every stretch mark and scar adds to your beauty. It shows you're a warrior and I don't think I could love you anymore. I don;t see them as flaws, and you shouldn't either."
A tear falls from her eye, and I wipe it away, kissing her cheek. I slowly begin to move down her chest, kissing as I kneel in front of her. I pull her panties down with the pad and help her step out of them. I take a few seconds to tenderly kiss across her stomach above her incision, running my hands over her full hips. This beautiful woman standing in front of me is a goddess and nothing could make me think differently. She has carried a human for nine months and gave birth to a healthy boy. I slowly stand up and kiss her full lips as I pull her into me and hold her tight.

"You are beautiful, and nothing will ever change my mind."
"I love you so much, Nate."
"I love you too. Now get in that shower. You will feel better after."

I help her walk under the warm water and then go out to look after the baby. He is still sound asleep as my mom comes in. I quickly silence her so as not to wake him. She walks over as she puts the bag she is carrying on the bed.

"Good morning, son. How is she doing?"

"She's taking a shower at the moment. We are waiting on the release papers."

"Oh, that's so great. I brought you some clothes to change into."
"Thanks mom, I will take them to her and grab a quick shower myself."
I grab the bag and head back into the bathroom. Lily is just getting out of the shower. I pull out a new pair of panties and pad for her to put on and the clothes that mom brought.

"Thank you, baby."
"You're welcome. Mom just brought them. She is out looking after Leo."
"Thank you, I will go out to her while you shower."
"I won't be long."
She finishes getting dressed as I step in to get in the shower. After I am finished, I walk out and see that Lily and mom have Mariano dressed and in his car seat. The doctor has brought the papers, and the nurse is waiting by the door with the wheelchair.

"Now, if you are feeling severe pain, nausea, or anything out of the ordinary, please call me. You have got this Lily and have a family to help you."

"Thank you doctor I know I do."
She looks over to me and smiles. I walk over and kiss her forehead.

"Everybody ready to go?" I ask.

"I am so ready to get out of here and just be with our little family."
"Everything is ready at home for you. I have taken a few days off to help if you need me."

"Thanks mom, we appreciate it. The boys are taking care of the business for me, too."
"Your chariot awaits, Lily." The nurse states.

Lily slowly gets up and goes to sit down in the wheelchair, knowing it will be the only way she can leave this room. I pick up Mariano, and we head out front. I quickly ran to the car that I had bought LIiy and brought it up. Her eyes go wide as I step out and open the back to put the car seat in its bracket.

"Nate, who's car is this?"
"Yours, I bought a while back and wanted to surprise you after the shower. You needed a car to get around and something safe for Mariano. We can't all ride in the new truck together."

"You didn't have to do that."
"I did. I want my girl and our baby safe."
She begins to tear up again, and I quickly pull her into me.

"How did I find a man like you?"
"I'm the lucky one. Now let's get our boy home."
I help her climb in the seat next to Mariano, I get in the driver's seat, and we head home with mom behind us. I take my time driving so as not to wake him, and Lily laughs at me, saying I drive like a granny. I told her I was being careful and didn't want to get in any accidents. She laughs as she looks down at Leo who is fast asleep.

"Your daddy is so silly."
I can't help but smile at her through the rear view mirror. It makes my heart swell when she calls me his daddy. I never thought that I would want a family, but here I am now driving home with the love of my life and our son. He will know who his real father is, and Lily will tell him how wonderful he was. I pull into our driveway and park. Mom comes out front and laughs.

"I was beginning to wonder if you got lost on your way home."
"Nate had to drive slow. He said he didn't want to get in an accident."
"His father was the same way when we brought Nathan home that first time."
"You know there are irresponsible drivers out there."
"Don't be silly, Nathan. Just come inside and let's get them settled."
"Lily laughs at me as I pick up Leo and help her inside. As we walk inside, Rufus comes tearing around the corner. His whole body is wagging as he comes over, and tries to jump up on Lily.

"Careful Rufus, mommy is hurt."
"Woof! Woof!"

"Hey Rufus, I missed you too."
She squats down carefully to scratch his head. He is beside himself. He has missed her so much and I hope now he will eat better. She stays down petting him for a bit before she has me help her up, and we walk to the nursery. Rufus follows dutifully behind. We get Mariano settled in his crib with Rufus lying near. After watching for a few minutes, I take Lily to our bed. I know she is still exhausted, and she lays down. Her lids are heavy, and she tries to stay awake.

"Rest love, mom is here, and I will take care of Leo. You need to sleep while we have help."
"Thank you, are you sure you will be okay with him?"
"I've got him, don't worry."
I kissed her forehead, and before I got out of the room, she was asleep. I quietly close the door and walk over to the nursery. I just stand there watching him sleep. Rufus has not left his spot next to the crib. I didn't hear my mom walk in and stand beside me.

"He's a beautiful little baby."
"He is, isn't he?"

"I'm proud of you son. Not many men would step up and take care of a baby that's not his own."

"Thanks mom, I would do anything for her and him."
"It's a lot of responsibility with these two."
"I know, and I'm glad that she still wants me after she got her memory back. I just hope that his family doesn't cause any more trouble."
"I don't think they will cause any problems. I truly think that they just want to be in Mariano's life. He is their grandson."
"I know that. I just can't forgive what he did, though."
"He lost his son and only wanted what he thought was best for his grandson."
"Not the way to do it. He could have taken better care of her and brought her back. She wouldn't have denied them."

"No, she has too much of a kind soul. She won't keep him from them."
"I won't keep him from them either, but I will keep an eye on them. They will not cause her any stress."
"I don't think they will."
We stand and watch him sleep for a while and decide to go into the living room. I take the baby monitor with me, and we sit down in the living room.

"Have you heard from that crazy girl?"
"Jennifer?"
"That's the one. Her name puts a bad taste in my mouth. I can't speak of her."
"She is an evil woman. I don't know what I saw in her."
"A moment of weakness, I guess."
"I hope I never see her again."
"She needs to pay for the things she has done."
"I can't believe she is related to the one that kidnapped Lily."
"She is the reason that he found her isn't she?"
"Yes, only to get to me."

"She is evil. Apparently it runs in the family."
"I wish I knew where she was."
We hear a knock at the door, and I get up to answer it. I open the door, and Mike is standing there.

"Hey man, what brings you to my door?""I have some information you may want to hear."