Brianna/Lily's POV

"Do you have a name for him?" Nathan asks

"Yes, I do."

"Well, what is it?"
"Mariano Leo" I tell him with a smile.

"I think Mariano would love that you are keeping his name alive. My middle name, are you sure?"
"I am, you have been there for us since the beginning and when you found out that I was pregnant by another man, you didn't run and stepped up to be the father he will need."
"Thank you, I love him as my own already."
"Would you like to hold him?"
"May I?"
He gently takes Leo from my arms and holds him close. I can't help but smile seeing him cuddle little Leo. I can see the love in his eyes, and a few tears escape his eyes. My heart swells as I watch him love a baby that's not his. I can't hold it in any longer and have to tell him.

"I love you."

He stops and looks at me. His lips slowly turn up, and a wide grin grows.

"I have been wanting to tell you for so long. I love you too, and little Mariano. I don't know when it started, but I have loved you for a long time, and wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to scare you away."

He leans down and kisses my lips softly. I don't know what would have happened to me if he hadn't found me that night. He has been so amazing. We hear a soft knock on the door, and his mom peeks her head in.

"May I come in?" Abbey asks.

He looks over to me. "Is it okay if she comes in now?"
I smile and shake my head, yes. "Of course it's okay. Come in, Abbey."
She walks over and smiles at Leo, quickly taking him out of Nathan's arms.

"Give me my grandbaby. Oh, he is just the cutest thing. Congratulations, Abbey. It's just sad that his dad will never get to meet him."
"Thank you, Abbey. He would have loved him so much."
We sat and talked for a while before we heard another knock, and momma peeked her head around the door.

"Is it okay if we come in to see our grandson? I am so sorry for how Antonio treated you. He was in the wrong for what he did, and he was only thinking about himself."

I can see Nathan stand next to me, and his hands tighten into fists. I know he is angry at momma and poppa. Well, I am a little disappointed in them, too. I think they should be able to see Leo.

"I don't think that is a good idea. It's because of you that she is here. She could have lost the baby or died, maybe even both and it would have been your fault." Nathan says angrily.

"Please, we just want to see our grandson. Antonio is really sorry about what he did. He only wanted to protect him. Sophia says quietly.

"Please, I am so sorry. I realize what I did was wrong. You may not want to forgive me now, but he is all that I have left of my son." Antonio pleads.

I look over at Nathan, and I can see that he is really trying to control his anger. I reach up and touch his arm and he lets out an irritated breath.

"Fine, but if there is any thought of trying to take him away, I will be on you so fast your head will spin." Nathan spits out.

"There is no need for that. I wouldn't think of it. He belongs here with you both." Antonio answers.

"Come, meet your grandson, Mariano Leo."

Momma begins to tear up as she slowly walks over to mom. She gently takes him from her and kisses his forehead.

He's absolutely beautiful." Sophia cries.

"You named him after Mariano?" Antonio asks with a tear in his eye.

"Yes, I wanted him to have a piece of his father, and he will know what a wonderful man he was." I return.

"Thank you for that. We would love to be in his life if you would let us." Sophia remarked.

"Yes, please let us know. I am so sorry for the way I treated you. I was only thinking of myself and my legacy. My son would be taking over soon, but now, it will be up to little Mariano here. At least I hope he will." Antonio states.

"It will be up to him. I want him to have a normal childhood. He will be able to make that choice when he is old enough. I won't keep him from it." I answer.

"Thank you" he returns.

Momma and poppa stay for a few hours before they leave, and it is just Noah, his mom, and I.

"Are you really going to let him choose that life?" Abbey asks.

"Yes, if he wants it. I will not stand in his way. It will be his choice to make."

"Mafia life is very dangerous."
"I know that Abbey. I lost his father to that life, but it brought me to Nathan and you. It's his heritage and who am I to keep him from it?"

"You are right, Brianna. It's his to make." Nathan adds.
"Nate, please can you call me Lily? That was my old life. It sounds so weird when you call me by my real name."
"Then Lily it is. It's a nice nickname."
We sat and chatted for a while, and Leo started to cry. Abbey hands him back to me, and I begin to breastfeed. I look over and see Nathan look at us with love in his eyes. It makes my heart swell. I did love Mariano and still will hold a bit of that love in my heart. There is another knock at the door and in walks the guys. Connor is holding a giant teddy bear, and Eric has a huge bouquet of balloons. When they lay eyes on Leo in my arms, they both smile.

"Congratulations, guys." Connor says.

"The favorite uncle is here." Eric laughs.

"That's right, I am. Now let me see my nephew." Connor adds.

I can't help but laugh as those two argue. Connor comes over and carefully scoops Lep out of my arms and begins to coo at him. Nathan looks at me and laughs.

"Those two are tough as nails but get them around a baby, and they turn to mush."

"How can you not? He is just so cute. Now let me see him." Eric answers."
Connor passes him to Eric and turns to me.

"What is his name?"

"Mariano Leo, he is named after his father and his dad."
I say as I look up to Nathan, and I see a tear fall from his eye as he leans down and kisses my lips. Tingles flow through my body. It's different with him. Eventually, Mike pips his head in to see how we are doing. Nathan invites him in and begins to tell him what happened to me.

"So Jennifer is related to Delehanty?" Mike asks.

"Yes, she is his niece. She is how he found out that I was here and that I was pregnant."
"I will definitely take this information in. She will be charged with accessory to kidnapping and attempted murder. I'm glad you are back and safe."
"Thank you, would you like to come meet Mariano Leo?"
"I would love to."
He walks over and carefully takes Leo from the guys. He looks down at him with a smile, and I can see the longing in his eyes. I smile at him as he looks back at me.

"He's beautiful, Lily."

"Thank you, I can see you want one of your own."

He chuckles a bit as he looks back at Leo.

"I do someday, but I have to find the right woman first."
"There's someone out there for you."
"I don't know. I'm not getting any younger. Not many women understand my job."
"Don't give up."
"I'm trying. Anyway, I need to get back to the office and let my captain know what's going on. We will keep a look out for Jennifer and bring her in. She won't get away with it."

"Thanks brother, we appreciate it. She needs to pay for all the things she has done." Nathan says.

He gently hands Leo back to me, hugs Nathan, and says goodbye to everyone as he leaves.

"So when do you get out of here?" Eric asks.

"The doctor says if everything is okay, then I should be able to get out of here tomorrow."
"I bet you will be glad to get home." Connor comments.

"It will be good to get back home and back to normal. I have missed everyone."

"We all missed you too, and Rufus is so worried about you." Abbey adds.

"He definitely is. He moves around and hasn't eaten much. I had to take him to the vet because I thought something was seriously wrong with him." Nathan chuckles.

"Aww, the poor baby. I will have to give him extra love when I get home."
"We will get out of your hair, guys. Get some rest." Eric says as he gets up to leave.

"Yeah, talk to you later. Boss, take as much time as you need with them. We will hold down the fort." Connor adds as he follows Eric out the door.

"Talk to you later guys." Nathan answers.

The guys leave and Abbey stays for just a bit more before she leaves, too.

"Get some rest, love. I will take care of him while you sleep."
"Come lay with me. He is asleep and you need your rest too. We are both okay."
"Alright"

He takes the baby from me and carefully lays him in the bassenet giving him a kiss on the forehead before taking off his shoes and climbing in behind me. He pulls me back flush against him on the tiny bed and wraps his arms around me, being mindful of the wires and iv. It doesn't take long before I am asleep, warm and safe in his arms.