LOGIN[GRAYSON CROSS MANSION - LIVING ROOM, SAME DAY, AFTERNOON]The massive flat screen TV was showing the news. Shayla's speech was playing again. They had been replaying it all day. Every news station. Every channel.The reporter was doing commentary over the footage. Talking about Dr. Shayla Cross's incredible journey. From college student to renowned surgeon. The ultimate American dream story.Grayson was sitting on the couch. Remote in hand. Watching the screen intently. He had already seen this speech live. He had been there in person watching from the crowd. But he could not stop watching it again and again."Aren't you tired of watching that?" Shayla's voice came from the doorway. Amused and slightly teasing.She had changed out of her red suit. She was wearing comfortable clothes now. Yoga pants and a soft sweater. Makeup washed off. Hair down. Just Shayla. Not Dr. Cross. Just his wife.Grayson looked over at her and smiled. That smile he reserved only for her."I can never get ti
EIGHT YEARS LATER[S&S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - GRAND OPENING.]The red carpet stretched out in front of the brand new medical center. Sleek. Modern. Glass and steel gleaming in the morning sunlight. The building was massive. State of the art. The kind of hospital that would change lives.S&S Memorial Hospital.Named for two women. Sarah Hale. The mother who had inspired a dream. And Shayla Cross. The woman who had made that dream reality.The crowd was enormous. Paparazzi lined both sides of the red carpet. Cameras flashing constantly. Creating that strobe light effect. Reporters shouting questions. Photographers jockeying for position. Security guards keeping everyone back behind the velvet ropes.News vans from every major network were parked along the street. Satellite dishes pointed skyward. This was big news. Dr. Shayla Cross opening her own hospital. The rising star surgeon who had come from nothing. Built herself into something extraordinary.And there she was.Walking down the red
Ruby and Ricardo arrived exactly on time.She waddled through the front door. One hand on her lower back. The other on her enormous belly. Ricardo hovered beside her.They brought even more gifts. Apparently Ruby could not stop shopping for baby Madonna. Every time she went anywhere, she bought something new.Clothes in every size imaginable. Toys. Blankets. Books. Stuffed animals. Everything a baby could possibly need and then some."You need to stop buying things, Rubbes," Shayla said. Laughing. Looking at all the bags. "Madonna has more clothes than I do now. She is going to outgrow half of them before she even gets a chance to wear them.""I cannot help it!" Ruby said. Already emotional. "Everything is so cute! I see tiny baby clothes and I have to buy them! It is a compulsion! I cannot stop myself!""Pregnancy hormones," Ricardo explained. Shaking his head. "She cries in the baby section of stores now. Just stands there sobbing over tiny socks. It is a whole thing."Everyone laug
[ONE WEEK LATER - GRAYSON CROSS MANSION, AFTERNOON]The black SUV pulled smoothly into the circular driveway. The engine purred quietly as Luke put the vehicle in park, turned the key. Everything went silent.Grayson opened the back door. Extended his hand to help Shayla out. She took it gratefully. Moved slowly and carefully.She was doing much better now. A week of rest had helped tremendously. But labor and delivery took a serious toll on the body. It would be weeks before she felt completely normal again.Ayven did not wait for help. He opened his door and jumped out. Stood there on the driveway looking at the mansion with the biggest smile on his face.His eyes were bright. Shining with happiness and excitement. He was finally home."Home sweet home!" he announced loudly. His voice carried across the lawn. Full of joy and satisfaction. "I missed this place so much! Every single room! Every single corner!"He spread his arms wide. Spun in a circle. Taking it all in. The beautiful
Later that night, the family were fully settled, Angel and Ayven were sharing one of the big beds. Angel had wanted to sleep near her brother. She wanted to be close to him after so many months apart.She was already asleep now. Curled up on her side. Facing Ayven. One hand tucked under her cheek. Breathing soft and even. Her glasses were on the nightstand beside the bed.Ayven was lying on his back. Sleeping soundly after so much exhaustion.Grayson and Shayla were in the other bed. Lying close together. Baby Madonna was in her bassinet right beside them. Close enough that Shayla could reach over and check on her.The room was dim now. Just one small lamp on in the corner. Providing enough light to see but not enough to keep anyone awake. Soft and gentle.Shayla turned on her side to face Grayson."How are you doing?" she asked softly. Keeping her voice low so she would not wake the kids or the baby. "Honestly. Really truly. How are you feeling about everything that has happened?"Gr
Ruby's arms came around both of them. Pulled them close.And immediately burst into tears. Just started sobbing. Her whole face crumpled up. Tears streamed down her cheeks rapidly. Creating wet tracks through her makeup."My dynamic duo is awake!" she said through her sobs. Her voice was thick and choked. "Oh my God! I cannot believe it! This is the best day ever!"She was crying and laughing simultaneously. Making those weird hiccupping sounds that come from trying to do both at once.She squeezed the kids tighter. Kissed the tops of their heads. Left wet tear marks on their hair.Ayven pulled back first. Looked up at her with his eyebrows raised high. His expression was genuinely confused. Baffled even."Why is she crying?" he asked. His tone was so sincere. Like he truly could not comprehend what was happening. "Did someone die? Is something wrong? Why would you cry about me being awake? That is a good thing."Grayson started laughing. He could not help it. The sound burst out of h
Grayson stared at Shayla like she'd just spoken in a language he didn't understand.The words hung in the air between them, impossible and yet undeniably real.I have a son…."What do you mean you have a son?" The question came out strangled, barely recognizable as his own voice."I'm a mother." Sh
The rest of the day passed in tense, uncomfortable silence.Shayla stayed at her desk, going through emails and correspondence with mechanical efficiency. She updated spreadsheets. She confirmed appointments. She drafted memos.She did everything except look at Grayson's office.Every time she felt
Shayla opened her apartment door to the sound of laughter.She stood in the entryway for a moment, just listening. The sound was bright and genuine, filled with the kind of joy that made everything else fade into background noise.Following the sound to the kitchen, she found Ayven standing on a st
THE HALE APARTMENT>SHAYLA’S APARTMENT."Momma, I invited a guest to my birthday party!" Ayven announced the moment Shayla walked through the door.She set down her bag and purse, exhaustion weighing on her shoulders. "A guest? Who?""Ricardo! He's really cool. He sings that song you like. The one w







