6. His Dad

Valerie's eyes flickered open. Blurry ceiling tiles came into focus above her, and the sharp scent of antiseptic burned her nose. Where was he? Where was her son?

She heard his faint cry before she passed out, so she knew he was alive.

She craned her neck, peering around the small hospital room. Empty. Panic bubbled in her chest. Where was her son!?

"Nurse!" Her throat was raw. She winced, swallowing hard. "Where's my baby?"

A woman in pink scrubs hurried to Valerie's bedside. "Please try to relax, Miss Foster."

"Relax?" Valerie rasped. "How can I relax? Where is he?"

"Oh god, did something happen to him? But the doctor said he was healthy when they checked last time. Is he okay?" Valerie breathed.

The nurse checked Valerie's IV, avoiding her gaze. "The baby is perfectly healthy. He is in the nursery with his dad."

His dad?

"My baby doesn't have a dad," Val said.

Heck...he didn't even have a name yet.

I want to see him," Valerie struggled to sit up, clutching the thin blanket. "Bring me my baby. Now."

"I understand you're eager to meet your son, but you need to rest," the nurse said firmly, laying a hand on Valerie's shoulder and gently pushing her back down. "You just gave birth. Your body has been through a trauma. If you don't allow yourself adequate recovery time, it could be dangerous for both you and the baby."

Valerie batted the nurse's hand away. "If you don't bring me my baby right now, I'll get out of this bed and find him myself."

The nurse's lips thinned into a disapproving line. "Threatening to put your health at risk will not help matters." She checked Valerie's IV again. "But... I'll speak to your doctor about moving the baby to your room."

Valerie sank back against the pillows, clutching her blanket until her knuckles turned white. Any moment now, she would hold her baby in her arms.

Her heart hammered as she waited, counting each second that ticked by on the clock. Where were they? Had something gone wrong? No, she couldn't think like that. Her baby was fine. He had to be.

At last, the door creaked open. A nurse peeked in, an impish grin on her face. "Someone's here to see his mommy."

Valerie lurched forward, her arms already reaching out. The nurse stepped aside, revealing the rolling bassinet behind her. There, swaddled in a blue blanket, was the most beautiful creature Valerie had ever seen.

Her baby boy.

Tears welled in Valerie's eyes as the nurse brought the bassinet closer. She ran a gentle finger over the soft curve of her baby's cheek.

What should I call you? Valerie thought to herself.

The baby squirmed, blinking open his brown eyes, though Valerie had a feeling they would turn green as he grew older. A feather-soft whimper escaped his lips.

"Here now, none of that," Valerie whispered lovingly. She lifted him into her arms, settling him against her chest. The warmth and weight felt so right, as if he was made to fit there, as if he had always belonged there.

"My baby. My son," Valerie murmured, overwhelmed with emotion. "You are perfect. Wait until you come home. I will love you so much. And your uncle and auntie will be too. Your cousins can't wait to see you, did you know that?" she said, her voice filled with bliss.

The baby yawned, nuzzling closer. A surge of love and protectiveness swept through Valerie, fierce and all-encompassing. She would do anything for this tiny life, face any challenge to keep him safe.

Valerie brushed a light kiss over his forehead, breathing in her sweet scent. "Hello, my darling," she whispered tenderly. "I'm your mommy. And I will never leave you."

The newborn let out a contented sigh, his eyes drifting shut. Valerie held him close, marveling at how love could grow and bloom so swiftly. In that quiet, perfect moment, it felt as though they were the only two people in the world.

The moment was interrupted when Ellie and River burst through the door, their faces glowing with joy. Ellie rushed to Valerie's side, River close behind.

"Oh, Valerie," Ellie said, breathless. "You did so great."

Valerie gazed down at the sleeping angel in her arms, a smile curving her lips.

"He is perfect," Valerie whispered. "Absolutely perfect."

River smiled warmly. "Yes, he is."

Valerie's heart swelled at the sight of them. Surrounded by love, her darling boy would never want for anything. He was the luckiest baby in the world—and so was Valerie.

A small part of Valerie felt a twinge of sadness, knowing her son would grow up without a father. But a larger part of her was relieved that Julian was no longer in the picture.

"Where is Lucas and Tiffany?" Valerie asked Ellie suddenly.

"I left them with Molly. I thought it would be safer for them. They are every excited to meet their cousin soon," River replied with a smile. "By the way, what will you name him? Most mother would already decide on a name BEFORE the baby is born you know." He chuckled heartily.

"Hmmm...I always liked the name Landon," Val said.

"Landon Foster, I like it," Ellie agreed.

"You mean, Landon Costello," a deep voice interrupted.

Valerie's heart jumped at that. A familiar figure sauntered into the room. It was Antonio.

"Why are you still here?" Valerie blurted out, embarrassment flooding her cheeks at the memory of Antonio in the delivery room, comforting her and even kissing her forehead.

Did he really kiss her? Or was that her imagination?

And did he just attach his own last name to her baby?

Antonio's smirk widened as his gaze settled on the baby. "Well, well. You're finally reunited with the little one."

Valerie grunted in response. "Seriously, Antonio. Why are you still here?"

Antonio raised his hands in mock surrender. "Such hostility! I brought you here safe and sound, and this is how you treat me?"

Valerie softened slightly. "Okay, yes. I appreciate you getting me here on time. And for helping in the delivery room," she admitted, her cheeks flushing again at the memory. "But you can leave now. I don't have your damn codes, and now is not the time to talk about it."

"Ah, yes. We can discuss the codes another day," Antonio agreed with a nod.

"Then you should just leave," Valerie insisted.

River cleared his throat awkwardly. "Do you want to tell her, Antonio, or should I?"

Valerie looked at River in confusion and then back at Antonio. "Tell me what?"