Arabella cried and Lindsey jumped up from the chair, picking her up as if she were made of glass. He took her to Stevie and watched as his wife instinctively unsnapped her gown and began to nurse.

"You're both already so good at that." Lindsey marveled. "Tell me if you want me turn around or look away, okay?"

"Why would I? I'm just feeding her. Nothing dirty about it."

"Well, you're just...exposed." Stevie shrugged and Lindsey relaxed a little. He half-sat next to her on the bed, getting a closer look. Their daughter's hat was off and it was clear she had soft blonde hair like her mother. Her tiny hand sat atop Stevie's breast and her eyes were closed. "She's gorgeous. I still can't believe you did it. You're amazing."

"Women have been doing it for millennia, I'm nothing special."

"Well, it's not everyday that my wife gives me a child. I'm proud of you. I never would have been able to do what you did." He watched for a few more moments until the baby dropped off, snoring softly against her mother. Stevie pulled her gown back up and snapped it closed. "You were in so much pain...I never want to put you through that again."

"She was worth every second of it. I would do it a thousand times over." Stevie said dreamily, smoothing her daughter's hair.

"Would you like me to put her back in the cot?"

"No, I just want to look at her for a little bit longer."

"What are you thinking about?"

"How she's going to change everything for us, how amazing it is that she wasn't here and now she is, in less than a day."

"It's hard to comprehend."

"Yes, it is."

He stood up, completely silent. He was deep in thought as well, but she didn't ask. She was too absorbed in the baby to register anything but her daughter's ten toe, ten fingers and the curve of her tiny nose. "Your mom and dad should be here soon. I think I'm going to head out."

That certainly got her attention and her head snapped up. The bun she had on top of her head had fallen slightly and was a little askew. He thought she looked totally adorable, especially since she had no makeup on. She was just fresh and natural.

"You're leaving?"

"So you could have alone time with your parents and the baby. I don't want to be in the way."

"What if they ask about you?" Lindsey shrugged. "What if I need you?"

"You'll be fine. I know you will. You are a natural and you're doing such a great job already- any one of these nurses will tell you just how impressed they are with you."

"Okay." She lowered her head, looking down at the sleeping baby in her arms. A tear escaped her eye and she wiped it away quickly.

"I don't know what to do, Stevie. I don't want to hurt you anymore. I've hurt you more than anyone ever has. When you cry, I know it's because of me. I don't deserve you and I certainly don't deserve this baby."

"So you're just going to walk away? Don't you think it hurts that you're going to leave me here alone? We just had a baby."

"I know....can't you see I'm lost?"

"Of course I can. Lindsey...you will find your way, we will find our way. What is it you want to do? Do you want to stay?"

"Of course I do."

"Then stay. You're a father now, Linds, to an absolutely stunning little girl. She's going to need you and I will too."

"You're being too nice to me."

"Well, just milk it until this post-birth euphoria fades and I'm a she-devil again." she said with a laugh and he smiled a little. "Wanna hold her for a while? She might make you feel better." Lindsey nodded and he took the baby from her, sitting down in the chair beside the bed. "I wonder if she will have the Buckingham blues?" Stevie thought aloud.

"She could have brown eyes like you. Either way she's going to be a knock out. I should start cleaning my gun." he joked and Stevie gave him a crooked smirk, shaking her head.

"No violence, just peace. I think we could all use a little of that."

"You're right." He traced her tiny features with the soft touch of his index finger. Stevie watched him become acquainted, transforming into a father right before her eyes. She couldn't help but look at him a little differently now. Arabella is their daughter. He's Arabella's dad. The whole realization was mind-blowing. "Would you like her back?"

"No, I like seeing you with her. I think you're a natural too."

"I still have no idea what I'm doing."

"We can figure it out." Stevie said hopefully and Lindsey looked up at her on the bed. "We have plenty of time"

"I guess we do."

Their quiet moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. The nurse entered, much more cheerful than before.

"The Nicks' are here. Would you like me to let them come in?"

Stevie looked to Lindsey and he nodded. "Yes, please."

Her parents burst through the door with flowers, balloons and presents for all three of them.

"Barbie just had to pick this up at the airport. She couldn't contain herself" Jess said, pointing to the 'Grandma' shirt her mother was wearing.

Stevie snorted. "Cool shirt, mom" Barbara hugged her, her father was next.

"Now where is my granddaughter?" Her mother waited for Lindsey to stand and he passed her over to Stevie's mother. She was positively beaming. "Oh she looks just like you, TeeDee! It's like it's 1948 all over again!"

"Do you really think so?" Stevie asked.

"Definitely. She's a Nicks through and through." Jess said. "She's beautiful, honey."

"Thank you." Stevie motioned Lindsey over and he stood awkwardly by the bed. He was quiet, and Stevie knew he was upset about something. She could read it in his eyes.

"What did you name her?" Barbara asked.

"Arabella. Her daddy chose it and I think it's absolutely perfect, exactly what I was looking for." She slipped an arm through Lindsey's waist and kissed his side. "Thank you for being here" she said. Lindsey looked down at her, feeling a little better and nodded.

"Nowhere else I'd rather be."