First Look

Liana, Ben, & Dan

Ben smiled at Liana's excitement. After two days, she was in a hospital room of her own, strong and doing well and ready to see the baby girl who had already, along with her mama, become the most important things in his life.

"Calm down, darlin'." He smiled. "Dan's on his way and he's bringin' her. He'll be here any minute."

"I can't wait, Ben!" Her eyes were bright and her face flushed as Liana sat up in the hospital bed. "My little girl... She's beautiful, isn't she?"

" 'Course she is," he told her with mock anger. "Look at who her daddy is."

He grinned. " 'Sides, she looks just like her mama. How could she not be beautiful?" He leaned over the bed to give her a kiss.

He'd come so close to losing her. Both her and the baby. It had increased his determination to protect his family. Ben had already informed Frank Parker that he wanted him to work full-time at keeping his family safe. To hire more men if he needed them, to do whatever it took. He never wanted Liana and their daughter out of his sight again, unless they were being taken care of and watched over.

Just then, Dan walked into the room, a nurse at his heels. In his arms was a bundle wrapped in a light pink blanket. Dan had a smile on his face. He handed his prize off to Ben, who turned to Liana with a look of pride written all over him.

"Well, sweetie," he said to the baby. "You had to wait a coupla days, but meet your mama." He laid the baby into Liana's eagerly waiting arms.

"Darlin'," he said to his wife. "Here's our daughter, Miss Olivia Danielle Wade."

Liana looked down into the tiny flushed face with a glow on her own. "Oh, sweetie- Livvy-," she said tearfully. "I'm so glad to finally see you. I love you so much!"

Olivia turned restlessly and whimpered a little, but cuddled into her mother and quieted. Liana laid her cheek against the baby's downy head and closed her eyes peacefully. In spite of everything that had gone on before and since the birth, she didn't think she'd ever been so happy.

Dan Evans looked at mother and child and then smiled over at Ben. It looked as though everything was going to be all right in their little family.