Dani and I had driven around for awhile. I knew I had to come here. It was the only place I could come. But I had to settle down. Get myself sorted out. Figure out what I was going to tell my parents. I still didn't know.

Dani had fallen asleep during the drive. She had been crying, but I didn't bring anything for her with me. I didn't know. I had no idea we would be gone so long. In my heart, I think I knew she had to be mine, but in my head I had been hoping the doctor would say she wasn't. That I was free and could take her somewhere for her mother to pick her up and that would be that. But no. for her mother to pick her up and that would be that. But no. Bad luck and my idiotic behaviour had finally caught up with me. I looked back at her, dozing peacefully in her little seat. Tears came to my eyes again. She was so good. So patient with me. I didn't deserve her.

Gently, I got her out of her seat. She wiggled around in my arms before she got comfortable and fell right back into her slumber. I walked up to the door and took a deep breath. This was it. Point of no return. Now or never. I knocked softly and stood back to wait.

Dad pulled the door open, Mom was right behind him. I could see the recognition, surprise and then wonder in their expressions. Mom smiled slightly at me and stared at the baby in my arms.

"Nick. You don't have to knock! Get in here." Dad put his arm around my shoulder and followed me into the house. I kicked my sandals off and settled in on the couch. Dani made little baby sounds into my ear, as she protested the interruption in her sleep. Mom sat beside me and Dad across from me.

"It's nice to see you, Nick. We didn't know you were in town?"

"I got home a couple nights ago. Got the recording done, for now. Tony and I went out clubbing on the weekend. You know, same old stuff." I shrugged. Small talk. Just ask me, for Christ's sake. Help me out here.

"Who does this little darling belong to?" Count on Mom.

Dani had woken up. Her eyes were darting all around, checking out the strangers surrounding her. She let out a little cry. Mom held her arms out for her and I let her take her. Dani cried and then saw me and settled some. I put my hand out for her and she grabbed my finger with all her might. She wasn't letting go.

"She's darling. Such a little thing. Who's is she?"

"You're not the babysitting type anymore Nick." Dad laughed, nervously.

Mom and Dad were both staring at me. They deserved an answer, but I just couldn't talk. I couldn't make myself say the words.

"She's...ah...dammit...she's...." I was crying again.

"Nick? What's wrong?" Dad had come to sit beside Mom now. They both looked extremely concerned.

"I...God..I'm so sorry Mom. Dad. She's....she's...mine." Mom's mouth dropped open in surprise. Dad just looked disappointed.

"She's yours?" he questioned.

I nodded.

"When did this...? I don't understand, why didn't you tell us Nick?"

"I didn't know. Not until yesterday." I couldn't look at them.

"You didn't know?"

"No." I spilled out the whole sad story. From the time her mother left Dani on my steps to the present. I've never seen my parents so upset. They didn't yell or anything. Just upset. I had disappointed them greatly. They would never tell me that, but I knew I had. I could see it in their eyes.

"You have no idea who her mother is?" Mom looked shocked.

"No. Mom, I was so messed up last year. You have no idea how bad. I slept with lots of girls. I tried...tried..always to use protection. I always have it. I screwed up."

"But how do you know for sure? It could just be someone out after money!" Mom protested.

"I told you. I had the test today. With Dr. Haywood. The results were positive. She's...she's..mine."

Mom and Dad looked to each other and then to Dani, then me.

"She's really yours?" Mom turned Dani around to face her, studying her smiling features.

"She looks like a Carter." Dad admitted with a half smile.

"She's beautiful." Mom gave her a small hug and handed Dani back to me. "She wants you, darling."

Dani stretched her arms out and cooed happily when I embraced her. She snuggled up close and her eyes slipped shut.

"What do you think about all this, Nick?" Dad sat back in his chair with a sigh.

"I dunno, I mean...I just found out for sure. I haven't had time to think."

"Are you going to keep her?"

Mom looked aghast. "Of course, he's..."

"Jane, this is Nick's decision. Not ours."

"I..." I looked down at Dani, sleeping soundly once again in my arms. I had never thought of putting her up for adoption. The thought had never entered my head. That would be so easy, everything could be kept anonymous. I would be free again. I looked down at my daughter once more. My flesh and blood. MY daughter. "No. She's mine. I...she's here because of me. She's my responsibility. She's stuck with me."

Mom smiled, Dad did too, but he tried to hide it.

"She's my daughter." It was the first time I actually got the words out with out crying hysterically. I was still crying. Tears were rolling down my cheeks, but they were under control.

Mom came closer to me and hugged me as tight as she could, trying to keep from squishing Dani in the process.

"I love you baby. I have to admit, I'm disappointed in your behavior, but I'm very proud you're living up to your responsibility. It might take me some time to get used to being a grandma though."

She grinned at me. I knew she was already preparing for everything she could do for her new baby grand-daughter.

"I'm proud of you too son." Dad stood behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "She's a beautiful..." his voice cracked. "She's a beautiful, little girl you've got there."

"I'm sorry Mom, Dad. I know you're disappointed in me. I'm going to try and do right by her."

"Well if you're going to do right by her, maybe you should take her home to bed, the poor little thing."

"I don't have a bed for her." I confessed. "I don't have anything."

"Her mother didn't leave anything?" Mom was getting upset again, but not at me this time.

"Some clothes, a few bottles and diapers, a little carry seat..."

"No car seat?"

"No, she didn't come with one."

"Most babies don't." Mom laughed and kissed my cheek. "How did you drive her here?"

"I rigged up the seat, it's pretty secure."

"First thing in the morning we're going shopping, Nickolas. A little baby girl needs so many things." Mom began jotting a list down on a pad of paper. "She didn't leave anything?"

I shook my head.

"That's so sad. She won't want for anything now. First thing in the morning Nick, I'll meet you at your house."

"Where did she sleep last night?" Dad had disappeared during our exchange, re-emerging from the basement with a plastic covered car seat.

I smiled gratefully. "Couldn't find the cribs, huh?"

"Nope, but found this. I think it was Aaron's. It's not up to code, and it's too big for her, but it's safer than what you have."

I stood up awkwardly, trying to balance Dani and not wake her. We walked out to my car together. Dad installed the car seat and I slid Dani in, buckling her up securely. I turned around and hugged Mom and Dad together, then Mom alone and finally, Dad. I didn't want to let go.

"Thank you Dad. For everything."

"It's not a problem Nick, just take care of my new grand daughter. You've got an awesome responsibility ahead of you."

Mom was holding Dani's little hand in hers, tears shining on her face. "I thought this would happen so differently, but I love it just the same. She's gorgeous, baby." Mom held my face and just looked at me for a moment and then kissed me. "I can't call you baby anymore."

I blushed. "Sure you can." I slid behind the wheel and snapped my seat belt home. "Thank you Mom and Dad. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for everything."

"First thing in the morning Nick, don't forget. Then we can get little...Nick! What's her name? You didn't tell us her name!"

"Oh!" I covered my mouth with my hand. "Her name is Daniella. Her mom said she called her Dani. That's what I've been calling her too."

"Daniella. Just Daniella?"

"I think so. I left her birth certificate at the doctors." I shrugged and looked back at her then at my parents again. "Daniella....Daniella...Carter."