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After Charlie had been taken to her private hospital room, Adam helped her out of her clothes and into a hospital gown. A crib was placed in the room, and Matthew was covered with a pale blue receiving blanket.

Adam was quick to spot the plush chair in the corner of the room, though he tried not to get too comfortable.

"Why don't you sleep?" coaxed Charlie. "You got us to the hospital, and now you can relax."

"When Vera arrives at Villa Rosa this evening, I need to drive Chuck home," yawned Adam. He glanced at his father-in-law and smiled tiredly. "Do you want to visit Jerome at Mullen-Overholt, Chuck? I could take you, if you want."

"I'm fine," declined Chuck, sitting back in his chair and staring at the baby napping in the crib.

"Wake me if you need me," Adam yawned again. He closed his eyes and was soon fast asleep.


Adam knew the press would find out about Matthew soon, though he wanted to put off any announcements until Charlie and the baby were safely back home. Not wanting to attract attention by wandering around the hospital, Adam stayed with Charlie and the baby as much as possible, and even slept in their room at night. Kevin and Mark took turns standing guard outside the door, while trying to look as inconspicuous as they could. With Adam and Charlie as their clients, it wasn't always easy.

"Excuse me," a woman with a little girl timidly approached Kevin.

Kevin warily looked the woman over. "Yes?"

"I heard one of the nurses mention that Wallace Shipley is here," the woman smiled politely. "Would it be possible for my little girl to get his autograph? She's a really big fan of his."

Kevin looked down at the small child clinging to her mother's hand. The girl wore a pair of puppy dog pajamas and her precious head was bald; in her hand, she gripped Wallace Shipley's latest CD.

"I'm sorry," stammered Kevin, feeling about an inch tall for turning the pair away. "I have instructions not to let anyone inside but friends and family."

"I understand," the woman smiled. "It was worth a try." She looked at her daughter apologetically. "I told you that you probably wouldn't get to see him," she reminded the girl.

The child looked up at the tall bodyguard with her large blue eyes. "Is he sick?" she asked in a soft voice Kevin could barely hear. "Is Mr. Wallace Shipley sick?"

"No," hesitated Kevin, who until now, had refused to divulge information to anyone about why Adam was at the hospital. If they had to ask, then they were definitely not friends and family of the Clarks.

"I have leukemia," the girl sighed. "Does Mr. Wallace Shipley have leukemia?"

"Emily," the woman squeezed her daughter's hand, "let's leave the poor man to do his job. Come on, it's time for your nap."

The child let herself be led away, and Kevin watched them disappear down the hospital hallway. A moment later, Kevin knocked on Charlie's door, and Adam let him inside.

"I don't suppose you'd sign some kid's CD?" asked Kevin.

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