“The baby is coming” Dante whispered.

“You think?” Rose exclaimed. “Call the damn ambulance. There is no way I am giving birth here!”

“When did your contractions start?” Elaine asked. Dante pulled out his phone and dialed 911.

“They have been on and off since yesterday but I counted them off as Braxton Hicks. It is my eighth month!” Rose said.

“Don’t worry. Just take deep breaths alright? We are going to time the contractions” Elaine said as she measured her pulse.

The ambulance arrived and soon they were all on their way to the hospital.

The ambulance unloaded Rose at the emergency bay.

“Dante please stay with me” Rose said. Her contractions were getting stronger.

Dante grabbed her hand. “Of course, I am here don’t worry darling”

Elaine and Aaron followed them in. Sam had left once the ambulance had arrived as she had gotten an important call.

“Please only the father of the child will accompany the mother into the labor and delivery. Rest all please wait in the waiting room down the corridor to your left.”

Aaron patted Dante’s back and took Elaine’s hand.

“I am going to have a godson” Aaron said as he watched the doctors take Rose away.

“Today has been a wonderful day hasn’t it?” Elaine said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Come on, let’s go sit down” Aaron said and they headed down towards the waiting room.

After four hours of waiting, Dante rushed into the waiting room.

“I am a dad. Oh my god Aaron. I am a dad”

“Congrats man” Aaron said as he hugged Dante who had a dazed look on his face.

“Congratulations Dante. How are they?” Elaine asked.

“Healthy. Come on. She’s asking for you guys”

They walked into the recovery room to see a tired but ecstatic Rose holding onto a little bundle with a blue cap.

“Meet Kaden John Steele” Rose said pulled back the blanket.

Aaron went up to her but halted as he looked at the tiny human.

“He is so small.” Aaron whispered as he stroked his little finger. This was his godson.

“Hold him” Rose urged him.

“I…” Aaron was scared.

“Here” Elaine said as she carefully took Kaden and placed him in Aaron’s arms.

“He is perfect” Aaron said as he steadied the baby in his arms.

Elaine looked at Aaron holding the baby so gently and she had this yearning in her heart.

“One day” she thought as she smiled at the thought of a baby Clark.

After spending an hour with Rose, Elaine and Aaron decided to head back home.

“I am so tired” Elaine said as she removed her heels and jacket. She padded barefoot the living room and sat down on the couch.

Aaron went to the kitchen and took out a bottle of wine along with two glasses. He came back to the living room and poured them each a glass.

“To today” He said as he raised his glass.

“To today” Elaine repeated and clinked her own glass against his.

Elaine pulled her legs underneath her and rested her head on his shoulder.

“It feels so peaceful” Elaine said quietly

“Surreal isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. There are no dark clouds on the horizon anymore, threatening to destroy everything.”

Aaron kept his glass on the table and turned around to face her.

“I love you Elaine…I can’t wait to start our life now that this is all behind us ” He said as he kissed her forehead.

Elaine closed her eyes at the contact.

“I love you more.”

“How about we go out tomorrow?” Aaron asked as he twirled her auburn strands on his finger.

“Like a date?”

“Yes. Our first official date”

“I would love to” Elaine smiled.

“That is done then but I have something else in mind for tonight” Aaron smirked as he leaned towards her and kissed her.

Everything was so perfect.

The next morning Elaine woke up alone in bed.

“Aaron?” She called out but there was no reply.

She got up and grabbed a bathrobe.

She checked the bathroom and the gym in the next room.

She walked into the kitchen and saw a note on the kitchen counter.

“Out for some urgent work. See you in the afternoon.

Love, Aaron”

Elaine cooked herself some breakfast. She sat down in the living room and ate while flipping through the channels on the TV.

Soon she dozed off on the couch.

Aaron opened the door and walked in to see Elaine asleep on the couch. He smiled as walked up to her.

“Hey beautiful” He said, kissing her temple.

“Hmm” Elaine hummed as she opened her eyes. “You are home” she whispered.

Elaine sat up.

“What time is it?”

“It is four in the afternoon”

“I slept the whole day!”

“You deserve it love” Aaron said. “But get ready. We are heading out.”

“Where are we going?”

“Just a stroll in Central Park. It is time we do some couple stuff” Aaron laughed.

“Okay” Elaine said.

An hour later they headed out towards Central Park. Elaine still couldn’t get over how dashing Aaron looked in casuals. He looked more carefree. She was herself wearing a red floral summer dress with hair let lose. She rarely let her down but today was their first date, she wanted to dress up.

They walked into Central Park hand in hand.

“You have a specific place in mind?” She asked as Aaron guided her down a path.

“Wait and see”

The sun was setting, giving an orange glow to the whole scene. The sunlight reflected off the surrounding buildings.

Aaron stopped.

“What happened?”

“Close your eyes”

“Why?” She asked

Aaron simply raised his eyebrows.

“Okay” Elaine closed her eyes.

“And don’t peek”

“Got it!”

Aaron guided her a little further down.

“You can open them” He whispered in her ear.

Elaine opened her eyes and gasped.

“Aaron…” She whispered as she looked at the scene in front of her.

On the edge of the lake, a blanket was spread out with a picnic spread on it. Lanterns surrounded the blanket. The sun was almost down, bathing the whole set up in a beautiful dusk glow. The Loeb Boathouse shone in the distance.

Elaine had tears in her eyes. This was the most perfect and romantic date she ever had. She noticed the guitar lying on the side and smiled.

“You like it?”

“Oh god, this is perfect” She said as she hugged him tightly.

“Anything for you, love.” Aaron said as he kissed the top of her head.

He then took her hand and guided her to the blanket. Elaine sat down, her heart about to burst with happiness.

Aaron sat down in front of her and picked up the guitar. He looked at her beautiful face and felt a peace settle within him. After twenty eight years of his life, he finally felt complete.

He strummed a few chords and then started the song.

Elaine gasped when she heard his voice. It was magical. His husky rich baritone carried smoothly along with guitar, caressing her heart. Tears came into her eyes once again when she realized the song he was singing. It was Nothing Can Change My Love for You by Westlife.

If I had to live my life without you near me

The days would all be empty

The nights would seem so long

With you I see forever oh so clearly

I might have been in love before

But it never felt this strong

Our dreams are young and we both know

They will take us where we want to go

Hold me now, touch me now

I don’t want to live without you

Nothing is going to change my love for you

You oughta know by now how much I love you

One thing you can be sure of

I’ll never ask for more than your love.

While Aaron and Elaine were lost in their own world, the sniper entered one of the buildings next to the Central Park. He took the elevator to the roof.

He gave a visual sweep of the area and decided to set it up. He took out his binoculars and saw the said target sitting by the lake side. He opened his briefcase and removed the rifle. He set up the podium and placed the gun on top of it. He adjusted the view finder, settling it on the woman who was his target. He steadied his breathe as he aimed for the lethal shot. He focused the red dot of the lens on her head and once again took a deep breath and readied his finger to pull the trigger.

!