[RACHEL02189]

When I got to the Luxor my heart was pounding in my chest and tears fell down my face. I was just about to leave when I saw Criss pull up in his Viper. "Thanks Bill" Criss remarked giving him the keys. The valet drove off and Criss was about to go in when he dropped his glasses on the ground. Criss picked them up as I walked up. "Christopher"a voice stated. Criss stood straight up. He turned around and saw me standing there with tears coming down my face. "A-A-Antonia"he stuttered as Criss walked down to me. "Yes Criss it's me,"I replied nervously. Criss just looked at me as I stood there. "I just had to see you and Dennis I missed you guys so much". "Nathanial. After you disappeared and told your grandmother what your father said she and I changed his name to Nathanial our son didn't deserve to be named after the man who made you leave me and him"Criss said putting his hand on my face. I put my hand on Criss's. "I let what my father said get to me and I shouldn't of". "It's all right Antonia you're back I didn't blame you for leaving I just wished you'd come back and my wish came true" and hugged me making me smile. "I love you Christopher and I'm sorry for doing that" as tears started to fall down my face.

"Antonia you don't need to apologize I'm just happy you're all right and safe"he replied as I looked into his eyes. "Do you think we can go back to Serenity I just want to hold my child"I replied as more tears fell down my face. Criss smiled as he went over to his bikes and grabbed the keys for them. "Hop on and we'll go see him right now"he stated. "What about work?"I asked a little nervous that Criss maybe putting his job at risk. "Don't worry" and we left. Back at Serenity Dimitra was rocking Nathanial. "John please bring Antonia back to her son and ours"she prayed. "Mom!!!" Criss called out. Dimitra put Nathan in his crib wondering why Criss wa back. "Mom!!!" he called out again. "Christopher what's with all-,". She saw me standing there. "Antonia" she said in shock. "Hi Dimitra" I said. She walked down as Criss just stood there. I walked over to Dimitra and gave her a hug as tears fell down her face. "Your grandmother is going to be so happy to know you're alive and well" she replied. "I know she will I missed her and everyone else" I said. Then Nathan started to cry which we all could hear from the living room. "Why don't you go upstairs and see your son" Criss suggested.

I took a breath and walked up the stairs when I walked to the crib and saw my son he stopped crying than looked up at me. "Hey Nathanial I'm your mommy" as tears fell down my face. I sat down in a rocker that was in the room with Nathan in my arms. As I held him he kept looking up at me like he knew I'm his mother which brought tears to my face. I ran my finger down his soft face than he grabbed my finger as I laughed a little. At the door Criss and Dimitra just stood there looking at me. Criss walked over and gave me a kiss. "I think we finally found out why you were screaming so much you were screaming for your mommy" Criss stated touching Nathan. Dimitra came in with her camera. "Christopher why don't you kneel next to Antonia". Criss put his hand on mine as he knelt next to me. "Smile" and we did. "I'm going to send that to your grandmother right now" and she left. When Criss got up I saw a ring on my finger. "It was your mothers your uncle gave it to me for when or if I was going to marry you but I want to give it to you as a reminder of your mom" Criss explained. I got up slowly and gave Criss a kiss as Nathan burped which made us both laugh.

[RACHEL02189]

I'M ON A ROLL WITH THIS
==========================

Back at the bakery my grandmother was doing some work as Uncle Johnny walked in. "Have you gotten a new picture of Nathan yet?"he asked. "I don't know I haven't checked my mail yet since Dimitra left". She went to her computer and punched up her email. When she opened the email from Dimitra tears fell down her face. Johnny ran to his wife. "Carol come here it's important!!!". "What John" she said. "Just come with me" taking her arm and bringing her to the office. In the office my grandmother had tears falling down her face. "What?". My grandmother moved away and on the computer was a picture of Criss, Nathanial, and me. "Oh my god is that Antonia?"she asked surprised. My grandmother nodded as she read the email.

IT WAS LIKE A DREAM WHEN I SAW HER STANDING THERE LOOKING A LITTLE NERVOUS. I GAVE HER THE BIGGEST HUG I COULD MUSTERED FOR YOU. IT SEEMS LIKE ON CUE NATHAN STARTED TO CRY AND CRISS JUST SAID WHY DON'T YOU GO UPSTAIRS AND SEE YOUR SON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES WE WENT UP AND SAW HER JUST SITTING IN THE CHAIR HOLDING NATHANIAL. I THOUGHT I'D SURPRISE YOU BY SENDING THIS PICTURE

"Thank god she's all right" Aunt Carol remarked. "Wilma print that up I want to show this to someone"Johnny said. Upstairs my father was working as Johnny walked in. "Hey Dennis I got something for you". "What I'm busy" Dennis replied. He put down the picture and my father couldn't believe it. "She decided to come back to her child and the man she loves. Maybe you should think twice before you open your mouth and try to destory someone's life" and he left as my father looked at the picture

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When Criss got to The Luxor everyone was wondering why he was late. "I got a surprise when I got to work Antonia was there waiting for me"Criss stated. "The woman who abandoned her child. What did you do?" Costa asked. "Before we go any farther JD and Costa I want you to know that if you do anything to upset Antonia I'll disown you guys faster than I make myself disappear you made me lose her once I won't let you guys do it again"Criss replied. "So where is she Criss?" Ayala asked. "She's at Serenity getting to know her son"Criss replied and sat down to work. At the house I was changing Nathan's diaper as Dimitra came in. "Wow Antonia and he didn't even get you" she said as I got him dressed. "I helped my uncle and aunt with their son when he was a baby so I got pratice at dodging a shower from a baby boy,"I said as Nathan chuckled. "You think that's funny don't you".

"I'm just happy you're back Antonia I could tell Criss missed you so much he just couldn't stop thinking of you" Dimitra replied. "I felt the same way everytime I heard a baby cry I'd think of Nathan when I saw him for the first time I would just tear up" as a tear fell down my face. Dimitra gave me a hug and told me everything was going to be all right. "Thanks Dimitra" and we left the room as Nathan fell asleep. When it came time for lunch Criss went back to the house. "Anyone home" he called out. I came from outside holding Nathan. "I thought I'd looked around with our son" I stated smiling. "I don't know what it is Antonia but since you came back Nathan hasn't been so fussy I think he wanted his mommy"Criss said smiling. "Maybe" as I gave him to Criss. "Where's my mom?". "She wanted to get something for dinner to celebrate my homecoming" getting a bottle for Nathan. "I warned JD and Costa to keep their mouths shut about you or the baby or I'd disown them faster than I disappear"he stated. "Thanks Christopher" as he gave the bottle to Nathan.

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A week went by and I was swimming as Nathan slept upstairs but I had the baby monitor on. A knock came to the door so I got out to get it . I opened the door and JD was there. "Hey JD"I stated. "Antonia. Come on Criss you've got a meeting that you're going be late for"JD said coming in. "Just give me a second to grab something from my office" and Criss went back to his office as JD sat down. "So how you doing JD?"I asked drying off. "Good how are you adjusting to being a mother" he inquired. "Good it was difficult at first but it getting easier"I replied putting a bottle in the microwave. "Come on JD before Felix has a nutty"Criss remarked. "Criss you going to try to be home for lunch?" I inquired. "I'll try but if the meeting goes later than expected I'll give you a call" Criss replied. I walked over and Criss gave me a kiss than left. "So this is where you go for lunch"JD remarked. "Yea Antonia saves Nathan's lunch bottle for me since he's always asleep when I get home from Believe" Criss replied.

JD just smiled at his younger brother. "What's with the smile?" he asked. "I'm seeing you in a whole new light Christopher and Antonia" and they left. After I fed Nathan the phone rang. "Hello"I said. "Antonia it's so good to hear your voice" a voice remarked. "Grandmom it's so good to hear your voice" picking up Nathan. "When Dimitra sent me that picture of you holding Nathan tears just fell down my face"she replied. "I'm sorry for putting you and the family through that I-". "Antonia you don't need to apologize your father made you doubt yourself but we're just happy you're all right" she replied. Then Nathan gurgled. "Was that Nathan?". "Yea he's getting so big grandma Dimitra sayes he's reminds her so much of Christopher when he was a baby"I replied. "I'm going to try to come out so I can see you and my great grandchild"she said.

"Just tell me when and where and I'll make the arrangement"I stated. "All right but there is a surprise coming to you from me". "Thanks grandmom" and she hung up as a knock came to the door. I went to the door with Nathan in my arm I opened the door and my uncle Johnny was at the door. "Oh Uncle Johnny what are you doing here?" giving him a hug trying not to hurt Nathan. "There's a bakery's convention here so your grandmother sent me instead of your father"he replied with joy. "I'm so happy to see you" as I tried not to cry. "Is that Nathanial god he was just a peanut when I last saw him"he stated. "Here sit down and you can hold Nathan"I stated. We sat down and I gave him to my uncle. "Oh Tony you made such a pretty little baby with Criss" he replied. "Dimitra said the same thing"I replied. Then my uncle noticed the ring on my finger. "I see Criss gave you your mother's ring". "Yea he said that you gave it to him for when or if he proposes marriage but he gave it to me so I could remember my mom"I replied. "Your grandmother said something to me she thinks your mother may of sent this little boy to you and Criss for a reason"he stated.

"Yea he's taking over for his dad when Criss retires from magic" I joked which brought a smile to my uncle's face. "Shoot I have a gift but I left it at the hotel". "Don't worry Uncle Johnny you can give it to me before you leave Las Vegas"I said smiling. Then we noticed Nathan fell asleep in my uncle's arm. At The Luxor Criss had finished the meeting and went to his office. When he got there Costa and JD were waiting there. "Criss can we talk to you alone" Costa inquired. "Sure" Criss remarked and they went into the office. "What's up?" as Criss sat down. "We would like to apologize for the way we treated Antonia and hiding those letters on you"JD stated. "Seriously you're not doing this to make me happy or you got your butts chewed out by mom" Criss said. "No when Antonia left we saw how sad you were"Costa said. "We just couldn't see how much you and Antonia love each other untill now" Costa added. Criss got up and walked over to his brothers. "Thanks guys" and gave his brothers a hug.

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5 down 8 to go

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"How sweet". The guys turned around and saw me standing there with Nathan in his carrier. "What are you doing here?" Criss asked as Costa took the carrier. "I thought I'd come down and bring Nathan down to see where his daddy works" I replied as Costa took him out. "He's getting so big" Costa remarked. "Makes you want to become a father Costa?" JD inquired. "Survey sayes not yet" as everyone chuckled. Then Nathan started to chuckle as Costa made faces. "Ladies aned gentlemen my brother has lost his mind thanks to his nephew Nathan"Criss announced as JD tried not to laugh. "Well I did hear you do lose it when you have a baby"JD jokely said . "Excuse me" and I walked to the bathroom. "Did I say something wrong?" JD asked. "I should of told you Antonia's mother went crazy when Antonia was a baby her grandmother thinks she had a extreme case of post partum depression which made her mother go crazy to the point where she's in a mental institution somewhere"Criss replied. "I'll go find Antonia and apologise" and JD left.

Outside I was thinking when JD found me. "Hey Antonia I wanted to apologise for making that remark Criss told me about your mom"he said. "It's all right JD you didn't know" I replied. As JD and I talked a woman was watching us from a far. She just stared at us untill she saw my uncle coming over with a bag. "Antonia I thought I'd drop this off," giving me a bag. I opened the bag and it was a picture of a woman holding a baby. "That's your mom holding you as a baby I thought you'd like it"he remarked. "This looks like the woman who told me to go back to Criss and Nathanial. She told me that my mom didn't go insane she was afraid of being a mother and regretted it"I replied. "What else did she tell you?"JD asked. "She told me that Nathanial was crying for his mother. At first I didn't understand why she called him Nathan untill Criss told me that he changed our son's name from Dennis to Nathan"I said. "But how did she know that you were pregnant or even dating Criss?"JD asked. "She probably saw me with Criss maybe she saw me pregnant when I was walking around New Jeresy or New York"I suggested. "But how did she know that you have a son and what his name is"My uncle inquired. "God only knows"JD stated. "Come on let's go inside". As we went in I turned and saw the woman walking off

[RACHEL02189]

Three months had passed since I came back to Criss and my son. Nathan was growing like a weed also Criss and I were reconnecting which made everyone happy. That afternoon Criss was in Believe pacing when Kaylia came walking in. "Christopher why the pacing you worried about tonight's show for some reason?" she asked. "It's not that it's what going to happen at the end I'm going to propose to my girlfriend Antonia and I'm kind of nervous about it" he replied. "You're going to ask Antonia to marry you. Christopher that's so sweet I can't wait to see it"Kaylia remarked. "I'm also worried that my brothers are going to do something stupid even thou they say they love Antonia I just get that feeling that-". "They're lying to you"she finished Criss's sentence. "Yea"Criss replied. "Christopher this is your life and if you want to propose marriage to Antonia do it"she remarked. "Thanks Kaylia" and gave her a hug. "Do you have the ring?" she asked. Criss took out of his pocket and showed it to her.

"It's a Marquis cut diamond with her birth stones around the diamond". Kaylia whistled as she gave it back. "Criss if god forbid she doesn't want it I'll take it" she stated as Criss laughed. At Serenity I was feeding Nathan as Criss walked in. "Daddy's home"Criss said coming into the kitchen. Nathan started bouncing in his high chair like he was on a trampline. Criss gave him a kiss than wiped his mouth. "Puree carrots nice," as he gave me a kiss. "So you ready for tonight?" Criss asked. "Yes but I'm kind of nervous about leaving Nate here with a person I don't know"I admitted. "Antonia Jessica is my assistant and a mother so don't worry about it. She's going to be a great babysitter beside it either her or Ayala and Gerard" Criss said as I chuckled. "All right why don't you finish feeding your son before you have to get going" she replied getting up. As I made Criss a sandwich I watched Criss feed Nathan. "Here comes the airplane," as Criss made airplane sounds. I chuckled. "There we go now let's clean you up"Criss stated picking him up. "And when you come back your lunch will be ready"I called out. After Criss went up with Nathan the door bell rang and I jogged over to get it.

I opened it and nearly fell over standing there was my grandmother and my Aunt Carol and Rosa. "Oh my god" as I gave them hugs. "It's so good to see you baby" my grandmother remarked. "Come on in"I stated. "Where is that little cutie?" my Aunt Rosa said. "You talking about me or Nathan"Criss asked coming down with him. "I swear Criss you are so funny sometime"Aunt Carol stated. "What do you expect now who wants to hold this cutie?". "Great grandmothers first" and Criss gave Nathan to her. "Please come into the kitchen I was making Criss a sandwich before he has to go back to The Luxor" I replied. We all walked in. "Please ladies first"Criss remarked as they all sat down. "So what's been going on with you two?"Aunt Rosa asked as I gave Criss his sandwich. "Nothing much but tonight you ladies are invited to my show Believe tonight" Criss stated. "Can't wait Johnny said it was wonderful" Aunt Carol said. "That show was the first time I saw the magic side of Criss"I replied. "But who's going to watch Nathan?"my grandmother asked. "My assistant Jessica" Criss replied with his mouth full.

"Christopher that's not polite to talk with your mouth full" My grandmother stated. Criss wiped his mouth. "My apology"Criss replied. Then I noticed the time. "Criss you're going to be late". "Well on that note I'll see you ladies tonight" Criss said. Criss gave me a kiss and than the other ladies. As he did that my aunt Carol pinched his butt. "Aunt Carol"I stated. "Couldn't resist" as Criss blushed. "Goodbye" and he left.

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At the house everyone was getting ready. "This is going to be so much fun" Aunt Carol remarked. "I know but I get this feeling that Criss has something up his sleeve"I stated as my Aunt Rosa did my hair. "What you think Criss is going to propose to you?" Aunt Carol suggested. "Maybe you know I should go check on Nathan" I remarked and went to his room. At the Luxor Criss was pacing in his dressing room when a knock more like a banging came to the door. He opened the door and Kaylia was there. "Kaylia why are you banging on my door" Criss inquired a little confused at it. "It's your son Christopher Antonia just brought him to the hospital with a high fever and he was blue"she replied. Criss grabbed his keys and left like a mad man. At the hospital I was thinking the worst about Nathan as my grandmother and aunts assured me it was probably a respiratory infection. "I hope Criss got my message" as I looked around. "Don't worry baby Criss is probably on his way running every red light in the area to get here" Aunt Carol stated which made me smile a little. My phone rang and saw it was Christopher.

"Antonia what happened with Nathan is he all right?"he asked. "I don't know I went in and he was blue around his lips and when I felt him he was hot. God I'm thinking the worst Criss"I replied trying not to cry. "Don't worry sweetie I'm almost there," as Criss caught off a guy. "Sorry"Criss yelled out the window. "Just don't get yourself arrested please" and hung up. After Criss hung up he ran a red light as he turned a corner not knowing a cop was hiding. The officer turned on his lights and sirens as Criss saw it in his review. " !!!" Criss declared as he slammed his fists on the steering wheel. Criss pulled over as the officer got out of his car. "Do you know you ran a red light and was doing ninety-five in a forty-five zone?" the officer asked. "Listen officer I'm in a hurry my son was just rushed to the hospital" Criss replied. The officer asked Criss for liscene and registeration which Criss gave him. The officer went back to his car as Criss just sat there as thoughts of his son and what he was going through hit him. Come on my son is probably being visited by my dead father Criss thought. The officer came back, gave Criss his registeration, liscene and a ticket.

"A hundred and ten dollars!!!"Criss replied in shock. "That's what you get for speeding and running a red light". The officer went back to his car as Criss said some choice words to him in Greek. I should flipped the guy off while I had the chance Criss thought as the cop left.

[RACHEL02189]

When Criss finally got there I ran to him and hugged him. "How is he?" Criss asked. The doctor came out and asked for me and Criss to come with him. I took a breath and went with Criss. "How is he?" I asked. "It seems your son has serve case of Bacterial Pneumonia". "Is he going to-". Criss couldn't say the word as tears were falling down our faces. "Right now we have your son on some heavy antibodics but he's breathing so bad that we had to put him on a breathing machine"the doctor stated. "Can we see him?" I asked. "Maybe tomorrow if anything happens we'll give you a ring"the doctor stated and left. I just held onto to Criss as I started to cry. "It's all right Antonia" as he hugged me. When we came back I went over to my grandmother and hugged her as I cried. "What's wrong with Nathan?"Aunt Carol inquired. "He has a serve case of Bacterial Pneumonia"Criss replied sitting down as tears fell down his face too. My Aunt Carol gave Criss a hug. "It's going to be allright you two if what Dimitra has told me about you Criss that baby is going to survive"my grandmother remarked. "I should call my mom and tell her I'll be right back" and went outside. At The Luxor JD was closing up when his phone rang.

He saw it was Criss. "What's going on Criss how's Nathan?"he asked. "Critial he has bracterial Pneumonia and on a breathing machine"Criss replied. "Do you want some company?" JD asked. "I just need you to call mom. JD I'm getting that feeling again" as tears fell down Criss's face. "When dad died Criss don't think that way Nathanial isn't going to die you just have to believe"JD said. "Thanks," and hung up as I came out. "This isn't what I had in mind for tonight" Criss replied as I sat nex to him. "Me either" with a bit of a giggle. "Do you want to go home or stay here?"Criss asked. "Why don't we go home there's nothing we can do here but I want to be here early to see my son"I remarked. "Why don't you get your aunts and grandmother and we'll go home" Criss replied. "All right" and went in. After I went in Criss went into his pocket and took out the ring. He sighed and put the ring back into his pocket.

[RACHEL02189]

That night after my aunts and grandmother went to bed I found Criss laying in his hammock. "What you doing out here?" I asked. "Just needed time to unwind you I thought you'd be asleep" Criss replied. I walked over and sat on the hammock . "I'm nervous that I'm going to lose our son" trying not to cry. "Come here"Criss stated. I layed down next to him and Criss put his arms around me. "He's going to be all right we just have to stay positive that he's going to be all right. Just imagine Nathan taking his first steps right over there"Criss stated. I closed my eyes. "I see it and you chasing after him" I added with a smile to my face. "I can see him walking straight into your arms than you twirl him around in your arms with the biggest smile on your face" Criss described "I can see your mom and my grandmom clapping and smiling. My grandmother comes and takes him while you jog over and put your hands around me telling me that everything turned out all right". I opened my eyes.

"Just keep that imagine in your head and before you know it that dream will become a reality"Criss replied. Criss and I kissed and just swung in the hammock untill I felt someone shrugging me. I opened my eyes and saw my Aunt Rosa waking me and Criss up. "You guys fell asleep out here"she remarked. "Wow I've never done that before"Criss said. As I got up the hammock swung knocking Criss right onto the ground. "Oh Christopher I'm so sorry"I said trying not to laugh. "Not the first time I've landed face first in this grass" as he spit bits of grass out of his mouth. A knock came to the door. "I'll get it" my grandmother stated as I helped Criss up. Criss cleaned off the grass as his mother and JD walked in. "Hey mom" Criss said giving her a hug. "How are you guys doing?"she asked. "Just worried about Nathanial wondering if he's going to be all right"I remarked as Criss put his hands on my shoulder. "Don't worry you guys you've got family around you"JD said. "Thanks JD".