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When we got to the hospital I was so nervous about what he'd look like. We walked in and I looked inside and saw him in a little bed hooked up to a little breathing machine. Tears fell down my face as Criss put his arm around me. "Stay strong sweetie"Criss whispered. "Do you mind going in I just need to steady myself"I asked. "Sure" and Criss walked in. After Criss washed his hands he walked over to Nathan. "Hey man you're putting your mommy through the ringer" as Criss touched him. "He knows your voice his heart rate goes up everytime you talk"the nurse remarked. "That's my ισχυρός" Criss said. "What does that mean?"the nurse inquired. "Strong one it's what my dad use to call me when I was kid"Criss replied. "You must be a preemie when you were born"the nurse remarked.

"A month early my mom use to tell me that I was so eager to come out that I picked the day when the worest snow storm hit New York. I came close to having my father delivering me in the hospital's parking lot but they got into the hospital in time for me to be born in the ER of the hospital"Criss remembered. "Really"the nurse said. "Yea my mom told me that I became extremely Jaundice to the point where they thought I was going to need a liver transplant. She told me that my father never left kept calling me ισχυρός and untill the day he passed from cancer he always said that I lived up to the nick name" Criss replied as Nathan held his father's finger. The nurse took a piece of tape and wrote STRONG ONE on it and put it on Nathan's station. "Maybe he can live up to his father's nick name"the nurse remarked as Criss smiled.

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After I took some quick strong breaths I went in and saw Criss just talking to Nathan. "How is he?"I asked a nurse. "He seems to be doing a little better it seems he's living up to his nick name strong one". I walked over and put my hand on Criss's shoulder. "I was wondering if you were going to come in" he said. "Just needed to get my strength isn't that right sweetie"I remarked touching his feet which he liked. After an hour my gandmother and Dimitra showed up so we traded places. "How's Nathan?"my grandmother inquired. "They say he's responding to the antibodics so he doesn't have my allergy to it thank god"Criss remarked. "He looks so helpless in there"Dimitra stated. "Mom he response to talking and touching so just becareful of the montioners" Criss suggested. "I see he has your nickname Antonia quello forte (Strong one in Italian). "What do you mean Wilma?"Criss inquired.

"When Antonia was born she swolled meconium and her lungs were so ingested with that stuff the doctor thought she wasn't going to survive but your grandfather determine to make sure his first granddaughter survived he kept calling you quello forte everytime he saw you. Then a week later when your grandfather and parents came to see you. You were giggling, moving your arms and legs. The nurse said that everytime they said quello forte you would look at them so they knew your brain wasn't affected either"my grandmother remarked as tears ran down my face. "I never knew that". "Well now we know we have two strong ones"Dimitra stated. "Let's just hope we can make it three mom" Criss said "Why don't you two go home and relax for a while we go see Nathan"my grandmother stated "All right "I remarked We gave them kisses good-bye and left. At the house my Aunt Carol was on the phone with my uncle. "That's terrible Carol how is he?"he asked. "He's a sick little boy. They put him in the NICU last night. I just hate to see Criss and Antonia going through this".

"Just tell Tony I'm praying for her and Criss". "All right sweetie" and hung up. "Who was that?" my father asked. "Carol she wanted to tell me that Nathan is in the hospital with bacterial pnuemonia"he replied. "Poor kid that's something no parent should go through seeing their child so helpless" my father stated. "Wait a minute here are you feeling sorry for Criss and Tony?" my uncle inquired a little surprise at him. "Johnny you know when Antonia was born she inhaled meconium I remember feeling so helpless wondering if I was going to lose her. Now my daughter is going through it with her own child maybe it's a sign from my father wanting me to be apart of my daughter's life again and see my grandson grow up"my father stated

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That night I woke up to find Criss wasn't there. "Christopher" I said looking around. I got up and went to the hall to see the bathroom light on. I knocked on the door. "Hold on please". The door opened and Criss came out with a bottle of Pepto Bismol in his hand. "You all right?" I asked. "Yea I think I just eat a bit too much of the food your aunts cooked us" he replied. "That's my aunts for yea I think we have left overs for a month". Criss put his hand on his stomach as it gurled. "Don't say that my stomach is all ready upset and I'm not in the mood-excuse me" and Criss ran into the bathroom. I could hear him vomiting. After Criss came out I told him he could take the bed and I'll sleep on the couch. I think he understood so I tucked Criss in, took a blanket and pillow. "Good night Criss hope you feel better" and went downstairs. Before I knew it I got woken up by Hammie licking my face."Thanks tuna breath"I muttered. Hammie left as I got up to go to the kitchen.

In the kitchen Chef Ed was scrapping some of the leftover down the disposal and some in the trash. "Good morning Antonia"he remarked. "Good morning I see Criss asked you to throw of this stuff out" I stated. "Yea I came in just as JD took him to the hospital he looked horrible"he replied. "Yea I think he was praying to the porclain god all night I'm surprise Criss didn't wake me up"I stated. "Well I should finish this up before your aunts wake up"he replied. "All right and I'll get dressed to see how my son and boyfriend are doing" I stated chuckling. Just than a knock came to the door so I went to answer it. I opened the door and standing there was my father. "Hello Antonia"he stated.

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I went outside with him. "Dad what are you doing here trying to make me feel worse than when I left my son and Criss?"I asked. "Listen Antonia I'm sorry for doing that to you but I'm here waving the white flag. I heard from your uncle that your son is in the NICU with Bacterial Pneumonia I just want to be there for you" he replied. "I don't know dad after everything you did to me even after my son was born how can I trust you". "You just have to Antonia and I swear I won't interfer with your plans on raising Nathanial or if or when Criss decides to marry you if I do you can throw me out of your life" he stated. "I'm going to keep you to that dad now come on in". When we came in my grandmother and my aunts were awake. "What is he doing here?" grandmom inquired surprised to him. "Trying to hurt your daughter more"Aunt Rosa added. "Listen dad is here for me and my son. I want everyone to play nice now I'm going to get dress and see my son". "Where's Christopher?"Aunt Carol asked. "He's at the hospital probably being treated for dehydration from throwing up last night"I stated and went to get dress.

"You just had to cook Rosa are you trying to kill someone"my father replied. "I helped too"Aunt Carol added. "Really maybe that's why Antonia is here and Criss is suffering from food posioning at the hospital"my father said. At the hospital Criss was in the ER with an IV bag hanging. "What is this your third bag?," JD asked. Criss with his hat over his eyes rasing four fingers. "Way to get to know Antonia's family with a moderate case of dehydration and food posioning" . "At least I stopped puking"Criss stated. "Criss you had nothing left in your system you were dry heven when we got here". "I wonder if I'll still have a gag reflexs after this"Criss joked. "At least you haven't lost your sense of humor Criss"JD said.

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While Criss was in the ER I went upstairs to see Nathan. He was doing good they took him off the breathing machine last night but he was still a little wheezy. "At least the antibiotics are doing good"the nurse stated. "I'm happy he doesn't have his father's allergy to penicillin"I replied. "I heard he's downstairs in the ER I hope nothing bad"she said. "Just a moderate case of food poisoning"I replied. "Well we have to take this little angel to get some x-rays to check his lungs so why don't you go downstairs and see how his father is". "All right" I remarked. As I was leaving I noticed a cross was hanging from the little bed Nathan was in. "Where did this cross come from?"I asked. "A lady came in here late last night and asked me to give it to Nathan. She said she was your aunt". "Thanks" and left. When I got to the ER my aunts were downstairs visiting Criss and apologizing for what they did. "We're so sorry Christopher that you got food posioning"Aunt Rosa remarked. "No problem things happened" Criss said smiling. "Come on guys give Criss some air all right" I stated. "We'll be outside waiting for you" and they left. "So what number bag are we on?".

"Ending of-can you pass me that basin over there I'm going to blow chunks again". I gave it to him and few seconds later he was throwing up. "God when this stop"he repelied laying back down as I poured the vomit down the sink. "I see he did it again"the nurse said coming in. "And I think I pulled a stomach muscle too" Criss added rubbing his side. "I'm going to see if I can get you some companize and maybe a banana bag to get some vitamins back into your system" the nurse suggested and left. I brought a chair over and held Criss's hand. "I saw Nathan and he's off the breathing machine"I said. "So he's responding to the antibodics"Criss stated. "Yea thankfully he doesn't have your allegry" I remarked. "My mom told me she's got everyone praying for him at our church in New York"Criss replied. "Criss my dad's in Las Vegas he showed up at the house this morning". Criss sat up a little. "If he tries to break us up I'm-" but Criss layed back down as a bit of dizziness hit. "Relax Christopher I warned him and he said he's waving the white flag but my grandmother is keeping an eye on him" I stated. A knock came to the door and it was JD.

"Antonia the doctor wants to see you upstairs they have Nathan's x-ray back". "You get better Criss and when they release you I want you to go home, get into bed and get some sleep. JD make sure anything my aunts give him isn't made by them please"I ordered. "All right". I gave Criss a hug and left.

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I went upstairs hoping Nathan was going to be all right. When I got there my father was there with Dimitra and my grandmother. "Good morning Dimitra I see you've met my father"I stated as she gave me a hug. "Yes I have so how's Christopher I heard him running to the bathroom again and again last night"she asked. "He's got a morderate case of food posioning and he's still blowing chunks" I replied. "I wonder how he got sick Chef Ed knows how to keep things clean"she wondered as we kept our mouths shut. A nurse came over and told me the doctor was ready to see me. "Honey do you want one of us to come in with you just incase?"Dimitra inquired. "Do you mind Dimitra?"I asked. "No" and we went in. My father sighed and sat down. "What's wrong Dennis". "I don't understand why she asked Dimitra than me"he said. "Dennis you've tried everything from trying to get her to give Nathan up for adoption to making her feel like she's going to be a bad mother. You just have to give her time to trust you again"she replied. "I guess you're right why don't we go in and see Nathanial" my father suggested and they went in. My father after he washed up walked over. "Hey there Nathan it's grandpa" as he held his little hand. "How's our little ισχυρός (strong one)" my grandmother asked. "What does that mean?"my father inquired.

"It's Greek for Strong One it's Nathan's nickname and considering his parents he's living up to it"The nurse remarked. "Yea I almost thought I was going to lose my Antonia but dad never let me think that way"Dennis stated. My grandmother smiled than she noticed a cross. "Dennis look at this I remember you gave this to Antonia's mother for her birthday before Antonia was born"she replied. My father looked at the back and it had my mother's name and her birthday engraved on it. Back at Serenity Criss did what I said and went to bed. After he took a shower and got into some clean clothes Criss got into bed but he just couldn't fall asleep so he sat in bed and watched television. When I got back it was quiet. "Good afternoon Antonia" Chef Ed stated. "Hey Chef where are my aunts?". "They went back to New Jeresy but I think they thought it was time to go before they got someone else sick"he stated as I snickered. "Is Criss home?". "Yea he's upstairs in bed I brought him up some tea and so far I haven't heard running"he stated. I went up there and went in to see Criss asleep. I closed the door and after taking off my shoes I gentlely climbed into bed and put my arms around Criss.

I closed my eyes and before I knew it I saw myself in the backyard with Criss running after Nathan. My grandmother, Criss's mom, and my dad watched as we chased after him. My father was trying not to laugh. After Criss caught Nathan he took me in his arm and told me that everything was going to be all right. When I opened my eyes I saw Criss was staring at me.

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"Were you watching me sleep?"I asked. "Yes,"he admitted as I smiled. "You look so peaceful like you were sleeping beauty". "And you're my prince to wake me"I remarked as we sat up. "So how's our boy doing?". "He's doing great the doctor sayes that he might end up with ashtma when he gets older because the pnuemonia left some scars on his lungs but Nathan may be able to come home soon"I replied. Criss gave me a kiss. "I told you everything was going to be all right but-". "But what Christopher?". "There was something I was going to do the night Nathan got sick,"Criss said and went to his desk drawer. He took out a ring box and went back to bed with it. "Open it". I opened the box and it was a ring. "Oh Christopher this is beautiful" as I tried not to cry. "So will you marry me Antonia?" he asked. "Yes Christopher I'll be thrilled to be your wife"I replied as the tears started to fall. Criss put the ring on my finger than gave me a kiss. When my father and grandmother came home I was helping Chef ED.

"Hey Antonia". "Did you guys have a nice day after seeing Nathanial?"I asked wiping my hands. "Yes how's Christopher?"My grandmother asked. "I'm feeling better"he replied coming down the stairs. "Criss before I forget your mother is having dinner with your brothers tonight"Dennis said. "I guess it's just the four of us". "But you're having soup the doctor told you to stay on broth and tomorrow we'll try solids"I said. "One chicken broth on the rocks ED"Criss joked.

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After we had dinner and relaxed my grandmother noticed I was somewhere else. "Antonia may I speak to you in private?" she asked. "Sure" and we went outside out of earshot of the guys. "What's the matter you look like you've got something else on your mind"she remarked. My grandmother could read me like a book. I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out a ring. "Criss asked me to marry him and I said yes"I replied. "Than why do you look like you're jumping off Niagra Falls with out a barrel?"she asked. "I'm nervous about how dad is going to react to this after everything he's done I get that feeling that I'm going to regret accepting Criss's proposal" as I looked at the ring. "Antonia it's going to be all right this is your life and I'll make sure your father keeps his opinions to himself even if I have to askCriss for help"she remarked. "All right" and we went back. "So what were you two ladies talking about?"my father inquired. "Well it seems Criss and Antonia have something to tell us"my grandmother remarked. "So what is it?". I sat next to Criss and held his hand

"Criss asked me to marry him and I said yes"I stated and showed them the ring. My father looked speechless as my grandmother gave Criss a kiss. "What do you think daddy?". My father got up and walked over to Criss. "Welcome to the family Christopher," holding out his hand. Criss got up and shook his hand. I almost thought for a second my father was going to deck Criss. "And for my wedding gift I'm going to make you guys your wedding cake". I got up and gave my dad a hug as tears fell down my face. "Thank you daddy" I stated. "You're welcome sweetie" and gave me a kiss. The next day at The Luxor his mother, and brothers were having breakfast as Criss walked in. "Good morning" Criss said. "You look much better than yesterday Christopher" Dimitra stated. "Thanks" as he sat down next to her. "So have you had anything solid since last night?". "I had something lite and I kept it down" he replied. "Well let's good"Costa stated. "I have something to tell you guys". "Don't tell me you're burying yourself alive for the third time"JD asked. "No but thanks for the idea. I asked Antonia to marry me and she said yes" Criss stated with a big smile on his face. His mother gave him a big kiss as his brothers congraulted him. "So how did Antonia's father take the news?" Costa inquired. "He welcomed me into his family and offered to make our weddning cake"Criss replied.

"I thought he may have you whacked"JD joked as Dimitra held in a laugh "Where is your bride to be?" Dimitra inquired. "She's packing to go home for a little while her grandmother has some stuff at her house that she's been saving for when Antonia got married"Criss stated.

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After I finished packing I was a little nervous thinking my dad was playing me but my grandmother kept telling me that if he was my father was going to end being burying with Jimmy Hoffa which made me feel better. I brought my bag down as Dimitra walked in. "Hey Dimitra"I stated wondering if Criss told her than she hugged me which answered my question. "I see Christopher told you that we're enaged"I replied. "And I'm so happy I knew he would sooner or later" Dimitra stated. "How are JD and Costa handling this?"I asked. "I don't know it's hard to read them sometimes"Dimitra stated. "I just hope they don't do something that will hurt Criss or me"I hoped. "Me too" Dimitra added. "So you ready to go see Nathan-Dimitra how nice to see you" My grandmother remarked coming down the stairs. "I heard we're going to be in-laws soon" which made my grandmother chuckle. "Do you want to go with us to see Nathan?" I asked Dimitra. "Sure shall we ladies" and we left. At The Luxor Criss was working when a rap on the window made him look up. He saw it was my father. Criss got up and opened the door.

"Dennis what can I do for you?"Criss asked. "Do you think we could get some lunch I'd like to talk to you"My father remarked. "Sure"Criss replied and locked the door. At the restaurant they sat down. "So what do you want to talk about?" Criss asked. "Well first I'd like to apologize for the way I actted towards you and Antonia. I just felt like you were one of those guys who would break my daughter's heart but after seeing everything you've done I finally realize that I was wrong about you". "Thanks I know that you're just watching out for Antonia since she's your only child. My mom would be the same way if the roles were reversed"Criss remarked.

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When we got to the hospital I felt pretty good considering. We went up and saw one of the nurses coming out of the nursery. "Antonia, Dimitra, Wilma I was just about to call you I have some good news for you"she stated. "What's that?" I asked. "It seems Nathan has been moved out of the NICU for now and if he keeps making the progress he's making he should be home at the end of the week" she replied. I felt like doing flips down the hall way my grandmother looked ready to do cartwheels the other way. "I have to call Christopher about this he'll be so happy"I replied and went to call him. In Believe Criss was working on a trick when he started to laugh. "What's so funny Criss?"Kaylia inquired. "Sorry (giggling) I forgot to take my phone out of my pocket and it's on vibrate,"Criss replied taking it out. He saw it was me. Criss went off-stage as a woman walked in. "Excuse me I'm looking for Christopher I have an important letter for him and nobody is in his office"she remarked. "I'll get him for you" and Kaylia came over as Criss hung up his phone with a smile on his face. "You look happy Criss" Mastero stated.

"That was Antonia Nathanial has been moved out of the NICU. The doctor sayes that if he keeps on this road he may come home at the end of the week" Criss replied. Kaylia gave Criss a kiss as the rest of people clapped in joy for Criss. "That's wonderful also there's a lady outside looking for you. She has a letter for you and nobody was in your office to give it to"she stated. "I guess the guys went to lunch why don't you guys too and we'll meet back here afterwards" Criss remarked. "All right" and left as Criss went to the stage where the lady was sitting. "I hear you're looking for me"Criss said. The lady got up. "Yes but I made up that lie saying I had something for you I wanted to talk to you about your girlfriend Antonia"she said. "Lady if you're some crazed fan-". "No it's nothing like that Christopher you see I'm Antonia's mother". Criss's jaw fell to the floor "Wait a minute Antonia's mother is in a mental ward after having a breakdown when Antonia was an infant"Criss explained. "That was the lie her father came up with when I abandon her"she remarked. Criss looked confused as he sat down.