Two nights later, Calista turned over in bed and felt for Robert, but he wasn't there. She looked at the clock, it was 3:20 in the morning. There were no lights on and she carefully made her way out to the living room. Robert was sitting in the dark, in his boxers, on his knees, with his hands on his thighs, rocking back and forth moaning in pain.

"Robert, what is it?"

He lifted his face to the ceiling and said, "Sweetheart, please go back to bed."

Frightened, she couldn't move. She remembered he'd had a nightmare the night before and awakened in a sweat, but he'd dismissed it as nothing. "No," she told him. "Tell me, what's wrong."

"Calista," he repeated, raising his voice, "DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME? GO BACK TO BED, PLEASE!"

"I'm not deaf," she yelled, "I heard you. So, I suspect that you also heard me say NO!"

He bent his head backward and closed his eyes in self-disgust.

She knelt by his side and said softly, "I need to know what's wrong. Tell me," she persisted, rubbing his shoulders, "tell me, baby. What's wrong?"

"Well, aside from uncontrollable spasms and cold sweats, every nerve ending in my body is screaming in pain." He looked at her pleadingly, "I don't want you to see me like this again. So, please go back to bed ... please?"

"We're in this together, remember? I'm with you all the way and I'm not leaving you alone. Now, tell me what I can do. What do you need?"

"A couple of lines of coke would be nice." he replied sadly.

"Sorry, I'm fresh out," she tried to joke, "but I can manage a cup of tea. Can you handle some tea?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Will you be all right till I get back?" she asked.

He nodded.

The room was a chilly 68 degrees because of the air conditioner so she ran to the bedroom and brought him a sweater. "Here, baby," she said as she wrapped it around him. Then she went to make him some tea.

When she came back he was still in the same position. "Can you get up, honey?" she asked.

"I think so."

"Here, let me help you," she set the tea down and stooped down to put his arm around her shoulder.

"Hey," he exclaimed, "in your condition, you don't need to be lifting me. I can do it."

Her eyes smiled at him, "Your daughter loves you, too, you know. She doesn't mind helping out."

He bent his head and laughed softly. "My girls. The strong ones in the family."

She helped him to a chair and then reached for his cup of tea and placed it in his hands. "How long has this been going on, Bobby?"

His look told her he was frightened. "I guess for longer than I knew. This isn't the beginning stages, Cal. Every part of my body is screaming for it and the gray matter is telling me to run out and get it. There had to have been signs that I missed, that we missed. And, that scares the hell out of me. Warren told me what to look for and I must've just ignored ‘em or not seen ‘em." Shaking, he gave her a look of apology, "I didn't do this on purpose, sweetie. Believe me?"

She smiled, "That goes without saying."

He winced in pain and began trembling. His skin was cool to the touch, but he was sweating like they were in a sauna. "Damn it," he said, "how could I have missed what was obviously going on?"

"Well, a lot's happened in a short period of time. The series wrap up, the movie, marriage, the baby, Indio, the play, our vacation ... Wow," she said in surprise, "I guess a lot really has happened."

"Yeah," he interrupted, "but those are good things."

She looked at him lovingly and ran her hand through his hair, "Sorry, baby, but you don't have a real good track record at being able to handle good or happy."

Screwing up one side of his face, he squinted one eye closed and replied, "No offense, sweetheart, but now's not really a good time to point out all my shortcomings."

Jokingly, she said, "Oh, I just barely scratched the surface."

He laughed shakily.

Brushing his hair back from his sweaty brow, she asked, "Want me to call Warren?"

Robert considered it, "No, not yet. If we can't handle it, then we'll call him, okay?"

She crawled up in the chair beside him and cradled him in her arms. Maria found them in that same position, sound asleep, the next morning.

The first thing Robert did when he got up was to call Warren. "I'm seeing Warren at 11:00," he said, "you wanna go with me?"

"Absolutely."

"Don't you have a doctor's appointment?" he asked.

She nodded, "But, not until 1:30. I go with you, you go with me. Deal?"

"Deal."

They met with Warren for almost an hour and a half and both listened intently to what he had to say. He wasn't surprised by what had happened and explained how they might have overlooked some obvious signs and how to protect against it in the future. "Robert, you're making progress," he said. "A lot of progress. It's been more than nine months since the last time, which means you're getting stronger, your body's not as needy because your brain's starting to function on a more normal level. But, don't kid yourself that it can't or won't happen again. It might not be for another two years, or it could be next week. And, if we're lucky, it won't ever happen again. Just be aware and don't let your guard down. It's a battle you're gonna face for the rest of your life, but it's one you can win. As long as you realize that, you'll be okay. Besides, you've got a great support group around you," he smiled at Calista, "and something tells me they're not gonna let you fail."

Warren was more than just Robert's rehab counselor, he and his wife had become close and dear friends. They extended an invitation to him and his family for a barbecue on Sunday and headed off in search of some lunch before Calista's doctor's appointment.

They were seated by a window and Calista's mouth fell open as she saw the pock marked man from London walk by. She hit Robert on the arm and excitedly pointed toward the crosswalk. "Look," she exclaimed, "there's that bastard from London."

Robert looked out the window and said, "What the hell?" as they saw the photographer join his friend. "Who the fuck are these people?" he wondered out loud.

"I dunno," she answered, "but hopefully we'll know something soon. I'm starting to get a little scared. I mean, did they follow us from London here, or did they follow us from here to London and back again."

She and Robert exchanged a look of serious concern. "If anything else happens," he said, "you know we have to go to the authorities ... right ... Sherlock?"

Calista screwed up her mouth and rolled her eyes.

"Promise me, we go to the authorities. Right?" he insisted, rapidly nodding his head at her.

"Oh, okay." she agreed impatiently. "But, that really screws up my fantasy about taking these guys down."

He shook his head and looked upward in frustration. Throwing up his hands, he spoke to an imaginary person ... "Oh, how do you do. I'm Clyde and I'd like you to meet my wife..." he gestured toward Calista, "... Bonnie."

She gave him a loving sneer. "Funny."

They arrived a little late for Calista's appointment with Dr. Larson, but after her examination, he smiled and said, "Any time now."

She looked at Robert as reality hit her. "Oh my God," Calista said, "we're having a baby."

Robert and her doctor laughed.

"Is everything all right?" Robert asked him. "I mean, anything she should do ... or .. um .. um .. shouldn't do?"

"If you're asking about sex, Robert," Dr. Larson replied, "the answer's yes, it's permitted," he smiled.

"Really? I'm not gonna hurt .. anything .. my daughter?"

"Don't worry. Your daughter's well protected. Sex is fine as long as it's not uncomfortable. But, you might want to avoid deep penetration."

Robert shrugged innocently and grinned sheepishly at Calista as she gave him .. a look.

As they walked to the car, he said, "I know, I know. I'm vulgar ... and incorrigible."

The phone rang as they entered their kitchen. "Hello," Calista said. "This is she. I'm sorry .. Harold who?" She gave Robert an ‘I have no idea who it is' look. "Oh, right," she said, "Ah, sure. Tomorrow's fine. Do you have the address? Okay, see you then."

"Well?" Robert asked.

"That was a guy named Harold Pellon. A private detective my publicist hired. He wants to see us at 3:00 tomorrow afternoon, about ... you know." she said, rolling her eyes over toward Maria.

"But, tomorrow's Saturday, don't we have some benefit to attend?" Robert complained, "can't he come today?"

"Apparently not," she answered, "and, we'll still make the benefit, we don't have to be there till 6:00."

"This just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser, Alice," he said scratching his head.

Mr. Pellon arrived right on time the next afternoon. "I think you should ask yourself what these guys have against you," he said matter-of-fact, "they're pretty nasty characters."

"I don't even know ‘em," Robert exclaimed.

"What do you mean, nasty?" Calista asked.

"Well, the photographer's name is really Manny Boyett. He's got a rap sheet as long as your driveway. Robbery, drugs, blackmail, attempted kidnapping. And, his buddy Chick Gunderson's been in trouble since he was nine. Gangs, dealing, pimping, auto theft, manslaughter, you name it, he's done it." Pausing, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, "And, this Roger Goldblum you had me check on is by all appearances a legitimate, but rather obscure, unknown writer. I'd say though, by all appearances, if he hired these two thugs, you must've done something to really piss him off." He finished and looked at them questioningly.

They sat there digesting what they'd been told and trying to figure out why they'd been targeted by these men.

"Well," Mr. Pellon said, "here's the mug shots and rap sheets for Boyett and Gunderson. And, for what it's worth, I'll leave the information on Goldblum. But, if I was you, I'd think about beefing up my security."

"Um.. yes," Calista finally spoke up, "we'll do that immediately. Thank's for the information."

"Sure," he said. They showed him to the door and he and Robert shook hands.

Robert closed the door and turned to stare at her incredulously. He rubbed his forehead strenuously, "What the fuck do these guys want with me?"

"Whatever it is, I'm calling the police."

After she hung up, Robert asked, "What'd they say."

"Oh, they were a big help. Said they can't do anything unless these pigs actually do something to us. Told us to tighten our security. DUH!"

Robert immediately called a friend of his and explained what was going on and the need for actual physical protection around the perimeters of the house. His friend said he knew just the guy who could take care of it and he'd have everything in place within an hour. Robert then called the security company to have someone come out that afternoon to check their system, make sure everything was working properly, and advise whether they needed to do anything more.

"There's only one thing that guy said that concerns me," Robert said to Calista.

She nodded, "Kidnapping."

"Yep." he nodded. "But, something tells me they're not out to hurt us .. physically, I mean ... if they were, they'd have done something already. God only knows why, but I think they're just looking to destroy me, personally and professionally."

Calista was clearly shaken.

"Tell you what," he said, "tomorrow we're taking all this shit to the detective that arrested me in Palm Springs. And, we're gonna tell him everything that happened in London." He paused at the look of fear on Calista's face. "And, I do mean ... everything ...sweetheart. It'll be all right. I mena, we have to let someone know what's going on. That way, if something happens, maybe, just maybe, they'll be able to accept another scenario instead of jumping to conclusions."

She heaved a big sigh and reluctantly agreed.

Lovingly, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Now, the best thing we can do is just go on like always." He lifted her chin and kissed her. "Still love me?"

"Always," she answered and put her arms around his neck and kissed him back. "I'm not gonna let a couple of jerks make me live in fear. ‘Cause that's probably just what they want us to do." Suddenly, she doubled over.

"What?" Robert asked excitedly. "The baby?"

She nodded. "I've kinda had a nagging backache since yesterday, and lots of pressure, um.. don't remember what the doctor called it .. but there hasn't been any pain." Just then her water broke. Her eyes opened wide, "Oh God, Robert, what's happening?"

"It's natural, honey. Just stay calm. Are you having any pains?"

She shook her head. "Just pressure."

"I think that's how it starts," he grinned. "Looks like we're gonna have a baby."

She was a little frightened, "Maybe you should call the doctor, just to find out what we should do."

Robert called Dr. Larson and informed him of Calista's backache and other symptoms since the day before and then he memorized the doctor's instructions. "He said to relax, have a cup of tea, and wait until the pains are about 15 minutes apart." Robert told her. Smiling, he added, "then we go to the hospital and really get down to business."

"What's this ‘we' shit, kimo sabe? You planning on having the pains for me? I hope?" she glared at him, raising her eyebrows questioningly.

"I tell you what," he said, "if it'll make you feel better, I'll give you a fork and every time you have a contraction you can stab me in the hand and we can scream together, okay?"

She laughed, "You idiot."

"Yeah, but I'm your idiot." he grinned. "I'll be right back, I'm gonna call Alan so he can advise whoever ... sorry, whomever ... that we won't be at the benefit, and I'll let Maria know what's going on so she can fix her and Liam's dinner and we'll know he's taken care of.

When he returned, he handed her a cup of tea, which she set down after two sips. He then laid down with her on the bed and rubbed her back. Calista was really starting to feel the contractions now but they were still about 20-25 minutes apart. "Tell me a story, Bobby," she said dreamily.

"A story?"

"Hmm."

"What do you wanna hear?"

"About us, our future. Build me a castle."

He smiled. "I love you," he said, kissing her hair. "For you, funny face, I'll build a stairway to the moon."

She had another hard contraction.

"Come on, baby," he said, "remember the breathing. We've been practicing it for two months now."

"Yeah," she grimaced, "but WE weren't having real pains then, remember?"

Chuckling, he told her, "You have to relax, okay? That's the key. Just open your mouth, honey, and breathe."

"Oh, that's soooo easy for you to say," she hissed at him.

For approximately seven hours, he sang to her, told her jokes, massaged her back, and let her squeeze the hell out of his hand, silently wondering if he'd ever have the use of it again.

Calista's discomfort and pain level was increasing at a rapid speed.

Robert kept his hand on her stomach and his eyes on the clock. Finally, he said, "Okay, baby, I think it's time to go. Are you ready?"

She moaned, "For such an intelligent man, Robert, you ask the stupidest questions."

He laughed and helped her stand up. She took a few steps and then had to stop and wait for another contraction to pass. "Where's that fork?" she asked.

They arrived at the hospital about 10:45 that night. A nurse took Calista in for prep and told Robert he could see her as soon as she was in the birthing room. He leaned over and kissed her softly, "I'll see you in a few minutes, sweetheart. Hang in there, I'll be waiting for you."

He wandered down to her room and smiled tenderly when he saw the small bassinet by the bed. While he waited, he called Calista's folks, his family, David Kelley, Jane, Trudy, and a few other close friends. He called Warren laughing, telling him they'd have to postpone their barbecue. Calista was wheeled in about 10 minutes later and the nurse smiled at him, "She's doing great."

To Calista, she said, "I'm gonna call your doctor to see if he wants to start an epidural now that you're dilated to 4 centimeters. Then, it shouldn't be more than another six or eight hours."

Calista moaned loudly when she heard that. "Oh my God! I can't take this for another six hours. I can't take it for another six minutes!"

Robert held her hand. "Come on, now, sweetheart, breathe, breathe, breathe. In ... out .... in ....out."

"Shut up, Robert!" she yelled at him. "In ... out ... in ... out! That's what got me into this mess in the first place!"

"Well, looky, looky," he said clapping his hands, "she's still got a sense of humor."

"SHUT UP, ROBERT!" she moaned. "Oh, I can't even believe you're joking!" she spat at him.

"I know," he said innocently, "me neither."

She urgently reached behind and grabbed her pillow with both hands, her body writhing, rising and falling in pain. She fought to stifle back a scream. "Ooohh," she said, holding her breath, "Bobby, it's getting bad ... it's getting real bad."

"Sweetie, just hold on. You're gonna get some help in just a minute."

The nurse came back in and made Calista sit up and bend over toward her knees. She smiled, "Your doctor must like you. He's gonna take you out of your misery." As she administered the epidural, she explained, "this is like Novocaine, it'll block all the pain from your rib cage down to your legs. It gives a pretty strong block at first and you won't be able to feel a thing. But after a couple of hours, you should be able to move your legs and feel some pressure, which will help you push later on."

"How much longer?" Calista demanded.

"Well, the general rule for first babies, after you've gone into active labor, is a centimeter an hour. So, we're looking at about six more hours." She saw the look of panic on Calista's face, "...Without pain," she added kindly. "Then, once you're fully dilated there's usually another hour or two of pushing."

Calista frowned at the thought.

"Now I'm gonna start a slow drip," the nurse said, "just to keep everything level. Like I said, in a few hours all you should feel is pressure. If you experience pain with it, let me know, we might need to reapply the epidural. Okay?"

Calista nodded, already beginning to feel no sensation or pain.

It was almost midnight, but knowing Calista would be worried about Liam, Robert called Maria and was reassured everything was all right at home. "Maria says Liam's sleeping ... like a baby," he quipped dryly and waited for a response.

She looked up at him and rolled her eyes, "I'm not even gonna acknowledge that."

Grinning, he asked her, "Think you can sleep, sweetie?"

"Yeah, maybe." she replied.

Crawling up on the bed beside her, he laid her head on his shoulder. "Okay, baby, I gotcha ... you're safe now. Let's take a little nap." Almost immediately, they both fell into a fitful sleep.

The nurse roused Calista about 2:00 a.m. and examined her. "You're doing just great," she whispered. "Go back to sleep."

Robert slept through the whole thing but woke about 4:45 a.m. when he felt Calista squirming and heard her softly moaning. "You okay?"

She nodded, "Yeah, it's just that the pressure's getting a little more intense."

"Any pain?"

Calista shook her head.

He stood up, yawned and stretched. Running his hands through his hair, he said, "Think I'll get a cup of coffee." Then, he grinned at her, "I'll be right back, so .. uh ... don't go away, okay?"

She stuck her tongue out at him.

Seeing the forlorn look on her face, he pouted, and added sympathetically, "Sorry, honey, no treats for you. But, I can bring you back some ice chips," he offered sweetly.

"Oh, great. Can you make ‘em roast beef flavored?" she whined.

He blew her a kiss as he walked out the door.

When he returned, he helped her to the bathroom and then propped her pillows to make her comfortable.

"Hmmm, that coffee smells so good," Calista said, closing her eyes and taking a deep whiff of the coffee's aroma.

Wanting to distract her, Robert began reciting a musical version of Hamlet which led him into a few soft shoe routines and then some other improv nonsense. His silliness made her shake her head and laugh. He grabbed the nurse's stethoscope off the wall and, putting the ear pieces in Calista's ears, he began to sing to her through the other end, doing Elvis impersonations. She cracked up when he fell to his knees singing, "Don't be Cruel."

Then, using the stethoscope, he listened to her heartbeat, his heartbeat and, finally, the baby's heartbeat. He looked up at her with his mouth stretched into a comical grimace. "I hate to tell you this," he said, shaking his head sadly, "but our daughter's an alien. I keep hearing ‘uuuugggnnn, gaahhharrrr, eeeuuunnnnggg, rrggnnrrrr... .' "

"You idiot," she laughed, "that's my stomach. I'm hungry."

"Aaahh." he grinned. He caressed her face and with his fingers he lovingly brushed back her matted, wet, hair. He kissed her tenderly. "I love you," he said, "you're beautiful."

"Yeah, right," she replied, "I bet I just look stunning."

"You do to me," he said, kissing her again.

The nurse came in and examined her. "Well," she said to Calista, smiling, "ready to start pushing?"

Robert took hold of Calista's hand and placed it to his lips. His eyes were glistening and he stayed by her side the entire time. And, at exactly 6:35 a.m., Sunday, September 15, 2002, Cally Elizabeth Downey, loudly announced her entrance into the world.