The newest Downey weighed in at 6 lbs. 8-1/2 oz., and was only 18 inches long. Robert's mouth was open in awe as he looked at the miracle resting on her mother's stomach. He reached over and caressed one of her tiny hands. "Look at those beautiful, graceful, long fingers," he marveled. Then he checked her other hand, and then her feet. "She's perfect," he exclaimed as his daughter's hand wrapped tightly around his finger. He gazed at her in absolute wonder, realizing that in a blink of an eye, she'd captured his heart completely. He suddenly felt fiercely protective, more so than at any time in his life, and he knew at that moment he was through with drugs for good.

Calista gently rubbed her baby's downy soft back. "She's got your hands," she said, her voice filled with emotion. She smiled at the blonde silky fuzz covering Cally's perfectly shaped head and at her sweet little mouth. "Look at those eyelashes," she grinned, "they're so long. Oh, Bobby, she's gonna be a heartbreaker, for sure."

"No guy's ever gonna get close enough for that," he said seriously.

Calista laughed, "Her father, her protector."

"Better that than ... the other."

She looked at him intently, knowing he was thinking his childhood.

He gazed deeply at Calista for a long time and tears began to sting his eyes. Kissing her nose and then her mouth, he said, his voice breaking, "I can't even begin to tell you how much I love you." He looked down at his daughter and kissed her again, "Thank you," he said softly.

"My pleasure," she smiled, "maybe we can do it again sometime."

"Hmm, I'm ready any time you are," he said with a sexy smirk.

"You just like the ‘trying' part," she laughed.

He grinned at her sweetly and shrugged. Gingerly, he picked his daughter up and held her tenderly. "Hi, princess," he said softly, cradling and rocking her, "I'm your daddy. Recognize my voice?" He kissed her cheek and nuzzled her hair and gave her his index finger to hold onto. He smiled, "God, she smells so good. And ... so ... new."

Cally starting squirming, trying to stuff both fists in her mouth. "Maybe she's hungry," Calista said. Robert nodded and reluctantly laid her in Calista's arms.

"Hope I can get the hang of this nursing thing," Calista said as she guided her daughter to her nipple. Even with her eyes tightly closed, Cally went right to the target and immediately began sucking.

"Well, at least we know she's not bashful when it comes to chow time," Robert laughed. Then he faked a pout, "Hmm. Looks like she's taken over my territory. Guess that's something else I'm gonna have to fight her for," he joked.

"Robert," Calista said with gleeful exasperation, "you're hopeless ..."

He grinned and yawned, and scratched his belly. "Well, what'ya think, mom. Ready for the media frenzy?"

"Have you called my parents yet, or yours?"

"Oh, shit," he said.

"Think they might like to know?" she questioned him sweetly.

He gave her a loving sneer and pulled out his cell phone. Before he dialed, she interrupted, "Oh my God. I totally forgot - tonight are the Emmy awards!" Then she squeezed her eyes closed and grimaced, "At least I won't have to show up looking like a tent. But, if you wanna go, baby, I don't mind."

"Nooh!" he stated emphatically, "I'll watch it on TV. I'm not leaving either one of you."

She laughed, "I can see the headlines now ... ‘Downey's shrink forces him back into rehab after turning down bright lights for tired, unglamorous wife, squalling baby, and dreary hospital room'."

"Or," he grinned, "how about, ‘Robert reveals to the world his settled Down-ey side by OPTING for the two women he loves most in the world over glitter and neon."

"Oooh. I see that romantic, brilliant, derelict is still around," she smirked.

"Yeah," he growled playfully, "and he ain't goin' anywhere, Mrs. Downey."

She smiled at him lovingly. "Well, guess you better line up someone to accept your award."

He smirked, "Oh, just me?"

"Yeah. I'm not gonna win."

"Bet?"

She lowered her head and then looked up into his eyes provocatively, "What'ya have in mind?"

"Hmm," he said, grinning devilishly, "If you win, uh .. thus losing the bet .. then Cally gets formula from Maria on a night to be named later, and I get you all to myself for one whole evening ... until the following morning."

"And if I lose? ... er ... and win?"

"Then," he looked at her seductively, "you get me all to yourself to do with as you want."

She screwed up her face, "Now, why does it sound to me like we both win under either scenario?"

Laughing, he leaned down and kissed her. "Because we do. Deal?"

"Of course," she grinned, "I can't lose. Um ... but that means for one whole night you'll do diaper duty if that's what I want, right?"

He closed one eye and looked at her in disbelief, but raised his right hand, reluctantly, "Promise." Then he gave her a sexy smirk, "Unless, of course, you decide doing something else to me would be more fun."

She rolled her eyes, "Well, I don't know what could be more fun than diapers, but I'll try and think of something."

Robert gave her another quick kiss and made their obligatory family calls and also phoned Maria to make sure everything was okay at home. Afterward, he telephoned their closest friends. "Okay, mom, you ready to tell the rest of the world?" he asked.

Shrugging, she replied, "Guess we have to sooner or later."

"Well then," he said, giving Calista a silly lopsided smile, "as Bonnie Raitt says - ‘Let's give ‘em somethin' to talk about." He called his publicist, Alan Nierob, and authorized him to release information about the birth and also asked him to contact David Kelley to arrange for someone to accept the Emmy for either or both of them, in the event they won. "And, Alan," he added, "you're not to release any news other than the birth, nothing about where we are or when we're going home, okay? In fact, you might lie to 'em and tell 'em we'll be heading to parts unknown from the hospital. I don't want a hundred reporters lurking outside the house ... or worse." Alan gave him his assurance.

Several hours later, Robert called home again just to check on things because he was planning to spend the night at the hospital with Calista and the baby. After checking to see what foods Calista could and could not eat while nursing, as a surprise for her, Robert secretly phoned a friend who owned a swanky restaurant and arranged to have a gourmet dinner delivered to the room.

Calista showered and changed into a clean gown. As she walked out of the bathroom, drying her hair, dinner was being wheeled into the room. On the table was a single red rose and two lit candles. She smiled widely. "Robert," she said lovingly, "you have to be the biggest romantic on this planet." She kissed him tenderly, "I love you."

"Me, too, you." He grabbed her before she could get away and pulled her into his lap, licking and biting her ear.

As they settled in to watch the Emmy red carpet arrivals, they feasted on linguine, shrimp, and scallops, tossed in a very light coating of oil, garlic and parmesan, sauteed vegetables and a leafy spinach salad with a coating of Calista's favorite Cranberry vinaigrette.

Nancy O'Dell and Pat O'Brien were on air. "Most notably missing on the red carpet tonight is our golden couple, Robert Downey, Jr. and Calista Flockhart, both nominated for Ally McBeal," Pat said grinning, "they're spending some quality domestic time with the newest Downey, a daughter, born early this morning." Robert and Calista smiled at each other.

They cheered and booed as the names of some of the winners were announced. Then came time for the Best Actress in a comedy series. Robert was nervous and Calista held her breath. "And, the winner is ... Calista Flockhart, Ally McBeal." The audience erupted in loud applause as David Kelley made his way to the stage to accept on her behalf. Robert yelled "WAHOO!!!" He high fived Calista and absolutely beamed with pride, "See, babe, I told you!"

David gave the acceptance speech Calista had given Robert to fax to him, and David ended by congratulating the new parents.

Calista reached over and held Robert's hand tightly as they announced the nominees for the best supporting actor in a comedy series. Robert's mouth was dry and he braced himself as the presenter fumbled with and dropped the envelope. After what seemed like an eternity, they heard, "And the winner is .... Robert Downey, Jr., Ally McBeal." The audience gave Robert a standing ovation in absentia as David once again made his way to the stage.

Calista shrieked and Robert grinned and raised his fist in the air and brought it sharply down to his chest, "Yes!" he said. He scooped Calista out of the chair and spun her around. "We did it, baby." Smiling, he sat back down and pulled her onto his lap, and wrapped his arms around her.

David concluded his speech for Robert by reiterating that his absence was due to the birth of their first child. Again, the auditorium stood and applauded.

"Now, this is what I call a helluva good day," Robert said, turning and grinning widely at Calista. "I love you, Mrs. Downey." Just then, Cally began squirming and loudly vocalized her need to be changed and fed. He laughed, "There's no doubt she's a Downey, she wants center stage."

Calista got up out of his lap and Robert walked over and picked up his daughter. He sang to her as he waltzed her around the room. Cally was focused on him very intently. "Look at the intelligence shining out of those beautiful eyes," Robert said, kissing his daughter's cheek gently. "She's gonna be a genius ...and beautiful ... and warm ... and loved and loving ... and ... happy. Most of all ... I want her to be happy."

"I think she's got a head start in all those departments," Calista smiled.

Placing Cally on the bed, he changed her diaper and then gently handed her to Calista. He kissed the back of Cally's head tenderly as she instinctively found the nipple she was seeking. While Cally was eating, Robert called Maria one last time to make sure Liam was okay.

Tiring of the after-awards interviews, they switched over to an old movie on TV. Later a lady from hospital housekeeping brought in a rollaway for Robert and he thanked her graciously. But, as soon as she was gone, he stripped down to his briefs and crawled in bed with Calista.

"What are you doing?" she laughed.

"You know what they say," he grinned, "the family that sleeps together, stays together."

"I think that's bowling," Calista lovingly corrected him.

"Oh, well," he shrugged, "that, too." He cuddled up to her. Putting his arm under her neck, he laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed her and then rubbing noses with her, he asked softly, "You happy?"

Her eyes were filled with love. "Absolutely blissful." she confirmed.

"Can I ask you something seriously?" Robert questioned.

"Sure."

Screwing up his face, he inquired meekly, "When can we have sex again?"

"Oh, Robert!" she laughed and punched him in the stomach. "Those years of doing without are really catching up with you!"

Grinning, "We better go to sleep, something tells me tomorrow's gonna be a long day." He kissed her again, "Night, sweetheart."

"Night, baby."

"Congratulations."

"You, too."

The next day, they took their little bundle of joy home, stopping to pick up Indio on the way.

Liam was jumping around with curiosity about his new plaything. Calista handed the baby to Indio, who was surprisingly both gentle and adept with her. He sat down on the couch with Cally in his arms and Liam came over to them and immediately began exploring her nose and eyes with his finger. Calista gently explained to Liam that Cally wasn't a toy but, rather, the new baby sister they'd promised him. Then Robert sat Liam on the couch and helped Indio position Cally in his lap, while still holding onto her firmly himself.

"Sissy needs lots of kisses," Robert told Liam as he kissed his daughter's cheek gently, and Liam bent down and gave his sister a sweet kiss, too, giving a deep belly laugh.

"Oh, God, Robert, keep ‘em all there just like that. I have to get the camera," Calista said, "this is just too precious."

Robert took over as photographer and ended up taking about 80 pictures before they were done and then immediately developed them on the computer and made several copies for family.

A few hours later family and friends began streaming in and out with food and gifts. And, David and Michelle showed up with their Emmys. The day passed very quickly. Through it all, Cally was a perfect little angel.

After the last of their visitors had gone, Maria got Liam ready for bed. Robert drove Indio home and returned as his daughter was once again chowing down. Watching her, he realized he was starving. Yawning, he said, "I'm exhausted and hungry. My God, there's enough food here to feed everyone in China - and I don't know whether to eat or go to bed."

Calista's eyes twinkled, and she whispered, "Since our folks will be here in the morning and we won't have a minute alone, why don't you wait until Cally's fed and we can have a quiet late night dinner - just the two of us." Seductively, she added, "Then, maybe we can discover how to have sex .... without ... having ... sex."

Robert noticeably shivered. "Oooh. You did that to me on purpose, didn't you?" he said with a sexy smirk.

Lowering her head, she looked up at him bewitchingly and nodded .. very slowly.

While she finished feeding Cally, Robert wandered over and sat down at the piano and started playing with the keys. Soon, his tinkling turned into a melody and he began to sing:

Every time is the like the first time .. tenderly
Lovin' you's like breathin' .. spring
Seasons change but your heart beats constantly
You're my blessings everyday that you love me

As a sunset fits her view ‘cross a northern sky
you look for forever in my eyes
You're the love I'll say long as I have a voice
I thank God above that I was your first choice

Calista laid Cally in her bassinet and walked up behind him and put her arms around his neck. He turned his head and whispered huskily, "Sit with me, baby." She sat beside him and he lovingly kissed her hair.

If I should die before I wake
I'd go into the night whispering your name
Lyin in your arms is the last thing that I'd do
‘least I know that I'd be loved by you

Calista nuzzled his ear.

In about a hundred years from now
when all of my love letters are found
and someone reads these words I've written
only meant for you
they'll know how forever came true

Smiling, Robert's look told her the words were meant only for her.

If I should die before I wake
I'd go into the night whispering your name
Lyin' in your arms is the last thing that I'd do
Least I know that I'd be loved by you

So let the years roll by
These are the best times of my life
And I'll just smile when my days are through
Knowing I'd been loved by you
Least I'll know that I've been loved by you.

Robert's eyes smoldered as he got up from the piano and pulled her into his arms. They danced silently, barely swaying back and forth, just holding each other for a long time. Finally, they crossed over to Cally's bassinet and Robert picked his daughter up gently and carried her as they walked to the bedroom where he laid her in another bassinet they'd set up for her.

In bed, Robert held Calista tightly and rested his lips against her forehead. Running his finger up and down her arm, he murmured against her skin, "Is it possible we can stay this happy?"

"I hope so." she replied. Turning to face him she said, "All I know is that what I feel for you will never happen to me again."

"You're every part of me," Robert said fiercely, "You know this town's gonna do everything it can to tear us apart. So, whatever we have to do to keep us together, we have to promise we'll do it."

Calista cuddled up against him. "Right now it's easy to say we'll fight for it," she said quietly, "but, realistically, we're not always gonna be in this euphoric 'in love' stage. I imagine there'll be times that we don't feel a lot of love for one another or maybe when we don't even like each other very much. That's when we need to remember to hold on - tight." She played with the hair on his chest. "The thing about relationships is that they evolve and change, Bobby. I read somewhere that a caterpillar has to go through lots of changes before it becomes a butterfly."

Robert laughed deep in his throat. "Well," he whispered, nibbling on her ear, "one thing I know for sure .... you touch every place in my heart. I think it'd just about kill me to lose you and the kids. I can't even conceive of my life without you."

"Me either." Calista said, turning her head to kiss him.

"I love you." he said softly.

"Me, too."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Robert turned on his side and nudged his leg between hers. He wrapped an arm around her tightly and she snuggled her butt up close against him and happily they drifted off to sleep. Neither of them noticed the car that had been parked down the street since mid-afternoon, nor the man inside who'd been watching their house the entire time.