Robert opened his eyes to see his son Indio jumping all over the bed. He yawned.

"Hey buddy..."

"Dad! Get up! It's christmas!"

Robert growled.

"Yes! It's christmas but it's 5 am, Indio! Please... Go back to sleep... just a few hours..."

"Oh! No! I can't! I'm too excited!"

"Okay... You win! Please stop jumping on the bed like that or I'll throw up on you!"

"Dad!" Indio exclamed with a high laugh. "Come on!"

Robert raised up and started to stretch.

"Now... tell me buddy why does Santa Claus has to come during the night? Next year I'll have to tell him to come in the afternoon."

But Robert didn't know if he would have the chance to spend next christmas with his son or...even home.

With a tender smile, he watched Indio unwrapping his gifts. His son was exclaiming with joy, running in the living room, testing his new skate board or trying to plug in his Playstation.

"Thanks Dad! You're the greatest!"

"I have something else for you", Robert said showing a big box to his son who looked at him with surprised eyes.

"An other one!"

"You don't want it? That's okay... I just have to return it to the..."

"Oh! No!" Indio replied.

He started to tear the paper gift with a giggle.

"Oh! Dad!" He exclaimed giving his father a big hug. "How did you know?"

"Your mother told me."

In this big box was a variety of theatre costumes, wigs, make-up. At first, Robert was really surprised by the idea of his son wanting to be an actor. It was a tough world and he wasn't sure that was the kind of life he was expecting for his son. It was a family thing after all. Indio was still young. He could make up his mind, anyway.

Indio's mouth was wide open, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Do you like it?"

"Oh! Yeah! You bought it?"

"No I stole it... What do you think? "Robert said, ruffling up his son's blond hair. Of course, I bought it!"

"Mom told you about the big play we are preparing at school?"

"Yes she did... but you have to tell me more about it."

"Well...Mrs Jackson my english teacher auditionned everyone and she decided to give me the role of Lord George. I'll be a short of couragous knight. I'll have to fight with a sword and... I'll fight..."

Robert laughed. "Sounds interesting! Do you have any lines to say?"

"Oh! A lot! Dad...?"

Indio sat on his father's knees.

"Yes?"

"Will you help me practice my part?"

"It would be an honor my Lord!"

Indio's eyes were searching his father's. He had a sad smile on his lips.

"Dad will you be there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will you be there for my play... In June?"

Indio knew about his troubles. Robert did opened up to his son one day after he had got into a fight with some schoolmates. Robert had chosen to be honest with him. He wanted his son to be aware of the dangers of drugs. In some way, he was also looking to be forgiven.

"I don't know buddy... I really don't know..."said Robert with a sad tone.

"It's okay..." said Indio with a yawn. "I guess I'm a little tired now. Can we just take a nap here on the couch?"

"Good idea!"

Robert laid down. Indio wrapped his arms around his waist. He raised his head and smiled to his father.

"I love you dad."

"I love you too Indio."

Robert leaned his head on his son's. His hair were soft just like when he was a baby. He was still at the age where you let your parents approach you and show their affection... but after that, you absolutely avoid any physical contacts. When you get older you tend to forget what tenderness is...

"God! Time goes on too fast", he tough. The moment before falling asleep he wondered if his son could feel the tears that were falling on his soft hair.

Calista was home, preparing herself for David E Kelley's new year's eve party. Garry was in the living room, drinking champagne. Tonight was supposed to be exceptionnal but Calista wasn't feeling like having fun.

She was feeling down.

She had spend the past week thinking a lot about Robert and her feelings. Feelings all mixed up, by the way. She wanted to call him but she couldn't find the courage to do it. She was worried that he had got back into drugs again because she rejected him again.
Saying nothing was like rejecting him.
But most of all, she was mad at him for not being reasonable, for making a total mess of her life.
The only positive thing she could think of, to cheer up was the coming of her baby.

"Are you ready Calista?" Garry asked from the living room.

"I'm coming!"

She walked to the front door, took her coat not giving time to Garry to play the perfect gentleman.

"You are really beautiful tonight", Garry said raising up.

She wore a black gown opened on the side. She curled her hair a little.

"Thank you."

He leaned closer to her but his kiss landed on her cheek. She looked embarassed.

"I wonder if Robert will be there", she said trying to look like she didn't care.

"The question is... Do you want him to be there?"

"What do you mean Garry?"

"Don't play innocent with me Calista! You changed since he is a part of your show. Don't you think that I haven't noticed that you are always talking about him. Now, I got the feeling that you are avoiding me. You don't let me touch you anymore. It's been three months since we..."

"Oh! Garry! I'm so sorry. I'm a mess right now. I wanted to tell you about before. Robert and I..."

"I know."

"Oh! How did you know?"

"I could sense it. I don't know... It's probably the way you talk about him. When you see him on pictures or on the television, you seem to glow."

"I'm sorry Garry..."

"You know that's okay. I thought about it... I know that I care enough about you to see you happy."

Calista sighed.

"But,I'm not..." she said her voice breaking.

When Robert arrived at David's he wasn't alone. Some pulp brunette was with him, clinging to his arm and smiling at everyone. He introduced her to their host. Her name was Rebecca. She was an actress who wanted to get noticed. There was about a hundred people the house. Some David's relatives and people from the movie background. Rebecca was fun to be around but Robert, deep down inside, was bored.

He decided to act like this was the happiest day of his life, like he had all the fun in the world. Maybe if he acted happy, he would feel happy.There was a theory about something like that. When you force yourself to smile, it secrete an hormone that makes you feel happy.

Positive thinking.

"Garry", said Calista grabbing his arm nervously. "Robert is is there. Look right there!"

"Oh yes! I see him. Oh! Who's that woman with him?"

Calista could feel her heart squeezing. She was staring at Robert who looked incredibly handsome that night with that tuxedo. He had let his hair go natural. She could she from the distance that he was in good shape. He was smiling at everyone, shaking hands, joking around. The worst thing, he had his arm around that woman's waist.

"Maybe you should go talk to him Calista?"

"No! I don't think it would be appropriate. I...I mean he is with someone else. He is having a good time as I can see."

Robert was now on the dance floor with his escort. The woman had his arms around his neck. He turned his head, searching the room with his eyes and found Calista's. He slighly smiled at her, noded and looked back at his dance partner. Calista could just stare at him, paralysed. She remembered the feeling of being close to him, in his arms.

She felt hurt.

"Garry! Please, give me some champagne!"

"Calista, I don't think it's a good idea..."

"Right now Garry!"

She took three glasses of champagne. One after the other. She was already feeling dizzy. She waved to David who was talking probably about business with some old man.

"Are you okay, Calista?" asked Garry with a concern look.

"I'm perfectly okay! Never felt better..."

"Are you kidding me? I can see that you are upset!"

"No i'm not", she pratically yelled.

"Yes you are!" He replied trying to prevent Calista to take an other glass of champagne.

"I bet he brought that...bitch just on purpose", she mumbled. "I bet he wants to make me jealous. That's just him, playing silly games with me. Well... this time, it's not working!"

"Calista...calm down please. I don't think..."

"Maybe you are right....Maybe I should go talk to him."

Garry grapped her arm with a hand.

"I don't think that such a good idea right now... You are a little drunk."

"I'm not! Now let me go talk to him."

She arrived on the dance floor, her legs trembling. The music was loud, pumping in her head.

"Hey!" She exclaimed, showing up next to Robert and his escort.

They stepped. Robert was surprised but the woman was still smiling widely.

"Silly, stupid smile," Calista thought.

"You could at least say hi, Robert Downey Jr" Calista said with an angry tone.

"Hi", he simply said, looking down at the floor.

"It seems like you're having a great time. I won't bother you for a long time..."

"Calista, let me introduce you to..."

"Like I care," she said, completely ignoring Rebecca's hand waiting to be shaked.

Calista was looking back and forth at them, her lips trembling. Both seemed really embarassed.

"Robert...I just wanted to say hi", Calista managed to say. "Have a good evening and a happy new year!"

She ran out off the dance floor and bumped into Garry. He looked very concerned.

"Hey! Where are going like that?"

"I'm...I'm..."

She had tears in her eyes. Her mascara was running.

"Could you just leave me alone, Garry? I just want to be alone..."

Garry wanted to hug her, just comfort her but Robert was looking right at them with sadness in his eyes. No wonder what he would think. Rebecca was already talking to someone else.

Calista made his way to a private room. She was alone. She curled up on the bed, bursting into tears. "Hell to him", she thought.

It took her just a few minutes to fall asleep.

Robert had did everything he could to not run after her. With the help of his therapist to whom he had talked a lot about his feelings over Calista, he had arrived to the conclusion that the best thing to do was to not rush her. He had done enough, he thought. It wasn't a good idea to pursue her. She knew how he felt about her. She had to choose between his feelings for him or the rationnal thing to do. He couldn't do anything about that. And he felt sad about it.

Later this evening, Vonda Shepard asked him to join her on the scene to sing some songs. He accepted, almost relieved to set his mind into something else. They sang some disco and rock. Everybody was having fun, the party was growing bigger.

But Calista wasn't there.

It was ten minutes before midnight. Calista was half asleep when she heard Robert singing with Vonda in background. She was laying down on the bed, her head over the pillow. She knew that song. She couldn't help but think that Robert was singing this song to her. He had the sweetest voice. Her heart was beating along with the music. The lyrics were just what she was feeling. It definitely was a message to her.

Gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older

This mountain I must climb
Feels like the world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder

She raised up and sat on the bed. She closed her eyes.

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I want to know what love is
I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is
I know you can show me

She got up, hurried to the private bathroom and washed her face. She looked at her reflect in the mirror. She tried to found an answer in her own eyes.

I'm gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I've got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me

She smiled to herself. "Let's face it", she said. "You can't live without him anyway."

She went back to the main room where every single couple was dancing. Robert was still on the scene, next to Vonda by the piano.

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I want to know what love is
I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is
I know you can show me

Calista watched him from the distance. She was trying to breath normally. If she had listened to herself, she would run to him, right away.

The song ended through warm aplause. Then the group started a happy intro.

"Three minutes before midnight, eveybody," Vonda announced. "Everybody on the dance floor!"

Through the crowd she saw that Robert was leaving. He haven't seen her.

"Hey!" she said, going after him.

She took off her shoes. He was walking away really fast.

"Robert!"

He turned over to look at her.

"Why are you running away?" She asked, catching her breath.

"You know...These are the worst ten minutes. I hate the happy new year thing. It's kind of depressing. Everybody is so happy and..."

"I thought you were running away from me," Calista said in a whisper.

"I'm not," he replied, his sweet eyes looking for hers.

"Oh!"

"Where's Garry, anyway?" he asked.

"And where's the little slut you brought?" she asked back.

She couldn't believe what came out of her mouth.

"Oh! Calista. This is stupid!"

He stepped back and walked away again.

"Now! You are running away again," she yelled. "That's you! You always want to have the last word and you..."

"What do you want Calista?"

"There are some things I want to tell you okay! Okay?"

Her voice was trembling and emotional.

"We have talked about it. I understand you. I mean it's not like we really have a future..." Robert beggined. "I understand..."

"I miss you Robert."

He smiled at her.

"I miss you too, but..."

"Listen to me please" she warned him. "I miss you. I've been dreaming about you and..."

"But maybe...It's better if we stay apart."

"No it's not," Calista said, a tear in her eyes. "Because, I keep coming back to you. I'm always coming back to you!"

He touched her face, tenderly.

"Please don't cry Calista,"Robert said.

"it's just so hard for me to say it" she said with a nervous tone. "It's just three little words."

He lifter her head up. There was pure adoration in his eyes.

"I love you Downey."

She bursted into tears again and stepped back.

"Are you happy now?" she almost screamed. "I bet you were waiting for it..."

Her voice broke.

They could hear the people counting down.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six.

He captured her in his arms, wipping away tears from her eyes with one finger.

"Shhhh," he whispered, his finger now on her lips.

"I love you," she repeated, her voice trembling. "I love you Downey."

Three, two, one

He kissed her through her tears.

"Happy new year Sweet Heart..."

They kissed again while fireworks were exploding in the sky.

"Maybe we should go back inside to..." said Robert between two kisses. "Hmmm...to celebrate with the others."

"No! I just want to stay right here with you."

Calista eyes were sparkling.

"Me too...but, don't you think that people won't notice that we aren't there? The only two people missing... The star of Ally McBeal and the guess actor falling for her, The on-screen couple. They will know and tomorrow, we'll be first up on Entertainment Tonight!"

She laughed and kissed him again.

"You're right", she admitted with a sigh. "Maybe it's better if we keep it private... our little secret..."

"Secrets are exciting," he whispered in her ear. "Now! Let's go inside an hour or so, act like we are just friends, have fun and after we..."

"I still have some blue paint left...If you're interested..."

"Hmm...I don't know about paint. I'm rather in the mood for a dessert. Chocolate, whipped cream..."

They kissed again but this time with more passion. Calista felt her body curving to Robert's. His hand was running down her back.

"Comon! Let's go before I start to undress you right here," Robert finally said a light laugh.

Calista moved back with puppy eyes.

"Okay then! You go first! I need to pratice my part," she joked.

Robert gave her an other kiss and they separated. He waved goodbye as people were passing next to them.

"It was nice talking to you Calista!"

As he was walking back to David's house he said "Now it's time to party!"

She laughed with delight.

She entered the main room a few minutes later. She couldn't help but think that people would notice a change in her attitude. A moment ago she was sad, depressed and now she was in full bloom. She was relieve now, in peace with herself. She had spent so much time fighting over her feelings for Robert. It was time that she admitted the truth to herself. She was in love with him.

In the main room, the party was at his best . People were dancing around, drinking champagne and singing with joy. She smiled to the crowd, looking for Robert.

Garry was at the bar. With a sign of the hand, he invited her to join him. He understood by the look on her face.

"I guess it worked out great," he said a touch of disapointment in his voice. "I'm really happy for you too."

"Garry, you're the greatest." She replied. "I know that someday you'll find someone. You really deserve it. I'm just sorry that it took me so much time to realise that..."

"You know, that's okay. You are completely forgiven. I really enjoyed hanging out with you. We can still be friends, if you want."

"Of course Garry!" She said, hugging him.

She kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything Garry."

David arrived just behind them and gave her a glass of champagne.

"So Calista. Are you enjoying the evening so far?"

"This is fantastic David. Thank you!"

"Robert just asked me where you were. It seems, he was looking for you."

"Oh!" She said.

She tried to catch her breath. Robert was on the dance floor, waving at her. She read on his lips: "Come here". He flashed her a smile.

"It looks like your co-star wants to dance with you. Why don't you go to him? I'll watch! Maybe I'll get some ideas for Ally and Larry..."

David was always thinking about his shows, always carrying a pad in his vest, in case he had inspiration. But now, he was just curious about them.

"If it's for a good cause. I'll do it," she said with a sigh.

She moved forward to the dance floor. Robert catched her in his arms.

"Let's be Careful Robert. David is staring at us."

"Umm I see..."

Disco music was playing. They separated and started to dance. She wondered if David and Garry could see from the distance the look in Robert's eyes. She knew what he was thinking about. He had those ideas in mind. She could feel warthm in her body, just to think about being close to him.

"Oh! Slow dance," he said while the beat of the music was changing.

Robert acted shy as they approached. Calista was on the edge of laughing. It felt weird. They kept a distance between them. Calista could almost feel electricity, just being with him. He had his hand around his waist. She wanted to pull him to her but David was still watching with interest. Having to controle themselves was even worst. The desire was even stronger.

"You talked to Garry?" Robert asked to lower the sexual tension between them.

"Yeah! He knows everything. He is very understanding just like real friends should be. And how about...?"

"Oh! Rebecca? I don't have to tell her anything. She asked if she could come with me. She wants to get a part in some movie. She is trying to seduce some producers. You know, she wasn't trying to seduce...me. "

"Poor guy! She was using you!"

He laughed and let a finger slide down on her back.

"Speaking of seduction", she added, her head coming closer to his, so he could hear what she was saying. "I can't take it anymore, Downey."

He looked at her with his deep brown eyes, waiting for was she would say next.

"Listen to me," she whispered in his ear. "When the song ends, we go our separate ways. I'll go to the bathroom of the second floor. Count a minute and join me. I'll be waiting for you. The third door on your left. Okay?"

"Okay?" he said raising his shoulders.

The song ended. Calista winked at him and left the dance floor. Robert went to the bar, took a glass of water, tried to look relaxed. He counted sixty seconds and went upstairs.

As soon as he arrived in front of the bathroom door, Calista opened it. She pulled him to her and closed the door behind him.

"Here we are", she said.

She started to dismantle his bow tie. Her lips close to his.

"You know...I don't like to be disturbed like that", he joked. I was having a great time downstairs with the woman I love."

He let a hand slide down to her breast as she was catching her breath.

"I'm sorry", she whispered with a sexy smile.

Now she was unbutoning his shirt. He tried to kiss her but she moved her head away and kissed him on his chest.

"Calista...You make me crazy..."

He raised her up to the washbasin. With a expert hand, he slided down her painties and started to touch her.

"It's been so long," she moaned, her hand going through his hair.

"Calista you are so beautiful... You skin is...so soft."

He deeply kissed her and she responded to it with a groan of pleasure. She was melting as he was caressing her thighs.

"I want you Downey."

He smiled at her, gazing in her eyes with desire. He was about to take off his pants when a knock on the door interrupted him.

"Hey! Is there someone? I really need to pee. Please hurry!" said a woman.

Calista started to giggle. Robert put a hand on her mouth.

"Shhhh", he whispered to her. "Let me do the talking."

"Hello? Is there someone?" The woman asked again.

"Huh...Yeah I'm there. Give me a minute and I'm done."

He kissed Calista again. She couldn't stop laughing.

"Okay I have an idea," Calista finally said. "Okay, act like you are crying?"

"You want me to cry just like that?"

"You're an actor, damn it," she whispered, flashing him a fake angry look.

He smiled at her, took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes firmly.

"Okay," he said after taking a deep breath. "I'm ready."

The opened the door. Robert had tears in his eyes and Calista had a hand on his arm, looking at him with sympathy.

The woman looked at them with her mouth wide opened.

Calista Flockhart and Robert Downey Jr in the bathroom together? She understood that there was something wrong with the actor. He looked so sad...

"I know it's hard for you Robert. I know you can do you it," Calista said, rubbing his back. "Are you okay now?"

"Thank you Calista you are so understanding", he replied.

"If you want to talk about it..."

"Okay."

The woman went into the bathroom. Robert and Calista tried to not laugh.

When they arrived at her house...in separate cars, they rushed inside and beginned to kiss again.

"Finally alone", Calista said.

She pressed herself against him.

The phone rang.

"Hmmm...Calista, the phone," Robert said.

He had his hand into her corsage.

"I don't care," she replied, kissing him back.

The phone couldn't stop ringing.

"Calista, sweetheart... I can see that you answering machine light is flashing. What if it's really important?"

She stepped with a surprised look.

"Oh! My God! What if..."

She ran to the phone and picked it up with a trembling voice.

"Hello?"

She slowly sat on the couch.

"Oh! He...he...is coming? She's in the...? Oh! My God! Which hospital? I...I'll be right there!"

She came back to Robert with a pale face.

"The baby?" Robert asked.

Calista noded. She looked paralysed.

"I'm sorry! I...I really have to go. I...I have to change clothes and...Oh My God! My baby is coming!" Robert smiled tenderly at her.

"Do you want me to go with you or you're taking the limousine?"

"No! I...I'll take a taxi. I'll call you okay?"

She kissed him and touched his cheek softly.

"I'm so happy. I love you Downey."

She didn't know how she managed to arrive at the San Diego hospital. She was so nervous! She was now wearing a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and sun glasses. She felf relieved that nobody had recognized her. There was other things in her mind than autographs and spoilers about the Ally McBeal show.

When she arrived at the reception, her voice wasn't the same and it wasn't to help her to be "incognito". Her voice was broken because she had cried all the distance from home.

"I'm here to see a person...huh...Mrs Smith. Mrs Mary Smith. She is pregnant and about to give birth. She's having a baby. She's probably in the...the delivery room right now. Mrs Mary Smith."

"What am I saying?" she asked herself. She shook her head like it could help to get calmer.

The secretary checked on her computer for informations. She was typing seriously and obviously didn't care about the person hiding behind those sun glasses, in the middle of the night.

"I see there's a Mary Smith. She not in the delivery room right now. It says room 352. Good evening. Next!"

The secretay was acting like she was selling some movie tickets. Calista took a deep breath. When she was nervous, anything could come out of her mouth.

She entered the room discretely after she had knocked on the door. She took off her glasses. In the room, there was only Mrs Smith, her husband and a woman Calista didn't know.

"I have contractions at every five minutes." Mary Smith said with a grimace of pain. "If it goes like my other pregnancies, the baby is coming really soon."

"I'm sorry I didn't come earlier," Calista said approching timidly.

"You do know my husband Bill. I guess I showed you his pictures, the other day."

Calista shook his hand. Bill Smith was a sympatic man with a warm smile.

She turned to the stranger waiting to be introduced. The look she met wasn't quite inviting. The woman was looking at Calista with cold eyes.

"This is my sister Joan," Mary finally said almost with regret.

Calista offered her hand and forced a smile at her. Joan didn't move an inche. She let her arms in the sides of her body, without leaving her eyes from Calista, she spoke to her sister.

"Mary. I need some air, if you dont mind. If you need me..."

"That's okay Joan."

She left the room almost bumping into Calista. "That woman hates me", she thought.

"You have to excuse my sister in law," Bill Smith said, rubbing his wife' s back. She doesn't approve Mary choice to give the baby in adoption."

Mary Smith crisped. She was having an other contraction. Calista sat on a chair, feeling her legs weak.

"I'm okay", Mrs Smith said, breathing hardly. "It's gone."

She rested her head against the pillow and smiled at Calista.

"I have to say... My sister also hates your character," she added. "She do watch the show but, she likes to criticize about it."

"Oh! That's okay"

Calista searched in her purse.

"Mrs Smith..."

"Please, call me Mary!"

"Okay, Mary, do you remember what you asked the last time I came to your house?"

"Oh! My God! You got it!"

Bill Smith raised his eyes to the celling and groaned: "Don't tell me it's Robert Downey Jr's autograph?"

He smiled back to his wife.

"Well. It's not just an autograph but an exclusive picture."

Calista gave it to an esctatic Mary Smith. She was staring at it, with enormous eyes.

"How did you get it?" she asked, trying to get her eyes off the smiling face of Robert.

Calista blushed. She couldn't tell them she had taken the picture with her polaroid, in her house while they were painting the baby's room. She could remember him, his back against the unpaint wall, the sleeves of his t-shirt rolled on his shoulders. He had blue paint on one hand. That was just before the fingerpaint moment. She sighed just by the thought of him.

"Oh! I asked him!"

Mary Smith read: "He wrote: to Mary, the most incredible and generous woman on earth. Love Robert. He is such a sweet man! You must love him!"

"Huh..."

Calista raised up. A stronger contraction took Mary and interrupted their little conversation. Calista continued breathing.

"Aaaaaw!" she screamed. "Bill! Bill! Call the nurse. This time the baby is coming!"

A few minutes later, Calista was following Mr Smith to the delivery room. A nurse blocked her way to the door.

"Are you authorized to assist to the delivery?"

The nurse stared a long moment at Calista who was already wearing the surgical mask required to enter the delivery room.

"She's the adoptive mother", Mr Smith said with an impatient tone.

He surely had in mind to go back to his wife.

"I'm sorry, the nurse said with a smile. You can go."

When Calista entered the room, she felt that her legs were weak. Mary Smith was completely in labour. The obstetrician was already next to her, giving her calm instructions.

"Mary", her husbad said, running to take her hand. "Already?"

She noded, tried a smile at Calista and articulated "I'm okay." Calista was sure she looked pale behind that mask. Uncomfortable, she sat on the chair next to the window.

"Okay, Mary. Listen to me. On three, you are going to push really hard. Okay?" the doctor said.

Mary Smith noded again.

When she started pushing Calista started to cry. She felt helpless, scared and happy at the same time. All she could do was playing nervously with her own fingers.

"You are doing great Mary. I can see the head... Just one more push and that's it..."

Calista couldn't see everything from where she was sitting but she did heard the baby crying. She raised up immediately even though she could feel her whole body trembling.

"It's a boy," the doctor said. "It's a healthy boy."

Calista followed with her eyes full of tears, the baby. One of the nurses took him to give him a little bath.

Mrs Smith turned her head to look at her husband. He squeezed her hand in his, giving her a kiss on the fingers.

"You did a good joob Mary," he said with emotion. "How do you do?"

"I'm feeling tired but I guess I'm happy", she aswered to him, before closing her eyes.

It was clear, she couldn't look at the baby.

Calista could feel her tears running down to her neck. She couldn't find the words to tell this woman how much she was grateful for her generosity. The nurse arrived just next to her. It felt like a dream when looked down at the baby confortably wrapped up in a blue cover. He was so beautiful, so small.

"Oh!" she whispered, almost with surprise.

She took off her mask... Both nurses gasped.

"Oh! My God! Ally McBeal!"

She smiled at them. It was like she had forgotten who she was. She wasn't a tv star anymore, she wasn't an actress, she was just a mother meeting her adoptive son. The nurse slidded the baby to her arms.

"Hi!" she said, tears in her voice. "Hi baby!"

He immediatly started to cry hard, his little nose becoming red.

"Oh! No", Calista thought. "He knows... He knows that I'm not his real mother..."

Mrs Smith finally opened her eyes to look at the baby and Calista.

"It's going to be all right", she said like she could read into Calista' s thoughts. "He'll be just fine. You're his mom, now."

She smiled at them tenderly, a tear falling down at on her cheek. Her husband seemed moved too but, also proud of her. He kissed her on the forehead.

"You are wonderful Mary. I'm so grateful", Calista said with emotion.

The nurse leaded Calista and the baby to a private room and closed the door behind her. The baby was still crying. Calista sat on the rocking chair, with a sigh of happiness. She kissed the top of his nose.

"Hi little love. I'm Calista. I'm your mommy," she said tenderly.

The baby stopped to cry, slightly opened his eyes and grabbed her finger with his little hand.

"It's really nice to meet you too!"

She laughed and kissed him again.

She was in love.

When Robert woke up, he put the answering machine to on. He listened to Calista's voice.

"Hi Downey! It seems you're sleeping. Guess who's in my arms? My baby boy! He's incredible. You should she him. He's just so adorable! Wait! He wants to say hi to you!

Robert heard some interference on Calista's cellular but no baby sound. Calista continued: "Well. Now he's shy! I swear he was almost talking to me a moment ago!"

She laughed.

"Anyway. I have to go sign the adoption's papers. I count on you for a visit! I want you to meet my son. Bye!"

She hanged up. Robert went to his kitchen to prepare himself a coffee. An other message followed.

"Hi! Downey. It's me again. I guess I'm too excited. I just forgot... Listen to those three little words. I...love...you."

Robert sat down with a tender smile. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt that happy.

This new year was starting really good. He was in love with the sweetest woman and she was in love with him.

All he could do was to hope and have faith in life.

Being a mother was the most incredible experience for Calista. She was just in heaven taking care of her son Liam. He was the sweetest baby. He was calm and could almost sleep through the night. Sometimes, she could just stare at him, watching every of his little moves or waiting for him to do this little babbling that made her laugh. He was about one week old when she brought him, on the set of Ally McBeal.

"Now, I'm working mother", she thought.

Of course, Liam completely seduced all the members of the cast and crew. They all laughed thinking about how they looked silly while they were talking to him. Calista couldn't help but seach for Robert.

"David", Calista asked distractly. "Is Robert coming today?"

David smiled widely and gave her the script.

"He is. You know that we are about to change the ending of Hats off to Larry? We just can't keep the footage we did in december when we thought he wouldn't be back."

Calista noded. She took Liam back in her arms and kissed the top of his head.

She couldn't tell David she was asking about Robert because she was missing him. She haven't seen him since the New year's party. They have talked on the phone several times over the week but Robert looked pretty busy. He had told her he wanted to spend more time with his son Indio and also wanted to get more involved in his therapy.

Still, she was a little worried. She was almost wondering if he had changed his mind about their relationship. If Liam wasn't there to keep her busy day and night, she would be obsessing about him.

"If you have some time over the week, I'd like to show some of the ideas I wrote for Ally and Larry," David continued. "Anyway, I'll see you in a hour or so."

"Okay", Calista said sniffing Liam. "Oh! Little love! You do not smell flowers right now!" You want mommy to change your diaper?"

She brought him to her lodge where she changed his diapers and played with him. She loved to tickle that almost made him smile. He was looking at her with those enormous eyes she found so cute on Benjamin Smith.

She sat on the rocking chair, muffled him up with his cover and started to sing a lullaby. Soon, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

It was so simple.

"He's beautiful", Robert said appearing on the doorstep.

She raised her head to look at him and smiled. He smiled back at her, a twinkle in his brown eyes.

"Hey Downey!"

He had his arms crossed on his chest and was wearing his glasses.

Gently, Calista put Liam back in his portable bed. She caressed his blond hair and turned back to Robert.

"Come in. Close the door."

He shook his head with a serious look.

"No... I don't think that's a good idea. I mean... I'm a little late."

She approached him with a sigh and closed the door, a concern look on her face.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Well, I thought you wanted to keep our relation private. Maybe it's not a good idea to visit you in your lodge. People would think..."

"I think you are playing hard to get now, Downey," she protested, her hand on her hips. "I've been calling you everyday and I thought you would come for a visit..."

Calista looked back at Liam.

"I'm confused Robert."

"Hey" he whispered lifting her chin with a finger. "It wasn't my intention to make you confused. I just thought that maybe it was best for a while to cool it a little. I mean, you just adopted a baby..."

"And I just told you how much I love you", she added, looking at him with adoration. "That is not less important."

He took off his glasses and looked down with a shy smile. When he did that cute face, all she could think of was to kiss him.

"I didn't want to impose myself," he replied looking at Liam who was profoundly asleep. "You're in this baby honeymoon..."

"Well....I am," she said with a smile. "But, it doesn't mean that I don't have a place for you in my life."

She wrapped her arms around his neck. He raised his eyes to look at her. She kissed him softly.

"I thought you would say....Sorry Downey. I met someone else," he said with a pout.

"You're so cute," she said with a laugh. "I would be crazy to let you go."

They hugged. It was good to be in each other's arms again.

"Oh! Too bad we have work to do," she whispered kissing his ear. "I remember we had something on the way, the other night."

"Hmmm," he said, running his nose down to her neck.

"Downey," she said softly, her lips closer to his.

Calista had a way to say his family name. She made it sound so sweet. Everytime she said it, he felt that he was falling more and more in love with her.

They pulled a little bit closer. Little kisses became more passionate. Robert let a hand slide under Calista's blouse. His soft fingers were tracing lines on her back and then they slided to her breast with insistence. She could fell herself vibrating to his touches. Liam's cry made them suddenly remember his presence.

"Oh!" Robert said stepping back, blushing. "I'm sorry..."

He rubbed his forehead with an embarrassed look on his face. Calista took Liam in his arms.

"Hey little love. What's going on?" she said with a small voice.

The baby calmed down just by the sound of her voice. She smiled and pulled him a little closer to her head.

"Liam," she said approching Robert. "I'd like you to meet a very special man. His name is Robert. Say Hi to him!"

Robert smiled at the baby looking at him with surprised eyes. Liam responded with a little sound that made a bubble of saliva came out of his mouth. Calista and Robert both laughed.

"Hi Liam," Robert said shaking the baby's hand.

Later this day, between two shots of the camera, Calista slidded down to Robert's pocket the key of her house.

"Just be careful," she said to him. "Paparazzis are hanging around these days. Maybe, you should come in the middle of the night."

He noded with a serious look as the director passed next to them.

"I'll be there."

That night, Calista had been waiting for him for a few hours when she finally fell asleep. She haven't felt the bed moving next to her, but she slowly immersed from a sweet dream, feeling his warm arms embracing her.

"Hmmmm, she murmured. I thought you'd never come."

"I'm there sweetheart."

She could feel his lips reaching her neck and kissing that sensitive part tenderly. She shivered with pleasure. He was wearing a t-shirt with some boxers. She was wondering for how long he had arrived to her place. Before she could ask he said: "I checked on Liam. He is sleeping like an angel."

"Oh! You did..." she said with surprise.

She slowly turned to him. It took her eyes a few seconds to get to see him through the darkness. There he was finally, his head on the pillow next to her. His brow eyes looking at her like a man never had looked at her.

"How come we've never met before," he asked with a whisper, like he could read into her mind.

"I don't know Downey," she replied pulling herself closer to him.

"Things could have been so much different...."

"Shhh," she said a finger on his lips. "Don't think about how things should have been. Let's just take it one day at a time."

He touched her hair and kissed her on the forehead. Even if he knew that his love for her was mutual, there was always a cloud above their heads: The possible jail sentence.

"I'm... I'm just scared to lost you Calista," he whispered.

She interrupted him with a kiss. She wasn't sure at first but when she let her hand touch his cheek, she felt tears running down. He kissed her back, holding her tight against him.

"I love you Calista. If only you knew how much I love you."

"Show me Downey."

He smiled through his tears and kissed her with passion. Soon, he pulled her on top of him and let his hands caress her through her satin nightgown. They fought to get undress. His hands were everywhere, his lips kissing and nibbling at her skin. They both moaned and their lips reached again. She directed him, almost begging him to enter her. When he finally did, she grabbed him tight to her, her nails on his back. She moaned his name in his ear, several times like it was a prayer.

He couldn't take his eyes from hers as he was repeating: "I love you. I love you."

Sex between them had never been that intense. It was more than sex. It was like their relation had gotten stronger now that they had shared their feelings for each other's.

It was more than sex. It was love.

When Calista woke up, Robert was still sleeping by her side.

"This is where he's supposed to be," she thought. "Just next to me."

She kissed the top of his nose and got up. Liam was awake in his bed. He was lying on the side, his eyes staring at the celling with curiosity. She wondered if he could see the colors, the blue sky and the clouds painted by Robert.

"Hey little love! You like it?"

She took him in her arms and carried him to the kitchen to prepare his bottle. She put Liam on the table. Robert sneaked in the kitchen and catched her from behing. He rested his head again hers, his arms hugging her.

"Hey Sweetheart," he said kissing the top of her head.

"Hey Downey!"

They kissed and Liam interrupted them with a little sound. They turned to him.

"He wants a good morning kiss too... I think," Calista said looking at her son.

Robert approached him and leaned to the baby.

"Hello buddy," he said.

He kissed his little cheeks and tried to babble to him. Calista laughed she could swear that her son was about to smile.

"He likes you," she said, her head on his shoulders.

"You think so?"

"What if he thinks that you're his father," Calista reply timidly.

"Oh!" Robert simply said looking back and forth at Calista and the baby. "I don't know..."

She kissed him again, hoping to help him to get rid of the sadness in his eyes.

Later this day, as Liam was taking a nap. Calista joined Robert on the couch. He was watching the television distractly and seemed preoccupied. She knew exactly what was going on with him. She sat down and took his hand, waiting for him to say something.

He sighed with a sad look.

"You know...I screwed up everything. Some people once said to me that I had everything to be happy. A great promising career, a wife, a son. I screwed it up! I got into drugs, was in party all the time. I was just thinking about myself..."

Calista noded with a concern look.

"When I saw you with Liam this morning, something hit me. I thought about my son Indio and I just couldn't remember how he was as a baby. I don't remember being with him. I was... not there you know. I was stoned all the time... too selfish to notice that I was missing probably the most important moment in his life and... mine."

Calista pulled him closer to her to comfort him.

"I love this kid so much," Robert continued with a broken voice. "I just wish I didn't screw up his life. I hope he'll have a better life than mine. I want him to be strong. I want him to be happy...."

"You're an amazing man," Calista finally said. "I wish you could see that."

She kissed his fingers tenderly.

"This morning I also had a glance of what our future could be," Robert added his eyes full of hope. "I know this is crazy but... for the first time in my life, I have the feeling that I can start over. It took me all the time to realise what the real meaning of life is. I mean... if I could just let myself hope... If I could just erase all the troubles I have been through..."

Calista smiled. She had those visions too this morning. Robert and her as a family. He was kind to Liam. She could picture themselves with kids of their own. It felt right.

She raised up suddenly and went to her room.

"Calista? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... Where are you going?"

When she got back, she had a little sliver box in her hand. Her smile was bright.

"There's something I want to offer you," she said with a joyous tone.

She sat in front of him, on the floor and gave the box to him. Robert raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

He opened it to see two little pieces of paper folded. The interior was covered by red velvet.

"It's my dream box," Calista explained. "My father gave it to me when I was a teenager. I know it sounds silly but this thing really works! You see...you have to write down a dream or a wish you have. It has to be clear, realistic and very precise. It truly works with a true wish... a wish from the heart."

"Calista. I just can't accept that. It's..."

"Shhh," she said. "Listen to this. I wrote it down about a year ago..."

She unfolded the little piece of paper and started to read it: "I truly wish to adopt a baby. I wish him to be calm and cute. If possible with big cute eyes."

They both giggled.

"Well. I guess it worked," Robert agreed. Maybe I could borrow it a few months..."

"Wait there's the other one," Calista interrupted.

She looked down at the paper with a serious look and let her eyes move back to Robert's.

"I wrote this one down, last summer, when I was feeling alone, one night."

She cleared her throat and read:

"I wish I could meet a man who would love me truly. Possibly an actor or a musician. I want him to be funny, understanding, intelligent, sensuous, loving. Well... this is my dream guy."

"Oh!" Robert said with an unsure tone.

"Downey," Calista said coming up to him. "It's exactly you."

He pulled her closer to kiss her. Calista could feel that he was trembling a little. They gazed into each other's eyes with adoration. Then they kissed tenderly.

"I told you Downey...You are amazing."