Title: Miracle Baby Summary: a mother thinks about how she finally became one. Notes: Written to amuse Kristen, who provides great S9 recaps for the XF-disadvantaged - in particular, the one for Trust No 1 ::g::. She knows why. "Bye baby bunting Why such a gory thought should soothe any child, I've no idea, but it works its usual magic; his breathing gradually slows and soon he's asleep. I linger a moment longer, stroking his smooth brow one last time before leaving the room. My little boy. My miracle baby, the one I thought, and the doctors thought, was impossible. Almost a year old now, with a glorious shock of fine reddish hair and his father's nose. I emerge into the living room and habitually check my email. I'm hoping for a message from him, and it's there. My heart beats a little faster as it always does, seeing his username appear on my screen. Silly, really. Just words on a page. "On my way," it reads, short and sweet, the time stamp just over half an hour ago. I'm guessing that means he should be here soon. About damn time, too - I'm sick of never knowing exactly when he'll turn up. In the years we worked together I gradually came to trust in him, and believe in the importance of his work, but I could never reconcile myself to the dangers that surrounded him, that surrounded all of us, whether or not we chose to believe. That was brought home to me the first time I visited him in hospital, flowers in hand. So many times, he's been to the brink of death, and even beyond. He made it back, I know, but next time he might not be so lucky. Even now, I still breathe a small, private sigh of relief every time he walks in the door. As though in tune with my thoughts, I hear his key turn in the lock. Hope he's damn well brought the rabbit skin. I run for it, grabbing the door as it opens. "Shh, he's asleep." "I'm happy to see you too," he says dryly, but his eyes are twinkling. Without warning, he grabs me around the waist and lifts me into the air so I have to stifle an involuntary yelp. "Dammit, Walter, put me down!" I mutter with as much fury as I can manage between keeping my voice low and trying to keep from laughing. "Missed you so much today, Kim," he says, then flashes that rare, brilliant smile I fell in love with. I barely have time to melt before he continues, "My new PA's filing system is a disaster." He finally lets me go after I punch him a few more times, and we go upstairs together to check on Sam. Perhaps not as much of a miracle as Dana's William, almost three now, but one of our own, nevertheless. Despite all the old test results, turns out it wasn't solely Walter's fault he and Sharon never had kids, after all. I wrap my arms around his waist as he gazes at his sleeping son, and hope that one day it will be over, and we can learn to live again without the dark shadows of conspiracies hanging over our heads. Dreaming of miracles. End
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