Bobbie is sitting in her hospital room when Stefan comes in. He stands at a distance.

“ Hello, Stefan.”

“ Barbara.”

“ Why are you here?”

” I thought it was time that we had a talk. Don’t you?”

“ I suppose. So, talk.”

“ How has the baby been today?”

” Fine.”

” And you? Have your levels changed with the toxemia?”

” No. They’re the same.”

” Good. Barbara, how do you feel about the child?”

“ Feel. Most times, I don’t FEEL anything about the baby. I think I’m still in shock.”

“ Shock?”

“ Yes. One day, many years ago, when I was young woman, I woke up in a hospital, and was told that not only was my baby gone, but I would never have another one. You never forget a conversation like that. You can’t. You deny it, curse it, but, eventually, you swallow it, and go on. And live with the hole inside of you. That hole was so deep, that I went out, against all the laws of decency, and bought myself a baby. Even when I knew that his biological mother was looking for him, I held onto Lucas. It was morally reprehensible, unconscionable to be honest, but, the hunger was so deep, I couldn’t let go.

I sit here, in this bed, and sometimes, I just stare at the fetal monitor.  A couple of days ago, I realized by looking at the clock, that I had spent 2 and half hours looking at it. Science has told me that I am going to have a baby, but, it’s the same science that told me that I wouldn’t years ago. How can I trust it now, as I did then?

This child is a miracle. For someone who gave up on miracles long ago, I don’t know how to accept this one.

I’ve lost a lot in my life, Stefan. My life has been one series of losses after another.

This baby......is a gift. A most precious gift. It’s as if, someone is finally smiling on me.”

“ You’ve never had any doubts about keeping the child?”

“ No. God, no. “

“ Even if it’s my child?”

“ Even if....you’ve asked me about the baby. What are your feelings?”

“ Like yourself, I  believe I am still in shock. The concept of a child is what stuns me. It was the very last thing that I ever thought would happen between the two of us.”

“ Ain’t that the truth.”

Stefan pulls up a chair and sits next to Bobbie.

” I went into the attic the other day, and found books, written by Nikolas, when he was a child. I have countless memories of Nikolas as a baby. His first words, his first steps, when he first successfully climbed the staircase in Greece. His first riding and swimming lessons. Each of those events brought such joy to me. Yet, I enjoyed them all alone. And, the same, with Katya.

I look at you with Lucas. And, the love that you’ve shown Nikolas and Katya, and, I say this in all honesty, Barbara. I am very pleased that you are the woman carrying my child. If you could love the child of the man you hate, then the child will know love indeed.”

“ I don’t hate you, Stefan. Even when we were at our most distant, I didn’t hate you. “

“ Then, why were you willing to keep me in the dark about the existence of my own child?”

“ Because, I thought you hated me.”

” I told you..that night...That I didn’t hate you.”

“ That was your pity talking.”

“ I have NEVER had pity on you, Barbara. You sell yourself short much too often.”

“ Well, I’m just following the lead of everyone else. Besides, what kind of future could the child of a monster and a whore have?”

“ A WONDERFUL future, Barbara. Cassadine children are often seen as burdens, or obligations. As much as I love Nikolas, I know that’s how he feels. He thinks that my life could have been better if he hadn’t come along. I’ve not once ever uttered those words, or expressed that to him in anyway. But, he comes from a long line of Cassadines that arrived in this world to less than enthusiastic parents.

I tell you this now. However this child was conceived, And, yes, that was in deception. This is a child of love. My heart is so captivated by it already, I cannot imagine wanting a child more.”

“ Neither can I.”, Bobbie says quietly.

“ I will do whatever I can in order to insure that both you and the child make it through to delivery, Barbara.”

“ Thank you.”

“ Well, you need your rest. I will be going.”

“ Stefan, don’t........If you wait a few minutes, Dr. Newman is going to perform an ultrasound.”

“ Is that wise?”

” I think it will be safe. But, you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

“ I would like to stay.”

“ Fine.”

Just then, Dr. Newman enters. “ Hello, Bobbie. Mr. Cassadine. Bobbie didn’t tell me that you would be here.”

“ I just invited Stefan.”

” Well, are you ready?”

” Yes.”

“ Ok. Let me check your vitals.” The Doctor checks all of Bobbie’s equipment and her bloodpressure and charts.

“ Well, Bobbie, everything is looking much better than when you first came in. Your toxemia levels have not risen. Your blood pressure is back to normal, and the baby is stabilized. No increase or decrease in the baby’s heartbeat either, which is excellent. “ Just then, the nurse comes in with the ultrasound equipment. “ See, right on time. Mr. Cassadine, if you will excuse us.”

Stefan steps to a corner of the room and watches as they prepare Bobbie for the ultrasound. They pour the gel on her stomach and the doctor prepares Bobbie. When it is all set up, she calls, “ Mr. Cassadine, you can come back now.”

Stefan walks to Bobbie’s side. Bobbie opens her hand, and Stefan hesitantly takes it.

“ Now, you both know how this works?”

“ I don’t Doctor.”

“ Well, you will see imaging on the screen, of the baby. We can see from here, if there are any problems that might need further testing.”

Bobbie and Stefan stare at the screen, at the image of their baby. The doctor points out the baby, and the heart beating, and the formation of the limbs.

” Can you tell what sex the child is?”, Stefan asks.

“ Let’s see if the baby will cooperate.” The doctor fiddles with the equipment in order to try and manipulate the baby into a position where sex can be determined. “ Sorry. This little one is not cooperating. I’ve tried all my tricks.”

” So, Dr. Newman, how are things?”

“ How do you think, Bobbie?”

” Well, I think I saw that the baby was doing fine.”

” That’s exactly what I saw too. The baby is doing just fine. For now. But, we’re going to have to keep a close eye on you.”

” You won’t need to worry about that, Doctor. Barbara will be have the finest care possible.”

” Would you two like a copy of the sonogram?”

“ Could you make two? I think Stefan and I each want our own copies. Am I right.”

“ Absolutely.”, Stefan responds.

“ Ok. It’s great to have such interested parents. I’ll do it right now.” Dr. Newman makes the copies and gives one to Stefan and Bobbie. “ Well, I will see you three later. Bobbie, I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you. If you continue doing well, you’ll be able to go home soon.”

“ Good.”

“ Well, another successful checkup, Bobbie. Count your blessings. Your baby is doing well. Goodbye.”

“ Thank you, Dr. Newman. Barbara and I appreciate your care.”

Dr. Newman leaves and Bobbie and Stefan are both staring at their copies of the sonogram.

“ Well, it’s been a full day for me. I’m a bit tired.”

“ Alright, Barbara. I will leave. But, we must discuss soon, your return to Wyndemere.”

“ Later, Stefan.”

“ Goodbye, Barbara.”

Stefan leaves Bobbie in the hospital room. As she looks at the sonogram, tears form in her eyes. She moves her hand slowly over the picture and just utters quietly, “ My baby.”, over and over to herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

Alexis walks into the Conservatory and observes Stefan deep in thought. She has called out his name a couple of times with no response. She walks over to him,

“ Stefan?”

“ Oh, Alexis. I didn’t hear you come in.”

” That’s obvious. What has you so completely engrossed?”

” This.” Stefan hands over to Alexis the sonogram in his hands.

“ What is this?”

” The picture of my child.”

” Oh. How is Bobbie? The baby.”

“ The doctor said that everything was well. Alexis, it was incredible, this sonogram. I saw my child, Alexis. It was moving. I saw the heart beating. The limbs forming. The organs. It’s alive, Alexis. I have a child. A child that I can proudly claim as my own.”

“ You’re very excited about this baby, aren’t you?”

” Yes. Which is why I need for you to obtain all the information that you can about child custody and the laws in both the United States and Greece. I will not be shut out of this child’s life. No one will do that. Not even Barbara.”

” Stefan, before you go off on this custody tangent, don’t you think that you should try and work things out with Bobbie? After all, with Helena on the loose, the two of you could come to a compromise of sorts, to your own mutual gain. “

“ I am not foolish, Alexis. I will, of course, approach Barbara, about the benefits of a two parent home for the baby. But, I am also going to be prepared for whatever happens. I still agree with you, that, the best course of action for me, is to have Barbara give birth in Greece.”

“ Papa, still scheming, I see.”

” Katya. Your eavesdropping skills are excellent as usual. Your tone of judgment is unwarranted.”

“ You’re wrong to plot against Bobbie like this.”

” This is none of your concern, Katya. Please do not involve yourself in this matter any further. Alexis and I were having a discussion. One in which you were not invited.”

“ Fine.” Sasha leaves the Conservatory.