Kayla couldn't stop staring at Aj. She knew who he was, her mommy had told her enough times. It was just weird seeing him up close. "Daddy?" she asked innocently.

Aj looked at her and wasn't sure of what to say. He hesitated for a moment before answering, " Yes...I am your....daddy."

Kayla, without saying a word, reached out to him with open arms "Hug?"

Aj held onto her tightly. She was his daughter, and it was hard for him to get used to the idea. He wondered where they would go from here. He had missed out on the last two years of her life already. It was impossible to make up for lost time.

Aj grinned, taking her hand in his. "You're a beautiful little girl, do you know that?"

She nodded, smiling up at him.

As they walked out of the daycare center, Kayla babbled on about her dollies and daycare. Aj listened intently trying to decipher every last detail. Tara walked alongside them smiling at the notion of Kayla and her father finally together.

They all filed into the car and made the short drive back to the hospital.

******

After they arrived, they all sat in the waiting area. Hoping to hear some good news.

"Mommy sick?" Kayla asked her aunt. Tara knew that she had to be honest with her, but she didn't want to scare her.

"Yes honey, mommy is sick. That's why the doctors are taking good care of her."

"K."

She turned to Aj, "Is she okay here with you?"

Aj looked at Kayla and said, "You wanna stay here with me while your auntie talks to the doctor?"

Kayla nodded affirmatively.

"Alright then, I'll be back in a few minutes. You be good for Aj ok honey?"

"Ok. Not Aj. Daddy." Kayla said.

Tara and Aj just looked at each other in surprise. He felt his heart swell when Kayla said that. He never knew how sweet it would be to hear those words.

"I'll be right back." Tara said, going in search of the doctor with a huge grin on her face.

Kayla yawned and rested her head on her father's shoulder. She seemed so eager to accept him, as if having him there now made up for the years they never had together.

Tara returned with a solemn look on her face, "There has been a complication. The doctor said that Topaz' body is rejecting the new marrow, and her chances don't look good."

"See Mommy now?" Kayla asked. She knew that her aunt was upset, but she didn't really understand any of what was going on.

"For a little while, honey. Your mommy...needs to rest." Tara said softly, taking Kayla by the hand.

Aj took Kayla's other hand and they walked to the intensive care unit of the hospital. Topaz was in room E, they found it quickly and walked in. Topaz was awake, but she didn't look good. All the color had left her face, and there was an iv drip in her arm.

She seemed to brighten a little bit when she saw Kayla walk in the room. "Hey baby." she said, her voice raspy.

"Mommy..look Daddy Aj. " Kayla said, her face beaming.

Topaz could hardly believe her eyes when she saw Aj. It stunned her even more to see that he was holding hands with his daughter. Finally, they were together.

"Hey beautiful." He said, leaning down and giving Topaz a kiss on the cheek. "You had to know I wasn't going to stay in LA with you in here."

"Thanks for coming." Topaz said softly, a weak smile on her face. "Tara, can you take Kayla out in the hall for a minute, I need to talk to Alex."

"Sure sis." Tara responded, grabbing Kayla's hand and leading her out of the room.

Once she was sure that they were gone, Topaz began, "I am so glad you're here." She reached out and grabbed his hand holding it tightly to her own.

"Me too." He said, flashing his mega watt smile at her.

"Do you believe me now that Kayla is your daughter?" Topaz asked, although she already knew the answer. Deep down she already knew.

"Yes, when we went to pick her up...and I saw her..how could I doubt it then? You were right, she does look just like me. I don't need any paternity test now. I have all the proof I need."

Topaz smiled wanly, "I love you Alex, and I know given enough time Kayla is going to love you too. Take care of her for me."

Aj looked down at her and frowned. He knew what she was saying. She wanted him to take care of their daughter after she passed away. But it was too soon. It wasn't going to happen right now. It wasn't going to happen today. He wouldn't let it.

"Topaz...you're going to get better and we'll have plenty of time with Kayla...together." He said optimistically.

"Do you remember that night at the restaraunt? The night I told you I was sick? That I was dying?"

Aj tried to hold back the tears, but he couldn't. "Yes."

"Well, it's my time...I've accepted that. Why do you think I went to all this trouble to have you in my life? I wanted you to meet your daughter, Aj. I want you to be there for her after I go.....I love you, Alexander James McClean." Her grasp on his hand was loosening. Aj suddenly felt very scared. He didn't want to lose her.

"Topaz, no. You can't go now. Kayla needs you." He cried, adding "I need you." Her hand felt limp in his and she let out one long breath. Then she was still. He looked over at the heart monitor and saw a steady line straight across the screen. He laid his hand on her chest to listen for her heart. There was nothing. Just silence. Just peace. With his head still on her chest, Aj sobbed loudly.

After what felt like an eternity, He lifted his head up and looked at Topaz' face. She was so beautiful. "I love you too." He whispered in her ear. He took a long stemmed rose from a nearby vase and placed it gently on her chest. "Always."

epilogue