Ok ladies and gents...here it is! The final chapter. I have no idea why it took me so long to get here, but I'm happy that you all stuck with me along the way! Thank you for all your reviews! Please keep them coming.

I have some more stories bubbling around my head (although not in the hiphuggers universe for right now) that I will start posting soon.

Thank you all for your support and encouragment!

And I hope you enjoy the last chapter!

PS. I still don't own CSI: Miami

Epilogue

As Calleigh sat in her hospital bed, looking down at the miracle she held in her arms, she thought back over the last two years of her life with warmth and love. She lovingly stroked the side of the infant's face and thought back on the happy memories. So much had changed over the past two years, and only for the better. And she continued to take her happy trip down memory lane, she barely noticed when the door to her room opened, ever so slightly.

"Are you up for some visitors, Gorgeous?" she heard Eric whisper from the threshold of the door.

As she looked over she saw his head popping through the cracked door, and then 2 smaller ones just below him. Overcome with happiness, she simply nodded.

"Ok guys, come meet your new baby brother!" Eric said softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping infant.

Austin and Patty entered the room nervously, careful not to make any noise. Austin noticed his mother looked very tired, but very happy, and it made him smile.

"What's his name?" Patty asked in almost a whisper, in awe of the beautiful little boy nestled in her mother's arms.

"His name is Timothy. Tim for short." She answered happily while giving a small wink to the man she was so happy to call her husband.

At that moment, Calleigh and Eric became lost in each other's eyes once again. The children knew this look of theirs, as it happened often. It warmed their hearts each time it did.

The two of them were able to express, without ever saying a word, a lifetime of love and adoration in these looks. There was so much joy in their expressions, in this instance, the two older children could not help but laugh. This caused the bundle of joy in Calleigh's arms to stir a little, and with a big yawn, open his eyes.

"Well look who's awake!" Eric said blissfully.

His son. His beautiful baby boy. He had never imagined in a million years that he would ever get to experience this much happiness.

Calliegh lifted the child towards Eric so that he could hold the newest member of their family. Once he was safely in Eric's arms, she gestured to the two others to join her on the bed. Austin and Patty made their way over and carefully climbed up to sit with their mother, being as gentle as they could to avoid hurting her.

Calleigh laughed. "I'm not going to break guys! Give me a hug!" she said, pulling them towards her.

They giggled back as they returned her embrace, folding themselves into her arms.

At that moment, little Timothy let out an adorable gurgle, causing the three to look over at Eric and the baby.

Eric smiled as he stroked the tiny little hand of the miracle before him.

"Look what we made…" he simply said. Completely hypnotized by the tiny person in his arms.

Calleigh only smiled and hugged her other two children closer. She was so happy. So blissfully happy. She could not imagine a better life.

Over the past two years they had had their ups and downs, it was true. But their love always saw them through to the other side of any storm. The children had adjusted so well to their new family, Austin even opening up about the more difficult aspects of his past. He found comfort and compassion in his parents. Most of all he just felt safe.

Patty had taken the news of the new baby with a little more hesitation than Austin. Austin was excited from the moment he found out. Patty, however, was nervous that she wouldn't be her Daddy's "Princessa" anymore. They had reassured her, of course, that nothing would change how much they love her, but she still seemed a little put out by the new addition. That was, until she found out it was a boy. Still being the only girl was enough to change her opinion on the subject and she had even attended a few of the ultrasound appointments with her mother.

They had been worried, Calleigh and Eric. Worried about how the children would respond to a biological child entering the picture. But it seems the children never even thought of things that way. Both were now extremely excited to take on their new or expanded older sibling roles.

Calleigh sighed contentedly as she ran her fingers through Austin's hair. He reached in for another hug, sensing she would want one.

"Mom" he whispered.

Calleigh looked towards him in response.

"Are you happy?"

Calleigh smiled warmly. "Austin, I've never been happier. And you know what?" she asked.

"What?"

"It's all because of you." She said, with joyful tears in her eyes.

Austin shook loose his own tears at his mother's admission and tightened his embrace once again.

Patty, oblivious to the exchange, was now climbing off the bed, to make her way towards her father.

"Daddy? Can I hold him?" she asked excitedly.

"Of course, Princessa" he said turning towards her. "But you have to be careful. Why don't you come sit on the chair" he said, gesturing to the big padded chair in the corner. Once she was situated, he placed the infant in the young girl's arms, careful to leave his hand below the baby for support.

Patty was instantly enthralled.

"He's so little, Daddy." She whispered in awe.

"Well that's because he's brand new, Princessa." He said with a smile.

Patty cooed at the infant and told him stories for the next several minutes, until Austin came over as well.

"Can I have a turn, Patty?" he asked politely.

"Sure. But you have to be careful, right Daddy?" she said, looking to her father for confirmation.

Eric nodded at the little girl and gave Austin a wink. Austin, carefully lifted the now sleeping child from his sisters arms into his own. He couldn't wait until his new little brother was old enough to play with him. He was excited to teach him things. He sat there, staring at the child, quietly contemplating all the things they would do together.

Eric, confident that Austin could support the child safely, walked over to give his wife a kiss.

"Tired babe?" he said, sweeping a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"A little." She replied simply.

"Well you look beautiful." He said, leaning in for another kiss.

"I think you're biased" she joked, reaching for his hand. She pulled him down towards her, wanting to feel his arms, and he gladly obliged.

"Thank you, Eric." She whispered.

"For what?" he replied, surprised.

"For this life. You made all of this possible. You have given me so much more than I ever thought I could have. So much happiness…I can't even…" At this point, her tears wouldn't allow her to continue and she just reached out for him again.

"Shhhh. Shhhh. Babe, you don't have to thank me. You have given me the same. I love you."

As she moved her head slightly to watch Austin and Patty and their new son, without breaking the embrace, she felt overwhelmed with joy.

"I love you too."

There it is...Did you like it? Let me know what you think! I'm dying to know!

And please feel free to send me suggestions or challenges for any other stories. Like I said, I have a couple brewing right now, but I can always find time for a quick one-shot if you so desire!

Thanks everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

XOXOXOXOX