Later that day Johnny and Roy had more visitors in the form of Roy's kids and in-laws. Roy was as ecstatic to see his children as they were to see him and Uncle Johnny. "Daddy, are you going to be home soon?" Jenny asked at one point.

"Yes sweetie," Roy replied. "Mommy and the baby will be home before me, but it won't be long. And Nanna and Poppa will stay until I get there."

"Our baby's a girl," Chris confided to Johnny on whose bed he sat.

"So I've heard," Johnny replied with a smile. "Is that okay?"

"I guess so," Chris said, "but I kind of wanted a brother."

"Well, you know, sisters are pretty fun too," Johnny told him. "Look at how much fun you and Jenny have."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Johnny tried not to laugh at the skeptical look on Chris's face. When he looked at Roy he saw the smile on his partner's face too, and both had to hold in their laughter until the end of the visit.

Several hours later when Johnny was "sleeping" Sharon rolled Joanne and the baby down to see Roy. Johnny awoke at the sound of Joanne's voice, but stayed still to give them a semblance of privacy. "So I guess we should name this little girl," Roy said. "It's kind of sad that we haven't come up with anything."

"I know. I feel a little guilty. We came up with Jenny's name immediately."

"Chris's too."

"So, any ideas?"

"Patricia"

Joanne wrinkled her nose. "I don't think so. Cynthia?"

Roy grimaced. "Nope."

"Why not?"

"Don't you remember Cynthia Jones from high school?"

"Oh, yeah. You're right. I forgot about her. Tamara?"

Johnny coughed loudly something that vaguely resembled a no. "Johnny dated a Tamara," Roy said, "it didn't go well. I couldn't do that to him after this week."

"Roy, we have to name her something."

Roy closed his eyes for a moment. "What about Melissa?" he said opening them again.

"And where did that come from?"

"I don't know," Roy laughed. "I just like it."

Joanne laughed with him. "Me too. How about Melissa Jane?"

"It's good," Roy replied. "Are we in agreement?"

"Yes," Joanne said leaning over and kissing him.

"You know," Joanne said after a quiet moment, "when I got that phone call…all I could think about was that our new baby would never know its father. And then I thought about now lost I was going to be without you. I really thought you would be gone before I even got to the airport. And then I got here and they said you were still alive. And then I felt so sorry for myself because I knew I was going to have to watch you die. And I didn't want that."

Roy took his wife's hand in his good one. "I'm made of stronger stuff than that," he said silencing her. "Let's not talk about it anymore. It's behind us. And we have a beautiful new daughter as an added bonus."

"We certainly do," Joanne smiled through her teary eyes. "Johnny, we know you're listening."

Johnny rolled over. "Well it's not like I can help it. I'm right here. Now can I please hold that baby?"

Joanne stood and placed the baby in his arms. "Hey there Melissa," he said softly. "I'm your Uncle Johnny. We're going to be best friends just like your Daddy and me. And I'm going to teach you everything I know. Just like I taught your big brother and sister."

6 months later…

Johnny sat sipping lemonade in the DeSoto's backyard. The whole shift was over for a BBQ which was turning out to be a huge success. Hank had brought his wife and she and Joanne were in the kitchen finishing up the salad and dessert. Roy was keeping one eye on the grill and the other on his kids who were running Chet ragged. Melissa started to fuss and Roy moved to pick her up. "I'll get her Roy," Johnny said, lifting her from the playpen.

"Thanks Johnny," Roy said turning his attention to the nearly done food.

Johnny settled the baby on his arm and she lay contentedly staring up at him.

Johnny smiled down at her and marveled at how amazing his life was. He had good friends, a good job, people who cared about him. And despite its ups and downs, he was pretty sure he wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe his love life...

So this is the end. By the way, it took me pretty much forever to come up with the baby's name. Jennifer was number one for girls in the 70's and Christopher was number two for boys, so I knew I had to pick something else from the top of the list. Melissa was number three. Thanks to everybody who's stayed with me for this and review so loyally! Final reviews make me happy!