The receptionist frowned. "I'm sorry...but Troy's father has been located."

Luke stood outside the door listening.

Jaime swallowed, nodding a little.

"I know...i'm...his niece...but he doesn't want Troy...he's already told Troy's doctor that...and...I want to adopt him instead..."

The receptionist smiled a little. "You'd have to be a bit older to do that sweetheart."

"I...I'm 16 in a week..."

Jaime swallowed hard...she was Troy's only hope...they had to let her do this...although realisitically she knew it couldn't happen...but she couldn't not try....

The receptionist nodded. "I'm sorry Jaime...that's just not old enough."

"Oh please...please...he can't go live with strangers...please can't you just overlook it once.."

Jaime begged, knowing all the while it was useless but she had to at least feel like she tried.

"I'm sorry....but if the father doesn't want him he'll be placed in an orphanage...provided he leaves he hospital. Unless some adult wishes to provide for him."

Jaime had to think quickly, and blurted out.

"My Aunt Daisy! Please, don't put him in an orphange yet...please..stall them....my Aunt Daisy'll provide for him I know it...please..."

Luke had heard enough. Hobbling into the room he took the phone from his daughter and after apologising to the receptionist hung up the phone. "Jaime...I know ya mean well but..."

Jaime shook her head, her jaw set.

"I won't let him be sent to an orphanage when he's got a family that he should be with right here! Its not fair that everyone else has abandoned him and now Bo's doing it too!"

She exclaimed, deliberatly leaving out the respectful 'Uncle' title.

"Everyone else has abandoned him, I won't let him be abandoned...I know Aunt Daisy will take him in, she wants a child anyway!"

"Sweetheart, think about Troy. Daisy'd be just as much a stranger to him as the folks in the orphanage."

"But at least he'll be with family! He's a Duke Daddy! You said that all Dukes stick together no matter what!"

Jaime exclaimed, tears springing in her eyes again.

Luke bit his lip nodding. "And they do...if Bo don't want him....we'll take him."

Jaime swallowed hard, blinking a little.

"Wh...you mean....you..."

Luke swallowed. "Well...he is my nephew... but only if it's ok with you...."

Jaime smiled and nodded

"It's fine with me! I...I always wanted a sibiling..."

Luke nodded. "Then...then I'll make some calls."

Jaime smiled and hugged Luke close, careful of his leg and making sure she didn't knock him over.

He hugged his girl close. He wasn't sure he was ready to deal with a little six year old boy...Jaime was hard enough. But he figured a little boy had to be easier than a teenage girl...even a sick one. And planned or not, Troy WAS his nephew. And he'd be damned if he let the tyke get thrown away like a fish too small for a meal. He deserved a chance, and if Bo wouldn't step up and give it to him, then Luke would.

Jaime suddenly jerked away and looked up at Luke, swallowing.

"Daddy....Bo's sped off to sue the hospital..."

Luke swallowed. "Don't you fret....I'll see to him..." He thought a minute- he couldn't drive with his foot like this. Why don't you go grab the keys and we'll see what ya can do behind the wheel..."

Jaime looked up at him wide-eyed.

"What?!"

"Well you got a better idea of how to get there?"

"Call Aunt Daisy on the CB?!"

Jaime exclaimed

"Might take too long...." debated Luke in his mind.