The Infirmary

"He's going to be fine, thank God. But I'm worried about Aurora too, what if they come after her? He started screaming about the baby and she just...she snapped." I said, wiping tears away "These kids have had to grow up too fast, I hate it."


I nodded a little "Yes, please."


I started taking Katy's pants off of her, Pepper came over and spread her legs open to take a look at everything. "Did your water or anything break?" I asked her "You didn't hide it from me, did you?" I asked, pushing her hair away from her face.

I sighed and pulled her into my arms. "So do I. Don't worry, I'm going to take care of this. I'll take Jason with me and we'll go have a talk with Carlisle. I'm sure he won't want this to turn into a mutiny any more than I do. This has already escalated way too far."



I got her a glass of water then tilted her head up. "Go slow okay. You don't want to overdo it."



"I... I don't know... I... I woke up wet this morning but... but I thought I just had an accident or something. We haven't been able to shower in weeks, I couldn't tell," I said and cried out again.

"I hope he listens to reason..."


I drank the water slowly and then eased back down on the bed "I can't imagine how my face looks."


"It's alright, baby. I understand."


"The baby just crowned, it's time to push sweetheart."

"So do I." I kissed her softly then reluctantly let her go. "We'll be back soon."



"You're fine. It'll take a little time, but you'll heal."



I nodded and squeezed Preston's hand hard, then pushed as hard as I could.

"Please be careful. I love you."


"I guess so..."


"You're doing great, Babe." I whispered and kissed her forehead as she kept pushing. Pepper encouraged her and counted between pushes.

"I will. I love you too." I kissed her again then headed out with Jason.



"Tell me about you," I said, trying to think of something to keep her awake.



"Oh... god this... hurts," I cried out and pushed again. I stopped when Pepper told me to so she could work the shoulders out.

"There isn't much to tell really. I was an orphan and grew up with Trace and Diego...now...they're both gone."


I worked with the baby and had to cut Katy a little so she didn't tear "Okay sweetie, give me two more good pushes."

"I'm sorry," I said, wishing I knew what to say other than that. It sounded so lame.



I nodded and took a deep breath, screaming out as I pushed again.

"That...what happened tonight wasn't like Diego. I'm not sure who that even was." I said, tears starting to roll down my cheeks. "Trace and I were starting to get closer." I whispered and wiped my eyes.

"One more time, you can do it." I told her, holding the baby in my arms already.


"Almost there baby, one more push." I said and let her squeeze my hand as hard as she wanted.

"I wish I knew what to say. I wish I knew why people change sometimes too, but... sometimes they just do and there's no real explanation," I said, getting her a cloth to wipe her eyes.



I squeezed his hand hard, screaming out as I pushed as hard as I could, until I felt the baby slide out of me. I laid back, breathing hard, exhausted.

I took the cloth from him and wiped my eyes with it "Thanks." I muttered.


I caught the baby in my arms, Rosalie rushed in to suction out the nose and mouth. "Alright, Preston. You know what to do." I smiled to him as he cut the cord.

"You're welcome. Are you hungry or anything?"



I smiled when I heard the baby cry. "Is... is the baby okay? What... what did we have?" I whispered. 

I shook my head slowly "I couldn't hold anything down if I wanted to."


"A girl. And she's perfect."

I nodded. "That's understandable. Do you want some more water?"



I smiled. "Let me see her."

"That would be fine."


I laid the baby in Katy's arms gently "Here she is."

I got her more water and helped her sit up a little so she could drink it.



Tears filled my eyes and I quickly blinked them back. "Oh she's perfect... so beautiful," I whispered.

I drank the water until my thirst subsided and I laid back against the pillows "What's your story?" I asked, turning to look at him.
-Cody

"And a Ford, look at that hair. I guess I have strong genes, huh?"
-Preston

"It's... well... long and complicated. What do you want to know?"

Chad

I laughed. "Mmhm, you sure do baby," I said and kissed him. "What are we naming her?"

Katy

I shrugged a little "Whatever you want to tell me."
-Cody

"What about Aria?" I asked.
-Preston

"Well... my parents separated for awhile, while we still lived in Kampfer. They're back together now though. I have a younger sister. An uncle and an aunt with three kids. They had four but... my cousin Feather died in the games..."

Chad

I smiled. "I love it, it's perfect."

Katy

"That's terrible, I'm sorry to hear that. Why did your parents separate?"


"You should get some rest and I'll see if someone will bring you something to eat. Ezra took Aiden already."

"They were just... they were having some problems. My dad used to drink a lot."



"Okay. How is he? Is he okay?"

"Oh...that's too bad. Atleast they worked it out though."


"He's fine, he just doesn't understand what's going on. I'll take care of him and Aria while you rest. Except I don't have the right equipment to feed her."

"Yeah, I'm glad they did. Long and bumpy road, not helped along any by a certain asshole. But that's a different, and long, story."



"I'm gonna feed her now, then rest. Just wake me up when she needs fed again." I smiled and pulled him to me, kissing him softly. "I love you."