What if Mary had lost Norah when she went into labor early? Proceed with caution.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

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She should have seen this coming.

She had denied the pregnancy from the beginning. No part of her wanted to be pregnant. She wasn't cut out to be a mother. How could she take care of a baby in her line of work? A baby would never fit in her life.

The universe certainly had a sick fucking sense of humor.

She squirmed in her bed, her body aching and protesting her every breath.

Why?

"Mary?"

She looked up and through her tears saw Marshall walk into the room. "Marshall…"

He quickly came to her side and enveloped her in a strong embrace. She willingly sank into his arms and shuddered.

"Marshall…"

"Shh." He raised a hand and gently smoothed it over her tangled hair. "Shh…"

"I didn't want her…"

He sighed and she felt it to her bone. "Mare, these things happen. You didn't cause this."

"Didn't I?"

"No, you didn't," he repeated firmly. "I could show you dozens of statistics and data studies, but you don't need that. Not now."

Then what did she need?

He hugged her tighter as though he sensed her unspoken question. "Right now, you need someone to tell you it's going to be okay, because you don't think it's ever going to be okay again."

Her shoulders shuddered and she hid her face in his chest.

"It's going to be okay, Mary. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But eventually, it will be okay."

He sounded so damn certain.

"Norah," she choked out.

"Hmm?"

Her hands came up and gripped his shirt tightly, desperately seeking stability as she floundered and faltered. "Her name was Norah."

"Norah…" Marshall sighed and rested his lips against Mary's hair. "Beautiful."

Mary couldn't bring herself to say anything else, but it didn't stop the thoughts from flooding her mind and stealing her breath.

Would she have been a good mother, despite the fact that she never wanted to be one?

Would Norah have been happy with her?

Would Mark have been involved?

Would it have been okay?

Would Norah have loved her?

She didn't even realize she was sobbing until Marshall started to rock her, and there in that hospital room, safe in his arms, she finally let herself fall to pieces.

The End.