*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter they were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much*

"Wait," says Roman as we arrive at the hospital for Lia to have her baby. "You're the dad?" he asks Ben as we are walk into the hospital. "YOU ARE THE DAD?" he asks yelling this time. I work with Lia on breathing. I know she's in labor and she's not far from having my first grandson. I don't think it's the time for all the dramatics about Ben being the father.

"Yes," answers Ben as he helps get Lia into a wheelchair. "I am the father and I love her," he says making me smile and making Lia smile.

"You love me, Baby?" she asks with a smile through the pain in her face.

"Yes," he says looking down at her with a smile. I remember that same look. I had a man that gave me that same look many years ago and just this morning before our Thanksgiving celebration. Roman looked at me the same way Ben is looking at Lia. "I love you," he smiles. "I left her, Lia. I left Alyssa for you. I want us to be a family, you me and the baby," he says. "I want to move here to Pensacola with you or we can move to Tampa it doesn't matter as long as you, me and the baby can be a family. I love you, Lia," he says with so much tenderness in his voice my heart melts for Lia. "I'm sorry it took me so long to make a decision but I love you and I want to be with you. I wasn't happy with Alyssa," he begins.

"While I enjoy hearing you tell me you love me and you want to be with me, can we do this later.. I'm kind of about ready to push a baby out of my vagina, our baby that is. I think we can talk later," she says. "I don't think our son wants to wait."

"Right," says Ben, "I'm sorry," he says before he kisses her lips softly. He gets behind the wheelchair and pushes it to the reception desk of the emergency room. "My girlfriend is in labor," he announces to the woman at the desk. "I don't think she has much time."

"All right, I will call them up in Labor and Delivery, just take the elevator up to the 3rd floor. They will be waiting for you."

"Thank-you," says Ben as we move to the elevator to take Lia to Labor and delivery.

"You can't tell me you're all right with this," says Roman as we step onto the elevator as he whispers to me.

"What are we supposed to do about it, Roman? She's 22 years old. She's old enough to make her own decisions. She's old enough to choose who she has sex with and who she doesn't have sex with. She's an adult."

"He's old enough to be her dad, Tay! His kids are older than her," he says. "And let's not forget the fact he was married and he's a Batista," he says.

"Technically," says Ben. "I'm not a Batista and I can hear you. I am a Moretti, Dave Batista isn't my dad biologically. My biological dad passed away when I was a baby. And I don't see why age should matter as long as Lia is happy. I'm not a bad guy. You've known me for years," he points out. "Have I ever done anything illegal or done anything wrong? Am I terrible?"

"You seduced my daughter," he snaps. "She's 22 years old. She's younger than your youngest daughter," he says.

"By a year," replies Ben. "It shouldn't matter how old I am I love Lia and I love our child we are going to have together. And really it isn't your business who your daughter has in her bed and who she loves."

"I didn't hear her say she loves you. You have known her since she was a baby. Your nephew is having a child with her twin sister. Not to mention you're like family to us," he says. "You're like her uncle."

"Dad, I'm sure you didn't say how much Jonah was like family to us when he got Lei pregnant. Remember you helped raise him and you had custody of him for a little when he was a baby. He's like a son or nephew to you yet it's okay for him to be involved with Lei but it's not okay for Ben to be involved with me?"

"Don't bring Jonah and me into your twisted life. Jonah isn't as old as my dad and he wasn't married when we got together. Ben is 4 years younger than dad and he was married leave Jonah and I out of your drama."

"Always the favorite," snaps Lia as the doors to the elevator open. "You were always dad's favorite everything you ever did was perfect for him and everything I did I was criticized for. You were always the favorite," she complains.

"We don't have favorites," I chime in. "We love you both the same and we treat you both the same," I say. "You are two different women with two different personalities Lei was never the favorite, we never had a favorite because we love all of you the same and respect you all the same."

"Mama, are you trying to convince me?" asks Lia. "Or are you trying to convince yourself? Because the way I see it, Lei has always been the favorite twin."

"And that's not true," I say as we get to the desk. We are reminded that not everyone can go back into the room with Lia and Ben but we can wait in the waiting room. "We have always treated and loved you the same."

"So then what's the issue with me being with Ben?" she asks. "He loves me and he treats me well. It shouldn't matter how old he is or how old I am. What should matter is that we love each other and we created a life together. Remember when you told me how much your mom and dad didn't want you and Dad together but you proved to them that you two loved each other and that you two were happy with each other. Your mom didn't even go to your wedding because she didn't approve of you marrying dad but you married him anyway because you love him and he loves you. Age doesn't matter. You can't put age on who you love. His mom is married to a man that is 17 years older than her and look how happy they are. And the stuff about Ben being like family is ridiculous because Ben is like family just like Jonah is like family but everyone is SO happy for Lei and Jonah because they are having a baby and they aren't even married."

"What does being married have to do with having a baby?" asks Lei crossing her arms. "You don't have to be married to have a baby and I'm only pregnant because my birth control failed me. I wasn't trying to get pregnant."

"Neither was I but it happened," she says.

"All right," says the nurse, "you'll have to save this conversation for another time. I need to get her checked out. Who all do you want to come back with you, Honey?" she asks.

"Ben, my mama and Lei," she answers.

"What about me?" asks Roman.

"No, Dad," she says. "I don't want you back there you're going to get me stressed out and I can't get stressed out. I'm sorry. I'll see you after I have the baby."

"I wish I could see my first grandson come into the world," he says sadly.

"It's going to be messy, Dad," says Lia. "I promise you'll be the first one to hold him when everyone comes back," she promises.

"All right," he says. "Take care of my daughter," he says to the nurse.

"She's in good hands," she smiles before she wheels her to the back. I kiss Roman goodbye and follow the nurse back to the room.

We walk into the examination room and the nurse and Ben help Lia up onto the bed. The nurse begins to hook Lia up to the IV as she begins to ask questions. "How long have you been having contractions?"

"Since last night," she says. "They are about 2-3 minutes apart now," answers Lia.

"On a scale from 1-10, 10 being the worst, how would you rate the pain of your contractions?" she asks sticking the needle into her arm before getting out the straps to wrap around her stomach to monitor the baby and check her blood pressure.

"10," she says. "They hurt a lot and I can't really feel my hands or my feet," she answers. "Something doesn't' feel right."

The nurse looks at her swollen hands and swollen feet. "Atalia, do you have pre-eclampsia?"

"The doctor may have mentioned it," she says. "and just so you know this baby is coming soon. My water broke nearly an hour ago, he's coming."

"Let me get you checked out," she says as she looks at the monitor. "Well, your blood pressure is extremely high. It's way too high," she informs Lia.

"That's not good," I say. "Is she going to be all right, is the baby going to be all right?" I ask with concern.

"I'm not sure," she says as she checks to see how dilated Lia is. "Lia, I'm just going to take a look to see how dilated you are."

"Okay," says Lia as she puts her legs up in the stirrups after putting on a hospital gown. I'm concerned for Lia's health and the baby's health. I had pre-eclampsia at one time and I nearly died after the baby was born and I ended up losing my son due to complications from his birth. I don't want the same thing to happen to Lia. I'm concerned at how high her blood pressure is.

"Mama," says Lei, "something is wrong with Lia. Her blood pressure is too high and the baby's heartbeat is too low," she says. "Something is wrong, Mama. I know I studied this in school. Something is wrong with Lia and I can feel it," she says. "I know something is wrong."

"She's going to be all right," I say to Lei. "Don't worry about her everything is going to be all right," I say but I am not sure if I am convincing myself or Lei. Lei and Lia have been able to feel the other's pain since they were younger. If Lia is hurting Lei is hurting and vice versa. It's their twin magic as I have always called it. I'm not sure if ALL twins have the same magic but our girls do and it has been happening since they were babies. Lia would cry and so would Lei for no reason. They are good at feel the other's distress but also the other's happiness.

"I hope so, Mama," says Lei as she rests her head on my shoulder. "I love my sister a lot even if we don't always get along I still love her."

"I know you do but you can't get yourself stressed out because you're pregnant and stress isn't good for a baby. You have to remain calm and take it easy."

"I know, Mama," she says, "but it's just I don't know."

"I understand," I say. "I understand. What I don't understand is what is the fascination with our family and the Batista family, I mean you and Jonah, Lia and Ben and as much as I hate to mention it Chelsea was your dad's girlfriend at one time."

"Wait, Aunt Chelsea was dad's girlfriend before?" she asks looking at me. "You marrying him doesn't that go against some type of girl code?"

"Only if she would have been my friend first," I answer, "the funny thing is I didn't know Chelsea and your dad were ever together. I didn't even know it when Chelsea and I were roommates in college. That's where we met. It wasn't until your dad came to visit me that I found out he and Chelsea were together at one time."

"And Aunt Chelsea was still your best friend? Wasn't that weird?"

"Not really now that I think about it. We just always got along with Chelsea and her family. It was Chelsea that suggested your dad and I take Jonah to help Jordyn out. I never dreamed that one day Jordyn would be my best friend or that our children would be having a baby together nor did I ever imagine that my daughter would be having a baby with my best friend's brother. You knew didn't' you?"

"I did," she says. "It caused a lot of controversy with Jonah's family. His grandparents aren't too happy about it, Jordyn isn't happy about it either. These are the things that scare me about marriage. I was ready to say yes if Jonah proposed to me but now I'm scared to get married because of this. What if Jonah cheats on me?"

"Is that what you're afraid of and is that why you have been anti-marriage?"

"Sort of," she says.

"Not all men cheat," chimes in Ben. "I mean I may not be in a position to talk because of what I have done but I love Lia and I don't want to hurt her. I never will either. I feel like I need to explain why I did what I did," he says.

"You don't have to," says Lia. "It's not their business."

"Please let me explain so they don't think I am some kind of monster that cheats on his wife," he pleads with her.

"May I say I hope this is a quick explanation because Atalia is in labor and it won't be long before the baby comes, she is 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced. It won't be long. We're going to move her to a delivery room and the doctor will be in."

"So he's coming?" asks Lia with relief. "I get to see my baby boy soon?"

"Very soon," says the nurse with a smile. "Let's get you moved to the delivery room."

"Okay," says Lia with a smile before the nurse unhooks her from the machines and starts to move her to a more comfortable room. As we get to the new room the nurse hooks her up to the machines and the nurse stops looking at the monitor of the baby's heartbeat. There must be something on her face because Lia asks, "what's wrong? You look nervous. Is the baby all right?"

"The baby's heart rate is a little lower than it should be. I'm sure everything will be all right," she says.

"No offense to you," says Lia, "but I would like the opinion of a doctor not your opinion. If my baby's heart rate is lower than it should be then maybe you should get the doctor in here to make the call on what he wants to do. I don't want to be rude BUT his opinion means more to me than yours does."

"I will get the doctor," she says before she leaves the room.

"Can you believe her?" asks Lia. "Does she think her opinion means ANYTHING to me? She's not my doctor. How is she going to look me in the face and tell me my baby's heart rate is low then say but everything should be all right? How would she know?"

"Relax," says Ben, "while the baby's heart rate is low your blood pressure is high and that's not good. You need to relax and take it easy. Stay calm," he says as he runs his hand through her hair. "Everything will be okay."

"I hope so," she says with a smile. "We're going to see our baby boy soon," she says happily. "I can't wait to meet him and hold him in my arms. I can't wait to see his handsome little face. I can't wait to do it all with you," she says to Ben making me smile.

"I can't wait either. There's nothing more beautiful than bringing your baby into this world. It's like the entire world stops in that moment," says Ben. "I remember when Michael was born it was the best day of my life and then came Mackenzie. They were two of the best days of my life," he says.

"How does Alyssa feel that you're having a baby with my daughter?" I ask. "And you say you're getting a divorce?"

"Yes," he says, "we're getting a divorce. Of course she was pissed when she found out that I was having a baby with Lia but I wasn't happy in that marriage. I really only married her because we got pregnant with Michael. I know it wasn't the best way to get married but I thought we should be married."

"Do you think you're going to marry Lia?" I ask.

"I hope to one day," he says, "but right now with Alyssa I have stuff to work out with her as far as the divorce goes while Lia and I have our own stuff to work out before we talk about marriage. I promised her at the beginning I was going to be there for my baby and I am going to be there for him. I'm going to be there for her. Alyssa and I haven't been happy together for years. I'm not proud that I cheated on her but it happened. I didn't expect it to be with Lia and I never expected to fall in love with her like I have. It was like everything we were doing was wrong but it felt right. I'm sorry that I cheated on Alyssa but I am not sorry that I fell in love with Lia," he says with a smile.

"I just want Lia to be happy and I know her father just wants her to be happy as well," I say. "She deserves happiness. He's upset right now but Lia is his daughter and you are in your late 40's while she's in her early 20's. He has a problem with that but he will come around and he will accept it. Right now he's just trying to protect his baby girl. We've wanted nothing but happiness for our children and if Lia found happiness in you then we are happy," I say with a smile. "I don't agree with you cheating on Alyssa but as long as you're serious about divorcing her and being with Lia I don't have a problem with you being with Lia even though it is her decision," I say as the doctor comes in.

"I'm Dr. Stephens, I'm going to be your doctor tonight Atalia, I hear your baby's heart rate is a little low and your blood pressure is a little high," he introduces himself shaking her hand.

"That's what the nurse said," she says. "I don't know. She seems to think everything will be all right but I have pre-eclampsia and I heard that it can be dangerous for the mom and the baby."

"Yes, Pre-Eclampsia is a serious condition," he says looking at the monitor. "And I am very concerned. I want to do a C-Section," he says.

"A C-Section?" asks Lia, "but I wanted a natural birth. That was part of my birth plan."

"Unfortunately in this case we're not going to be able to follow your birth plan. Your baby seems to be in distress and I don't like your blood pressure. I'm afraid if I allow you to push we will lose you or the baby or maybe even both. I don't think either of you can handle the stress," he suggests.

"Please no C-Section," she pleads. "I want to have the baby naturally," she says. "Please."

"Atalia, I'm afraid that is not possible. A C-Section is what's best for yourself and the baby. You want to have a healthy baby don't you?" he asks.

"Of course I do which is why I wanted a natural birth and not a C-Section. Are you sure I can't have a vaginal birth?"

"It poses a risk to you and your child so what I am going to do is prep the OR and keep you monitored. If I think you would be better off having a vaginal birth I will allow it but if not then we will have to do the C-Section. Okay?"

"Okay," she says with defeat in her voice. I know how much a natural birth meant to her but I also have been where she is. I had my complications during pregnancy and during labor. I lost a son once. I don't want the same pain for her. I don't want to lose my daughter either but unfortunately she has inherited mine and Roman's stubbornness which means she could fight this till it is too late.

"Lia," I say, "I really think you should listen to the doctor. I know you don't want to have a C-Section but sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to. I've been where you are before. I had your brother Toa and things got bad. I ended up dying only to be revived but when I came back I found out Toa had died. Could it have been prevented? I don't know I just know that we carry the heartache of losing your brother with us every day. It is a pain that never truly heals and the doctor said it is better for you and the baby if you have the C-Section. Neither of you can handle the stress of a vaginal birth. I think you should deliver through a C-Section for both you and the baby," I say.

"Mama, I know what you wish and what the doctor wishes but what I wish is that I have a natural vaginal birth."

"Lia," I say, "that's a dangerous route to go. Are you sure you want to risk both your lives that way?"

"I'm sure, Mama," she says as she looks at the doctor. "I am not having a C-Section. I'm having a vaginal birth."

"Atalia, please consider the C-Section," he says, "if you have a vaginal birth I guarantee that either you or the baby won't make it or worse neither of you will make it. It's too much stress. Having a C-Section is better for both of you."

"I can't," she says stubbornly. "I am having a vaginal birth."

"Are you sure?" asks the doctor. "Once we start the vaginal birth there's no going back and if something happens it will be too late," he says. "Are you sure that's what you wish?"

"Yes," she says.

"All right," he says, "but you'll need to sign consent forms that you made this decision to go against my judgment."

"I will," she says and I shake my head. She's so stubborn I wish she would have chosen the C-Section or that the doctor would push more or say there was no choice. If he knows what's best he should make the decision.

ONE HOUR LATER:

"All right," says Dr. Stephens, "it's time to push."

"Finally," says Lia. "I'm exhausted and this hurts. I'm never having any more babies so I hope you weren't expecting more," she says to Ben.

"I'm good with whatever you decide," he says with a smile. "I love you."

"I love you too," she says with a smile. Ben stands on one side of Lia while I stand on the other side and Lei watches from the side. "Our son is coming."

"I can't wait to meet him," he says happily.

"Neither can I," she says with a smile.

"All right, Atalia, push," says the doctor. Lia gives a big push as we hold her hands and she lets out a frustrated scream before she stops pushing. "Take it easy," he says looking at her blood pressure. "Relax," he says. "I need you to push again." Lia squeezes our hands as she pushes once more. She lets out an exhausted breath before she pushes again. She stops and tears fill her eyes.

"I can't do it, Mama. Ben, I can't do it," she says.

"You can," says Lei. "You can do it."

"I can't," she says.

"You can do it," says Ben.

"Give me another push," says the doctor. "We need to get the baby out. His heart rate is dropping. Push for me, Atalia, you can do this. Push," he says. She lets out a big push followed by a scream. "You're doing good, keep pushing," he says. She gives another push before letting out a blood curdling scream. Lei and I make eye contact and she shakes her head. She mouths the word blood to me. "You're crowning. His head is there," says the doctor. "Do you want to see?" Lia refuses to look but Ben and I take a look. That's when I see more blood than I should.

"That's a lot of blood," says Ben. "Is that normal?" he asks. "Should there be that much blood?"

"Atalia, keep pushing," he says, "we need to get this baby out now," he says.

"I can't," she says as she starts to pale. She's losing too much blood. She's too weak to keep pushing.

"Come on," he encourages, "you're almost done give me another push." Lia pushes again and stops. She takes all her strength and gives a bigger push. "His head is out. He's gorgeous," he says, "Give me another push," he instructs but Lia is down for the count. She's too weak, there's too much blood she has little strength but she finds enough to push him the rest of the way out. "He's out!" he yells but there is no crying. He suctions out his nose and mouth but the tiny baby boy is blue. He hands him to the nurse and they work with him as Lia's machine beeps. I look at her and she's gone, white as a ghost. "There's too much blood," he says. He doesn't know where to go he allows the nurse to take over with the baby while he takes over with Lia. He pushes us out of the way as he begins to do CPR on her, pressing her chest, trying to bring her life. He tries for over 3 minutes before he finally says to other nurse as the baby's cries fill the room. "Call it." Tears burn my eyes as I see Lia laying lifelessly in the hospital bed, Ben's eyes filled with tears too as he falls to the ground in sobs. "I'm sorry we did every.." he begins.

"You could have made the C-Section happen without a choice," I interrupt him. "That's what you could have done now look," I say. "Look."

"Mrs. Reigns, please I did my.."

"Leave," I say. "Leave."

"LIA!" cries out Lei as she runs over to hug her sister. "LIA, WAKE UP," she tries.

"Lei," I say pulling her back. "It's too late, she's gone," I say as I pull Lei into a hug and we cry together.

"I know this isn't a good time," says the nurse as Ben pulls himself together, "but congratulations on your son. He's all right," she says. "7lbs and 8oz, 20 ½ inches long," she says as she hands the small baby to Ben. Tears fill his eyes as he looks down at him.

"He's beautiful," he says. "Beautiful he looks like her, he looks like Lia," he announces.

"Yes he does," I agree with him as I look down at my only grandson. "He has those Reigns lips," I joke, "pouty and cute."

"And the Reigns hair," says Lei. "Congratulations, Ben," she says.

"Congratulations," I say, "and I'm sorry, Ben."

"I'm sorry too," he says, "She wanted him so much," he says. "We wanted him. I loved her."

"I know," I say comforting him through his hurt, "but you have us. You're part of our family," I say.

"Thank-you," he says sadly as he looks at his son. "She wanted to name him Malachi. I was so against that name and wanted Ronald but I'm going to name him Malachi; Malachi Reigns Batista," he says before he breaks out in sobs.

Once Ben and Malachi get settled, Ben, Lei and I calm down, Lei and I walk out to the waiting room to be greeted by everyone. "So how is he? Is he a strong healthy Reigns boy?" asks Roman as Lei goes to Jonah with tears in her eyes. He looks at her and takes her to the side so they can talk. "What's wrong?" he asks looking at my face losing his excitement. "Is the baby okay? What's his name?"

"Malachi is fine but," I say looking around, "but Lia isn't." Tears burn my eyes thinking of how I am supposed to tell my husband we lost our daughter.

"Tay," says Roman, "what's wrong with Lia?"

"There was a lot of blood, too much blood. She wouldn't get a C-Section and the doctor stopped pushing her in that direction and allowed a vaginal birth but there was so much stress, so much blood," I say before choking on a sob. "They couldn't save her, Ro. She's gone. She didn't make it," I say before we both break down into tears. "I'm sorry, Baby," I say. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

*A/N: What did you think? What do you think about Ben being the father and telling Lia he was leaving Alyssa for her? What do you think about the doctor Lia had? What do you think of the name Malachi Reigns Batista? Please review and thank-you for reading. Please review and thank-you for reading.