AN: This is the last chapter I'll be able to post this weekend. Sorry guys I'll be making a music video for my favorite band The Actress Adorable. Check them out on /theactressadorable. -Miss Moofy-
I needed him now more than ever, with my psychotic father running lose, my sister missing and pregnant and my mother who was gone forever.
I woke up the next morning very confused about where I was.
It took a second before all the horrible happenings of last night rushed back into my mind.
A fresh wave of tears came over me.
I don't know how long I sat there crying before I heard a soft knock on the door; it was Emily.
She sat down next to me on the bed and wiped the tears off my face with her handkerchief.
"Claire, we found Nicole. I think you should come with us, she really needs you."
"What do you mean she needs me? Where is she?" I was silently praying she was o-kay.
Nicole and I had always disliked each other, but it would kill me if something bad happened to her too.
"She went into labor last night; that's why we couldn't get a hold of her. She called us this morning to tell us that she hasn't had the baby yet and wants us to be there when it's born. She doesn't know about your mom yet."
Quickly as I could I changed my clothes and threw my hair in a messy ponytail.
Sam and Emily left Sammie with Quil while we went to the hospital.
When we arrived there, a young nurse showed us to the room where the baby was being delivered.
Apparently she wanted a natural birthing so she was sitting half naked in a giant bathtub looking thing filled with water.
The nurse told us only one of us could be with her during delivery so I was escorted into the room alone.
Nicole looked like she was in serious pain as looked very relieved to see a familiar face.
I walked over to her and grabbed her hand to show her my support.
During every contraction she squeezed my hand so tight I thought it was going to break off.
The room was quiet except for Nicole's screams and my consoling words to her; which were having very little effect.
After about three hours of this, she finally pushed the baby out and I was told to leave while they cleaned up Nicole and her new baby girl.
Emily, Sam and I waited in the waiting room for I don't even know how long before the same nurse came to show us into her room.
When we walked in, Nicole was laying on her bed with her new baby in her arms.
"Hello Nicole, have you named her yet?"
She smiled at me (she must have been on a lot of drugs because she never does that) and shook her head no.
"I'm waiting for mom to get here so she can help me."
Uh oh! I didn't know weather or not to tell her so I looked at Emily.
"Nicole, sweetheart, she won't be coming." Emily told her, "She was shot last night and honey, she didn't make it, I'm sorry."
Nicole looked crestfallen for a second before asking, "Claire, would you like to help me name her?"
I just nodded.
Then Nicole asked, "Should I give her our last name, or her father's?"
"Ours, definitely!" I answered without hesitation, "I thought you didn't know who the father was."
"Oh I did, he's a rich ass snob who didn't want anything to do with me or the baby. Just wait 'til he's slapped with child support."
(That's more like the Nicole I know.)
"Well I'm glad you're keeping the baby, did you have any names in mind?"
"Well," Nicole started, "I was thinking, I really like the name Heather."
I smiled, "Heather's a beautiful name."
"What do you think her middle name should be?"
I thought for a second before answering, "Michelle."
"Heather Michelle Young, I love it."
"Heather Michelle, it's such a lovely name," exclaimed Emily.
Nicole filled out the birth certificate and we chatted for a while before the nurse came in and told us it was time to leave so the baby could be fed.
The drive home was silent but comfortable.
When we arrived home (it feels weird thinking of their home as mine now too) Quil and Sammie were playing outside.
Well actually Sammie was running around chasing butterflies and Quil was watching him with an amused smile on his face.
I had never thought about it until now but Quil would make a great dad.
I practically jumped out of the car, ran to Quil and threw my arms around his neck.
Of course he caught me effortlessly and hugged be back.
"How's the baby?"
"She's absolutely gorgeous! She has a bunch of curly brown hair and hey eyes…they're blue, who in my family has blue eyes?"
Quil laughed, "Baby's usually have light eyes when they're first born but they will get darker. What did she name her?"
"Heather Michelle Young." I said with a smile
"What's she gonna do after she get's out of the hospital?"
I'm glad Quil was always so concerned.
"Well, she's gonna sue her baby daddy and get child support from him but other than that I don't know; we really didn't talk about that."
"For being 18 she's pretty smart and strong willed; I know she'll figure this out. Besides, I'll always be there for her if you want me to be."
I didn't have a response to what was just said so instead I kissed him.
There was a loud "EEEEEEEEEEEEW!!" in the background.
I turned around and there was Sammie making a sick face and gagging noises.
Wow, for a four year old he sure did over exaggerate.
With a laugh Quil picked Sammie up and threw him in the air and started bantering with him.
"What's the matter little man? Do you think kissing is gross?"
Sammie giggled and nodded his head.
"You kiss your mommy everyday though."
"I know, but that's a cuz I laah my mommy."
Quil laughed, "And I love Claire!"
"I laah Cwaire too!"
Sam walked out of the front door and clapped Quil on the back, "Looks like you've got some competition."
Quil turned to me, "Who's it gonna be Claire, me or the little man?"
I pretended to think about my answer before saying, "Well Quil, Sammie beats you in looks but I don't think I could stand being second best to his mom."
I wrinkled my nose and Quil and Sam laughed.
I've been getting laughed at a lot lately, haven't I?
AN: I wanted to get this chapter out to you guys before I leave for the weekend. It's not my best work but I didn't want to leave my readers with nothing. I will make it up to you when I get back. Check out the band that has torn me away from my readers, /theactressadorable.
