When Cory and Topanga walked in the door of the apartment, Topanga still hadn't said a word. Cory was too scared to say anything- he didn't want Topanga lashing out at him.

Topanga waddled to the couch and sat down, a blank look on her face. She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Then she attempted to take her shoes off with her feet, but couldn't get them off. Cory, who had been watching cautiously from the door, walked quickly over to her and took her shoes off.

"Thank you," she said curtly.

"Yeah, okay," Cory said. She took her shoes over to the door and then sat next to her on the couch. She didn't move to look at him, but stared blankly at the TV. Cory kept his distance, but stared at her, scared to see when she would react.

Then Topanga's face scrunched up and she leaned back against the couch, putting her hand on her stomach.

"Honey?" Cory said.

"Another contraction," Topanga said.

"You don't believe the doctor, huh?"

"Ya think?" she said sarcastically.

"Well, we just have to trust that he knows. He's the doctor after all, and-"

"I think I would know what's happening to my own body, Cory! And I know that these are real contractions! I don't care what some stupid doctor tells me! He's not even our doctor!"

"Okay, not that I don't believe you, but I still think we should take the doctor's advice. He said that it's okay, even if it's real contractions, as long as your water didn't break."

Topanga's face contorted and she slowly turned her head to look at Cory.

Cory cringed. "And then if the contractions continue or your water breaks, we'll go back to the hospital. Okay?"

"Whatever, Cory. But while these contractions continue, I'm telling you- I won't be a happy camper."

"Oh…I…picked up on that, sweetie. But, like I told you, I'm here for you," Cory said sweetly.

"Okay," Topanga said, still irritated.

"How is it?" he asked.

"It's getting worse, but thanks for asking."

"Oh. How far apart was that?" Cory asked.

"About 15 minutes. Same as last time."

"Okay, so as long as they aren't getting closer together, it's Braxton-Hicks," Cory said.

"Right. But Braxton-Hicks usually aren't consistent. Usually, they're random for me."

"Well, we'll just see how it goes from here on out."

"Okay," Topanga said. "It's getting better now."

"Good," Cory said. He put his arm around Topanga and leaned back against the couch.

They sat quietly for a few minutes. The contraction faded and Topanga relaxed. She put her head on his shoulder, and he sighed with relief that she wasn't so tense anymore. He kissed the top of her head.

Then Topanga sighed and scrunched her eyes up.

"Another contraction already?!" Cory asked incredulously.

"No," Topanga said. Cory sighed with relief. "I'm just worried that it really is Braxton-Hicks."

"Why are you worried that it would be? Wouldn't you be worried that it's not?" he asked, confused.

She looked up at him. "No, because I don't know if I can go through this again, Cory."

He looked at her and she had the glimmer of tears in her eyes.

"Topanga, what's wrong? Don't cry, sweetie. You'll get though it like you always do. Don't worry."

"I know, that's what I keep trying to tell myself, but I just keep thinking what if I can't."

"Topanga…please don't cry."

A lone tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly brushed it away before it rolled down her face.

"I'm just scared, Cory," she said, starting to cry.

Cory pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back. "Don't cry, Topy. I know you're scared. I can't imagine how difficult this is, and I'll never know. But I do know you, and I know how strong you are. Do you remember the old you- the you back in middle school?"

She looked up at him. "Yeah?"

"One time you told me you were a damsel, but not the distressed kind," he said, chuckling.

"Yeah," Topanga said, laughing softly.

"And that's you still. You're a damsel- a beautiful, wonderful damsel- but not the distressed kind. You never needed no man to help you before," he said, shaking his finger, "and you don't even need one now- you're stronger than any man could ever be. But I'll be there by your side for moral support the whole time. I'll tell you that you can do it, and I'll help you breathe, and I'll hold your hand."

Topanga leaned forward and kissed Cory tenderly.

"I love you, Topanga, and if there's anyone that can do this, it's you."

"I love you, too, Co-OH MY GOSH, ooh, that's another contraction."

"Already?"

"Yeah," Topanga groaned, lying back.

"That's only like ten minutes!" Cory exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Topanga said.

"Okay, well, what do you want to do?"

"Well, it's not enough to go to the hospital yet. I'm pretty sure this is real, Cory."

"Yeah, me too."

"But I don't want to have our baby delivered by that doctor that doesn't even know when someone's in labor. We have to hold out until tomorrow when Dr. Fox will be there."

"Topanga, you can't control labor."

"Well, I'm going to try. I will not have my baby delivered by a doctor like that!"

"I don't want that either," Cory said.

"Then help me," Topanga said. "I need you to help me postpone labor."

"Okay, what should we do?"

"I need to relax and try to keep this baby in. I need it quiet and peaceful and relaxing in here. Why is this baby coming so soon, Cory? The baby's not supposed to be here for another month, and I hope everything will be okay."

"It will. Just relax."

He began rubbing her shoulders and then she lied down on his legs, putting her hands on her forehead.

"Relax," he said quietly.

Just then, the door opened and Riley, Auggie, and Maya walked in.

"Ugh, you guys have got to get out," Maya said.

Cory put his finger to his lips, trying to tell the kids to be quiet.

"What's wrong?" Riley asked.

"Your mom's having contractions and she needs to relax. It needs to be absolutely quiet in here," he whispered.

"What? But it's only been eight months!" Riley said.

"Yeah, we know," Cory said.

Auggie walked over to Topanga and she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Hi, sweetie," she said, trying to smile.

"I hope you feel better, Mommy."

"Thank you, Auggie. Mommy needs it to be quiet, though. Can you be quiet for Mommy?"

"Yeah," Auggie said. He leaned down and kissed Topanga on the cheek and then went to his room.

"Do you need anything, Mom?" Riley asked.

"No, sweetie. Just please be quiet."

"Okay. Maybe we can all just head to the bakery," Riley said.

"You need someone to watch you guys," Topanga said.

"We can go my mom's diner then," Maya said.

"Okay, as long as you don't cause a ruckus."

"I'll go get Auggie," Riley said. She walked into the hallway.

"I hope you feel better, Mrs. Matthews," Maya said.

"Thank you, Maya. Please be good at the diner."

Maya chuckled. "We will. Hang in there."

Riley returned with Auggie, and they waved silently and walked out the door.

Alright, another interesting chapter…I hope you all enjoyed it! Please leave me a review! :)