16 And Pregnant
Chapter 19 - A New Life
Daryl Dixon

I walked next to Beth as we entered the operation room once we had our scrubs and everything on. I was more then nervous about everything that was going on, when Maggie called this morning to say Beth had an appointment because she was worried about the baby I thought it was just Beth over reacting to something. I never thought it would be something this serious. My baby was in danger and I could see the worry on Beth's face, I couldn't show her I was worried because I need to be strong for her. She needs to know that I'm there for her despite everything that has happened between us recently. I know I probably could have handled things better but I just wasn't ready to start playing happy families with her. We didn't know each other well and I wasn't in love with her. I know she was in love with me and she wanted a family but I just want to concentrate on us being parents first before we take that next step. Everything just happened too quickly.

Beth was laid down on the bed and she was instantly hooked up to other machines and the doctor hooked her up to an IV which would help numb her stomach so they can begin the procedure. I was given a seat by a nurse and I took a seat next to Beth's head. She started crying and I grabbed her hand so she knew I was there. We didn't need to speak to each other right now, she just needed to know I was there and I was. I would always be there for her, she was the mother of my child. No matter what happens between us in the future I will stand by her and be there for her whenever she needs me. I hope she knows that.

I watched as the doctor got a pin and poked her stomach a little "Can you feel that?" He asked Beth.

"No" She replied.

"Good. We're going to begin. If you start feeling it then you must tell me instantly" He said.

"Ok" She replied.

"Don't worry. Everythin' will be ok" I told her quietly so only she could her.

I turned away when they started to cut her open. It's not that I was squeamish or anything but I think Beth would respect at least someone not looking at her like that. I know she's self conscious about herself, although she doesn't need to be because she is a very beautiful girl. She had a couple of stretch marks, they were barely noticeable but she hated them. I told her she was beautiful all the time when I saw her. She never believed me and she would always turn away from me and just before we split up she would get changed in separate rooms and close the door over when she was in the bath. She was one of the most attractive women that I've ever been with and I will probably never find someone as beautiful as her

"You will feel some tugging now but don't worry" The doctor said and I saw her face wince but she didn't call out in pain or anything.

"You're ok" I whispered to her and she gripped onto my hand.

"Daddy, want to come and cut the cord?" The doctor asked.

I turned to look at Beth who smiled softly at me "Go" She told me and I got up from my seat. I saw my baby but the baby wasn't crying. The doctor told me where to cut and I did, as soon as I did loud cries filled the room. I felt myself well up but I held back because I just needed to focus on Beth and the baby right now.

"Congratulations. You have a little boy!" The doctor said happily and held my son up over the sheet so Beth could see him, she smiled and then the baby was instantly taken by nurses.

I went back to Beth and held her hand "Go with him" She told me.

"I don't wanna leave you on your own" I said.

"He needs you. Your son needs you" She told me.

"He's got people with him right now. I just wanna make sure you're ok too" I said.

The doctor stapled Beth's stomach back together with 8 staples and he made sure she was pretty dosed up on pain relief as she was going to be sore after all of this. She had to stay in bed for two days minimum and stay in hospital for a few days until they were sure she had no infection and everything was healing as it should it. Once everything was done, Beth was wheeled back to her room and I went with her. She decided she didn't want to see her family right now, she just wanted to rest and not be around chaos which I understood.

"I'm gonna get some sleep, go and see him" She told me.

"Ok. I'll get some photos for you and I'll be back soon" I assured her and placed a small kiss on the top of her head and left the room.

I got down to the nursery and told the nurse who I was. She walked me over to the incubator and got me a seat so I could be comfortable "I know it looks a little scary but he's doing well. We've weighed him and he is only 1 pound 4 ounces. We have to keep him in the incubator until he's better, his lungs are not fully developed yet and that's why there are so many machines" She told me.

"Can I touch him?" I asked.

"You can hold his hand" She said.

I made sure my hands were clean and everything and put my hand through. His finger wrapped itself around little finger. Feeling my baby, just having that skin to skin contact was something completely different. I've never felt nothing like this in my life, this was my son. This tiny little human was my son and he depended on my for everything and I would be there for him. I'm not the best person and I've made tons of mistakes in the past but I will be there for him, every step of the way.

I got my phone out my pocket so I could get those pictures for Beth. I tried to get some without all the machines in the way because I didn't want to scare her. I wanted her to know that he was doing well and I would be there until she can go down there. I know she desperately wanted to see him but she had to rest and heal otherwise she can get an infection or make herself really ill which we didn't want to happen.

"Mr Dixon?" I turned around and saw the nurse there "There's a Miss Maggie and Mr Hershel here. They say they are apart of the family" She told me.

"Yeah that's Beth's sister and father, they can come in" I told her.

Seconds later Maggie came over to me with Hershel. Maggie started crying and Hershel looked a little tearful as well, Hershel patted my shoulder and Maggie smiled at me "He's so gorgeous. How is Beth?" She asked me.

"She's tired, when I left her she was sleeping. I think she's upset she can't be here but she understands" I said to them.

"How is the baby?" Hershel asked.

"Nurse said he's doin' well. His lungs not fully developed yet so the machines are helping him. He only weighs 1 pound 4 ounces" I said.

Maggie and Hershel left when the nurse told them visiting hours were over. Maggie promised to come back tomorrow evening and Hershel said he would come back when he can and to tell Beth to call him. I decided to go back and see Beth once they left, I had been sitting with him for a few hours and I wanted to check on Beth and speak to her about a few things.

I got to Beth's room and saw her laying in bed. She was awake but she was crying "Hey" I said softly to her so I didn't frighten her or anything.

She started wiping her tears as I came and sat in the chair next to her bed "Hi" she replied "How is he?" She asked me.

I got my phone out and started showing her photos of him and told her everything the nurse had told me. She started crying some more and I did my best to comfort her but I think she just needed to get everything out "How are you? What has the doctor said?" I questioned.

"I'm ok, I'm sore so they've upped the pain relief. It's going to make me drowsy but I'd rather be drowsy then in pain. He said the staples look ok and there are no signs of infection so far but they're going to keep an eye on it for a few days. They don't think I need a blood transfusion at the moment but they said things can change" I explained.

"I'm glad you're doin' good" I told her.

"I'll be fine. It's our son I'm worried about" She said.

"He's ok. The nurse said she would call me instantly if there was anything wrong. I just wanted to make sure you were ok" I said.

"We can't keep calling our son 'him' or 'he' we need to think of a name for him" She told me.

"I know" I replied.

"Thought about names you like?" She asked.

"The only name I can come up with that I like is Hunter" I told her.

"Hunter? I like it. Hunter Dixon" She said with a smile.

"What names you like?" I asked.

"I like Jackson… What about Hunter Jackson Dixon?" She questioned.

"If you're happy with it" I told her.

"I am. That's our sons name" She declared.

So... what do you guys think of the name? Like it? What did you think of the chapter as a whole? I am so excited to read your comments so make sure you all review when you've read! The next chapter is the last one of this story and the sequel Teen Mom will be posted in the New Year. It is being written as we speak. I cannot wait for you to read the ending. I think it's a chapter that everyone will have an opinion on. Just because I'm a nice person I'm going to let you read a little bit of what's to come in the next chapter...

"You're the mom. You get to make all them choices and I have to stand by them. You want to live with your parents and let me see him only at weekends, there's not really much I can do bout it unless I go to court and I don' want that" He explained and looked down at Hunter.

"I'm not trying to be a bitch. You're the one that didn't want to be with me and live with me. I have to live somewhere and my parents are the only people that would take me in. I know you want to be around Hunter all day, every day but with the situation we're in it's just not going to happen. You're a great dad, I can't fault you" I told him.

"Then why does it feel like I'm being punished?" He questioned.

"You're not" I answered.

"I want more time with my son Beth. Weekends only for a few hours isn't good enough. He's my son too, I'm on the birth certificate, he has my last name… why do I only get a few hours a week?" He asked "Shawn will see my son more then I do and he dint even want you to have Hunter" He pointed out.

That is just a snippet of what is to come...