Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for my OC's.

Ok, here's the next update everyone. A lot of people are asking who the baby's father is but I thought it was clear that Iris explained it was Rick's. It was in the chapter when they all went to the club and she talked about it. I hope you like the chapter! : )

Wolfgirl2013: Thank you! Glad you're liking it : )

Calwitch: Yes, he's going to break her down with his sweetness! Thanks for reviewing! : )

Curious: Your question is answered above my love : )

Camilla: Did your trip go ok? I love writing this new Seth, ha ha. Yes, we're definitely seeing progress with Dean. It takes time though, although I am thinking of kind of fast forwarding it now since I'm running out of ideas! Seth and his invitation are in this chapter and you'll be pleasantly surprised as to who will give it to him. Aw, thanks a lot. Your comments mean a lot! Enjoy! : )

Jade: Huh, I was wondering where you were till you dropped a review! Well, in line with your PM, its good to know how well you're doing. Keep it up even though you can't sit still. Just not painkillers or sugar cause then you'll be bouncing everywhere even more!
Nope, they wouldn't have accepted a hug. But still, a handshake is progress! Which there is more of in this chapter!
Yeah, plus Kane is scary! Well not anymore but when I used to watch him as a kid, there were a couple of times where I had nightmares with him in it! That's how scary he was. Not scary anymore, corporate Kane is a joke!
I love writing Dean and Roman, especially when they do get like that. Although, normally you see Iris and Dean with Roman playing peacemaker, switched it up this time around!
Obviously, she's still in love with him and even knows that. As mentioned many times she's always felt safe in Seth's arms so the fact that she called him for help in her dream makes sense to her. In Seth's view, that doesn't make sense cause he doesn't know she still loves him. Seth's really caring towards her and will so absolutely anything to help her, no matter how he feels which I want to come across.
Yes, she didn't get another nightmare after help from Seth. Like I said before, she feels safe when she's with him. I think his messing up days are gone, I mean I am the writer! I can't think of any other ways for him to mess things up so that's the end I'm afraid! Ha ha ha! Well he knows he keeps messing up so is going to try to control himself from now on. I hope. Who knows!
Well it is a baby, Dean is bound to be nervous. If he ever needs help or advice, Roman is the go-to-guy. But I don't think I can see Roman in any other way. He's the mature one out of the bunch, full of wisdom!
I think you'll be surprised at who goes with her. Considering Kane is on the loose still would the others allow her to go with just Natalya? You'll definitely be shocked at who's idea it is about who goes with her. Plus, Iris considers Seth her friend so what's stopping her? But progress is progress and soon they'll all be friends again. I've dragged it out enough! Can't help it now. I can't go on writing it like this for much longer. But, there still is a long way to go with Iris.
Thanks for reviewing as always my love! : )

CHAPTER 25:

SETH POV

"Hey Roman?" says Ariana, coming out of her room all ready for the appointment. "I'm going with Dean to the appointment and you go with Iris ok?" she says and he nods his head.

"That was a given, that girl isn't going alone anywhere no matter how annoyed she gets," comments Roman.

"Does Stephanie have any news on Kane?" I somehow gain the courage to ask her that question knowing that she may very well say its none of my business. No harm in asking though right?

"Uh, no," says Ariana with a frown. I remain unsure if that's because of me or the fact that she's thinking about Kane. "The authorities are looking for him but that's about it. They aren't going to do a lot since Iris refuses to press charges," she says, crossing her arms over her chest with an annoyed look.

"I don't understand why though, he needs to be locked up," I comment, always feeling that little bit more angry when Kane is mentioned. It's not fair on Iris. Why does she have to watch her back because of me? A time where she should be relaxing and feeling safe is a time when she's fretting about an idiot like Kane.

"Agreed," states Roman. "But I get Iris," he then says.

"Ok, what do you know that we don't this time?" questions Ariana with a sigh.

"That Iris is a Mom," explains Roman easily. "Her job is to protect her baby and if she thinks even for a second that pressing charges will make Kane even more angry, will she do it?"

"But that's stupid cause it means he'll get locked up," argues Ariana.

"If he ever gets caught, he gets wind of her pressing charges where's he gonna come first?" questions Roman. "Plus, Iris is fully aware she needs to be taking extra care since her blood pressure is constantly up and down and the stress of a trial is bound to have an effect on her and the baby," he further explains.

"But does she really think by not pressing charges Kane won't come after her? He already has," I pitch in. None of these options seem to be ending on a happy note with Iris completely safe.

"Which is why we need to be on full alert," states Ariana. "And why you're going with her to the doctor's appointment. And you might as well take Rollins since…you never know," she goes on to say which surprises me. I look at her and she gives me a nod. I give her one back and she leaves once again, going into Iris's room.

"Did we just hit progress?" I ask no one in particular.

"Its looking like it," answers Roman. I sit there in disbelief that Ariana has actually trusted me enough to go with Iris. I mean I know Roman's going and all but still, it's a big step. There's hope for me yet.

IRIS POV

"Hey Iris?" says Ariana, coming into my room just as I finish getting ready. "Dean's coming with me and Seth and Roman are going with you, ok?" she asks me and I nod my head. With Kane probably waiting for an opportunity to get me in isolation, it's best I have my friends around. Which now involves Seth too.

"Great, is there something else?" I ask her, being able to tell from her face that she wants to know something but is hesitating.

"Actually, yeah," says Ariana, closing the door and coming over to me. "I, um, I saw Seth leaving from here in the morning," she states, her hands in her pockets as she looks at me carefully. "A-are you, uh…" she trails off and I get what she's talking about.

"Oh, god no!" I deny it instantly.

"You sure? Because it looked like-" she starts but I cut her off.

"That he's coming out of my room so we've probably hooked up?" I question in a bitter tone. "Things aren't what they seem Ari, I found that out years ago when I saw you guys together. So you shouldn't be the first to judge," I tell her in a unhappy manner.

"I'm not," Ariana tries to explain herself. "Its just…even now I don't want him to try and manipulate you into something that's not real. You're my best friend and I'm only looking out for you," she says, shrugging her shoulders.

"I know," I tell her with a sigh. "I'm sorry, I'm just all over the place," I say. With the whole Kane thing, my baby and Seth I can't seem to think straight anymore. "Ari, I know I haven't always been the smartest compared to you when it comes to these things," I start, looking at her and putting my hand up to stop her form interrupting. "I've always worn my heart on my sleeve, I've never been guarded like you and that's never going to change. But it doesn't mean I'm stupid enough to make the same mistake twice".

"I'm not saying you are," she quickly intervenes.

"Yeah, I know," I say. "Just…I'm trying to get over what happened but its like you're not trying to. You're not giving Seth a chance at all and that's not fair".

"After everything he did?" she questions me.

"Everyone deserves a second chance and why should that rule be different for Seth?" I question her. "Dean is missing Seth from his life and how can you expect that gap to be filled unless you allow Seth back into it. Dean needs his brother back, Seth needs his brother back and Roman needs both of them together," I explain to her before leaving, I might have been a bit harsh but I don't have much time left. At first the whole slow thing was alright but not anymore. The reason progress is slow is because of Ariana and that needs to change. But I am seeing progress in a way since she's making Seth go to the appointment with me as well as Roman.

"Ready to go?" asks Roman and I nod my head enthusiastically. He smiles at me and we leave. Seth and Roman sit on one side of the cab and me on the other. Once we get to the address I knock on the door. Its funny because both Seth and Roman are standing at my sides as if they're my bodyguards, Darren will definitely be surprised.

"Hi," says Darren, appearing at the door and immediately enveloping me in a hug. Once he pulls away he notices Roman and Seth and gives me a quizzical look. "Am I in some sort of trouble?" he asks cautiously.

"No, but you're about to be. You left the iron on, again!" I hear Kate's voice and place a hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing. "Oh my gosh, Iris!" she exclaim, shoving her husband aside and immediately hugging me. "How are you?"

"I'm good," I tell her as we pull away.

"Oh, you've gotten so big," she comments, bending down to my stomach. "Hey there little one," she says, gently rubbing my stomach.

"Are you going to make her stand there all day?" asks Darren and he earns a glare from Kate.

"Sure, oh um, these are?" she questions, looking less scared than Darren.

"This is Roman and um, this is Seth," I say, pointing to each one in turn.

"The Seth?" blurts Darren as Kate elbows him, keeping a smile on her face.

"Lets go inside," she suggests and I instantly agree with her, walking inside with her as she leads me to a study. "I'll go get you guys something to drink. Any preferences?" she asks and then looks at Roman and Seth who both shake their heads. "Alrighty," she then says.

"Can you tell Cassie to bring the Ultrasound machine?" Darren calls after her. "Um, how you feeling?" he asks me, Roman and Seth grabbing a seat on the couch as me and Darren sit at the desk.

"Ok," I tell him. "A bit weak at times but my hormones are definitely all over the place".

"Ooh, is someone lashing out now?" he asks me with an amused smirk.

"Maybe," I say as we talk in hushed whispers. "I yelled at Seth yesterday and Ariana today!"

"Yeah, one thing I want to ask," he says. "What are you doing here with Seth?"

"He's…he's trying to earn my forgiveness and everybody else's," I tell him. Darren and Kate both know the whole story, Kate would actually do the whole 'Hope he ends up in hell' thing.

"I'm not going to say anything on the matter but don't be alone with my wife, she'll give you a piece of her mind alright," he tells me which makes me laugh. Kate brings drinks and the machine and then leaves us to it. I notice her glare at Seth when he wasn't looking. "So, the baby's moving about?"

"Yeah," I tell him. "Dean swears and she starts on kicking, but not when anyone else tries it," I say with a smile on my face. "He's actually just found out that he's going to be a father himself recently, that's why he and Ariana couldn't make it here. I'm so sure she would have gotten on with Kate so well," I explain to him.

"Good luck to that kid," comments Darren as if he actually knows him. But as I spent more time with Darren and Kate, I was always talking about everyone else so he might as well.

"That's what I said," I tell him, making him laugh.

"Ok, lets do this," he says to me.

"Yep, and remember I don't want to know," I say, pointing my finger at him as I get up.

"As you wish," he says to me. "Would you boys kindly stand up please?" he asks Seth and Roman who do what he says. "Ok my dear, lie down on the couch for me," he orders me.

"Ok," I say and lie down in a comfortable position. Darren starts to bring the machine over and Roman helps him out with it.

"Thanks," says Darren to Roman and then kneels down besides me.

"How come you have one of those here? I thought you're on holiday with your family?" I ask him.

"My sister cannot stop giving birth to kids," starts Darren as I chuckle. "She's had seven already, all planned," he tells me which makes me raise my eyebrows. I cannot believe she went through pregnancy seven times! "She needed to have a closer look kept on hers too and so it just made sense to have one at this house. Especially since she'd always make sure I come visit her every two weeks".

"You did this to her every two weeks?" I question him.

"Oh yeah," replies Darren. "I actually contemplated moving down here at one point," he says which makes me laugh. "According to her, the doctor here wouldn't be checking on her as much as she thought she should be checked on. She'd always go asking for appointments and they'd politely kick her out".

"And that's when family comes in handy," I comment.

"Unfortunately," he says.

"So you were flying out every two weeks for nine months for each of the pregnancies?" asks Roman which makes me realize they're in the room too.

"Not the highlight of my life," says Darren.

"Man, that's tough," says Roman.

"Says the wrestler who's moving every week," says Darren and I'm glad they're getting along. I don't know why Seth's a bit quiet but I guess he's not feeling comfortable. I wouldn't either if Kate gave me a glare in the doorway. "Ok, lift up your shirt," he says and I do so. It feels weird because no one's seen it before. Well, not this big anyway. Apart from Seth. "This'll feel cold," he says, squirting the jelly on.

"Ooh, ooh, ooh," I come out with, giggling when he uses the device to spread it around.

"You boys can guess what it is to help Iris out," says Darren, looking at the screen as I look up there too. "I'm not allowed because I know and it wouldn't really be a guess," he says in a disappointed manner. For a doctor, Darren can really act immature at some times. "Ah, there it is. I don't even need to point it out to you," he says as I look up and my eyes water.

"She's beautiful," I say, trying to keep my emotions together. Not realizing it, my hand automatically goes on Seth's as he stands behind the couch with his hands rested where a person's head should go. "I can see her head, feet, everything," I say, glancing at Seth with an excited smile as he sends a smile back.

"Yeah, wow," says Seth, looking at the screen too. I can't believe I have something so precious inside of me.

"Ok, bets?" asks Darren, trying to lighten the mood. "Iris thinks it's a girl so lets settle this with some help," he says, looking towards Roman first.

"Girl," says Roman, nodding his head. "To be honest, I can't tell. The legs are hiding something if its there…or if its not," he says, making us all laugh.

"What about you Seth?" asks Darren, starting to move the machine about on my stomach.

"I'll go for boy, looks like one," says Seth.

"How can it look like a boy unless you see its thing?" questions Roman and they start arguing about it which makes me laugh. However, my smile soon falls when I notice Darren looking at the screen in a funny way. Not hilarious funny, but serious.

"Darren? What is it? What's wrong?" I quickly ask him, getting more than just worried.

"I'm so sorry," says Darren, looking at me as I get up slightly. "It seems the baby's somehow managed to turn itself around," he says, looking at me very seriously.

"What? What do you mean?" I ask him.

"You know the position of the baby in a womb is head first towards the birth canal," starts Darren, talking very fast. "But you…the legs are in the position where the head should be," he says, this time very slowly. My hand goes to my mouth as realization dawns on me of what this could mean.

"B-but that's not p-p-p-possible," I tell him, feeling panicked.

"I'm only telling you what I see," Darren tells me. "Here," he says, handing me some tissue to wipe my belly with, which I do and then put my shirt down, getting up into a sitting position. Seth places his hand on my shoulder but at this moment the only thing I'm worried about is what Darren might say next.

"B-but I've been so careful," I tell him in a panic voice. "I've gone to Lamaze classes, I've taken enough rest. I don't walk about more than I should and you told me traveling was alright," I explain, having made sure everything was safe enough for my baby.

"What about that fall?" asks Darren as I give him a confused look. "When Kane nearly choke slammed you?" he asks me and I look down.

"How did you find out?" I ask him as I think about the damage that situation has had on me.

"Iris, you're more than just another patient. You're my friend," says Darren, kneeling down next to me. "As a friend, I made sure to watch the show every week. I didn't mention this on the phone because I knew I'd be checking on you to make sure everything's ok. Also, I figured you're less likely to fret about me having seen it. Now, I don't know who checked you over but-" I cut him off.

"Its my fault," I say in realization as that day's events replay in my mind.

"No it wasn't," defends Seth as I shake my head and tears come down my eyes.

"Yes, it is," I say to him. "Dr Amann checked me over and was going to call someone to see what he should do because he doesn't usually deal with pregnancies but I ran out of there after Dean walked off. I disregarded mine and my baby's health and now I'm paying for it," I say, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

"Things were crazy that day, you can't blame yourself," says Roman, taking a seat next to me and placing his hand on one of mine. "Besides, you're not the first person this has happened to. I'm sure it's something you've dealt with before right?" he asks, looking at Darren.

"Oh, of course," says Darren, giving me a look. I shake my head in response to his secret question.

"There then, it'll be fine," says Roman as I try and calm myself down. Darren gets up and goes to his computer, does something and comes back over to me.

"I've, um, I've printed out a picture for you," says Darren, handing me an envelope. "Look, I know you've been avoiding seeing other doctors because of…" he stops for a second, he knows Seth and Roman don't know so he'll have to watch his mouth. "Not being comfortable with others," he lies and I'm glad they won't be able to tell that he is. "But I think its time you start getting seen regularly". I don't say anything, I can't be seen by anyone else. And when Roman and Seth question me, I'll be forced to spill the beans. That for which I am not ready.

"We'll make sure she gets seen," says Seth, squeezing my shoulder gently.

"But if you're not comfortable with that, I'm willing to make my way over to wherever you need me," offers Darren as I look up at him in hope. "I'm sure other medical colleagues will gladly allow me to use their offices," he then says.

"And if not we'll pay for them to allow you to," intervenes Roman, giving me a reassuring look. At least he's not questioning my hesitancy for not wanting anyone other than Darren.

"I can't ask you to do something like that for me Darren," I tell him.

"And you can't stop me from doing it either," says Darren with a wink, making me chuckle. I nod my head and he tells me we'll email back and forth to iron out the details. "Will you guys make sure she puts her feet up? She looks like the walking dead," he jokes and I slap arm. "I was kidding!" he defends.

"You better have been," says Kate, coming right in. "When you're pregnant and tired and can't be bothered, then there's no time or effort for make up," she tells him, poking Darren in the ribs. Both of them walk us to the door and Kate says, "We'll see you soon," and hugs me.

"Yeah, bye," I say, sending them both a wave and plastering a smile to my face. Although, I can see they both can look right through it. As we get into a cab to make our way back to the hotel, I lean my head against the window. I've been so careless with my pregnancy, despite the fact that I couldn't and can't afford to.

Once we get back to the hotel I go to my room and sit on my bed, not being able to stop the uncontrollable sobs that come out from me. I thought everything would be fine but I live in a make believe word. Nothing ever goes right. Nothing is coming to magically fix any of this. It didn't with Seth and it certainly won't with this.

"Iris?" I hear Seth call my name and I look up to see both Seth and Roman at my door.

"Oh, baby girl," says Roman and they both sit either side of me. "Everything's going to be just fine," he says, placing an arm around me as Seth places a hand on my thigh.

"How can it?" I question them both, leaning my head into Roman. "I've messed everything up. I knew I couldn't put myself at risk and after the first encounter, I should have just decided to leave but I didn't and now my baby will suffer for it. I put myself in a vulnerable position and now…everything's going horribly wrong," I let out, shaking as I start sobbing.

"No, like you said that incident was nobody's fault," reassures Roman. "And it was us who wanted you to stay. Besides, with you out there by yourself you would have been easy bait for Kane".

"I agree, and you're a goodhearted person which is why you forgot about your problems and went straight after Dean and Ariana to fix theirs," explains Seth, rubbing my thigh. "That's not your fault, its who you are".

"Well then I suck," I tell them.

"You heard the doc, you're going to be just fine and he's going to be checking on you," says Roman.

"Since the beginning I've said my baby is my priority, my only focus," I start to tell them both. "But it's a big fat lie! I don't even think about her do I? If I did, I wouldn't be out on that stupid announcement table every night".

"Don't you see? That's exactly why you're there!" exclaims Seth and I look at him. "You're making this money for your baby, as much as you can in the best way you can. And you're doing something you love so in the future you don't have any regrets and this baby doesn't feel like it held you back from doing what you loved," he explains, which kind of makes sense I guess. But they don't understand the severity of the problem, they have no idea.

"Stop over thinking about it and get some rest," suggests Roman, removing his arm from me. "You heard what the doctor said, you need sleep," he says, getting up. "You coming?" he asks Seth.

"Uh, no, I'll catch up," says Seth and Roman leaves. Seth looks at me and says, "Come on, time for a nap". He gets up and puts out both his hands. I place my hands into his and he helps me up, taking me to the front of the bed and helping me lay down. "Don't worry about a thing, I'm right here," he says, gently patting my forehead and I close my eyes. Feeling very tired, it doesn't take long for me to get to sleep.

Reviews are always appreciated! : )