A.N. Hey guys…sorry I haven't updated sooner, but been struggling with what to do with this chapter =(.. Not overly impressed with it and have kept it shorter than usual. Please be assured, I have some other good things planned and hope to put them down in writing soon. So sorry in advance, if this doesn't read well, but I wanted to update before you all gave up on me lol…

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Chapter 26 Baby Sheridan

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Fighting back her tears, Donna looked at her daughter laying in a hospital bed, rigged up to a series of beeping machines. Since they had arrived at the small hospital on the mainland, it had literally been all systems go. This wasn't how mother and daughter had imagined the pregnancy would end. Sophie had wanted to give birth at home on Kalokairi, with the help of her mother and a midwife. Now listening to the sound of the baby's erratic heartbeat, on the foetal monitor, Sophie and her parents knew it wasn't going to happen that way. Donna moved over to the bed and sat on the chair next to her daughter. With silent tears rolling down her face, Sophie looked up helplessly at her mom and took her hand.

Entwining her fingers with her daughter's, Donna gave her a reassuring smile. "Everything's going to be alright darling." She said softly, placing her other hand on Sophie's bump.

"Where's Dad gone?" Sophie asked, sinking further down into the bed, but never letting her grip loosen on her mother's hand.

"He's just filling out some forms sweetie, he'll be here in a minute." Replied Donna, looking round, as the doctor entered the room.

Not saying anything, he glanced at Sophie's medical notes and up at the beeping machines. Both women sat nervously watching him, silently praying he would say everything was fine. Walking hurriedly into the room, Sam paused upon seeing the doctor, before making his way to stand behind his wife and placing his hands on her shoulders. Now all three family members looked at the middle aged doctor, as he watched the monitors and scribbled notes down on the forms. After a few more agonising minutes, he finally turned to look at them. Donna could sense, by the expression on his face, it wasn't good news and held tighter onto her daughter's hand.

"Sophie, you have a condition called pre-eclampsia…" Said Dr. Christou, in a 'matter of fact' tone. "…And although it is not known what actually causes it, we can detect it with your raised blood pressure and the protein in your urine sample…I can promise you that once your baby is delivered, everything will return to normal."

Sophie just looked back at him, her face expressionless, as she tried to comprehend what he had just told her.

The doctor continued explaining. "I know you're not going to like what I'm about to say…" Dr. Christou added. "…But, your baby's heart beat keeps dropping at an alarming rate…We're going to have to take you down to the operating theatre immediately." He finally finished, forcing a smile of reassurance.

Shaking her head in denial, Sophie's tears flowed once more. Donna moved from her chair, to sit down on the bed opposite her and pulled her distraught daughter into a close embrace. Holding a shaking Sophie in her arms, Donna felt as though her heart was physically breaking in two. This was the news they were all dreading and as a nurse returned to the room, Sophie sobbed into the crease of her mother's neck. Moving closer to wrap his arms around his wife and daughter, Sam fought hard to hold back his own tears. In his eyes, he had only just become Sophie's father and the thought of losing her so soon, sent shivers of fear down his spine. He couldn't lose her, not now, surely? Surely god wouldn't be so crule?

"Can I come with her?" Asked a tearful Donna, looking up at the waiting doctor.

He shook his head slowly, as Sophie's sudden surge of panic, made the monitors beep even louder. "We have to go now." He said quietly, yet with an urgent tone.

Donna quickly moved off the bed and unwrapped her arms from around her shaking daughter. She looked deep into her eyes, through a blur of tears and cupped Sophie's face in her hands.

"I love you sweetheart…be brave." Whispered Donna, planting a sweet kiss on Sophie's lips. "We'll see you and the baby soon."

Her daughter couldn't speak. The loud sobs escaping her, momentarily drowned out the sound of the franticly beeping machines. As the medical team pushed Sophie's bed out of the room, Donna collapsed into her husband's arms. The room was spinning, her chest was getting tight, she was struggling for breath. Holding his wife close to him, Sam walked her out for some air. Sitting Donna down on a stone wall outside the hospital, he moved between her legs and wrapped his supportive arms around her. Donna's world felt like it was crashing down and it was something she had absolutely no control over. This was a feeling she hated, she had always been in control of her life no matter what. Clinging onto Sam's shirt, she sobbed quietly into his chest.

Gently rubbing her back, Sam tried hard to console his wife. "Shhh sweetheart." He whispered. "Soph's in the best hands."

Looking up into Sam's eyes, Donna could hardly speak. "What if…" She whispered, shaking her head, unable to finish her sentence.

"Donna, stop." Replied Sam softly, wiping her tears and stroking the hair away from her face. "We have to stay positive darling." He added, tenderly kissing her forehead.

Nodding slowly, she knew he was right, but it was easier said than done. Her precious daughter was all alone in an operating theatre, giving birth to her baby five weeks prematurely. With the hot afternoon sun beating down on them, the couple held on tight to each other for a while and didn't utter another word throughout. Both deep in thought and both silently praying, Sophie and the baby would come through unscathed.

Placing a loving kiss on top of Donna's head, Sam took her hand in his. "Come on darling, we should go inside." He said softly, as she stood to walk with him.

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Sam sat on one of the chairs in the sparse, white hospital corridor and watched Donna in a world of her own, as she paced up and down. Noticing her husband looking at his watch with a worried expression on his face, Donna stopped and stared at him.

"How long has she been in there?" Donna asked, her voice shaking as much as her body.

"About twenty-five minutes." Answered Sam, standing up and taking his wife into his arms.

Shaking her head, Donna looked up into Sam's eyes. "What's taking so long?" She whispered. "Why haven't they told us anything?"

Kissing her forehead, Sam held her closer. "I'm sure we'll hear something soon sweetheart." He responded, looking in hope at the huge double doors, at the end of the corridor.

For Donna, it had been the longest twenty-five minutes of her entire life. Just staring at the clinical, white walls, brought back memories of Sophie's birth to her.

Over a week past her due date, Donna had made her way to the hospital, alone. Just her and a Greek midwife, occupied a tiny room, as she was attached to a drip to start her labour off. She was frightened and tearful, not knowing what to expect. As her pains increased, her contractions coming closer and faster together, Donna had called out for her mother, as the midwife broke her waters. The midwife had been far from sympathetic, simply telling her to shut up and concentrate on delivering her baby. She then left the room, leaving Donna alone and without pain relief and went to check on other patients, in the busy delivery ward. This had gone on for hours, until another midwife checked on a now hysterical, screaming Donna and discovered the baby ready to make its entrance into the world. The pain was excruciating, ripping through her body, Donna had done everything she could to push her fears aside and push her baby out. After fifteen minutes, that's exactly what she did. With one powerful, final push, she had delivered her beautiful daughter. The pain and tears had all become a blur, as the midwife handed her the small, crying bundle. Donna had looked straight into her baby's blue eyes and feeling an instant surge of unconditional love, placed a tender kiss on her forehead. At that very moment, she had also made a silent promise to her daughter - As long as she was alive, her baby would never be alone in this world.

The pair jumped slightly at the sound of someone coming through the doors and broke from their embrace. Donna's heart began to thud rapidly in her chest, as they watched Dr. Christou walk towards them. He was holding a tiny bundle, wrapped tightly in a plain, white blanket.

"Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael, everything went as planned." He said softly, handing the bundle over to Donna. "I thought you might want a few moments with your new granddaughter, before she goes for checks in special care." He added, smiling at the couple.

Tears of joy and relief sprang to Donna's eyes, as she looked down into the face of her newborn grandchild. Sam wrapped his arms around her waist and peered down too. She was beautiful and just like Sophie had been when she was born. With a small tuft of golden blonde hair and ocean blue eyes, Donna gasped at the resemblance, before gently kissing her forehead.

"How's Sophie doing?" Donna asked, looking up at the doctor. "Can we she her?"

Dr. Christou shook his head. "Sophie's going to be fine, but she's still in recovery." He answered. "We'll be bringing her through soon, but she'll probably just sleep for a while due to the anesthetic."

"Thank you doctor." Smiled Sam, looking back down at their perfect granddaughter.

The doctor smiled back. "Congratulations…I'll leave you alone for a few moments, before the nurse comes to take her." He said, turning to walk back through the doors at the end of the corridor.

Sitting down on the chair behind her, Donna couldn't help beaming as she looked down at the tiny baby in her arms. Sam sat down beside his wife and peeled back some of the white blanket, to reveal a small hand. As the baby gripped tightly onto his finger, he smiled as a single tear trickled down his cheek.

Donna looked up into her husband's eyes and smiled lovingly, before kissing his tear away. "She's beautiful isn't she?" She whispered.

"Of course she is…There's no denying she's a Sheridan." Sam replied, planting a slow, delicate kiss on Donna's lips. "You're all beautiful." He added, looking back at the now sleeping baby.

Looking up, the pair stood as a nurse approached them, to take the baby for observation. "Your daughter will be through in a few minutes." The petite brunette smiled, taking the baby carefully out of Donna's arms. "You can wait in her room if you like." She continued, turning and disappearing through the doors.

Pulling his wife into a tight hold, Sam kissed her lips as soft and tenderly as he could. "I love you darling." He whispered, as Donna wrapped her arms around him and responded to his kiss.

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Sitting alone by her daughter's beside, Donna held her hand and gently stroked her golden curls. Sophie had been back in the room for over an hour and had not yet, woken from her operation. With phone calls to be made, notifying people of the birth, Sam had gone outside to make them and give his wife some alone time with their daughter.

Donna smiled, as Dr. Christou came in to check on Sophie's progress, holding her grandchild in his arms. "Is she okay?" She asked, as he handed her the baby.

"The little one is doing remarkably well considering she was delivered early." Dr. Christou answered with a smile. "I knew Sophie would want to see her daughter, as soon as she woke up." He continued, before picking up Sophie's medical notes and excusing himself from the room.

Moving from her seat, Donna slid onto the bed next to Sophie and placed the peacefully, sleeping baby between them. Laying her head on the pillow next to her daughter, she gently stroked her face. Donna smiled sweetly, as Sophie's eyes fluttered open and began to focus on her face. Sophie looked tired and confused, as she started to piece together what she had just been through.

"Hey sweetheart." Donna whispered. "We missed you." She added, leaning closer, to plant a delicate kiss on her forehead.

As a smile eventually came to her face, Sophie slowly looked down to her side and stared at her sleeping newborn child. "Oh my god." She whispered, almost in disbelief that it could be hers.

Giggling quietly, Donna sat up to place the baby in her daughter's arms. "I think your daughter could do with a hug from her mom." She whispered, wrapping her arms around them both.

Tears slowly trickled down Sophie's cheeks, as she stared in wonder at her tiny daughter. Overwhelmed with a surge of motherly love, she placed a long delicate kiss on her sweet, scented forehead. Sophie now understood what her mother had told her about. The instant feeling of total devotion, towards this tiny human being. One that would never leave her until her time on this planet was over.

"Is she alright?" Sophie whispered, looking up into her mother's teary green eyes and wincing slightly as she felt her wound for the first time.

Donna nodded and wiped away a tear. "She's perfect sweetheart." She answered with a smile. "Except, she doesn't have a name." She added, gently stroking her granddaughter's tiny hand.

Looking back down at her gorgeous baby girl, Sophie smiled. "Emma." She Whispered. "Emma Sheridan."

"I love it Soph." Said Donna, looking down at her grandchild. "Welcome to the family little Emma." She continued, kissing the side of Sophie's head.

Pausing in the doorway, Sam smiled at the sight of his wife and daughter, huddled together with his new granddaughter. "My three gorgeous girls." He said, approaching the bed to give Sophie a kiss, before leaning down to plant a tender kiss on the baby's head.

"Is this the way it's going to be from now on Sam?…" Asked Donna feigning a sad look. "Me last in the pecking order for your affection." She continued, giving him a cheeky wink, as Sophie looked up and laughed at her.

Grabbing hold of his wife and dipping her backwards, Sam kissed her mouth passionately. "Of course not…I thought I'd save the first of the three generations of Sheridan women until last." He giggled, before kissing her mouth once more.

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A.N. Sorry it was short guys…but more to follow soon I promise =)

Thanks so much for all your great reviews on the last chapter..Love ya's, mwah! Loads of love. Liv x