Chapter 36 – Side By Side – Part 1

Waiting, that was all he could do, every single second feeling like a lifetime. Head throbbing and body aching, Stephen moved around in his seat. "Here you go." A white polystyrene cup appeared in his line of sight, liquid that looked like coffee steaming inside it. He shook his head, not making eye contact with the woman that he knew was his mother. He was ready to break down, to drop to his knees and give his life for Izzy and the babies. Instead his jaw was locked shut, staring into his lap unable to do anything but wait. He was a patient man, but this was testing him to extremes that had never been reached.

Hearing the chitter-chatter of his mother and mother-in-law, he wanted nothing more than to stick his fingers in his ears and block them out, but he didn't want to risk missing anything. Shutting his eyes, the image of Izzy passed out on the floor hit him hard. It was etched there. Watching her and not knowing what to do rested heavy on his heart. He had cursed himself over and over, blaming no one but himself for what had happened.

"Mr. Farrelly." Stephens eyes snapped open, greeted by Dr. Greson standing in front of him with a clipboard in hand. "Can you come with me for a moment?"

Stephen didn't hesitate, he stood up and though his body was tense and sore, he wouldn't rest until Izzy and the babies were safe. He had bruise across his chest, shoulder and left leg from his awkward landing on the steel steps, the cut that was on his leg had been stitched up a few hours ago. The cuts on his face had been cleaned up, looking worse than they actually were.

Stephen followed the doctor, his heart pounding and stomach churning. He had been told the minimal and kept at bay. Though that may have been due to an outburst in the ambulance, he had calmed down since. "Can ah see her? Are the babies alright?" Stephen asked, unable to bite his tongue any longer.

"Izzy is stable and we're going to be operating shortly. They're both a healthy size, but the heart rate is lower than usual." Dr. Greson spoke, making short glances at his clipboard.

Stephen took a deep breath, he was about to become a dad. He had wished and wished for this day, but now that it was here, he was scared more than excited. Scared of letting Izzy down. "Can ah see her?" Stephen repeated himself, the doctor's words feeling like blows to his chest. He knew Izzy would eventually have to have a caesarean section, but he had yet to prepare himself.

"Briefly before we get her ready for surgery." Stephen nodded, trying to take everything in. It was overwhelming, clouding his head. "Then you can stay with her whilst the babies are delivered."

"But they're okay?" Stephen stopped the doctor with his hand on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Stephens eyes pierced into the older mans, begging him to tell him what he wanted to hear. The curl of his lips and the brightness in his eyes was what he wanted to see.

"The three of them are doing just fine." The doctor nodded to the door they had stopped by, sending Stephen a warm smile. "The midwife is around, she'll be in shortly."

Pushing the door open slightly, Stephen laid eyes on Izzy, her eyes squeezed shut and breathing lightly. Her hands were clasped just above her baby bump, a protective barrier even whilst she slept. He crept into the room, gently closing the door behind him. Part of him didn't want to wake her up. She looked so peaceful, even in the hospital room with its white washed walls and overbearing smell of cleanliness. He moved closer into the private room, not able to look anywhere but at his wife. He didn't see the chair in front of him and his leg connected with the side of it, hitting his bruise and sending spirals of pain through his body. He didn't realise he had cursed, but seeing Izzy move on the bed he knew he had woken her.

"Ste." Stephen had never been happier to see his wife, but he could already see the fear etched on her face. Rushing over to the bed and her open arms, he let her hold onto him, not wanting to let go of her anytime soon. "I'm so scared." Izzy whispered and it tore at Stephens heart.

Stephen pulled the chair next to the bed, getting as close as he could to Izzy, gently he took her hand between both of his, kissing her knuckles lightly. "Listen to me, we're finally going to get what we wanted. Two beautiful babies, and no matter what we'll get through it together." Stephen couldn't let her see he was scared too. Her big blue eyes staring up at him made her look vulnerable. "I'll be by yeh side, lass, through it all."

"And are you okay?" Izzy asked, nodding slightly at him. He knew she was referring to the cuts on his face, but he just smiled.

"More than okay, sweetheart."

"Are my parents here?" Stephen nodded, his hands still tightly clasped around Izzy's. "And what about Cas?"

"Cody called her, she's on her way back from New Jersey now." Stephen didn't know what else to say. The whole evening had been a crazy blur, feeling every emotion possible. But now, just with the two of them, realisation was setting in. He was going to be a father. Responsible for two lives.

"I'm sorry this isn't how we planned it." Izzy laughed, biting her lip but not taking her eyes off her husband.

"Yeh the mother of me children, Iz. Don't apologise for anything." Stephen watched Izzy's smile flatten and her gaze avert his. "What's wrong, lass?"

"I don't know." With a heavy sigh she pulled her hand from his. "I don't feel prepared. Do we have everything we need? Are you going back to work?"

Stephen knew everything that was swimming around in Izzy's head at that moment, the same things that were in his head but daren't speak out loud. "Ah won't be going back to work, lass." Stephen grinned as Izzy reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. "We've got everything we need Iz, plus me mum is here to help and so are yer parents."

"I guess-"

"Yeh guess? Lass, yeh going to be a great mum." Stephen leant over, kissing her gently on the lips. "And once those babies arrive, yeh'll be a natural." A knock on the door stopped Stephen and Izzy's conversation, then Margaret and Joanne appeared one after the other. They both looked emotional, soon to be grandparents just as happy as Izzy was deep inside.

"How are you doing sweetie?" Joanne asked, scooting over to the bed, opposite Stephen. She sat down on the edge, smoothing Izzy's hair back, something she used to do when she was ill.

"I'm okay mom." Izzy smiled, hugging her mother once she had stopped mothering her. "Where's dad?"

"He's gone to get you some things from your house, Cas is meeting him there." Izzy smiled, appreciation in her expression, but exhaustion was quick taking over.

"Excuse me." A soft female voice entered the room, the midwife taking care of Izzy poked her head around the door. "It's almost time, you're going to have to leave." Her last words were directed at the soon to be grandparents. After a long heartfelt goodbye, they left the room, venturing back to waiting room.

"You need to change into these, they should fit." The midwife smiled, giving Stephen the once over, taking in his size. The woman in her 50's had a welcoming calm demeanour, and Stephen hoped some of it would rub off on him.

"Thanks." Stephen smiled as the midwife placed the change of clothes on the chair the other side of Izzy's bed. "I love yeh and ah'll see yeh in a minute." Stephen said, leaning over Izzy and gently stroking her cheek.

"I love you too." Izzy kissed Stephen, locking lips and never wanting to stop.

"Someone will come and get you." Stephen nodded, watching another doctor come into the room, taking her away to the operating theatre without him. Finally a smile settled on his face, his thoughts drifting to his dad. He was going to make him proud.

A/N – Thank you MissShelz, ThatGirl54, DeansTrueGirl, DefinitelyProbablyMaybe, hotpocketbandit, mrs.a87, DeirdreLaelia and xFindTheEnigmaWithinx for the lovely reviews. Decided to split this chapter in half since the story is almost over and I like to end on even numbers :)! Lou x