Maggie took a deep breath as she was sitting on the chair. Hayden was now a day old, and Maggie had found the courage to hold her. Dr Lawson was on shift, which Maggie was glad about because he made her feel more at ease. He just had this very calming aura about him. Alex was watching with her phone in her hand, making sure to get this moment pictured. Maggie was going to do Kangaroo care with Hayden, the close skin-to-skin contact not only beneficial for helping Hayden to get stronger, but also for bonding. Maggie had a blanket covering herself for the time being. It felt a little strange for her to be sitting there naked from the waist up, but she knew it was beneficial for Hayden, so she wanted to it. Alex watched as Maggie bit at her bottom lip. She knew her wife was super nervous, but she chose not to say anything because she didn't want to make her worse and cause her to change her mind. "Okay, so if Mama will move the blanket," Maggie did as requested, as Dr Lawson placed Hayden down, carefully placing the wires before he put the blanket back over Hayden and Maggie. Maggie gasped, Hayden feeling so light against her. As soon as Hayden was placed on Maggie, Alex noticed that she opened her eyes. Maggie felt her heart beating faster as she shakily brought her hand up and very gently put it on Hayden's back. "I'll leave you in privacy." Dr Lawson said before he moved the curtain slightly, so he could leave.

"Alex," Maggie squeaked as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I can feel her heart against me."

"Yeah, it's amazing isn't it?" Alex questioned, snapping a few more pictures as she walked closer to her wife and child. She bent down in front of them and rubbed Maggie's arm as she kissed her cheek.

"She's so light. It's like air on me." Maggie noted, her eyes glued to Hayden as she lay on her chest.

"She opened her eyes for you." Alex said, snapping another picture of Hayden and Maggie. She put the phone down on the unit after that, and gently ran her finger over Hayden's shoulder as it peeked out from the top of the blanket.

"Oh Jelly girl, I'm sorry I didn't hold you sooner," Maggie sounded emotional as she spoke. "But now I never want to put you down," Maggie said. "But I gotta share you with Mummy, I guess."

"Hmm, you most definitely do," Alex lightly touched Hayden again. "But for now, you enjoy your cuddles with Mama," Alex spoke softly, still lightly touching her daughter. "And you grow stronger and then you'll get to be out for longer and have cuddles with Emmi and Auntie Kara and Grandma, and Auntie Ava and I know that Papa J'onn can't wait to come and meet you. You are going to love Papa J'onn, little one." Alex smiled at the thought of J'onn and Hayden bonding. She looked back up to Maggie, her eyes firmly on Hayden as she held her. She felt herself welling up at the sight, Maggie looking so in love as she stared at Hayden.

"I can't believe I waited over a day to hold her," Maggie murmured. She felt guilty she'd waited. "This is just perfection. I….I didn't need to be scared."

"It's okay that you were," Alex assured her. "And it doesn't matter if you took an hour, a day or longer," Alex assured her. "I knew you'd get there," Alex smiled softly at her wife. "And you are bonding now." Alex said, watching Hayden, looking very comfy snuggled up against Maggie.

"I don't know how to thank you, Alex. I don't know how to thank you for this beautiful little girl," Maggie felt herself welling up again. "This precious little life you've given me…given us…this family, I…" Maggie shook her head lightly as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"You can get up and bottle feed her through the night." Alex joked.

"I'll do anything at any time for her," Maggie spoke quietly, looking back down to her little girl. "And for you. Anything."

Alex smiled as she cupped Maggie's cheek. "We'll share the nights. We'll share everything," Alex said. "We can do anything together, yeah?"

"Yeah." Maggie murmured before Alex leaned up and softly kissed her lips. Maggie smiled as she pulled back from her wife, the pair of them looking down to their daughter, the both of them looking completely besotted with the new little life.


Emmi and Eliza were in with Alex to see Hayden, so Maggie had gone to the canteen. She hadn't been there that long when Kara came to join her. "How's Hayden doing today?" Kara questioned. She couldn't get in to see Hayden because there were already 3 people in, so she'd have to wait.

"You know you don't need to bring her a stuffed toy every time you come." Maggie said, glancing to the elephant in Kara's hand. The previous day Kara had brought a giraffe comforter for Hayden.

"This is from Winn and J'onn, actually," Kara told her. "They send their love." Winn and J'onn knew this would be a stressful time right now, so thought it best to stay back until they were invited to see Hayden.

"We'll have to get them in soon," Maggie noted. "They say only family for the first while, but they are practically family anyways," Maggie murmured. "But uh, to answer your question, Hayden is doing okay."

"Good," Kara smiled. "And you?" Kara questioned.

"It's difficult," Maggie spoke honestly, rubbing her hands together. "But for Hayden, I need to be strong. And Alex too. I should be the one helping her through this but it's more like she is constantly reassuring me." Maggie looked downwards as she spoke.

"You're here to help each other through," Kara exhaled. "I know Alex has just been through the labour, but you are both Mummy to that little girl. It's good you are leaning on each other to get through this." Kara said, her hand tentatively rubbing Maggie's arm as she spoke.

"So," Maggie had pretty much been at the hospital for the last day and a bit at already felt a little out of touch with the outside world. "How's things in Supergirl's world?"

"Quiet today," Kara sounded a little relieved at that. "I'm glad all the rouge aliens are respecting that I want to come spend time with my niece." Kara murmured, and Maggie gave a little chuckle.

"Uh, Ava not make an appearance today?" Maggie questioned.

Kara shook her head as she twisted her lip. "Eliza said she opened up a little to her about the miscarriage though, so, you know, she is making progress," Kara tried to reassure Maggie that Ava would be okay. She'd get through this and come to see Hayden eventually. "She will come, Maggie. She just needs a little bit time."

"I suppose if the situation was reversed I…." Maggie trailed off shaking her head. "Well I don't think me and Alex would be rushing to see Ava's baby. She can take the time she needs." Maggie wanted her sister to come and see the baby, but she knew she couldn't rush her. Even if a part of her thought that by seeing Hayden she'd find more closure in her own loss. She knew she needed to let Ava handle this her own way.

"I'm sure she'll come soon." Kara said, Maggie giving a hopeful nod.

"Maggie." Maggie looked up as she heard the voice. She widened her eyes, feeling worried as she saw Dr Lawson was standing before her.

"What is it? Is it Hayden? Has something happened?" Maggie stood up from the table in a panic.

"No, no," Dr Lawson spoke with a calming tone. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Dr Lawson apologised, seeing why Maggie would jump to the conclusion that something was wrong with Hayden. "We got more of these in and I thought maybe it would be good for Emmi to understand even more," Dr Lawson said, and Maggie looked downwards slightly, seeing he was holding a book. "They are pretty helpful to older siblings. The NICU can be a scary place to most, but little kids especially." Dr Lawson handed Maggie the book.

"My Sister Is A Preemie," Maggie read the front cover before looking back to Dr Lawson. "I uh…thank you." Maggie gave him a thankful smile. Dr Lawson was lovely. It seemed like he really cared for the not just the babies but the families too.

"You are welcome," Dr Lawson smiled at Maggie, before looking to Kara who was staring up at him, all wide eyed. "Oh hello," Dr Lawson stared into Kara's expressive blue eyes for a moment. "I'm Dr Lawson. One of Hayden's doctors."

"Kara," Kara shook his hand. "Uh….Alex's sister." Maggie watched as Kara was staring at him, not even blinking.

"Nice to meet you," Dr Lawson smiled at her, Kara returning the smile. "Anyways, I'm going to get something to eat before I go back on shift. See you later, Maggie," Dr Lawson said. "And uh you too, Kara." Dr Lawson said before he walked away. Maggie sat back down and stared at Kara, looking at her as she watched the doctor walk away.

Maggie cleared her throat, causing Kara to look around to her. "What?" Kara questioned, readjusting her glasses.

"Did you even blink once when he was there?" Maggie questioned.

"Yes, I…." Kara felt a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. "He was just rather handsome. You uh…you didn't tell me Hayden had such a handsome doctor."

"Right, because that is what would be on my mind right now. Not my daughter's health but if she had hot doctors." Maggie muttered.

"I guess not," Kara bit her lip as she looked across the canteen, Dr Lawson purchasing some food. "Did you see his eyes?" Kara questioned. "They were so green and that sandy brown hair." Kara put her hand onto her chest, exhaling dreamily.

Maggie chuckled, feeling a little amused but also confused. It wasn't like Kara to gush over guys. Especially lately with her always saying she wasn't ready to move on from James, but Maggie was getting the feeling maybe now she was becoming more open to the idea. "Well, I suppose it wont hurt to get back into the dating world." Maggie spoke softly, because despite the fact that it seemed like Kara was keen on the idea, she knew it was still a touchy subject for her.

"Oh now no, no, no," Kara shook her head, suddenly looking panicked. "I never meant that I…." Kara trailed off, taking a deep breath as she glanced over the room to Dr Lawson once again. Maggie raised her eyebrows but stayed quiet as she followed Kara's gaze, not surprised to find it on Dr Lawson.


After school, Ava, Ryan, Izzy and Lily went to the diner for some milkshakes. "You don't want to go to the hospital to see the baby?" Izzy wondered. She knew if it was her niece or nephew who had just been born she'd want to rush there.

"Nah," Ava pursed her lips. "I…it feels a bit…..uhm….." Ava rubbed the back of her head. "I don't really want to see a baby right now. I know it's not her fault, but, I…..she's gonna remind me of….well," Ava cleared her throat. Ryan looked to her, his arm wrapping around her back and rubbing it gently, giving her some comfort. "What I could have had."

"Would still be nice to support your sister," Lily said. Things with Lily and Ava were improving, but they weren't like they once were yet. "Her kid is born early. She's in the NICU….she'll need you."

"Maggie has Alex." Ava told her.

"Who is also going through her baby being born early," Lily retorted. "Sometimes you need to think about other people and do things that are maybe hard for you or that you don't like," Lily listed. "It's called being a good person."

"Alright Lily," Ryan stepped in to defend Ava. "If she's not ready to go she doesn't have to go."

"Of course you'd take her side," Lily sighed. "That's how it's always going to be now, isn't it?" Lily sounded annoyed as she shook her head. "Ava and Ryan the couple."

Ava and Ryan glanced at each other before looking back to Lily. "It's got nothing to do with us dating," Ryan replied. "I just think she should go when she is ready."

"It's not something you should push, Lil," Izzy said, Lily looking around to her friend. "You don't want her having a setback, do you?"

Lily shrugged. "I guess not," Lily murmured as she put her straw in her mouth, taking some of her milkshake. "I guess it's good you are finally starting to grieve this the way normal people would."

Ava scrunched her face a little, wondering what Lily meant by 'normal' people, but decided not to question it. She didn't want to argue with her anymore. She just wanted them to go back to the friendship they used to have. "Well some people just have more trouble opening up than others," Ava said. "But I'm trying, Lily."

"I know you are," Lily gave her a weak smile. Maybe she was being a little to hard on Ava. Yeah, she'd said and done some stupid things, but it was on the back of her dad dying and losing her baby. "Uhm….you'll have to have me and Izzy over to see this new basement room of yours," Lily said. "I mean, you've let lover boy see it, so your besties should get to see it too right?"

"I'm not her lover boy. We are not making love -"

"Ryan, shut up," Ava put her hand over his mouth to keep him quiet. Izzy and Lily both stifled laughs. "Uhm, you can come over after these shakes, if you want." Ava said, keen to move the conversation on.

"Yeah cool." Izzy smiled.

"Sure." Lily nodded as she gave Ava a smile, Ava smiling back at her, feeling more hopeful that their friendship was truly repairing.


"Miss Penny," Emmi smiled as the nurse appeared from behind the curtain. "Mr Neil gave Mama this book to give to me," Emmi said. "I can read most of it by myself but some of the words are a bit hard." Emmi looked up to Nurse Penny. Emmi was sitting on Alex's knee as Alex was reading through the book with her.

"Oh that was nice of him," Penny smiled down at Emmi. "Well, I've got Hayden's hat here for you, all washed and ready to wear."

"Oh," Emmi jumped down from Alex's knee. "Why did you need to wash it anyways? Mama had already washed it at home for Hayden Grace." Emmi said. Maggie smiled down at her eldest daughter, finding it cute that she always used her sisters full name when referring to her.

"I know but we just have to be extra safe. That nothing that comes in here gives the baby an infection," Penny told her. "We don't want that, do we?"

"Oh no." Emmi shook her head, her eyes widening at the thought.

"So, which one of you ladies wants to put the hat on her?" Penny questioned. "Big sister?" Penny looked back to Emmi as she spoke.

"No," Emmi shook her head. "She's too little for me." Emmi stepped back, banging against Alex. Alex put her hand onto her shoulder, rubbing it gently.

Alex was about to say she'd do it, but Maggie spoke up before her. "I will," Maggie removed her gaze from Hayden as she took the hat from the nurse. Penny looked to the incubator and opened down the latch before she took off the pink hat Hayden currently had on. She moved out of the way, letting Maggie place the hat on Hayden. Very slowly and gently, Maggie put the hat over Hayden's little head, Alex smiling as she watched the scene, glad to see Maggie getting more comfortable in handling Hayden. "That okay?" Maggie questioned.

"Perfect," The nurse gave a little nod, before she looked to her watch. "In about twenty minutes she can come out for another hold," The nurse told them as she picked up Hayden's notes. She looked at the monitors and started jotting things down. "I think it's Mummy's turn this time, right?" Penny looked to Alex.

"Yeah." Alex smiled. She couldn't wait to hold her daughter again. Penny put the notes back in the holder.

"Maybe big sister can even get a little go," Penny said, looking down to Emmi. "Would you like that?" Penny asked.

"No." Emmi got the same look of worry on her face that was there just moments before.

"Okay, just Mummy it is, then," Penny said. "Well me or the doctor will be back soon." Penny informed them before she left for now.

"Mum," Emmi looked up to Alex. "Why is Miss Penny always trying to get me to touch Hayden Grace or hold her?" Emmi questioned.

"She's just wants you to know it's okay if you want too." Alex told her daughter.

"But I said I don't," Emmi shook her head. "She is to little and has to many wires," Emmi sounded like she was going to cry. "I just like to look at her right now."

"And that's okay sweetie," Alex brought her hands out and rubbed Emmi's arms. "No one is going to make you touch or hold her until you feel ready, I promise, okay?" Alex spoke softly, and Emmi gave a little nod in response. Alex knew the moment that Emmi held Hayden for the first time would be special, but she was willing to wait for it. She obviously wanted Emmi to feel ready to hold her baby sister.

"Okay," Emmi smiled up at her mother. "Can we finish reading the book now?" Emmi questioned.

"Sure we can," Alex told her. Emmi smiled as she sat back down on Alex's knee. Alex continued to read to Emmi from the 'My Sister Is A Preemie' book, while Maggie was happy to stand over the incubator, staring down at Hayden as she gently rubbed her finger over her arm, Hayden's eyes flickering but not fully opening under the bright lights, every time that Maggie would touch her.


Alex was back in her room, expressing some milk for Hayden. Maggie was sitting with her, Eliza down at the NICU siting with Hayden, Alex and Maggie having to okay her being there without them. Kara had taken Emmi home to bathe her and put her to bed. "So," Maggie looked to her wife from the chair. "Do you think Ava will come tomorrow?"

"I don't know," Alex shrugged. "Mum said she was talking a bit more, so maybe…" Alex trailed off. She did hope that Ava would come soon. "I guess, it must be pretty hard for her to think about coming to see a little baby."

"Yeah," Maggie bit her lip. "I dunno, maybe I'll go talk to her if I go home tonight." Maggie murmured, looking over to the extra bed that they'd brought into the room for Maggie. She'd desperately wanted to stay with Alex the previous night and be there, just in case anything happened with Hayden, so the staff had allowed it.

"You go talk to her if you feel it's what you want to do," Alex told her. "I'll be fine here."

"Yeah, you just want secret alone time with Hayden," Maggie murmured. "I know your game, Danvers," Maggie said, and Alex gave a little laugh. "But for Emmi too, maybe it is important I go home," Maggie exhaled lightly. She wanted to be there for Alex and Hayden, but there was also Emmi to think about and Maggie didn't want her thinking that she wasn't as important anymore now Hayden was here. "And it's only for sleeping time. And I'll back first light." Maggie said, Alex giving a little nod.

"Hmm, you don't have to convince me babe," Alex yawned. "I'm only going to be sleeping too," Alex didn't sleep well the previous night. She was worried about Hayden which would have had some impact on her sleep, but she also couldn't ever sleep well in hospitals. "Although it would be nice for Emmi to be able to have breakfast with you." Alex noted.

"This your way of saying you want me gone?" Maggie questioned.

"You know it's not," Alex gave her a pout. "I'd like you to stay again but like you said, being there for Emmi and being able to see Ava and have a chat with her about everything could be good," Alex said. "But it's your choice."

Maggie glanced at her watch. It was almost 9pm. Emmi would already be in bed but would get a nice surprise in the morning and Maggie did want to check-in with her sister. She hadn't spoken to her since the Saturday night and it was now Monday night. "Okay well how about you finish expressing then we'll go see Hayden and I'll hopefully get a quick hold," Maggie said, a smile on her face at the thought. Alex smiled too, knowing once Maggie had held her she'd only want to continue too, it not talking Maggie long at all to feel comfortable with it. "Then I'll head home with Eliza, and hopefully you can get a good night's rest for another day of NICU life tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan." Alex said, Maggie giving a little as she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her wife's lips, hoping it wouldn't take Alex too much longer to express so she could go see her baby girl one final time that day before she'd go home.


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