Alex zipped the bag shut, her eyes darting around the room where she'd stayed the last 5 days. "You okay?" Maggie stepped forward and rubbed her back, soothingly.

"I don't want to leave here without Hayden." Alex sounded like she was trying not to cry, the thought of having to leave Hayden behind clearly getting to her.

"I know it's hard," Maggie told her. "I hate going home every night without either of you but right now Hayden is in the best possible place," Maggie reassured her wife. "She is here to get strong, so that's what you need to focus on," Maggie kept rubbing Alex's back. "You only need to go home to sleep. First thing you'll be right back here to be with Hayden and you can leave as late as you want," The NICU was open to parents 24 hours a day so technically, Alex could still be there all the time if she wanted, but Maggie still understood her hesitancy at being discharged. "And hey, Emmi is excited that you are coming home. She's baking you some peanut butter brownies as we speak." Maggie told her. Eliza always made sure she gave Maggie and Alex plenty alone time at the hospital with Hayden. She picked Emmi up from school, promising her she'd go see the baby after dinner. Upon hearing for sure that Alex was getting home that day, she was happy with doing some baking for her instead of going to the hospital right away.

"It will be nice to go home," Alex noted. "To be back in my own bed, next to my wife," Alex wrapped her arms around Maggie's waist. "I just wish we were going home together."

"I know you do baby," Maggie spoke softly, tucking a loose strand of Alex's hair behind her ear. "And when she's ready to, bringing her home is going to be magical for us," Maggie wanted Hayden home as well, but knew that right now, she was in the best place. "She's getting stronger ever day. The jaundice has almost gone, she's not had any more temperature drops after than first one, her oxygen blood levels have always been perfect, and she's got a good, steady heartbeat," Maggie listed, Alex twisting her lip as she gave a little nod. "Hayden Grace Danvers is one tough cookie."

"She's not gaining weight like she should be," Alex said. "She lost weight." Alex reminded her wife.

"All babies lose a little weight after they are born. The nurse said so, remember?" Maggie questioned, and Alex gave a little shrug. They'd been given so much information over the last few days that she couldn't recall all of it clearly. Hayden was born at 3lb 8oz but had currently gone down to 3lbs 4oz. "And she's getting your milk and they add some supplements to it so she's getting all she needs," Because of Hayden's early arrival, she'd missed out on some much needed nutrients that babies get in the last few weeks of pregnancy, so a special formula of those nutrients was mixed with Alex's breast milk, so Hayden could not only get all she needed, but also be able to grow and get stronger. "Sweetie, if the nurses aren't worried about her weight then we don't need to be worried, okay?"

Alex took a deep breath as Maggie rubbed her arms. "It's just hard not to."

"I know." Maggie continued to rub her arms.

They both turned their heads as there was a knock at the door. "I'm not interrupting, am I?" Ava questioned.

"Ava," Alex looked pleased to see her. "Not at all, come over here," Alex moved away from the embrace with her wife and opened her arms out. Ava walked into the hug. It had been a while since she'd seen Alex. "How you doing?"

"I'm okay," Ava murmured. "How about you? How are you feeling?"

"Well I'm a bit anxious about going home and leaving Hayden behind, even though I know she is in the best place right now," Alex said as they pulled back from the embrace. "So, I'm as okay as I can be," Alex answered. "It's nice to see you here." Alex smiled, glad that Ava had finally managed to come to the hospital to see the baby.

Ava took a deep breath. "Well she's my niece and I…" Ava trailed off, looking to Maggie. "It's going to be hard no matter how long I leave coming to see her," Ava noted, her hands brushing together. "Uhm…so here I am."

Maggie could see Ava was still a little worried for seeing Hayden, so she decided not to make a big deal out of it. "Well, if we are ready to leave?" Maggie said, looking at Alex. Alex gave a little nod as Maggie picked up her hospital bag from the bed.

"So," Alex said as they walked out of the room and made their way to the NICU. "I heard you and Ryan have finally made things official?"

"Yeah," Ava nodded shyly. "We uh….we're boyfriend and girlfriend, I guess you'd say." Alex gave a little smile as she looked to Maggie. They both looked pleased with news. Ryan was a good kid and he genuinely cared for Ava. They were sure that he'd be a great help in her moving forward.

"Well I'm pleased for you," Alex told her. "It's nice you have something good happening for you." Alex said, as they got into the elevator and went down a floor to the NICU.

"I know she was early, but the arrival of my niece is a pretty good thing too." Ava said, as they stopped outside the doors to the NICU, each of them sanitising their hands.

"Right Ava, just before we go in," Maggie turned to look at her little sister. "She's got a tube attached to her nose to help her breath, she has a feeding tube and a whole host of other wires but they're all just there to help her, okay?"

"Yeah," Ava swallowed, looking rather nervous all of a sudden. Eliza and Maggie had both tried to show Ava a picture of Hayden, but she'd not really paid too much attention, so this would really be the first time she'd see her, picture or real life. "Emmi said it's real proper scary, but you get used to it."

"Well Emmi is right," Maggie said as the three of them walked into the NICU. They walked over to Hayden's area, seeing Kara was in a deep conversation with Dr Lawson. Maggie cleared her throat, causing them both too look at her.

"Uh anyways, I best get back to rounds," Dr Lawson told her. "And uh, let me know about Saturday." Dr Lawson said, and Kara nodded as he walked away.

"What's Saturday?" Alex asked, rather intriguingly.

"Uhm nothing." Kara pushed at her glasses.

"Sounded like it was something." Maggie noted as she looked to Ava who was peering into the incubator.

"He asked me out for drinks, but I am not going." Kara told them. Alex and Maggie widened their eyes as they glanced at each other.

"Why not?" Maggie questioned as she dropped Alex's bag down by the chair.

"Well despite the fact he is Hayden's doctor, I am not ready to be with someone, okay, I…." Kara trailed off as she bit her lip.

"Kara he is Hayden's doctor, not yours. I'm pretty sure there won't be anything against dating your niece's doctor," Alex told her, taking a step closer to her. "And it's not like anyone is expecting you to marry this guy tomorrow and have 10 of his babies," Alex told her. "It's just drinks, right?"

"And you two have been talking it up a storm the last few days and I've seen the cheeky little flirting that's been happening." Maggie added. She smiled lightly, glad it seemed like Kara was getting to the place where she was ready to dip back into the dating world. She could see that Kara liked this guy, now Kara just needed to find the confidence to get back out there.

"I suppose it is just drinks," Kara spoke nervously. "Uh…I dunno. I'll think about it," Kara said. "I need to go because there's too many of us here and I also need to go to the DEO anyways, so…see you," Kara gave her sister a hug. "Maybe I'll come around to the house later. You'll be home right?"

"I'm not sure what time but yeah, I'm heading home tonight." Alex sounded like it was the last thing she wanted to do, but she knew she didn't have much choice.

"Okay well see you all later." Kara said before she left the three of them there with Hayden.

"So," Maggie looked to Ava who looked like she was tearing up. "What do you think of your niece?"

"She's little," Ava noted. "And uh….she looks cute but it's kinda hard to see properly because of the stupid tube." Ava said, her hand going onto the top of the incubator.

"That stupid tube is helping her breathe," Maggie reminded her sister as she stepped beside her. "But I do hate how it blocks part of her face," Maggie said, staring down at daughter. "Hey, Hayden girl," Maggie opened the latch on the side of the incubator, and put her hand in. "Mummy and Mama are back, and we've brought Auntie Ava to see you," Maggie gently stroked Hayden's arm, Hayden's eyes fluttering before they opened momentarily, the bright lights causing them to close again. "You've not met her yet. She's Mama's little sister."

Alex stepped closer to the other side of Ava and looked down at Hayden. "Do you think she knows?" Alex questioned, her hand going into the incubator and lightly touching Hayden's forehead. "Do you think she knows I'm leaving her?"

"You're not leaving her, Alex," Maggie told her. "You are still going to be here all the time with her." Maggie could see that Alex felt guilty for getting to go home and Hayden having to stay. Despite her efforts to make her feel okay about it, coming and seeing Hayden seemed to have pushed her back there.

"Hello, I thought I saw you come in," Nurse Erin said as she appeared by the incubator. Although there were other nurses and doctors in the NICU, Hayden's main carers were nurses, Penny and Erin, and her doctors were Dr Lawson and Dr Munroe. "Will we get right to the Kangaroo care?" Nurse Erin questioned. "I think it's Mama's turn, right?" Erin said, looking to Maggie.

"Uh, Mummy is going to take this one," Maggie answered. She wanted to hold her daughter, but she could see that Alex needed it more right now. The guilt of leaving Hayden behind getting to her.

"Oh no, Maggie, please -" Alex started to protest, but Maggie cut her off.

"No, it's fine. Please. You take this one," Maggie looked at her rather insistently. Alex mouthed a thank you to her before she got herself organised to do the Kangaroo care. Ava stepped back, letting Erin get Hayden out of the incubator. She watched as she delicately placed her onto Alex's chest, Erin taking special care with the wires. Erin placed a blanket over them before leaving the family to have some time together. Ava walked over to Alex and bent down, able to get a closer look at Hayden. "You can touch her or talk to her. Let her know who you are." Maggie told her.

"Uhm," Ava shook her head as she looked around to her sister. Coming to see the baby was one thing but touching her was a whole other. She cleared her throat as she looked back to Hayden. "Hey, I'm Auntie Ava. Now, I know that your Auntie Kara can fly and do cool things with lasers from her eyes and could literally throw a possible bully of yours into outer space, but I promise I'll try to be cool too, okay?" Ava sounded a little choked up as she spoke. "I'll take you to the cinema and swimming or the ballet or whatever it is you'll like to do," Ava paused, looking up to see Alex's eyes glossing over. "I'll probably do some other stuff too, but we won't say that when Mummies are around." Ava whispered.

"Hey, no leading either of my girls astray." Maggie warned her jokingly.

Ava chuckled. "Really though guys, congrats. I don't think I've said that yet," Ava pushed herself back up to standing. "She is cute," Ava gave a little smile as she looked around to her sister. "But uh, I think I'm going to for a bit because this is quite a lot for me when I'm still trying to deal with what happened and uhm…." Ava trailed off. She all of a sudden just felt that being around Hayden any longer would be too much. "Is it okay if I go to the canteen for a bit?"

"Sure," Maggie spoke softly, stepping forward and giving her arm a comforting rub. "You want company?"

"No, no," Ava shook her head. "Uh, you stay with Alex and Hayden. I'll be fine. I have this." Ava pulled her phone from her back pocket.

"Okay," Maggie pulled some notes from her pocket, giving Ava a 20 dollar bill. "Get yourself something at the canteen and we'll come get you when we are leaving," Maggie told her, and Ava gave her a little smile as she took the money from her and left the NICU. Maggie took a deep breath as she walked closer to the chair where Alex was sitting with Hayden. "She'll be okay, won't she?" Maggie bent down next to the chair, looking to her daughter.

"Yeah," Alex didn't know for sure, but she assumed she would. "She took a big step by coming here today," Alex said. "Give her a few more days and she'll be like Kara and Emmi, never wanting to leave."

"Yeah, you are probably right," Maggie leaned up and softly kissed her wife's lips. "And uh…just Kara and Emmi who never want to leave, is it?" Maggie tilted her head to the side ever so slightly.

"Well can you blame me?" Alex questioned.

"No," Maggie shook her head, her hand going onto Hayden's little back, just above Alex's. "Leaving her always sucks but now that we get to go home together, it might make it a little easier," Maggie said. She knew it would be hard for Alex to leave without Hayden because she'd done it the last few nights. Not only did she have to leave Hayden, but Alex too, and there was a part of her that was a little relieved that she'd now have Alex back home with her. "Yeah it sucks we get to go home and Hayden doesn't, but we have each other to lean on, yeah?"

"Yeah," Alex smiled weakly. "And Em's. Sweet little Emmi will be there," Alex said, and Maggie gave a little nod. "She always makes everything better."

"Right?" Maggie agreed. "So, I know it's tough leaving Hayden, but Emmi is such a great help." Maggie said, Alex smiling at her wife as she lightly nodded her head. Alex knew it would be tough leaving the hospital without Hayden, but at least it would give her more time with Emmi, because that relationship was as equally as important to her.


Alex couldn't sleep. She looked to the side, seeing Maggie was dead to the world. She exhaled lightly as she got out of the bed and walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She went into the kitchen and got herself a glass of water. She heard a noise coming from outside the front door and her heart skipped a beat, her hand going onto her chest as she made her way to the hall. She looked upwards, her and Maggie's guns in the gun safe in their bedroom. Maybe she was panicking thinking of her guns right away, but she couldn't be too safe. Not when Emmi was in the house and not because of what both her and Maggie's jobs involved. She looked back around to the door, relaxing when she saw it was only Kara. "Jeez Kara what are you doing?"

"I said I'd come around after work." Kara didn't see the problem with her coming around at this hour.

"It like almost 1am." Alex retorted as Kara locked the door, leaving her key on the hook for now.

"Sorry, but I just didn't want to go home to an empty loft tonight," Kara murmured. There were still times she didn't like going back here, because it was empty. It reminded her she no longer lived with James. She no longer had a boyfriend. "I was going to crash on your couch."

"There's still a spare bed out in Emmi's room, if you be quiet. Don't wake her." Alex said. With Ava down in her basement room, Eliza had moved into the guest room, giving Emmi her bed back, but they were still to get around to moving the camp bed out of Emmi's room. Emmi was okay with it though because a few of her dolls and teddies now had a bed of their own.

"Thanks," Kara gave her sister a smile. "Uh…" Kara rubbed the back of her head. "Do you think I should go?" Kara questioned. "On the date. For drinks. With Dr Lawson. Neil." Kara said, seeing Alex looked a little confused.

"If you feel ready and it's what you want," Alex told her. "Just a drink. Maybe two. There's no pressure for anything." Alex said, leading her sister through to the living room. She flicked on the light then walked over to the couch, Kara taking a seat next to her.

Kara pursed her lips. "He's not been gone a year yet." Kara pulled her necklace out from under her shirt and held the pendant in her hand.

"So there's no rule that says you need to wait a set amount of time before moving on," Alex told her sister. "It'll feel right, if you are ready to do this," Alex said as she rubbed Kara's arm. "I think you want to. Deep down, I think you do, but I think you're scared to try again, and that's okay," Alex spoke softly. "But you just take a bit of Supergirl's courage with you and you'll be fine."

"What if it goes wrong. Wont it be awkward because he is Hayden's doctor?" Kara questioned.

"He's a doctor. I'm sure he'll still be professional," Alex said. "And it would be one date. Not like ending a year long relationship. How awkward could it really even get?"

"Yeah," Kara took a deep breath. "He does seem really nice."

"And if it'll help, maybe you can suggest a double date," Alex suggested. "Take Lena and her boyfriend not a boyfriend sex friend whoever person." Alex said, and Kara gave a little chuckle.

"Yeah maybe," Kara pursed her lips. "It's one date. No pressure for anything."

"Exactly," Alex murmured. She didn't say anymore for a moment, she just watched as Kara got a little smile on her face. "Look, just because you are starting to think about moving on, it doesn't change the way you'll ever feel about James. You loved him, and you'll always have love for him, but you can still move on a find some happiness," Alex spoke softly, rubbing Kara's back comfortingly. "James would want that for you. He'd want you to find love and be happy."

"Yeah I uh….I know he would," Kara took a deep breath. She knew James would want her to be happy, to find someone to share her life with. "And Neil seems really sweet. He's nice, I….I want to see if something could happen between us."

"Then see." Alex told her. She was happy that Kara was looking like she was ready to move on. She wanted her to find what she had with Maggie.

"Yeah," Kara gave a little nod, before she yawned. "Well, it's late so we should probably go to bed." Kara looked upwards.

"C'mon, I'll get you some pyjamas," Alex said, leading her sister out of the living room, flicking off the light on the way by. They walked up the stairs and Alex walked into her bedroom and over to the drawers, pulling out a pair of sleep shorts and a vest top for Kara to wear. She walked back over to the hallway where Kara was waiting and gave her them. "Goodnight. And please, quiet as a mouse so you don't wake Em's." Alex said, and Kara gave a little nod as she walked down the hall to the bathroom. Alex walked over to the bed and slipped back under the covers. Maggie turned around in the bed, shuffling herself closer to Alex, wrapping her arm around her. Alex kissed the top of Maggie's head as they lay there cuddled together, Alex hoping she'd get a little bit of sleep soon enough.


Alex and Maggie had taken Emmi to breakfast at IHOP before school. They knew they'd been at the hospital a lot lately, and although Emmi hadn't really complained about not seeing them as much, they wanted to make sure it didn't get to Emmi ever feeling the need to complain. So, since it was the last day of school before summer break, they thought they'd give her a little treat. It was killing Alex to have been away from Hayden for so long, but she knew this would be a nice morning for Emmi and she did miss the time she normally had with her daughter. "This is such a special treat," Emmi noted as she took a drink of her apple juice while they were waiting for the pancakes to arrive. "And it's not even anyone's birthday or anything."

"Think of it as a little belated celebration for Hayden's birthday." Maggie said, and Emmi nodded, liking the idea.

"Yeah and next year she can be here and get pancakes too," Emmi said, taking another drink of her apple juice, Maggie and Alex smiling lightly as they both gave a little nod. They had to go to IHOP for Emmi's birthday, Alex's birthday and Maggie's birthday, so it was no surprise that Emmi wanted to add Hayden's birthday as well. "Mummies are you remembering I have got a swimming competition on Sunday?" Emmi questioned, looking to Maggie who was sitting opposite her before looking to Alex who was sitting beside her.

"Uh, no sweetie," Alex answered as she rubbed the side of her head. "I forgot."

Emmi frowned before looking to Maggie. "You forgot too, didn't you?" Emmi questioned.

"Sorry sweet girl," Maggie felt bad. "Mummy and I have had a lot on our minds lately."

"Yes, with Hayden Grace," Emmi kind of gave a sigh as she looked back to Alex. "Does that mean you won't come?" Emmi questioned. "Will you be at the hospital with Hayden Grace?" Emmi looked rather disappointed. "I can't go?"

Alex exhaled lightly. "Of course you can go sweetie."

"But Grandma will have to take me," Emmi looked like she was about to cry. "I want you and Mama to come watch me swim."

"Hey, of course we are going to come watch you swim," Maggie told her, Emmi looking to her, getting a slight smile on her face. "We wouldn't miss any of your competitions," Maggie promised her. This would only be Emmi's second competition. Alex glared at Maggie. She felt torn. She wanted to see Emmi swim, but she wanted to be with Hayden. She'd never forgive herself if she wasn't there and something happened with Hayden. "Would we?" Maggie looked across the table to Alex, the look on Maggie's face telling Alex that Maggie was saying 'you need to go watch her swim', without actually saying it.

"No." Alex replied quietly.

"Hayden will be fine with the nurses and doctors looking after and we'll send Auntie Kara to sit with her, so she is not alone." Maggie said, glancing at Emmi, making it look like she was saying that to her, but Alex's knew it was actually for her benefit.

"Yeah and it's not going to even be for all day," Emmi reasoned. "Just a bit of it and we can go see Hayden Grace after the swimming and maybe I'll even have more medals to show her," Emmi sounded hopeful that she would get some more medals at this competition to join the one bronze medal she already had. "Would I be allowed to do that?" Emmi questioned as she looked up at Alex.

Alex didn't noticed Emmi was directing that at her. She was thinking about Hayden. She missed her baby. She needed to go be with her. "Alex." Maggie's loud tone broke Alex from her thoughts.

"What, sorry," Alex looked to Maggie, who gestured to Emmi. Alex looked down to her, Emmi still staring up at her, her big green eyes all wide. "What are you saying sweetie?"

"Can I show my medals to Hayden Grace if I win some?" Emmi questioned.

"Mmm," Alex nodded. "Sure you can."

Emmi smiled, before looking rather pleased that her pancakes had arrived. The waitress put down all of the orders. "Enjoy." The waitress said before she walked away.

Alex reached for her water to take a drink but stopped when Emmi gasped, her hand going onto Alex's. "Oh Mum you still don't have them on." Emmi noted.

"Have what on?" Alex questioned.

"Your pretty rings," Emmi answered. "You said after Hayden Grace was born you would be able to put them back on." Emmi looked a little concerned that Alex still didn't have them on.

"I've not really been thinking about putting some rings back on, Emmi," Alex told her. "There's far more important things on my mind right now than if I am wearing my stupid rings or not." Alex didn't mean to get annoyed, but she couldn't help it. She knew time with Emmi was just as important, but she felt guilty that she wasn't with Hayden.

Emmi looked to Maggie, seeing she was pursing her lips at Alex's reply before she looked back to Alex. "The rings are not stupid," Emmi gasped. "They are important. They mean you are married to Mama and that you love her."

"I know," Alex replied. "I love Mama so very much and we are still married, okay?"

Emmi sighed rather loudly. "So then why haven't you put your rings back on?" Emmi questioned. She didn't understand why Alex wouldn't have them on.

"Emmi," Alex raised her voice a little. "I just got home from the hospital last night. I've been thinking about your little sister. I'm worried about her right now. Putting my rings back on, it's not a top priority at all." Alex didn't even know if the rings would go on again right now. She'd just given birth so was still carrying baby weight.

"But why are you worried?" Emmi questioned. "She is getting stronger in the hospital."

Alex opened her mouth to reply but Maggie spoke over her. "Emmi sweetie, you just eat your breakfast, okay. We gotta get you to school soon," Maggie said. Emmi sighed a little before she did as she was told and started eating her breakfast. "Alex just take a deep breath," Maggie could see Alex was getting worked up. She knew it would be hard for her being away from Hayden right now, but they had to try to keep things like normal. That's what was good for Emmi. "Half an hour at most at we'll be at the hospital. Or at least on the way, okay?" Maggie told her.

Alex nodded, taking the deep breath Maggie told her to take. "Sorry," Alex said. "I'm sorry Emmi, I didn't mean to speak to you like that, I just….it's very hard for Mummy right now."

"Mama too and she doesn't be mean to me." Emmi frowned.

"I'm just a little extra emotional because I've just been through the birth and my hormones need to settle down again, okay?" Alex ran her hand through Emmi's hair. She hated that she upset her.

"I don't know what that means," Emmi pouted as she pushed her pancakes across the table. "I'm going to sit next to Mama now." Emmi said disappearing under the table and coming back up at Maggie's side of the booth. Maggie stared at Alex as she rubbed her hand over her forehead.

"Emmi sweetie, I'm sorry." Alex apologised again. Emmi furrowed her eyebrows at Alex as she started to eat her pancakes, not giving Alex a reply. Alex pursed her lips as she looked to Maggie. Maggie looked briefly at Emmi before she looked back to Alex, giving her a little shrug before she continued to eat her pancakes. Alex sighed lightly, knowing to leave it with Emmi for now. She'd make it up to her later.


Reviews are always appreciated. :)