Dr. Ramsey came in to give her the medication. "Okay so I already gave you the meds for the baby to develop his lungs. Right now we are giving you magnesium sulfate to try and stop the contractions. You are about a centimeter dilated and if we can't stop it we will deliver but we aren't there yet okay?"

Sam sat diligently beside her bed like he always did and listened to the doctor, doing his best to understand everything. "Be honest with us here. What are the chances this baby's coming now? And what is that gonna mean for him?"

Dr. Ramsey sighed. "That depends on how mom and baby respond to the meds. Right now we just wait and see. He is 28 weeks so the survival rate is 80 to 90 percent. Right now we just want to make sure his lungs are developed so if he does come, he will be okay."

Sam nodded slowly. "Okay. One more thing... could you please explain to her that this is not her fault?" he requested.

Dr. Ramsey moved towards Mercedes and smiled. "Mercedes I know it's hard to not want to take the blame but these things just happen. Some women can carry to term and some can't. It's not your fault and right now you are here doing everything you can for that little boy."

Mercedes nodded. "I just feel so..."

"To blame, and like you failed or are being punished?"

Mercedes nodded.

"It's not your fault and you are not the only one to feel this way, I promise you."

"Thank you, Doctor," Sam said quietly. He couldn't help consider himself if he'd been around more, been able to help her more, that he could've kept this from happening too. But he had to listen to his own advice on this one. All that mattered now was what they did from here on out.

Mercedes woke up in a dark room, she was getting restless so Dr. Ramsey gave her something to calm her and she dozed off. Looking around her eyes tried to adjust to the darkness. Listening to the fetal heartbeat she smiled. It was steady and strong.

Sam looked up from his phone and smiled at her tiredly. "Hey, sleepy head. How are you feeling?"

Mercedes smiled softly looking at Sam. "I'm better, not cramping so that's a good thing, right?"

"A very good thing," Sam agreed, leaning forward. "It seems Hayden has decided he's pretty comfy in his little water bed for right now."

Mercedes nodded as Dr. Ramsey walked in.

"How is momma doing?"

"I am okay...are we okay?"

Dr. Ramsey nodded. "You are responding to the meds and the contractions have stopped. You are dilated 3 centimeters though so we do need you to be on bedrest until you deliver."

"What? No I can't be."

"You can be, unless you want Hayden to try and come again."

"Your health and his health are the only thing that matters," Sam reminded her. "Austin and I are already working out ways for this to work, okay?"

"Sam! You have a job to do, you can't go missing days because I am on bed rest."

"Did I say that's what I was going to do?" Sam gave her a look that silently told her to relax. "I said we're making arrangements to make this work."

Mercedes rolled her eyes, she hated not being in control and Sam seemed to be rubbing it in that he was in control. "What exactly does bed rest mean?"

Dr. Ramsey moved closer. "It means you are to be laying down or sitting at all times. You get five minutes a day to shower but that's it. You are not to move at all."

Mercedes shook her head. "Are you serious?"

"She's not very good at that if you couldn't tell." Sam rubbed at the back of his neck. "But we'll make it happen for Hayden's sake, won't we, baby?"

She eyed Sam mumbling as Dr. Ramsey nodded. She was not happy but she would do anything she could to take care of Hayden.

"If she continues to improve we can release her tomorrow sometime. And then missy its bedrest for you."

"Okay." was all Mercedes could say.

"Thank you." Sam nodded at the doctor as she headed out and reached for Mercedes' hand. "I know this is tough, Cedes, but it's important."

"You don't know." she said softly.

Sam sighed and looked down at the floor momentarily. "Why don't I know?"

Mercedes looked at him. "You are not having everything taken from you! My career, my life and now, now I can't even move but for five minutes a day. It's a lot Sam alot that you are not going through."

"Your life?" Sam repeated with surprise. He got up from the chair and started pacing, his hands going to the back of his head. He stopped and looked at her. "Here I thought Hayden and I were your life. Cause I know damn sure the two of your are mine. And believe me, I'd trade places with you in a second if I could, but I can't. So I'm trying to help."

Mercedes shook her head. "Do you not get how hard this is for me? How horrible I feel useless, worthless and just all around like I am the biggest failure in the world. So no you can't help with that."

Sam's jaw tightened and he blew a breath out through his nose as he looked at her, the back of his eyes stinging. "I... need some air," he decided, holding a hand up. "Before I say something I regret."

"Yeah you go get your air." She said laying back on the bed her own tears falling.

Sam stepped out of the room and down the hallway, trying to catch his breath. He didn't want to be mad at her when she was going through all this, but she wouldn't even let him try to help so what else was he supposed to do? He called Austin quickly. "Hey, could you come back down here? No, no, the baby's fine. I'm just stressed and I can't... I could just use some help. Thanks."

Mercedes looked out the door wishing Sam would come back in but also not glad that he would be back. She didn't hate him and Hayden and Sam were her life. So why couldn't she tell him.

Sam took a seat in the waiting room and hid his face in his hands while he tried to calm down. He couldn't deny she'd hurt his feelings, but he had to remember what she was going through right now and put her first. Simple as that.

After a few minutes, he got up and went back to the room and sat in his chair again.

Mercedes wiped her eyes and felt relieved Sam didn't leave. She watched him sit in the chair and bit her lip. "I'm sorry. Sam I am really sorry you know that you and Hayden are my life. You are."

Sam rubbed his fingers over his lips and nodded slowly. "I know," he whispered. "And maybe I can't know exactly how you're feeling when you're the one going through it, but... I'm doing my best, Cedes. I'm just trying to keep you both safe."

"I know Sam, I just...I hate all this. But I will do my best to keep our son safe."

"We will, Cedes," Sam told her. "You keep acting like you're going through this alone and maybe that's what hurts the most. I know it's your body and you're going through the worst of it. I get that. But I'm here for you to lean on and it's like you refuse to."

"Maybe I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop? Maybe everyone I love and care about leaves me. And I am waiting for you to leave because I am not who you fell in love with anymore."

Sam's brows drew together and he shook his head. "You're exactly the same person I fell in love with. If anything, I'm even more in love with you seeing how strong you've been through all this."

"I can't help but feel like I am failing you both. You married a strong independent woman, I had a job, been taking care of myself since I was 9. And now I am dependent on you. I don't know how to be like this. And I feel I will disappoint you because I will never be as amazing as your mom is."

"What?" Sam repeated again, frustrated with himself that he didn't know she was feeling this way before now. "Baby, we're a family. It's not about being dependent on one or the other. It's about working together." He sighed and stood up, standing beside her bed again. "I think you should talk to my dad."

Mercedes wiped her eyes. "Why should I talk to him?"

"For years he worked to take care of us. Made sure Mom could stay home and be with us. And then... he fell off that roof. And all our lives changed, but no one more than his," Sam explained. "And I know it was damn hard on him when we had to move into the church because he thought it was his fault. Even more so when Mom had to start working."

Mercedes was so scared that she wouldn't be able to live up to his mom that she didn't realize just how much like his dad she was. "He must have felt like he was less than..." she said quietly, confessing her own feelings.

"I wouldn't doubt it. But my parents stuck together. It was hard and living in a one bedroom apartment, I can confirm they had their disagreements. But they love each other just like I know we do," Sam reminded her. "And lucky for you, you can talk to him tomorrow."

"We do love each other Sam." She assured him. "Tomorrow? He's coming here?"

Sam smiled innocently and nodded. "Yep. Along with my sister."

"Hey, mates," Austin greeted as he stepped into the room. "I brought some fresh clothes."

Mercedes burst into tears. "Okay." When Austin walked in she tried to stop but couldn't. She really missed Sam's family.

"What'd you do to her now?" Austin asked.

Sam shrugged and had his usual completely confused look. "I just told her Dad and Stacey were coming and... this."

"I'm just happy they are coming, and the contractions stopped..."

"Those are both good things, babe," Sam pointed out gently, laying a hand on her shoulder.

"We've arranged a whole schedule," Austin added. "You're going to be very well taken care of."

Mercedes nodded taking Sam's hand in hers. As Austin spoke she looked at him. "Schedule?"

Austin glanced at Sam curiously, unsure of what he was allowed to say and what he wasn't.

Sam stepped in instead. "Austin and I, Quinn and Mike, and my family have agreed to work together so someone can be with you while you're on bed rest in the coming weeks."

Mercedes shook her head. "I couldn't ask you guys to do that for me."

"We're a family," Sam repeated yet again. "You'd do the same for me and you know it. My dad was stuck in bed for weeks after he fell, so I'm pretty sure that makes him the perfect nurse. And Stacey's excellent at doing what you tell her."

Mercedes nodded. "I would. I know I would. I love you guys more than words can say."

"Besides, my family is super excited to see California and to visit with you. So just look at it as a conveniently timed vacation... for half of them at a time," Sam chuckled.

"And there's plenty of phone and computer work I can do from that fancy new house of yours too," Austin added.

Mercedes sighed. "Thank you." she said softly. She wanted to say more but she would let them take care of her as long as she could.

"It takes a village to raise a child, right? We're just starting a little early," Sam chuckled.

Austin set his bag down and pulled out a blanket. "Found this in the crib. Thought you might like to have it tonight."

Mercedes smiled taking the blanket. "Thank you. Makes this place feel a little less creepy."

Austin nodded in understanding. "You need anything else?"

Mercedes sighed. "Can you get me some Ice?"

"Sure thing." Austin gave a salute and went in search of ice.

Sam brushed Mercedes' hair back from her face. "You still mad at me?"

Mercedes shook her head. "I wasn't mad at you as much as I was mad at myself. But I think talking to your dad will make me feel a little better." She looked at the door. "I was also thinking, what if we made Austin, Hayden's Godfather? I really can't see anyone else fitting the bill."

Sam's lips curled up, both at the suggestion and the fact that Mercedes was thinking about some happy things now. "I think that's an awesome idea and it would make him very happy."

"I'll let you tell him." She said squeezing his hand. "Now I think you need to kiss me."

"You wanna tell him now or should we tell him and Quinn together? Since I'm just assuming..." He chuckled before leaning down and meeting her lips with his own.

Mercedes looked at the door. "With everything that he has been doing i think telling him will make his day. And it will make me feel better too."

Sam smiled at her, grateful that she cared for his best friend the same way he did. "Then we will absolutely tell him."

"Good." Her stomach rumbled and she smiled. "I think we are hungry."

"You're carrying a Evans, what did you expect?" Sam teased, looking up as Austin came back with a cup of ice.

"So... are we a happy little couple?"

Mercedes laughed and looked at Austin. "Happy hungry couple but happy. Thank you Aus, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. "

"That's just a day that ends in Y if you ask me," Austin teased, setting the cup down on the tray table beside the bed. "And that's true. You'd probably still be back at the house insisting you were just fine."

Mercedes laughed taking the ice. "Well as funny as you are, Sam and I wanted to ask you something." She looked over to Sam.

Sam took Mercedes' hand in his and smiled at his friend from the other side of the bed. "Cedes and I were talking and we were wondering if you would do us the honor of being Hayden's godfather?"

Austin's lips curled up slightly and his forehead wrinkled as he nodded slightly. "I... I would love to."

Mercedes felt tears come to her eyes. "Aus thanks for being there for us. That's how I know you will be there for Hayden. We are all lucky to have you."

"I'm just glad Sam found someone who appreciates my greatness," Austin teased in his usual manner before his smile turned a little more sincere. "Really though. I don't know where I'd be right now without you two either. And I will love this boy like my own. Except when he needs a diaper change. That's on you two."

Mercedes laughed shaking her head. "I am glad I got a brother along with a husband. I am pretty lucky." She said softly and she meant it. Life might not be easy but at least she was not alone.

"Oh, I'm getting you to change a diaper. And I'm recording it too," Sam insisted with a smile.

"Yeah, good luck with that, mate." Austin was smiling too though, glad to see they'd both seemingly relaxed some since earlier. "Sammy boy has off tomorrow so he can help you get home safe and sound. And Dwight and Stacey should get here early afternoon. I'll go pick them up."

Mercedes nodded. She wanted to say something but held her tongue, now wasn't the time of fight against them .

"For now you should both get some rest," Austin suggested. "All three of you actually. Anything else I can get you before I head home?"

"Food." Mercedes said before Sam could say anything.

Austin chuckled and nodded in understanding. "I'll talk to the nurses on the way out. Make sure that happens," he promised her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead sweetly. "Have a good night."

"Thanks Aus, it means a lot to both of us that you are here."

"Anytime," Austin assured them. Giving a wave, he headed out of the room.

The nurse came in a few minutes later with a smile. "That handsome friend of yours said you're in need of some food?"

Mercedes sat back and smiled when the nurse entered. "Yes, please we are hungry."

The nurse leaned down to pull open a drawer and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here we go. All your options are on there and you can call the number on your room phone to order. Nothing too exciting, I'm afraid. Plenty of soups and sandwiches and the chicken's pretty decent."

Mercedes butcher lip looking at the menu. "Turkey and cheese please. With extra mustard packets and apple juice."

Sam gave the nurse a nod and tucked Mercedes' hair behind her ears without much thought. "I'll call it in, love," he offered, grabbing the phone by the bed to give them her order. He hung the phone up and sat beside her again. "I know these coming weeks are gonna be hard for you, babe. But, please, try to let yourself be okay with getting a little help along the way."

Mercedes sighed. "I will try, I really will." She said honestly. Yeah she wanted to be in charge but right now Hayden was and she has to let him lead.

Sam nodded, trusting that she would try. He propped his feet up on the side of the bed and leaned back in the chair to close his eyes and get some rest while it was quiet. "Kick me if you need me," he told her, crossing his arms over his chest.

She wouldn't kick him, he needed his rest. She sighed looking down to her stomach. "Baby boy just wait a little bit longer okay?"