Jay's POV

After a touch-and-go couple of weeks at the hospital, Hailey was finally able to return home. She is under strict bedrest and has been a good sport about it. She understands the ramifications if she doesn't, so she happily complies. Her mom has offered to come and help while I'm at work, which makes me relieved and glad. This is the one good thing to come out of this terrible ordeal – Hailey gets to spend time with her mom.

I ease the door open to our room and find Hailey sleeping. Returning home, a lot later than expected, I was worried she was hungry, bored, or both. I tiptoe to her side, not wanting to wake her, and carefully ease away the book she was reading. I close the book and place it on the side table, careful not to make a sound. But her eyes flutter open, sleepy and soft. She glances up at me, then smiles, holding out a hand.

"Hi," say says.

"Hi." I take her hand and sit on the bed. "Didn't mean to wake you up."

"It's okay," she says. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." I lean down and kiss her lips. My other hand finds its way under the blanket over her belly. "Feeling okay?"

"Yeah, we're good." She releases my hand and scoots up against the headboard. "What time is it?"

I glance at my watch. "Almost ten."

"So, the case is finally closed?"

I nod. "The Feds took everything. They will try him in New York."

"Good," she says softly, settling into my chest. "Glad that's over."

"Yeah, me too." Wanting to change the subject, I ask, "How was hanging out with your mom today?"

"Not bad," she says. "Sort of feels like I'm a kid again, staying home from school."

I chuckle. "When we stayed home from school, my mom used to make us grilled cheese and tomato soup. I always thought it was such a treat. But looking back, it was probably the quickest thing she could throw together while juggling work and us."

"You miss her don't you?"

I pull Hailey against my chest and kiss the side of her head. "Everyday. I wish I could just pick up the phone and call her. She would be so excited to be a grandma."

"I'm sure she's excited and looking down on us - protecting us."

"Then she's been working overtime," I say, thinking of everything we've been through in the last year. "I guess dad is there helping too."

Hailey nods and brings both of her hands to her belly. "Soon there will be another Halstead boy for them to watch over."

I smile. I've always wondered if my mom is watching over Will and I, helping us when we feel we can't possibly continue. Maybe she pops in for a visit every now and then when I wake up with her favorite song stuck in my head. Strange thoughts, I suppose, but it's nice to think they're lending a hand to help us when we need it.

"We still need a name," Hailey reminds me.

Hailey's POV

Two weeks.

I've been on bed rest for two whole weeks now; I feel I've atrophied. Kim and Vanessa want to throw me a baby shower, knowing I could use the distraction. Jay isn't sure it's a good idea. I know his concern comes from a place of love, but I'm going stir crazy. I think this baby shower will help take my mind off of things.

"Do you think it's a good idea?" Jay asks. He's watching me like I've completely lost my mind, which yeah, is probably true.

"I think it's a great idea. I've been home on this bed for two weeks now. If Kim and Vanessa wants to throw me a baby shower, I say let them." I feel a slight tightening of the muscles on my side, so I rearrange the pillows behind my back. "It will be a welcomed distraction."

"And you're not leaving the house?"

"No," I tell him. "They are coming here. They said I won't lift a finger. It will be a small gathering. It's not even a full shower, more like a sprinkle."

He rolls his eyes. "When?"

"This weekend, and you'll have to make yourself scarce."

"Oh, now I'm being banned from my own home?"

"Yes," I say.

His lips curl into a lopsided smile and I can see the fight leave his body. He looks cute, shirtless, wearing black pajama pants, his hair messy from sleep. "Alright. Have fun without me." He wraps his arms around me and I feel the cramping om my side again. "I think it will be good for you."

"Yeah, it will be nice to see everyone." I shift again and the aching shoots down my left side; something feels different. I push myself to a sitting position and straighten my back, but it still throbs.

"You okay?" Jay asks, rubbing circles on my back.

"Yeah, I think my muscles are stiff from laying on this bed so much." I press my fingers to my side, massaging the sore spot. "Here, help me up. I need to go to the bathroom again, and maybe stretch my legs in the process."

"You should have told me. I could've given you a massage."

"Maybe when I come back from the bathroom." I wink at him as he pulls me to my feet, but standing causes the pain to radiate like a band of searing heat across my pelvis and I cry out.

"What is it, Hailey?" I hear the panic in his voice.

Speaking from a hunched position, I grit out, "I don't know, Jay. It hurts."

Jay helps me sit back down on the bed, but as I do, I feel a gush of dampness spread between my legs. I shuffle back slightly and, because I'm only wearing Jay's T-shirt, the bright red splotch of blood seeps right into our cream colored comforter. Jay sees it at the same time I do and we both stare at each other in shock for a split second. I want to cry, but in this moment, all I feel is pain.

Somehow, Jay remains calm and in control. The panic that was in his voice moments earlier has vanished and in its place is calm concern. "We need to get to the Med. I'll call Dr. Asher on the way." He cups my face and forces me to look at him. "Everything will be alright. I'm right here." His tender kiss to the top of my head does nothing to calm me down.

Jay helps me stand and I can't say anything, there's nothing to say. In my state of numbed shock, I don't even realize that he has already finished getting himself dressed and that he's helping me step into my clothes. He pulls his T-shirt over my head and replaces with my top just as another surge of pain spreads in waves from my belly, around my sides, through my back, and down my legs.

"Breath through it," Jay says, his hand rubbing my back. More blood drips to the floor. "These are probably contractions. Dr. Asher said this might happen," he adds.

"She said it would happen if the abruption worsened." Tears fill my eyes. I'm feel ashamed for some reason, like I did something wrong. I don't know how, but this is obviously my fault.

"Hey, everything will be alright. Let's just get you dressed and we'll go to the hospital and get you checked out. Everything will be alright," he repeats, trying to comfort himself, as well as me.

He kneels down and lifts my ankle to step into my pants. After he's put my clothes and shoes on, he wraps my jacket around my shoulder and he pulls his over his frame. I watch him stand silently and scan the room to make sure that we have everything.

After he helps me into the truck, which hurts like a bitch, he digs his phone out of his jacket pocket and dials. His voice, though calm, shakes when someone picks up. He tells the person on the other end of the line that I started bleeding that that we're on our way. He hangs up and takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles. "They are waiting for us."

We make eye contact for a brief second before I close my eyes as another sharp pain erupts from my belly. I let out a small cry, unprepared for the sheer magnitude of it. The surge overtakes my body then releases after a minute.

"Keep breathing through it. In and out, Hailey. Don't hold your breath."

I nod, tears freely rolling down my cheek. "It's getting worse."

"We'll be there in a few minutes."

I continue breathing through the waves of pain, some in the back, some in the abdomen. I'm terrified. It's like I'm the lone soul on a roller coaster destined to hell. I look out the window and count the trees lining the road, trying to keep the dark thoughts at bay. It has started to snow and a thin blanket covers everything in spotty white. God, I just want everything to be okay; I just want my baby to be safe.

When we arrive at the hospital I'm rushed into an exam room. The nurse pulls out a hospital gown and Jay helps me out of my blood-stained pants and into it. I notice his hands are shaking. I hold to his strong arms for balance and look into his eyes. There's fear in them. He wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. He inhales the scent of my hair, and with his lips still pressed on my scalp, he says, "I'm right here, Hailey. It'll be okay." He sounds uncertain and afraid, but he's feigning confidence.

Dr. Asher enter the room and greets us, her words professional, but I can't help but notice the nervousness in them. I wither in pain as she quickly sets up the ultrasound machine. "Has the pain gotten progressively worse?"

"Yes." I grit through my teeth, the word barely a whisper as the tears spill over and pour down my cheeks. Jay moves closer and kisses the side of my head. He whispers into my ear, "Breathe, Hailey. Keep breathing."

I feel Dr. Asher move the wand over my belly, but when she stops abruptly, I can't help but feel the panic set in. I look at Jay and he's pale and obviously nervous. He reaches out for my hand and laces our fingers together. I brace myself for bad news, but what I hear instead, is, the unmistakable sound of my baby's sweet heartbeat. Jay and I look at each other in pure joy and relief. We let out a collective sigh of relief in clearing what seems to be the first hurdle.

"He's okay?" I ask, knowing she can hear the uncertainty and concern in my wobbling voice. The pain comes again and I sort of curl on the bed.

Dr. Asher rubs her hand on my calf as I breath through the pain. "Keep breathing, Hailey. You are having a contraction." When my body finally relaxes she says, "Baby is in slight distress and from what I can see here…" she pauses clicking a few buttons, "Your placenta has further detached from your uterus. We can wait and run more tests. But waiting will only buy us days. Or with extreme luck, a full week. I'm leaning towards not waiting."

"You want to deliver him today?" Jay asks, pressing his lips to our entwined fingers.

"Yes."

"I-Isn't it early?" I ask, my voice quavers.

"Thirty-two weeks is technically early, but the baby should be okay. He'll need to spend a couple of weeks in the NICU, but I don't foresee any complications."

Jay and I look at each other nervously and nod our heads.

"I will have a nurse come and bring you up to the labor and delivery floor," she says, "We'll get you prepped for an emergency C-section. And don't worry," she pats my leg. "We'll take good care of you and the baby."

Dr. Asher leaves and I look at Jay through tear filled eyes.

In turn, Jay wraps me in his arms, and coos into my ear. "We're meeting our son today! Isn't that great?" he whispers into my hair, caressing my back in an in vain attempt to calm me down. He pushes a piece of hair behind my ear and kisses away my tears. Gently pressing his lips to mine in a soft, innocent kiss, he says, "We're going to make through this. You and me, and our baby, are going to be just fine. My mom is looking down at us, remember? She hasn't let us down."

My lips curl into an involuntary smile. "He still doesn't have a name," I say.

"That's okay. We'll just wait to see what he looks like and then we can pick one," he says and kisses my forehead. "Maybe that will help us settle on a name."

I nod.

The nurse comes and Jay and I are separated – I go from hopeful to full panic. Everything is not okay.

Jay's POV

They wheel Hailey out and I'm shoved into a pre-op room. A nurse hands me a set of scrubs and says, "Put these on. I will come when they are ready for you."

I quickly pull on the scrubs, the blue socks over my shoes, and the cap. My hands shake so badly I find it nearly impossible to tie my mask. I start pacing back and forth unsure what to do with myself. I'm giddy, nervous, and overwhelmed. I'm trying to stay calm, but my stomach twists in large, unbreakable knots. The flurry of activity in and out of the delivery room only aggravates my anxiety. What's taking them so long? I should be in there with Hailey already. She must be scared out of her mind!

"Hey man," an out-of-breath Will says entering the small room. "Got your message. How are you feeling? I can hear your heart beating from here."

"I'm losing it," I say honestly. "What's taking them so long? Shouldn't they have called in me by now? Did something happen?"

Will chuckles. "Calm down, Jay. It takes a few minutes to get Hailey prepped and anesthetized. They also have to get all the equipment ready, since this is sort of unplanned. They will call you right before they are ready to deliver him." Will pats my back. "How's Hailey holding up?"

"Not great. I guess we're both a little nervous since we are 8 weeks away from his due date."

"He'll spend a couple of weeks in the NICU, but the little man will be fine."

The door to the OR opens and a nurse pokes her head out. "We are ready for you, Mr. Halstead."

I feel my heart pick up pace and I fight it. I need to stay calm and focused.

"Alright," Will says, squeezing my shoulders. "Everything will be okay. Just stay calm and enjoy the moment." Will pulls me to a hug and adds, "I'll be watching from the observing window."

I step into the delivery room and immediately notice how cold and sterilized it is. Nurses and doctors are everywhere, surrounding Hailey like a swarm of bees while she lays on the operating table, arms open, a sheet covering her from the waist down, her eyes red and brimming with tears. I rush to her side and sit by her head, kissing her temple. "I'm here now. Everything is going to be okay," I say. My heart is racing as I say it, even as I try – and fail – to inject a note of calm into my voice. "How are you doing?"

"I'm numb everywhere," she slurs the words and tries to smile, but her lips tremble.

"Hey, hey… It's going to be alright." I peal my mask off and kiss her lips. I hold her hand tight and keep kissing her forehead. I know she's scared. I'm petrified. Not even scared—petrified.

We can't see anything, but everything appears to be going well. The sea of nurses and doctors seem to have everything under control. They look calm and collected, but my mind is not at ease. Hailey looks drained. I can see the nerves, medication, and exhaustion are setting in. She vomits twice – normal effects of the anesthesia, a nurse assures me. Regardless, I feel so helpless.

After a few moments, Dr. Asher looks over the partition and says, "Hailey, you're going to start to feel a little pressure…"

I watch Hailey's face tense up.

"Is it hurting?" I ask and she shakes her head. Her eyelids open and close slowly, and each time they do, her eyes struggle again to focus. She's slowly losing consciousness and I have to fight to keep it together. "Hailey? Stay with me, okay? He'll be here any minute now."

She nods her head.

"More pressure, Hailey," Dr. Asher warns. I watch a nurse get up on a stool and start pushing on Hailey's stomach. Hailey throws up again. "Here he is," she announces. Then the world goes into a slow motion; I hold my breath. Seconds later I hear a thin, shrill cry. Dr. Asher holds our son over the partition so that Hailey and I can catch a glimpse of him. He is so small and wrinkly. Limbs no bigger than my fingers, hands the size of my thumbnail. Tears of relief and joy run down both of our faces. I cup Hailey's face and kiss her. And for the millionth time, I fall in love with her all over again.

"Do you want to do the honors, dad?"

The tears continue to flow as I cut the umbilical cord. Dr. Asher hands him off to a group of awaiting nurses and doctors who circle an isolette across to the room. I push on my toes to catch a glimpse of him as they clean and suction him under a heat lamp. He is pricked and prodded and the force of their movements seems enormous around his small frame.

My attention snaps back when an alarm begins sounding in the room.

"Blood pressure dropping…" a nurse casually notes.

I look down and Hailey's eyes are closed. I panic. "What's happening? Hailey?"

"She's stable, Jay," Dr. Asher asserts. "It's just the effects of the anesthesia."

I sit back down and cup her face in my hands. "Hailey, come back to me," I say and her eyes flutter open and stare up unfocused. I breathe a sigh of relief. "Stay with me, okay?"

"W-Where's he?" she slurs. She looks so weak.

"They are checking him over," I tell her and kiss her all over her face.

Moments later, a nurse announces, "Three pounds, six ounces. If I stretch him, seventeen inches. Apgar six." Then she comes around with our son wrapped like a burrito. Tiny eyes blink at us, a look of outrage on his little face. We stare in awe at the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. They unstrap Hailey's hand and she makes an effort to reach out to touch his little cheek.

"Hey, little man," Hailey says. New tears flood her eyes. I don't think she has enough room in her body to contain the amount of love she is exuding right now. "I-Is he okay?" she asks.

"Three pounds plus is good," the nurse answers. "The six Apgar isn't fantastic, but not bad for a thirty-two weeker. We have to take him to the NICU to get him fully checked out. Dad, you can follow us if you want."

"I-I don't think –"

"Babe, go, go …" Hailey says, slightly more alert. "Make sure he is okay."

I nod and lean down to kiss her lips, lingering longer than necessary. The love I feel for her and our son is bursting from me in every way. "I love you so much!"

"Love you, too," she slurs the words. "Keep an eye on him."

"I will. See you soon." I kiss her forehead and reluctantly follow the nurses to the NICU.

I stand behind a clear glass window watching a host of green-clad nurses work our son. I rest my forehead against the glass sensing that he is squalling, although sound doesn't seem to penetrate the thick pane. Little arms and legs fail in the air. I count ten fingers on red, wrinkled hands, and five toes on each flailing foot. Chills come over my body as I start to feel a new chamber in my heart growing. I don't move until a hand clasps my shoulder and squeezes. I turn and see Will, eyes red and glazed. We hug and cry all over again.

We pull apart and he says, "He's looking good. Do you have a name?"

I shake my head. "No. We've talked about it, but haven't settled on one yet," I say. "Do you know If Hailey's okay? She passed out for a minute there."

"She's good, out of surgery and in recovery. She'll drift in and out for the rest of today. You can see her as soon as she's settled in a room." He pats my back. "You did good, little brother. Mom would've been proud."

We turn back to the glass and look at my son. Holy shit, I have a son! I close my eyes and thank my mom for watching over my family today. Life is going to be great. I have big plans for this boy. He is going to conquer the world.

Thank you for reading. Baby Halstead is here! Let me know what you think. Hoping everyone is safe and healthy. Cheers, D.