A/N: Here's the final chapter! Everything will be wrapped up, and I hope you'll enjoy the ending. Thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed this story-I was a little hesitant that I was going to touch some raw nerves with the subject material, but overall, you all have been nothing but pleased. Hope you enjoy this last chapter, please read and review!

Chapter 15: New Beginnings

Spring had sprung in DC and Maryland. It was a little bit late, but after weeks of rain and general misery, the cherry blossoms had bloomed, and flowers sprouted up everywhere. It was just in time for the Lyman family to get some good news for a change.

Donna had been released from the hospital exactly one week to the day after she had been admitted. She was back at work the next day and was able to resume treatment that Friday-her second-to-last chemo session.

Anna had recovered from her false labor scare with minimal fuss. She had taken to resting in the afternoon, splitting time between Ben's house to help him get his own house ready for the baby, and her own house. But when she was home, she spent nearly every spare second with Donna, helping her through her last few weeks of treatment. She was determined to do whatever it took to make up for her earlier behavior, knowing how close she had come to losing her.

Josh had been struggling, but he had found solace in helping Donna through each round of chemo, and making sure she could continue to work and not get too sick. He also shepherded their kids through their emotions. His own mental health had suffered a little but surprisingly had stayed mostly intact.

The boys had also begun to recover from their initial feelings of guilt, abandonment, and sorrow regarding their mother's diagnosis. Opening up to Donna had lifted a huge burden off their shoulders. Matty was now meeting with the counselor at school weekly, and Leo's behavior at school had begun to improve.

It hadn't been an easy road, but they had all survived. And now, their journey was almost over.

It was the end of April. Anna was due in two months. She had a nursery area set up in her bedroom, and the entire family was awaiting his arrival.

And as for Donna? She would go for a doctors' appointment following a PET scan the previous week, and if all went well, she would go from there to her final chemo appointment.

Donna was just finishing getting ready, putting a daisy-colored headscarf over her head. If all went as planned, her hair would start to grow back in no time at all.

Josh knocked on their bathroom door. "Are you almost ready to go, babe?"

"Yeah," Donna said, adjusting her pink striped blouse. "It'll be nice not to have to worry about long-sleeved shirts after today." After her chemo that day, the nurse would remove the PICC line, unless the doctor said otherwise.

Josh pulled her into his arms from behind. "I just wanted to say how proud I am of how you've come through the last few months."

Donna smiled at him sweetly, but gave him a playful glare. "Hey! No tempting the wrath. I haven't been giving the all-clear yet."

Josh shrugged, but kissed her cheek. "Eh, I have a feeling you will."

Donna turned to face him. "If we're gonna talk mushy, then I will say this. I never would've gotten through the last three months without your help and support."

"Well, that's what I'm here for," Josh said, hugging her again. "Now, ready to get going?"

"Yeah," Donna replied, caught up in the emotion of the moment.

They arrived at her appointment in record time. After a few minutes, they were called back to the doctor's office.

Dr. Phillips knocked on the door to the office. "Hey, guys." He greeted, shaking both their hands. "Feeling good about today?"

"Really good," Donna replied.

Josh nodded in agreement.

"Well," The doctor said, pulling up her chart, "we got your PET scan results back."

"And?" Donna asked, biting her lip in anticipation.

"The news...is good." The couple breathed a sigh of relief. "Your PET scan shows zero evidence of any cancer cells left in your body."

Josh gasped, not wanting to believe it. He squeezed Donna's hand, noting that his wife looked stunned. Happy, but stunned.

"You did it, Donna. You beat your cancer, and very successfully at that."

Donna laughed in excitement. "Really?"

"Really." Dr. Phillips said with a grin. "We'll still do the last round today, and the nurse'll take out your PICC line when it's all done. You're not quite out of the woods yet-we look for people to be cancer-free for about five years before we stop following you-but for now, this is definitely something to celebrate."

"You bet it is," Josh replied.

"So, we'll make an appointment to see you in about six months, but until then, I guess this is goodbye."

Donna felt the tears brimming in her eyes as she stood up to hug the doctor. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

"You're very welcome, Donna." Dr. Phillips told her. "And, hey, maybe next time I see you will be on the House floor."

"Maybe," Donna said, her eyes shining.

"Now, go get your last chemo over with."

"Yes, sir."

Josh hugged the doctor, too, and they walked out. As soon as they left, Josh swung her up in his arms.

"You did it." He repeated over and over.

"I did it." Donna echoed, joyful tears streaming down her face. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too, baby," Josh said, kissing her deeply as they stood in the hallway, oblivious to anything else going on around them.

…

Over the next several hours, Donna chatted with the nurses and other patients as she received her final chemo. When her drip was finished and her line removed, everyone in the room applauded.

"Congratulations, Donna," said Connie, her favorite nurse. "Be sure to come visit us, now."

"I will," Donna promised as she hugged her.

Josh stood right behind her. "Ready to go?"

Donna nodded, smiling. "Mm-hmm."

As she was coming out of the treatment room, she was met by all four kids, who cheered and hugged their mom.

"What are you guys doing here?" Donna asked.

"Did you think we would miss this?" Anna asked, her hand bracing her lower back.

"Not really," Donna admitted.

"There's just one thing left to do," Josh said cheekily. He indicated the bell hung from a rope nailed to the wall.

Donna walked over, took a breath, and gave the rope several hard pulls. The ringing echoed around the hall, as her family, and others who had come to watch applauded mightily.

She could only grin wide. It was finally over.

The news got around quickly, and by the next weekend, a plan was in place for a party to celebrate the end of Donna's treatment, and the announcement that she was indeed cancer-free.

The Secret Service was able to clear the Seaborn family to attend. CJ, Danny, and their daughter were in attendance. The Santoses flew up from Houston. The Wyatt-Zieglers were in attendance, as were most of Donna's Congressional staff. It was a very close-knit gathering, full of all the people who had supported Donna through her battle. And Donna wouldn't have had it any other way.

Donna and Ainsley soon found themselves in a deep conversation while the kids played in another room, supervised by the Secret Service.

"So, are you nervous about running for Senate?" Donna asked Ainsley, who had made the formal announcement three weeks earlier.

"Good. If Sam could do it, so can I. And he keeps saying my time has come, so here we are."

"Well, you're gonna do great," Donna assured her.

Just then, there was a tap on a wine glass. Josh was standing at the front of the living room.

"Attention, everyone! As you all know, we're here today because Donna has completed a major milestone in her journey. She is now in remission."

There was a round of applause after that.

Josh continued. "I just wanted to take the time to say that I am so proud of you, Donna. You have faced this challenge with grace, with humor and positivity, and with only missing a few days of work as a US Congresswoman. I love you so much, and the kids and I are so grateful to have you in our lives. To Donna, everyone!"

"To Donna!" They all said, raising their glasses.

Then Donna stepped forward. "I just wanted to thank all of you for loving and supporting me during this. My friends-you guys have been my lifeline, there day or night if I needed to talk, or flying out whenever you could. My staff-you kept the office running like a Swiss watch anytime I had to step away, and I am so grateful that you allowed me to keep pursuing my passion. And finally, I'd like to thank my family. My four beautiful children, and my wonderful, incredible husband, without whom I never would've made it through this. So, to good health, and to good friends."

"Hear, hear!" CJ and Ainsley called out. The whole group applauded, toasting to Donna's good fortune and to a lifetime of memories ahead.

…

It was the last week of May. Donna and Josh were asleep in their bedroom. Memorial Day was always a hard weekend for Donna, but nothing could ruin her mind-bendingly good mood.

The last month had been smooth sailing. Donna had managed her post-chemo side effects well and was off all her medications. Her hair had also started to grow back. It was just a bit of blonde fuzz on the top, but she would take it.

Now, it seemed, the only thing to do was wait for their grandson to come. That day would come sooner than they all expected.

The morning after Abby and Anna's junior prom, Abby flung open the door to the master bedroom. "Mom? Dad?"

Donna sat up immediately. "What's wrong?" With Anna due in three weeks, everyone was on high alert.

"Anna's having some contractions, and she told me to wake you."

It only took a minute for that message to register in Donna's brain. She leaped up and ran out of her room and down the stairs. "Call Dr. Manley's answering service and the hospital Labor and Delivery unit. Grab her bag and meet us downstairs." She called out to Abby over her shoulder.

Anna was leaning against the entrance to the family room, one hand rubbing her stomach in a circular motion, the other on her back. She was breathing deeply, quietly blowing out with each exhale.

Donna rushed to her daughter's side. "Is it time?"

Anna held up a finger as the contraction finished. She took a deep cleansing breath and looked at Donna. "Every five minutes and getting pretty painful."

"Okay," Donna replied. "I think we should head to the hospital."

"Yeah." Anna nodded. "That sounds like a plan."

With one hand on Anna's back, the pair headed to the door. Abby quickly followed with Anna's overnight bag. The door slammed behind them.

On the way, Anna called Ben. Within minutes, he and Lucia were on their way to the hospital.

Once she was admitted to the hospital, Anna made an important decision. Though an epidural was usually the drug of choice for teens like herself, she hated the idea of getting poked in the back with a needle. Therefore, she didn't want one unless she absolutely had to get one, such as in the case of a c-section. She and Ben had taken some online childbirth preparation classes, and they felt they were prepared for anything.

Six hours of painful contractions later, it was getting harder and harder for Anna to breathe through them.

Anna blew out forcefully, forcing herself to exhale with each breath. Ben was right behind her, applying pressure to her lower back as she sat on a birthing ball next to the bed. And Donna sat on the other side of the bed, holding Anna's hands and letting her squeeze them for comfort.

As the contraction peaked, Anna let out her first true cry, and Donna's heart broke.

"Keep breathing, baby." Donna encouraged her daughter. "Slow, deep breaths."

"I-I can't." Anna stammered. "It hurts."

"I know it hurts. Just keep trying to breathe. It'll be over soon. You'll have your little boy soon." Deep down, Donna could only hope she was right.

Once Anna relaxed on the bed, the pain evident in her face, Donna excused herself for a few minutes. She leaned against the wall and cried. In no parents' book did it tell you how to handle it when your child experienced the worst pain imaginable before even graduating high school.

After another hour, Dr. Manley came to examine her. Anna was so focused on breathing through the next powerful contraction that she didn't notice the look of concern etched on the doctor's face as she read the monitors.

Finally, she looked up. "What is it?"

"Okay. So, right now, it looks as if baby boy is not tolerating labor very well. You're handling it like a champ, but what I'm starting to see is some dips in the heart rate, which are indicating to me that he's in distress."

Anna sat up all the way. "Will he be OK?"

"He'll be fine. You're at about 7 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced, so you don't have that much longer to go."

"I don't need a c-section, do I?"

"I don't think we're there yet. But if the heart rate drops and we can't recover, then we'll need to have that conversation."

"Okay," Anna said nervously

Donna kissed her damp forehead. "It's gonna be fine. No matter what, I'm gonna be right there with you."

"What we're gonna try first is to get you on your side, and get you some oxygen." Dr. Manley explained. "That'll give some relief to your baby."

"And what then?" Ben wondered.

"Then...we watch you. Hopefully, we can get you through a vaginal delivery without a c-section."

Over the next hour, Anna was closely monitored by the nurse. Donna and Ben stayed by her side, with Josh and Lucia popping in for occasional updates and moral support. On one such occasion, Josh and Donna stepped out in the hall to give Anna and Ben a moment to themselves.

"I can't stand seeing her like this." Donna finally told him, tears pricking in her eyes.

"I know," Josh said, pulling her close.

Just then, Dr. Manley came out. "So...the heart rate's not improving. It's not an emergency yet, we probably have time to do a spinal if she wants to be awake, but we need to go, like, in the next few minutes."

Donna and Josh looked at each other, then hurried back into the room. Anna was sitting up, being prepped for the OR. The nurses were flurrying around, but at least they weren't grabbing her bed and rushing her down to the OR before anyone could ask what was happening.

Anna looked at her mother and reached out her hand. "Mom!"

Donna grabbed her hand. "I'm here, honey. It's gonna be OK."

Anna sighed. "Guess I'm gonna have to face it after all. I mean, I suppose I could always ask for general anesthesia, but...I don't wanna miss this."

"Makes sense. And if you have the time, I would agree with you."

"Which one of us do you want with you?" Ben asked. He figured the hospital wouldn't let both him and Donna be with her.

"Um…" Anna looked at Ben, then her mother. "I think...if it's okay with you, Mom, I want Ben there with me."

Donna nodded briskly. "Of course it's OK." Much as she wanted to be with her daughter as she faced this, she also wanted Ben to be present for the birth of his child. And he would be strong for Anna.

Two minutes later, they rolled Anna out of the room, and Ben suited up for the OR.

Donna kissed her forehead as they rolled her up to the doors. "I'll be right outside."

"I love you, Mom," Anna called. Ben smiled weakly as he followed the gurney.

…

Ten minutes later, Donna was pacing the waiting room. Josh sat with his head in his hands. Mike Kaplan leaned against the wall, looking at his watch. Lucia looked at the clock, wringing her hands slightly. Abby, Matty, and Leo all looked around at each other, glancing up from their phones.

Ben walked into the waiting room, taking off his cap.

Everyone turned, standing up in anticipation.

"Well?" Donna asked anxiously.

Ben broke into a grin. "He's here. He's here, and he's perfect."

Lucia and Donna shrieked in delight, hugging Ben. Josh pumped his hand, before embracing Donna in relief.

"Oh, mijo, that's wonderful!" Lucia exclaimed. "Can we see him?"

"How's Anna?" Donna wanted to know.

"She's good. Spinal went fine, she only freaked out a little. The doctor said it'll be about an hour before they bring them back from recovery, you can see them then. But in the meantime…" Ben pulled out his smartphone. "I have pictures."

Donna gasped quietly as she laid eyes on her grandson for the first time. Lucia, Josh, Abby, and even Mike took turns with the phone.

"What are his stats?" Abby wanted to know.

"Born 3:23 pm, 7 lbs, 11 oz, 19 inches long." Ben narrated.

"7 lbs, 11 ounces?" Lucia repeated.

"Yeah, the doctor that might've been part of why he was in distress, because he was so big."

"Makes sense," Donna replied. "What's his name?"

"Anna wants to be the one to tell you."

A short while later (about an hour), the families filed back to see Anna and the baby.

Anna was sitting up slightly, holding the baby to her chest.

"Hi," Donna said quietly, not wanting to wake the baby.

Anna looked up, and her eyes lit up. "Mom! Do you guys want to come meet your grandson?"

Donna nodded eagerly, as the four grandparents surrounded the bed. Anna's three siblings went to the other side.

Donna looked to Lucia, nodding that she should hold him first.

"Are you sure, Donna?" Lucia asked.

"I saw him first, so you should hold him first."

Lucia nodded gratefully, as Anna placed the baby boy in her arms.

Once the baby had been passed around, and Donna was holding him, she asked, "So, Ben said you wanted to tell us the name?"

"Mm-hmm. Everyone, I'd like for you to meet Noah Leandro Lyman-Kaplan."

Josh and Lucia gasped in delight. Anna and Ben had named the baby after Josh's father and Lucia's father, both of whom had died too early before Anna and Ben had even been born.

"After the two great-grandfathers who he'll never know, but who we'll make sure he never forgets." Ben finished, a smile on his face.

Lucia had tears welling up in her eyes. "That's beautiful, you two."

"It's perfect," Josh said, putting his arm around Donna and peering at his grandson. "He clearly looks like a Noah."

The family stayed in the hospital room for the next couple of hours, taking turns holding and admiring the newest member of the family.

It had been a hard few months, and their journey was not quite over yet. But they had made it through this part.

Now was the time to enjoy all the good things that were happening.

A/N: And there's the story! I hope you enjoyed it, though it was a little angsty. Please let me know what you thought!