Chapter three

It starts here

LJ felt like flipping channels, he relaxed on the couch, remote in one hand. While nothing was jumping out to him, but he was hoping Lily would pick something. He shifted on the couch thinking he'd heard something so quickly muted the TV. Part of LJ felt like he was doing a good job at helping with the nursery. He deserved this break, but he couldn't help but notice another noise.

"Lil..." He didn't move from his spot, but he thought he heard a thud from the landing. "Are you alright?" He didn't want to move, but placed the remote on the arm of the couch standing up. "Lily!" He called again walking towards the stairs.

Lily was sat at the top of the stairs, she was holding her stomach seeing LJ standing at the bottom of the stairs staring up at her. "I fell." She tried to breathe through pain.

"Contractions?" LJ was already up the stairs, he was watching her carefully. He placed a hand to her knee, "How long?" He asked trying to keep calm.

Lily kept a hand on her stomach, "I don't know, I thought Braxton hicks, but I think they are getting closer." Her eyes going to her jeans, "And my water just broke."

For a moment LJ stared, and his attention back to her face. "Do you want me to call Dad?" He stood up, then back down seeing the pain on Lily's face. "I don't know what to do?"

Lily held onto the step now, "Get my bag," She pointed, "No get my ass off the floor." She held a hand up. "call your dad, and tell him the baby's coming." She felt LJ lifting her up, and he seemed to lift her with no effort.

"I'll take you to the bathroom to clean up, then I'll call my dad." He was helping her to the bathroom. "If he can't be here, I'll get you to the hospital." LJ rushed to his room to grab his phone calling his dad's cell. He listened to the ring, it rang a long time before going to voice mail. "Dad. Lily's water's just broke, I'll be taking her to hospital." He hung up the phone, "I'll grab your bag." He put his phone into his jeans, he could hear the bathroom tape running. "Just let me know when you need to go." He already knew where Lily's hospital bag was, he saw Lily's phone lighting up with an incoming call from Sara. He flipped it open, "Sara, you alright?"

"I just wanted to let Lily know I've gone into Labour." She was already in a cab on the way to the hospital. "I tried to call Linc, but no answer..."

"Yea, err... Sara." LJ shifted his gaze to the bathroom, "What hospital are you heading to?" He asked quickly, he closed his eyes for a second.

Lily finished cleaning herself up, she could hear LJ on the phone to Sara, "LJ, I need clean clothes." Her voice felt shaky as she held herself against the bathtub. "LJ, did you get your dad?"

"I got you something to wear." LJ stood by the door, "Also Sara is in labour too..." He watched the door open a little with Lily's hand poking out. "Sara is getting a room ready for both of you."

Lily rolled her eyes taking the clothes, she really didn't want to be having a baby in the same room as Michael's wife, but every time she'd think of Michael, something didn't quiet feel right about him.

LJ got worried with the silence behind the door, he placed a hand to the wood. "Lil..."

"I'm fine," She finally opened the door wearing a pair of sweat pants, and an old T-shirt of Lincoln's. "But I think we need to get my to hospital." Her voice was soft, and she took her phone off of LJ. "This baby isn't waiting for no one."


Sara sat on her bed, she wasn't feeling her contractions anymore after her epidural, timing them to the second as she glanced to her phone to notice that no one had called her. Part of her was wondering why Lincoln wasn't picking up, but then she knew that Lily was on her way.

Her attention snapped to the door of the private room, she smiled seeing Lily coming in. "Hey," Moving the blanket over herself when LJ entered after helping Lily into the neatly made bed. "Is Lincoln not with you two?" She asked feeling confused.

LJ turned to Sara, then back to helping Lily, "I've called him three or four times, and nothing." He was more focused on Lily. "I told him where we are, and he should come here." He was nervous, he thought his dad was getting a second chance at being a better dad.

"I'll call him," Sara reached for her phone.

Lily shook her head, "Don't, if he was meant to be here, he'd be here." She moved on the bed trying to get comfortable, but being admitted into the hospital. She was like Sara wearing a hospital gown. Lily could see the look on LJ's face. "I know he's your dad, I love him." Lily tried to control the pain, but just creased her face up. "He's just worried about money..." She exhaled slowly.

LJ brushed some of Lily's hair behind her back, "Lil, I'll try and find him."

Watching LJ walking out of the room, Lily turned to Sara, it seemed the contractions Sara was having didn't match to her own. "I think you're making this look way too easy Sara." Lily closed her eyes trying to breathe through the pain.

"I had an epidural before you got here," She arranged herself on her own bed, "Lincoln should turn up, I left him a very serious message."

Lily placed her face into her hands, "Sara." She closed her eyes, "I know I've not been the best of friend to you, and while I know Michael loved you, and you are. Were a big deal to him, but Michael and Lincoln are chalk and cheese."

"I know that..." Sara could see how Lily's face was trying hard to keep the hard exterior, and it was what Sara knew what made Lily and Lincoln two of a kind. "I think Lincoln wants to provide for you."

"That's not what is scaring me," Lily felt the painful contraction hit her, and while she didn't want to have any painkillers, she was regretting it. "It's how he's earning it, and he's not letting me know what he's doing to earn." She kept controlling her breathing. "And if you ever felt anything as intense as I feel for Lincoln." She stopped seeing Sara's eyes focused on the door.

"How intense Lil?" Lincoln rushed into the room, he stopped beside Lily's bed, "I rushed as soon as I got all the voice mails." He's eyes snapped to Sara, but then back to Lily kissing her forehead. "I got caught up in something." He rested his forehead on hers.

Lily felt a small smile on her face, "I'm just happy you're here." She whispered.

"I have to admit, this is kind of funny both you and Sara..." Lincoln stopped talking as both Sara and Lily gave him the same look. "So how far are the contractions?"

"About ten minutes..." Lily then grabbed Lincoln's hand feeling another wave of pain hitting her, and closing her eyes trying to squeeze her pain into his hand.

The pain wasn't too bad, but Lincoln was already using his free hand to hold it against Lily's back. "Do I encourage breathing?" He never did this before, when Lisa had LJ he didn't even know until after the birth. "Or you going to break my hand..."

Lily stopped squeezing, "I'm sorry..." She felt the pain passing, "Just the closer they get, the harder it is for me to ignore the pain." Her attention to Sara.

Sara was just watching them both, "You know there is still time..."

"No painkillers," Lily pointed out, "I want to remember this pain, so I don't get stupid enough to do it again!" Her eyes to Lincoln. "Sorry baby."

"It's okay," Lincoln watched as LJ came back to the room. "Thank for... thanks." He see LJ handing over a soda to his dad, and then passing ice chips to Lily.

Sara was feeling jealous watching LJ and Lincoln sitting with Lily, her hands on her own stomach, then remembering that no one was really going to be here for her. "Guess we're all in this together..." she muttered feeling completely alone.


Lincoln felt himself torn between Lily, and Sara. He knew that Sara was starting to have a hard time, but then he knew both of them seemed to be getting ready to start pushing.

Sara could feel the tension, her eyes going to Lincoln and Lily. "Now this is going to be a story to tell."

Lily gritted her teeth, "That they were born the same day..." She closed her eyes, "I think I take it back. I can't do this."

Lincoln found himself holding back a laugh, "you can do it baby." He pressed his lips to her hand trying to help her. "Remember the plan." He brushed a hand against her back as the doctors were moving about getting everything ready.

Lily focused on Lincoln, she knew the contractions were on top of each other, and it was getting to the time to push. "Get married," She kept breathing through the pain.

The Doctor smiled to both Lily and Lincoln. "Are we ready?" He's attention on Lily, "Baby is officially crowning."

Both Lincoln and Lily were together on this, it seemed even if Sara was going through the same motions, it was the two of them. "You ready?" Lincoln whispered resting his chin on her shoulder, her legs already in stirrups.

Lily felt like her whole body was ready, she could feel the baby's head pushing down, and when did she think the phase of pushing was going to be the easier part. "Lets do this."

A nurse smiled, "It's easy if you put your chin to your chest. Take a deep breath in." Her smile was reassuring. "Just when I say, you just push on your exhale and then stop." Her attention now to Lincoln. "Just keep her calm."

"She's normally the one doing that for me..." Lincoln was looking to Lily, "You're my rock..." He then stood up, moved to now be on the bed, he felt the Doctor looking at him weird. "We practice..."

"It's okay," The nurse let Lincoln sit on the bed, placing each leg to either side of Lily, his hands around her waist. "He's just doing their plan."

Lily rested her body into Lincoln's, "You ready for this?" Her attention slipped to Sara who seemed to be couched in her pushing since she couldn't feel anything below the waist.

"We can do this," Lincoln took both her hands in his, "Deep breath." He kissed her cheek.

Taking in the deep breath, Lily held tight onto Lincoln's hands, her chin resting on her chest feeling her eyes close trying to keep her cool. She could hear the nurse and Lincoln telling her to start pushing as she focused all her attention into pushing down. The feeling was like fire burning her, and her face felt like it was bright red.

Lincoln now was feeling the pain in his hands, and Lily's grip was tighter as her face was changing colours. He knew that she was doing good as his attention shifted to the doctor and nurse. "Relax," He spoke softly to her, feeling his fingers again as she relaxed in his lap. "Now ready..."

Lily nodded, but felt herself turn to see that Sara's baby was born, and Sara was now holding it. "What did you have?" Lily asked over to Sara.

Lincoln watched Sara, "A boy?"

Sara nodded, "Michael..." She cried, "Michael Junior." Her eyes looking over Lily, "You can do this."

Lily took another deep breath, her fingers lacing into Lincoln's again. She felt her body was telling her what to do. She bared down pushing, and with each push and pause she was feeling herself hoping for an end.

Lincoln was losing all sensation in his fingers, but he knew it wasn't close to what Lily was feeling as he could tell she was getting tired.

"Okay, we need one more big push and we're done." The nurse's attention to Lincoln and Lily, "You're so close to the finish line."

Lincolns resting his chin on Lily's shoulder, he felt it, all the doubt wash away, he couldn't believe how stupid he had been. Lily loved him with all of her being, and he couldn't stop himself smiling now. "We're going to do this..." He kissed her cheek again, he could feel the sweat from her face, she was closing her eyes and he could tell she was giving it everything.

Lily felt it, she knew it was done with a wash of relief she never expected to feel. Her eyes opened to see the doctor holding up a little girl. "Oh god." Lily felt herself cry.

"She's beautiful." The nurse smiled to them.

Lily grinned through her tears, her eyes looking back to Lincoln as the doctor cut the cord handing the baby to the nursing staff. She could only watch as her daughter was being weighted, measured and wrapped in a pink blanket being handed into her arms.

The moment was everything and more, Lincoln could only stare down to Lily holding the small baby in her arms, he focused on the baby's face. He felt himself brushing a hand under his eyes. "I'm so sorry baby girl." He whispered to the baby who's eyes were just unfocused, daze and confused by the big world.

Lily turned her head to look at Lincoln, "Why are you sorry?"

"Look at that nose," He laughed remembering the details of LJ's face as a new born baby. "But she has your eyes..." He kept his chin on her shoulder. "She's perfect." Kissing Lily, he didn't know if there was ever going to be anything that could compare to this moment. "God I love you."

Lily's eyes looked away from their daughter to see Lincoln's face, "Are you crying?" She asked feeling like they were the only two people in the room.

"I didn't think I'd ever do this again, I was scared I was going to screw up another life..." He exhaled, "But all I want to do is protect you all." His eyes going to the tiny baby. "I will always put you first." He reached down brushing a finger to the cheek of the little baby that was his daughter. "I think I know a name for her." He kept watched the baby.

Lily listened to Lincoln, "What are you thinking?" She asked in a low whisper not wanting to speak too loud.

"I was thinking Sally," He watched Lily's expression.

Lily laughed, "After your foster mother..." Her attention on the baby, "She did so much for us." Her fingers brushing against Lincoln's hand. "I like it, Sally Veronica Burrows." Lily smiled, "It's perfect." Feeling Lincoln lips brushing onto her, his hand holding onto her face feeling like nothing could take this away from him.


Wrapping up Sally in a blanket Lily shifted her eyes over to Sara, it seemed she wasn't so graceful when it came to being a mother. She smiled watching Sara with Mike in her hands, "You feeling okay?"

"A little sore, but I'll be fine." Sara's attention to the details of the car seat she had already set up and ready to leave. "Guess we're mother's now."

"Yea," Lily stopped talking as LJ enter the room, "Ready to meet your little sister?" Her attention to her step son, he rushed into the room to meet Sally.

LJ watched the baby wrapped up, he shifted his weight, "Can I hold her?" He asked feeling nervous, but it subsides as Lily placed Sally in his arms. "Dad said you're calling her Sally." He couldn't stop watching his baby sister now.

"After his foster mother," Lily replied, "We'll the one who never gave up on him." She added watching LJ.

"Sally was also the name of my Grandma... My mom's mom." His eyes going to Lily's face, and he smiled brushing a finger against Sally's cheek.

Lily stood beside LJ, her eyes watching him as he held his little sister, "I thought I'd be just me, and I was cool with not having a brother or sister." He took a deep breath, "When my mom died, I was scared." He was trying to keep himself together, "I thought my dad was gonna die, and I would be alone." His attention to Lily, he felt himself wanting to cry. "But you," He moved his attention from Sally to Lily, "I know you're not trying to take over from my mom, and I know that I was the reason for you and my dad breaking up the first time."

"LJ that wasn't your fault," Lily placed a hand on his shoulder, "You was just a baby that happened to be the son of the man I love..." Her voice soothing, "But you know I love you, and I know you'll be an amazing big brother." She lightly kissed his cheek.

LJ smiled, he turned to Sara, "I got to laugh that I got a sister and a cousin on the same day." He could never forget the horrible year they had, but he knew things were going to get better.

Lincoln quietly entered the room with two bunch of flowers. He walked to Sara, giving her a light peck on he cheek, he gave her the smaller of the two bunches. "You did good." He turned giving the bigger flowers to Lily, "You did amazing." He stopped seeing LJ holding Sally. "How you feel being the big brother?"

"Good," LJ's eyes to his dad, "poor thing has your nose." He laughed out loud.

Sara's eyes went over, she felt nervous staring to Sally, she felt a sinking in her stomach as her eyes went over the small girl. Part of her didn't see what they were seeing, no she did on the other hand notice a scary liking to Michael.