Chapter 7

"Push Isabel!" Liz said for what seemed the hundredth time.

Isabel had been in labor for twelve hours, and Liz was just as tired as Isabel. Alex had been forced to leave a few minutes earlier so Tess could heal his hand, again. Kyle was in with them now, Michael had been in earlier, but after three painful hand incidents, he decided he was more useful out in the living room with the others than he was in here. Tess and Maria had been kept busy with helping Liz and taking care of the boys every time Iz broke one of their hands. Sheriff Valenti had wisely stayed out of the way, and Amy was flitting back and forth between rooms.

"God Liz, how much longer?" Alex asked walking up behind her.

"I don't know. How's the hand?"

"Better, how is she?"

"I'm tired, but I'm fine. Liz will say the same thing."

"I know Belle, but I want to hear Liz say it." Alex said with a smile.

"She's tired, but fine." Liz said with a smile. "Isabel, push."

Alex watched as his wife continued to fight to bring their first child into the world. It seemed like only yesterday that he'd learned the truth about her, their first date, and the first prom. Then their wedding was amazing, except for Max's attitude. And now she was about to have their first child. Luckily Liz had gotten her midwifery certificate as soon as Tess knew she was pregnant, just in case there would have been any questions at the hospital.

"Alex, don't just stand there. Go get Maria for me." Liz said softly, and he turned and ran out of the room.

"Ok Iz, we're almost there." Liz said softly.

"Chica, what's up?" Maria asked as she walked in.

"Go get the warm towels. We're going to need them soon." Liz said softly, and Maria ran out of the room.

As she entered the living room, Maria saw all the worried occupants in the room. "It's almost time." Maria said as she gathered the towels and Tess, then ran back in the room. Alex looked at the other guys and they all sat back down to wait patiently once more. Within moments, they heard the sound of a newborn cry, and Alex smiled, his first real smile of the night.

"Congratulations Alex." Valenti said as he stood up. The others offered their congratulations, then the door opened and Tess walked out with a bundle of towels.

"Would you like to meet your son Alex?" she asked softly, and Alex walked over.

"He's perfect." He murmured as Tess put the baby in his arms.

"Tess!" Maria called from the door, "Get in here."

Tess turned on her heels and rushed into the room, closing the door behind her.

"Alex, why don't you sit down." Valenti said softly, something wasn't right, he knew it immediately.

Minutes passed with no sound except for the drip in the sink that Maria hadn't turned off completely, until Michael got sick of it and turned it off. Then there was a knock at the door.

"Kyle got up and left the room, moments later he returned trailing Max who was as white as a sheet. "Where is she?" Max asked, his voice devoid of emotion."

"They're in the bedroom, why?" Alex asked, but never got an answer as Max rushed into the next room.

"Ok, that was weird." Michael said softly.

"I know." Alex said as he stood up as carefully as he could, "Kyle can you take him, I'm going to see what's going on." He continued as he handed Kyle his son, then turned towards the bedroom. Just as he reached the door it opened and Liz walked out.

"Sit down Alex." She said wearily. "Everything's ok, Max took care of it. Iz is fine, and wants to see you as soon as she gets cleaned up."

"Liz, what happened." He asked softly.

"She'll explain Alex, right now I can't, my brain is too shot. I'm sorry." She replied as she started to sway.

"Liz?" Alex asked before reaching out to grab her as she fainted.