"Katherine, they just paged me, are you alright," Lily Oliver said as she entered the room dressed in her nursing scrubs.
"I'm not sure, I started having these pains in my lower back and I've started to have some contractions but Dr. Brice is running some tests, she said its probably just false labor," Kat answered.
"She's probably right, there's no need to worry until we find out for sure," Lily said trying to reassure her.
"Did you see Aisha, she's supposed to be calling Tommy," Kat asked.
"Yes I spoke to her, there's no answer at the dojo but she's going to keep trying," Lily replied.
"What about my mom, I need her," Kat said.
"Aisha already called her and she's on her way, but don't worry Kat I'm sure there's nothing for us to get worried about," Lily said.
"I hope your right," Kat remarked.
"Lily, I'm glad you're here," Dr. Brice said as she entered the room.
"Are the test results in?" Lily questioned.
"I had hoped they were going to tell us that Kat was only having Braxton Hicks but I'm afraid she's starting premature labor," the doctor informed them.
"But it's too early," Kat said with slight panic in her voice.
"Yes, it is but we're monitoring the baby and he seems to be doing fine, so don't panic just yet, we're going to start an IV with magnesium sulfate to see if we can't stop the contractions," the doctor said.
"So you can stop the labor?" Kat asked.
"It's not a guarantee but it's a start, we're also going to give you corticosteroids," Dr. Brice said.
"You're going to give me steroids?" Kat questioned.
"It's for the baby, his lungs and some of his other organs aren't fully developed and they'll help to speed that process up in case you do have to deliver early," Lily spoke up.
"I'm going to send in a nurse to start the IV and Lily I'll see to it that you're reassigned to stay here with Katherine," Dr. Brice said.
"Thanks, doctor," Lily said.
"Why is this happening?" Kat asked.
"I don't know but you have to stay calm, Dr. Brice is going to do everything she can to keep this baby inside as long as possible," Lily told her as someone entered the room.
"Kat, are you ok, what's going on?" Tommy asked as he arrived.
"I'm in premature labor but Dr. Brice is going to give me something to try and stop the contractions," Kat informed him.
"Mom, how can she be in labor the baby's not due for another two months," Tommy questioned.
"These things just happen sometimes, but babies this young can survive, so we just have to pray that things will be ok," she told him.
"So what do we do now?" Tommy asked.
"We wait and see if these medications stop the contractions, but try and stay calm, I'll be right back," Lily said as she left the room.
"It's going to be ok," Tommy said as he sat in a chair next to the bed and took Kat's hand.
"Tommy, I'm scared what if they can't stop the labor and the baby's born too soon," Kat replied.
"You heard my mom, everything's going to be fine, Dr. Brice is one of the best doctors there is, and I'm here with you, whatever happens we'll get through it together," Tommy told her.
"Katherine, oh my baby, are you ok?" Marie Hillard said as she entered the room.
"Oh Mom, I'm so glad you're here," Kat said as her mother gave her a hug.
"Where else would I be?" Marie replied.
"I'm going to go see if I can find out anything from my mom, but I won't go far," Tommy said as he kissed Kat on the cheek and left.
"Your very lucky to have a young man like that in your life, I can tell how much he loves you and this baby," Marie commented once she and Kat were alone.
"I wish dad could understand that, I really miss him and I know if he were here I wouldn't be so scared," Kat told her.
"Your dad may not be here, but I am and you have Tommy and his mom and I know that Dr. Brice is doing everything she can, so try not to worry until we know something definite," Marie said to reassure her.
"I know mom, all I want is for this baby to be born safe and healthy," Kat replied.
A few days later, Katherine was still in the hospital and her contractions had stopped but the doctors had decided to keep her in the hospital.
"May we come in?" Aisha asked as she entered Kat's room with Rocky, Adam and Billy.
"Of course, come on in," Kat replied.
"Where's Tommy?" Billy asked. .
"Yeah we haven't seen him in awhile, we figured he wouldn't leave your side," Adam commented.
"I finally convinced him to go home and get some rest but I'm sure he'll be back soon," Kat told them.
"We just wanted to come by and give you these," Rocky said as he sat a vase of flowers next to the window.
"Oh thanks you guys, their beautiful," Kat replied.
"So any word on when you'll be getting out of here?" Aisha questioned.
"No, I mean the contractions have stopped but Dr. Brice said they could start up again and she thought it'd be best to just keep me here," Kat explained.
"Well we just want to let you know that we're really pulling for your son to make it through all this, and if you need us don't hesitate to call," Aisha said.
"We better get going, we promised the nurse we wouldn't stay too long," Billy said.
"It was nice of you to come by, I really appreciate it," Kat told them.
"Anytime, Kat," Aisha said as they left. Minutes later, Tommy entered the room.
"I just saw Aisha and the others in the hallway," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Yeah they brought me those flowers," Kat said pointing to the window.
"That was nice of them, has Dr. Brice been by again," Tommy replied.
"Not lately, but I wanted her to wait until you came back," Kat told him.
"Oh then I'll go have the nurse page her," Tommy said getting up from the bed and walking towards the door but stopped when he heard Katherine shriek.
"My water just broke," she informed him.
Hours later, Katherine was moved into another room as the hospital staff prepared for the delivery of her baby. Along with Tommy, both mothers were with her.
"Alright Katherine, I need you to start pushing for me," Dr. Brice said.
"Breathe in and push with each contraction," Lily instructed her.
"Come on sweetie, keep pushing," Marie said.
"I don't think I can," Kat cried growing tired.
"Yes you can Kat, I'm right here with you, don't give up," Tommy said as he held her hand.
"The baby's head is crowning," Dr. Brice told them.
"He's almost here," Lily said.
"Just one more big push should do it," Dr. Brice said.
"Come on Kat, you're doing so well," Tommy told her.
"It's a beautiful baby boy," Dr. Brice said as she held the tiny baby in her arms.
"Tommy do you want to cut the cord?" Lily asked.
"Um, sure," Tommy said staring in disbelief at his newborn son.
"Is he ok?" Kat asked.
"We'll have to take him to the NICU but he appears to be doing well," Dr. Brice told her.
"Can I hold him?" Kat asked as the nurses were wrapping him up in a blanket.
"Just for second and then we really need to get him checked out," Dr. Brice said as she handed Katherine her son.
"Hi little guy, I'm your mommy," Kat said as she kissed her newborn son.
"And I'm your daddy," Tommy said smiling as he looked at his son.
"He's beautiful," Marie Hillard said as she watched her daughter hold her grandson.