"Damn it!" Calin cursed much louder than he intended when the wooden name clamored on the hardwood floor.
He ran his fingers through his brown locks before he heard the sound of his wife's worried voice, "Are you alright, Calin?"
"I'm fine - you can just go back to sleep," he answered.
"You know the probability of that is about one in a million. Once I'm awake, I'm awake," Anna Elizabeth replied, her voice teasing.
Calin's only response was a huff as he ran his fingers through his hair once more.
Anna Elizabeth couldn't help but grin before she walked over to him. When she had wrapped her arms his neck, she told him, "You're so cute when you're flustered."
Calin rolled his eyes before he placed his hands on her very rounded stomach and spoke, "You see how your mommy treats me, Elsa? You'll have to help me when you get here."
It was Anna Elizabeth this time who rolled her eyes before she questioned, "Already trying to turn our daughter against me, huh?"
"Well, if she's as stubborn as you are, I'll need someone on my side," her husband teased before he placed a kiss on her forehead. She rolled her eyes once more.
Calin then began running his hands up and down her arms and told her, "I am sorry I woke you - I do think you need rest."
Anna Elizabeth refrained from rolling her eyes before she pointed out, "I'm pregnant, not an invalid."
"You are nine months pregnant," he refuted.
Anna Elizabeth then took his face in his hands and told him, "I'm fine. We're both fine." She then kissed him sweetly.
When they pulled away, he told her, "Alright, I'm gonna finish hanging her name." He then added, "And you can watch."
The curly blonde looked as though she wanted to argue, but she knew it was a losing battle. So, she simply nodded in response.
Calin then pulled away from his wife and resumed his earlier task. A few minutes later, he walked behind his wife and placed his hands on her stomach. He rested his chin on her shoulder.
Anna Elizabeth then read, "Elsa Charlotte James," as she smiled. She then commented, "They would be so happy for us."
"Yeah, they would be," Calin agreed. He then observed, "I'm really glad we decided to name her after our moms. It's like a part of them is still here."
Anna Elizabeth simply nodded before she turned in his arms and told him, "I know our situations aren't the same..."
He then interrupted, "But you still miss Liam and Elsa, and I miss my mom and dad. But we both know they'll never be gone." He then smiled and added, "And we both have Emma and Killian - and Elsa will have amazing grandparents."
Anna Elizabeth smiled brightly at him before they shared a loving kiss. When they pulled away, the blonde slightly jumped at the sound of a phone alarm.
"Calin, was it really necessary to set an alarm to remember my appointment?"
He simply shrugged in response, earning a head shake from Anna Elizabeth.
Calin then moved his arms from around her and took hold of one of her hands. He then told her, "Let's get you and Elsa to Dr. Whale."
The two of them then began making their way toward the front door.
A little while later, Anna Elizabeth and Calin were in the examination room with Dr. Whale. He had finished checking Mom and Elsa, and the couple was expecting a positive report.
However, when the doctor turned back around to face them, his expression was rather serious, which was surprising for the often sarcastic man.
He took a deep breath before he began, "A few weeks ago, I had told you that it appeared that the baby had turned in the womb, but that it wasn't uncommon. In all likelihood, she would turn back around."
"I take it that she didn't?" Calin perceived, somehow managing to keep his voice even.
"Unfortunately not. The only option is a C-section," Whale explained.
Anna Elizabeth could practically feel her heart break, but she remained strong as she asked, "Is it absolutely necessary?"
"Delivering feet first could cause the baby to suffocate, as well as cause problems with the umbilical cord. While a Caesarean section does have risks, it is the safest option for the health of you and your baby," the doctor explained.
Anna Elizabeth simply nodded before she felt Calin entwine their fingers. Whale then spoke, "I'll leave you to digest the news. I'll return in a few minutes to explain the procedure and discuss setting up your appointment." Calin nodded before the doctor left the room.
Calin wordlessly took his wife into his arms and wrapped her in a tight hug. Though it felt much longer, they stayed embraced for a few moments.
They pulled away, and Calin tried to reassure her, "Hey, everything will be fine – Elsa will be perfectly healthy."
"I have to have a C-section, Calin – it's basically major surgery – just to bring our daughter into the world. Everything is not fine," Anna Elizabeth told him, desperately fighting the urge to cry.
Calin took a deep breath before he spoke, "That doesn't mean anything is wrong with you," knowing exactly where his wife's head was at.
"That's exactly what it means! Something is clearly wrong with my body if I can't even give birth naturally!" she argued, tears now forming in her blue eyes.
Calin reached up and wiped her eyes before he pointed out, "If that were entirely true, you would have had problems getting pregnant or carrying to term."
Anna Elizabeth opened her mouth to refute but closed it when she realized she couldn't argue with her husband's logic. She then buried her face in her hands.
She felt Calin's arms wrap around her once more before he told her, "I'm not going tell you that I know exactly how you feel because we both know I don't, and I never can. But I do understand why you think this is somehow your fault, and I will do everything in my power to show you that you're wrong."
Anna Elizabeth simply nodded against his chest before he kissed her head. She then lifted her head and told him, "Thank you," with a smile he didn't quite believe.
He nodded before he assured her, "I'm sure you'll feel better once you know more about the procedure and what to expect."
"I'm sure I will," Anna Elizabeth agreed, although she sounded as though she was trying to convince herself.
Calin kissed her head once more before Dr. Whale reentered the room.
CSCSCSCSCSCSCS
Nearly an hour later, Calin pulled into Belle and August's driveway. He then turned to face his wife and told her, "I'm sure that your aunt and uncle – not to mention Matthew – will understand if we skip this out. I still think you need time to digest everything."
Anna Elizabeth sighed before she replied, "I really do appreciate your concern, but this will be a good distraction. I promise I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Calin asked, somehow managing to mask how worried he was about her. She simply nodded in response before she kissed his temple. Both of them then climbed from the classic Ford truck.
When they walked into the backyard, Killian walked over to them and spoke, "I'm glad you two could make it." He then grinned and added, "Although, I'd imagine that a 12-year-old's birthday party isn't exactly you two's idea of fun.
Calin and Anna Elizabeth both grinned back before the brown-haired man spoke, "It's no problem. We love spending time with our family."
Killian smiled at his son-in-law's words before he asked his daughter, "Ah, love, how did your appointment go? Is little Elsa ready to make her grand debut?"
Anna Elizabeth plastered on a bright smile as she answered, "She is perfect and will be arriving next week." She then changed the subject, "I think I'll go say hello to the birthday boy," before making her way over to Matthew.
Killian watched her with a curious expression before he turned back to his son-in-law and perceived, "Is she alright, mate? I feel as though something is bothering her."
Calin bit his lip before he coolly answered, "She's perfectly fine." He then muttered, "Or at least she will be."
Killian sighed before looking back over at Anna Elizabeth. Without moving his gaze, he told Calin, "I know my daughter, and I think I deserve to know if she – and my grandchild – are alright," not being able to completely hide the pleading in his tone.
As the dark-haired man turned to face Calin, he found the young man biting his lip and looking at the grass beneath his feet. After a moment, he looked up and told his father-in-law, "We were going to tell everybody anyway, but we didn't want to draw attention away from Matthew's party."
Killian frowned at his son-in-law's tone before he spoke, "Now, you've got me worried. What's going on?"
"Well, it's nothing you should be worried over. I mean, not really – I guess. It mainly affects Anna Elizabeth, and it's sort of a big deal, but I know she's in good…"
Calin was cut off by Killian. "You're rambling," the dark-haired man pointed out, a little exasperated.
The young man then took a deep breath and continued, "Elsa breeched, which means that Anna Elizabeth will have to have a C-section. It's scheduled for next week."
Killian took a few moments to digest the news before he surmised, "And she somehow thinks it's her fault."
Calin nodded before he admitted, "I've tried to talk to her, but it'll probably take the whole week – or longer – to convince her because she's so incredibly stubborn."
Killian couldn't help but smile before he teased, "Try living with her for 14 years – then you'll really know stubborn." Calin couldn't help but chuckle before his father-in-law continued seriously, "I know she will eventually come around – it may just take a bit, as you've said. I know this can't be easy for her, so you'll just have to be patient. And from what I've already seen – and what I know – you're rather great at that."
Calin offered a smile at Killian's words, actually feeling a little better. He thanked his father-in-law before going over to Anna Elizabeth while Killian joined his wife and sister.
A few minutes later, the family gathered around Matthew and his cake. Just after singing happy birthday, Calin walked off to answer a call from his brother while Killian approached his daughter.
"If you want, love, you can sit, and I'll fix you something to eat," he offered.
"I can get it, Dad," Anna Elizabeth immediately responded.
"Are you certain?" he asked. "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked with a curious expression. "No reason, Anna Elizabeth," Killian responded before placing a kiss on her forehead.
He then heard "Uncle Killian!" and turned to see that the call had come from Colette. He kissed his daughter's head once more before heading over to his niece.
Anna Elizabeth tilted her head for a moment before she saw Calin walking back toward her. As soon as he was standing next to her, she accused, "You told him, didn't you?" with hands planted on her hips.
She had her answer when her husband began biting his lip. He then took a deep breath and explained, "He knew something was wrong, and he was worried about you."
Anna Elizabeth crossed her arms before Calin placed both hands on her stomach and continued, "I may have never held my daughter in my arms, and I've yet to see what she actually looks like, but I became a father the moment you told me you were pregnant. So, I can relate to what your dad is feeling – he can't help but worry. And as far as I'm concerned, you're my wife, and I'll always worry about you, even if you argue with me about it."
Anna Elizabeth's resolve had weakened, and she smiled at him. She then gave him a short but sweet kiss in response.
She then told him, "Can we just table the whole worrying thing for later? I just want to eat some cake and not deal with the fact that I'll be cut open in a week."
Calin nodded before he assured her, "I know you're worried, but I promise that everything will work itself out."
Anna Elizabeth simply nodded before she asked about her brother-in-law. Her husband smiled as he answered, "Ethan's great, and he's actually pretty stoked about meeting his niece."
The curly blonde offered a small smile at his words before she questioned, "When he is coming to visit?"
"He's actually getting here the day that Elsa will be born. I told him it'll probably be best for him to wait a couple days before coming to the hospital; you'll probably need some rest after the C-section before our family comes," Calin answered.
Anna Elizabeth knew that he was right, and his suggestion was very thoughtful, but that didn't make the situation any less painful for the mom-to-be.
"Yes, I'm sure I will need rest after having surgery and getting stitches just to give birth to our daughter," she spat.
Calin kissed her forehead before he assured her once more, "Dr. Whale has done this plenty of times. He knows what he's doing – I get that you're scared, but…"
Anna Elizabeth cut him off, "It has nothing to do with being scared. I'm angry and upset because I can't even have a natural childbirth. And if that isn't enough, I'll always have a scar to remind me of that fact – and nothing you say is going to change that," her voice laced with frustration.
With that, she turned away from and moved back toward the table to snag a piece of the chocolate, baseball-themed cake.
Calin ran his fingers through his hair as he realized that this was going to be a very long week.
I hope you all enjoyed part one of "A Beautiful Scar," and y'all will see part two, which does include a bit more angst, very shortly! :)