Around 1am Saturday morning Josh heard Annie whimpering. Looking over he saw what she was sitting up rubbing her stomach.

"You okay," Josh asked, sitting up.

Annie replied, "just cramps."

Josh asked, "how long?"

Annie replied, " an hour or so I haven't been watching the clock. It tightens a bit then goes away. It's not long or strong enough to be a contraction yet. She's kicking hard. I'm fine, go back to sleep. It's probably just cramps again."

"Like the cramps you were having yesterday," Josh asked.

"Stronger than last night those were annoying, these hurt," Annie said.

Josh sat behind Annie with his legs on either side of her, "I'll sit with you until it stops, lean back on me I've got you."

Annie snuggled in closer and let him hold her. As time went on the pain got worse. Josh kept an eye on the time the cramps were coming every ten minutes and Annie's whole body was tensing with each one. Neither was ready to say it but they thought this might be the start. For the moment Annie was content to let Josh hold her.

"I need to move," Annie said, getting out of bed.

"Annie come sit down here or on the couch" Josh said.

"Josh I have to move," Annie said.

She kept pacing the bedroom and made her way to the living room.

"Annie please rest," Josh said.

"This feels better," Annie replied.

"If you're sure," Josh said.

"I am," Annie replied, "just come walk with me and hold my hand. No talking."

Josh did what she asked. He held her hands as she paced, squatted and rocked on an exercise ball. He was relieved when she wanted to sit in the backyard. But she wasn't staying in one spot long. Her body wanted to keep moving.

"This is starting to really hurt," Annie admitted.

"What do you want to do," Josh asked, "how can I help?"

"Heat somehow," Annie said, "on my back and stomach. "

"Bath or shower," Josh asked.

"A bath would feel good but I don't know if I can get in and out of the tub," Annie whined.

"I'll help you in and out," Josh said.

Annie started to head inside her whole body clenching when a contraction hit. She leaned on the bathroom counter while Josh filled the tub for her with warm water. Grabbing a couple elastics she twisted her curls into a messy bun on the top of her head not wanting to worry about wet hair in labour. She sat in the water until it cooled. Josh sat on the edge of the tub with his feet in the water massaging Annie's shoulders. Trying to help her stay calm and relaxed.

Hours later Josh said, "I think it's time we call carina and tell her what's happening."

They were back in the living room with Annie rocking on the exercise ball again holding on to the back of the couch while Josh rubbed her back.

Annie whined, "not yet. I don't want to go in yet. We said we'd stay home as long as possible."

Josh replied, "just let me call. Give her a heads up where things are at. It's less that 5 minutes between contractions. Babe this is active labour. Let's see what she says."

"I want mama," Annie complained , "my water hasn't broken yet, you promised we wouldn't call until that happened. I don't want to go in yet. Once we get there I can't move. I need to move. I need mama not Carina. "

"She's on call today but we can phone her," Josh soothed, "after I call Carina. Just giving her a heads up where you're at. We won't go until your water breaks I promise. We'll stay here as long as possible as long as it's safe for you and Ellie we can stay here. As soon as I call Carina you can talk to Teddy. I know you're scared and you want your mama. "

Annie nodded and began slowly circling her hips on the ball holding onto the couch, leaning on it for support when a contraction hit.

Josh chose to call Teddy first, "Annie wants you. Things are starting to get serious and she won't go to the hospital. She's scared."

Teddy said, "Josh I need some context. Things were serious the moment you found out she's pregnant. Why is she freaking out?"

"She's in labour," Josh said, "it started early this morning she woke me at one but I don't know how long she was up before that she won't let me look or call Carina. She only wants me and just started asking for you."

Teddy replied, "you guys can do this. Josh be there for her, hold her hand, rub her back, listen to what she needs. I'm at the hospital, it's my weekend for the month. She's in pain and scared. You know she hates being the patient. She wants you holding her and holding her hands. She needs to know you're with her. Be her husband not her doctor. Let me know when you head in I'll meet you. Do you need anything?"

"Thanks Teddy," he replied, "I'll let you know when we're on our way. She wants more apple juice but we're almost out if you could have someone bring it to the hospital that would be great. She won't touch water or gatorade only her juice. "

"I'll come check on her when you get here and get Owen to bring some juice here for her," Teddy said, "I have to go to the pit. Tell Annie I love her and she can do this. "

Annie asked, "what did mama say?"

"She's at the hospital and will meet us there when you're ready, Owen is going to bring more juice to the hospital for us and she loves you," Josh said.

Annie looked at the floor, "I think my water just broke."

They both saw the puddle forming on the floor.

"I'll call Carina and let her know," Josh said. "Let's get you dry pants first. "

Annie shook her head, "just a dress easier to get on and off."

Josh grabbed clean underwear and a soft forest green cotton sundress from the closet and helped Annie change it was one she had been wearing a lot in the last few weeks.

Josh called Carina who told them they should head in and get checked out.

Josh took Annie's hand, "it's time to go my love."

"I'm not ready," Annie said, "I'm scared."

"I know," Josh said, "but Ellie is coming. Not long and we can hold her."

"I want to stay here," Annie said, "it hurts I don't want to leave. It's quiet here and safe."

Josh hugged her, "we have to go. You can't have her here."

"It hurts," Annie whined, " Carina can make a house call. I'm staying here where it's safe and quiet. The hospital is loud and our friends will hover."

"You've got this," Josh said, "let's go to the hospital. Carina will be with us though the next part and we can ask Teddy to come if you want her. I'll post the no residents sign on the door myself. We can ask for pain meds if you want them."

"I don't want to go," Annie sobbed, "I'm not ready to be a mom. We're not ready. No, drugs make me fuzzy. I don't want to be fuzzy."

"We're ready," Josh promised , "we're all ready. All we need is Ellie and she'll be here soon. Not long now you're doing amazing. I love you so much."

Josh helped Annie up and held her close. Annie burrowed her head in his chest before nodding. Josh noticed that she had leaned most of her weight on him. He held her and rubbed her back.

"You're okay," Josh whispered into her hair, "I have you. I love you."

Annie whimpered. Josh held her through a couple more contractions.

"You're okay," Josh said, "you're going to sit right here in your chair. I'm going to take our bags to the truck then come back and help you get in. The carseat is already there."

Josh helped Annie to sit in her favorite chair and placed her phone on the arm.

Annie moaned , "go fast."

"I will," Josh replied.

Annie grabbed her phone from the arm of the chair and tapped on Teddy's name.

Teddy answered, "hi sweetheart. I heard you're on your way in."

Annie whined , "I am. Mama why didn't you tell me how much this hurts?"

Teddy soothed, "it won't hurt for long. Once you hold her it will all stop."

Annie whined, "I need you."

Teddy reassured, "I'll be at the hospital when you get there. I Just need to call Nathan to cover me if you want me in the room."

Annie replied, " I need a hug and to see you. Can we page you if I want you in the room?"

"Of course. I'm going to check in with you when you get here," Teddy said, "I'll be the first person there when you're ready to see someone after the baby comes."

Annie promised, "you can hold her after me and Josh."

Teddy said, "see you soon. I love you sweetheart."

"Love you mama," Annie replied.

While they had been talking Teddy noticed Annie panting and heard a couple moans and whimpers.

Teddy called Owen who answered on the first ring.

Teddy blurted, "Annie is in labor. They're on their way in. "

Owen shouted, " that's fast."

Teddy replied, " no Josh said it started around 1 this morning but Annie wanted it just them at home as long as possible and no pressure."

Owen asked, "we're going to be grandparents today?"

"Should be. Hopefully it all goes smoothly. She's small. I worry about how slim she is," Teddy said.

Owen replied, "Carina would have said something to them if she was worried. She would have been induced before if there was a worry about the baby being too big. They would have had a plan if Carina thought it wouldn't go well. How's she doing?"

"Josh said so far so good. It's been slow, he said she woke him about 1 am. But she had been up a while before that," Explained

"Do you have any details," Owen asked.

" Her water broke half an hour ago. Josh said every 3-5 minutes. She's refused to go until now. I knew they planned to be home as long as possible, " Teddy said, " Their plan was to stay home until they knew it was active labour and her water broke. She hates being the patient. She was better to be home."

"How are they doing?," Owen asked, " it's 3:45, it should be soon."

"Josh seems calm. Annie is scared and in pain. It's more than she expected," Teddy said," Josh wanted to know if someone could bring them more apple juice to the hospital. It's all Annie will drink."

"I will. Does she have a favorite type," Owen asked.

Teddy replied , "just plain basic unsweetened apple juice. Juice Boxes might be good."

Owen said, "we'll bring them to you after soccer."

Teddy directed, "just bring it to my office. Keep our kids far away from Annie. She's not even sure she wants to see me. She wanted to stay home."

Owen said, " I will. Let me know when you hear more. See you soon."

Teddy agreed, "I will. See you in a bit."

Josh carried Annie to the truck. In the 10 minute drive to the hospital Annie's contractions got more intense . Teddy met them at the hospital with a wheelchair.

"Hey sweetheart, you doing okay," Teddy asked.

Annie nodded. Teddy could see the tears in her eyes. She gave Annie a hug, wishing she could take the pain away.

"Annie breath," Teddy said, "stop fighting it. Let your body do this. Breath and relax. In and out nice and slow. You've got this Annie."

Josh helped Annie into the wheelchair. Teddy walked alongside them into the hospital. Josh wheeled Annie to OB where they met Carina. He helped her change into a gown and get onto the bed.

"Let's see where we're at Annie," Carina said, "can I take a look?"

"Okay," Annie replied through gritted teeth.

Carina performed the exam, "Annie it's good you came when you did. You're already at 6cm."

Annie nodded.

"I'm going to come check on you in a bit," Carina said.

For the next few hours Carina popped in and out checking on Annie. Annie paced the OB floor and leaned on Josh for hours before kneeling on the bed, then getting tired around midnight and laying on her side, she was trying to avoid being on her back as much as possible. Teddy popped in a couple times as well to offer encouragement and support. Annie wanted her mama, someone who had done this before.

Around 2 am Carina pulled Josh into the hall while Teddy sat with Annie. All night Annie had been alternating between wanting Teddy there and pushing her mother away. Teddy understood and was there when Annie wanted her and gave them space when Annie wanted space.

"Josh if she's not fully dilated in the next two hours I'm going to have to look at a c section," Carina said, "she's not making progress she's been at 9 for almost 5 hours and she's getting tired."

"What if I convinced her to get some pain relief," Josh asked, "it might help her relax and get some rest."

"She's at 9 cm it's too late," Carina said.

"What can we do," Josh asked.

"Get her up right," Carina said, "gravity may help. There is something else you could try but I don't know if Annie will be open to it. If the two of you were interested you could touch her or she could try to bring herself to orgasam. "

"Let's try getting her upright," Josh said.

Carina and Josh went back into the room.

"Annie we need to get you upright," Carina said, "it's been too long without any progress. We're going to try getting you back out of bed and see if it helps you. Or you could try what we discussed to start labour. If there's no progress in the next two hours we're going to have to go to look at interventions and possibly surgery. Your daughter is okay for now but if it goes much longer there's risks for both of you. I'm going to give you until four am then we have to decide if both of you are stable enough to keep going or if I'm calling in an OR team and doing a c section."

Annie nodded and reached both hands to Josh, "I need help to get up. I don't want a c section."

"I'm going to hold you up," Josh said, "do you want the ball or to lean on me?"

"I don't trust my legs," Annie panted, "I'll sit on the ball."

Carina brought the ball over to the edge of the bed and helped Josh guide Annie to it.

Teddy hugged Annie and whispered, "you can do this sweetheart. I have to go to the pit. Lean on Josh he has you. I'll see you soon."

Teddy texted Owen," things not progressing. Carina started the timer if she's not ready by four they'll take her to the OR."

Owen, "is she okay?"

Teddy, "no progress for almost 5 hours. Only 1cm to go. She's exhausted. I've never seen Annie this exhausted. I don't know how much strength she has left."

Owen, "are you with them?"

Teddy, "just checked in. Going to OR 3 now for an urgent bypass. They've tried to get her upright because she did better standing or kneeling then she is now."

Owen, "let me know if you hear anything."

Teddy, "they'll tell us when they're ready."

Owen," we'll be grandparents by breakfast."

Teddy, "we will. And we can finally hear the name."

Owen, "do you have any ideas?"

Teddy, "I know a possible nickname. Josh has said it a few times that I've heard."

Owen, "what is it?"

Teddy, "it starts with an E."

Owen, "Teddy not fair."

Teddy, "time to scrub."

With Teddy gone Annie stopped trying to be brave. She collapsed against Josh who sat on the chair behind her with his arms around her holding her up.

"You've got this," Josh said, "I'm right here we'll do this together."

"How long has Carina given me," Annie asked.

"Two hours to do the last 1 cm," Josh said, "you can do this. Let gravity help."

Annie nodded. She was trying not to cry.

"It's okay," Josh said, "would it help if you let yourself cry?"

Annie cried, "this isn't the plan. This was supposed to be smooth."

"Breath it will be okay," Josh said, "there's still time."

Josh held her for what felt like hours as contractions gripped her body one on top of the other before Annie cried, "can you page Carina?"

"I will," Josh said, "are you okay?"

"It's time to push," Annie moaned, "I feel like she has to get out now. My whole body wants to push right now. I can't stop, I have to push now. I'm pushing. "

Josh checked his watch. 15 minutes after four, 15 minutes after decision time. Where was Carina? He went to page her when he heard a knock on the door and it opened quietly while the gentle Italian woman slipped inside.

"Annie I need to check you again," Carina said, "can you get back on the bed?"

Annie nodded and Josh helped her move. He hated seeing how much pain she was in. She was fighting the urge to push as Josh helped her back onto the bed. He sat behind her like they had discussed so he could support her and help her. Josh knew Annie needed physical contact when she was scarred, in pain or overwhelmed tonight she was all three. He held her so she was half sitting with her back against him.

"Annie you did it, you're fully dilated, it's time to push," Carina said gently.

Annie pushed for what felt like hours before giving into her exhaustion.

Annie cried, "I can't. This isn't working."

"Annie, do you want to try being on your knees. It could be easier on your knees with gravity ," Carina suggested.

"Please," Annie whimpered.

"Josh, let's help her move," Carina said, "Annie you're going to put your arms around Josh's shoulders. He's going to hold you up."

"Can you do that Annie," Josh said, "I'll help you."

Annie nodded.

"After this contraction we're going to move," Carina said.

"I'm ready," Annie moaned.

Josh helped her to move so she was on her knees leaning against him, her head on his shoulder. He stroked her sweaty curls away from her face. He could feel her exhaustion and pain and wished he could take both away.

"I can't this hurts too much," Annie sobbed into his shoulder.

Josh coaxed, "you've got this. You're strong Annie. I'm right here. I'm right with you and I'm not going anywhere. You can do this. I'm here. I love you so much. You're the love of my life. You can do this. Hold onto me, that's it I've got you. I love you so much. She's almost here, our baby girl is almost here. She's so excited to meet her mommy. You can do this Annie your strong."

"Give me one push," Carina said, "I see the head, your baby is almost there."

Hearing that Annie found the last of her strength and pushed harder. In a few big pushes they heard a cry. Annie flopped against Josh completely exhausted.

"Congratulations it's a girl," Carina said.

When Annie was leaning on the pillows Carina placed the baby on Annie's chest and covered her with a blanket.

"Hello little one," Annie whispered, "I'm your mommy. "

Josh kissed the top of Annie's head, "she's perfect."

Annie agreed, "she is."

Carina asked, "does this beauty have a name?"

Annie answered, "Elizabeth."

Josh echoed, "Ellie. "

"Hi Ellie," Annie said again, kissing the top of her baby's head, the baby opened her big green eyes for a second and looked at Annie, "she knows me."

"She does," Josh said.

Carina asked, "Josh, do you want to cut the cord?"

Josh let go of Annie helping her to lean back on the pillow and moved to cut the cord.

Josh gently took the baby from Annie and held Ellie, "hi baby girl I'm your dad."

The nurse who had been helping Annie clean up asked , "do you want to try to feed her Dr Altman?"

Annie replied, "I do."

The nurse passed Annie a pillow to put across her lap. Annie cradled the baby and with guidance from the nurse helped Ellie latch. Josh sat on the bed beside his girls. He thought his wife had never looked more amazing and he was instantly in love with his baby girl.

After Ellie had been fed an intern from peds appeared. Annie recognized him from the non surgical peds wing. He wasn't her favorite of the interns up there.

They watched as the intern gave Ellie her newborn check up and then Josh gave her her first bath before he put a diaper and onesie on her. He felt tentative with his tiny newborn daughter. Annie was used to nicu babies and was more confident handling infants than Josh, the last baby he had held was Allison. He was afraid to accidentally hurt his perfect daughter. Finishing the bath he held Ellie close to his chest and kissed the top of her tiny head. Holding her right where she could hear his heart beating letting her get to know her daddy.

"Annie she's perfect," Josh said, "she has blonde hair."

"Is she okay," Annie asked.

The intern replied , "she's healthy with perfect APGAR scores Dr Altman. 6 pounds 2 ounces and 19 inches long."

"We want Karev or Robbins to check her after rounds," Josh said.

"Of course Dr Riggs. I will let them know," said the pediatric intern, he knew he had to be perfect. This was the chief of surgery's daughter and granddaughter.

Exhausted Annie leaned back on the pillow behind her, "we should tell our family she's here."

Josh asked, "do you want her to come now?"

Annie replied, "text the parents a picture and her details but tell them to come later. Let's enjoy her ourselves first."

"Are you okay," Josh asked.

"Exhausted but I don't know if I can sleep now that she's here. I just want to look at her and hold her," Annie said.

"I'll let our parents and Auntie Meg and Uncle Nathan know but say that we'll tell them when we're ready for visitors," Josh said, "maybe had 3 or 4 hours of sleep Friday night. It's almost 7 am. Try to sleep babe Ellie isn't going anywhere."

Annie replied, "one to the Seattle family and one to the others."

Josh chose the photo he had snapped of Ellie in her little white onesie with "it's my birthday" on it he sent it first to their parents and relatives out of town.

"Elizabeth Grace Altman-Riggs arrived at 5:37 am. 6 pounds 2 ounces 19 inches. Mommy and baby are healthy. We're both in love with Ellie."

Josh then texted the 4 living in Seattle.

"Elizabeth Grace Altman-Riggs arrived at 5:37 am. 6 pounds 2 ounces 19 inches. Mommy and baby are healthy. We're both in love with Ellie. Annie and I would like some time to get to know our little girl and be a family."

Teddy saw the text, she had just walked out of an emergency surgery and was heading to get changed to fresh scrubs and clean socks, she texted Josh, "just walked out of the OR can I have 5 minutes?"

Josh asked Annie, "your mama just walked out of the OR she wants to say hi for 5 minutes."

Annie replied, "just mama no one else. Not long."

Josh texted Teddy to tell her to come say hello, letting her know Annie was exhausted. Teddy stopped in her office for a bottle of water and went upstairs. Reaching the room she saw the door was open slightly and the lights dimmed . She smiled seeing her baby girl holding her own daughter. Josh sat beside them with his arm around them. Annie had snuggled into his side; they were both captivated by the baby.

Teddy knocked and called softly, "hi, may I come in?"

Annie turned her head, "mama come see her."

Teddy walked over, "she looks just like you did as a newborn. She's perfect."

"Can you believe we made her," Annie asked.

"You did well sweetheart," Teddy, "things went well after I left?"

Josh replied, "they did."

Annie asked, "mama do you want to hold her?"

Teddy beamed, "can I?"

Annie nodded, "yes."

Josh stood to allow Teddy to sit with Annie and Ellie. He stepped back and snapped a photo with his phone. They would want to remember this moment.

Teddy gently took the baby from Annie, "hello baby bear I'm grandma what's your name?"

Teddy gazed down at the baby she was as beautiful as her own daughters had been. She admired the tiny nose and little rosebud lips. The little hat was askew on Ellie's head and Teddy could see soft hair a little lighter than hers and Annie's at first glance it looked like the baby would have blonde hair. Teddy wondered about her eyes, had the brilliant green been passed down continuing the chain from Teddy's great grandmother.

"Mama this is Elizabeth Grace Altman- Riggs," Annie said, "we're calling her Ellie."

"Hi baby Ellie," Teddy said, "Annie she's gorgeous. It could have been you as a newborn. Congratulations sweetheart."

"Thanks mama," Annie said, "I can't take my eyes off her. I can't believe she's finally here we waited for so long."

Teddy replied, "she's here. Of course you can't take your eyes off her. She's your baby. Enjoy it sweetheart. Can I take a picture for uncle Owen?"

Josh said, "I took one of the three of you I'll send him."

"Thanks Josh," Teddy said, "my phone is in my lab coat pocket and take one of Ellie and I please."

"Of course," Josh said. He grabbed the phone from Teddy's lab coat and took a picture of her and Ellie.

"We'll take a better picture later. Don't send the one of me in a hospital gown and all sweaty," Annie said.

Teddy handed Ellie back to Annie, "I'm going to go nap. I'm off at noon and we all need some rest. I'll come back later with Owen and your siblings. She's perfect Annie. I'm happy for you. Get some rest you three. Annie, that means put the baby in her bed so you can sleep."

"Bye mama, Ellie can you say bye bye to grandma," Annie said.

Teddy stood in the door and said, "see you later. I love you guys."

"Love you too ," Annie said.

Annie wiggled over on the bed and Josh slid off his shoes to lay beside her. The baby lay on Annie's chest covered by a blanket. Josh laid on his side and put one hand gently on the baby's back. He kissed Annie softly.

"Thank you," Josh whispered.

"For what," Annie whispered back.

"Ellie," Josh said, "she's perfect. You were so strong."

"Stop it Josh," Annie said.

"The two of you are gorgeous," Josh said.

Annie rolled her eyes, "I'm a puffy tired sweaty mess with no makeup."

"And you've never looked more beautiful," Josh said, "I love you."

Annie smiled at him, "I love you too."

Annie lifted her head off the pillow and kissed Josh then the top of baby Ellie's head.

"Should I put her in the bassinet," Josh asked.

"Leave her," Annie said, "I want her right with me."

"Until you're both asleep," Josh said, "then I'll put her in her bed."

"She'll get cold," Annie said, "and scared, leave her with me. All she knows is me. The world is big and scary right now, let her be close to me. She needs her mommy."

"We'll see how it goes," Josh said.

"Stay here with us," Annie said.

Josh put his head on the pillow beside Annie's, "I'll be right here."

The little family fell asleep.