After Penny had phoned up and apologised to Jason, telling him as to why she couldn't go out for dinner due to Priya going into labour, all four of them hopped into Penny's car as she raced to the hospital. Upon arrival at the maternity ward, they were greeted by Leonard who was sitting next to Priya and holding her hand as she lay in her bed moaning in pain.

'Alright Priya, you're 4cm dilated. A few more to go and you'll be ready.' The nurse said and Priya cried out in pain.

'Please, can't you stop me from having this baby? I'm only 22 and a half weeks, she's not ready to be born.' Priya sobbed and Penny immediately ran to her side and took her other hand. Raj followed suit but just knelt.

'You're gonna be ok Priya, you're gonna have a beautiful baby girl soon.'

'No... she's too early!' Priya scrunched her face up in pain.

'I'm sorry Ms Koothrapali, but there's not much I can do.' The nurse said softly.

'Then get me a fricking epidural-ahhhhhhhh!' Priya cried, tears leaking out the side of her face.

'Ms Koothrapali, we advise that you have the epidural when you are at least 6cm dilated because that is when your contractions start to become more painful.'

'Ohhhh nothing can be worse than this.' Priya moaned feeling slightly disorientated, 'Please, just give me the epidural.'

The nurse nodded and went to fetch the equipment. After giving it to Priya, she began to calm down a lot as the pain started to subside. Leonard sighed and readjusted his glasses, 'I'm sorry for knocking you up Priya.' He said softly.

'Oh trust me Leonard, when you get in the delivery room… then you'll be sorry. Ugh, I am never getting pregnant again!' She said through gritted teeth, 'Ugh, why does she want to come out now? She's three and half months early.'

Penny got up and soaked a cloth, dabbing her forehead, 'She's obviously really excited to meet you, and how are you feeling Raj? You're going to be an uncle!'

'Slightly nervous to be honest; I can't believe she's coming so early though.' Raj smiled excitedly at his sister.

'You're not the one who has to push her out though.' Priya sobbed, throwing her head back in pain as a contraction came, 'nurse, please tell me I'm ready to go into delivery.' The nurse checked and shook her head.

'I'm sorry, you're still 4cm.'

'Ugh!'

Priya remained in labour for the next 12 hours. 'God! She's 4 months early for God's sake! Can't I just squeeze her out or something?' Priya moaned, 'I can't take this anymore.'

'You're doing great Priya,' Penny said softly. Only she, Leonard and Raj remained at the hospital now as Howard had to get back to Bernadette and Sheldon needed to go to a meeting with Caltech University.

'Please! Just induce me! I need this baby out of me!' Priya screamed as the midwife walked in to check on her. A smile crept onto her face as she looked at the tired woman lying on the bed

'Well, good news Priya, you aren't 10cm dilated but as your baby is only 22 weeks, you are ready for delivery,' the nurse smiled, 'Only one person will be able to accompany you, so I assume you'd like it to be the father.'

Priya smiled and looked at Leonard and smiled, 'Come on then Leonard, it's time to welcome our baby girl into the world.' She said softly as the midwife wheeled her away, Leonard following.

'God, I need a nap.' Penny whispered and Raj nodded in agreement. 'I don't know if I should stay or go though, I want to make sure the baby is ok but I'm performing tomorrow so I need my sleep.'

'Go. I'll phone you when the baby's born.' Raj smiled and Penny sighed,

'No, I'll nap here, she can't be too long in the delivery room and I want to be there for them.'

It couldn't have been a couple of hours because Penny awoke to the feeling of being prodded on the arm. 'What?' she said groggily. She looked at the clock 2.24am.

'Penny wakeup.' Raj said and Penny yawned, stretching.

'Heya Raj, how's everything?'

'Er… it's not good. Priya gave birth about two hours ago but the baby has been put in a neonatal ICU. Priya is distraught, as is Leonard. So things aren't looking good.'

'Oh no, how bad is she?'

'She's not good, she's weighed in at two pounds, one ounce but the doctors are saying she's got a fighting spirit and she's shown positivity to everything however the survival rates of babies at 22-23 weeks are really low.'

'Oh god, how are Priya and Leonard?'

'Not good at all. They've spoken to a neonatologist about their options and at the moment Naiya is on life support but I… I don't know what's going to happen.'

Suddenly Leonard walked into the room to see Raj and Penny, 'hey.' He said quietly.

'Hey, how are you holding up?'

'Um, not very well I'm afraid. Priya's gone to sleep but I don't think she'll be asleep for very long.'

'What did the doctor say?'

'Well, she's two pound's and an ounce so that's good apparently. Most babies that are born at 22 weeks are about one pound. They're gonna keep her in an incubator but they've told us we have to be prepared.' Leonard said before breaking down and starting to cry. 'I know I was a jerk about this pregnancy before but I can feel she's mine and knowing that my baby might die… I can't deal with it.'

Penny felt her heart break for Leonard and gave him a massive hug, 'Leonard, you have to be strong and positive. She's a fighter and she's gonna make it, I can feel it. She's gonna make it because you are strong… as is Priya. Priya needs your support now more than ever so you have to remain strong. I know you want to break down and just cry and I'm not saying you shouldn't but you have to make sure your Priya's rock. You can do this Leonard.'

Leonard nodded and hugged Penny back, 'Thank you Penny, so um do you and Raj want to see little Naiya then? I'll forewarn you though, she is extremely small and connected to a lot of wires.' He sniffed.

'Yes, we would love to.' Penny whispered and both she and Raj followed Leonard. Penny felt tears well up in her eyes as she looked at baby Naiya lying there.

'She's beautiful isn't she.' Priya's voice came and all three of them looked to see Priya enter the room, 'I don't want to leave her side… in case something happens.' She said, her voice trembling.

Penny watched Leonard gently take her hand and all four of them stood in silence, just staring at the small innocent baby, lying there. Her life was now completely dependent on the wires that were feeding into her and keeping her alive. Penny looked to the ceiling, closed her eyes and made a single prayer: that Naiya would live and would grow up to be a happy and healthy baby.

Heya guys, thanks so much for the reviews you left me, some made me laugh and it was nice to read. I actually did research for this chapter so hopefully all the facts I read were up to date etc :] Will update soon, I'm on a writing roll atm have a great day! xx