Chapter 21: The Right Feeling at the Wrong Time

The days went on and nothing happened to Taylor's relief. Eric had taken time off to be with her when she became further and further along in the pregnancy. The baby room was redone and Tristen helped his parents with decorating the baby's room, putting all his old toys in where they were supposed to be.

One morning, Taylor and Eric were just lounging about when Eric's com link went off. "I don't like the sound of that," he muttered. Eric got up and grabbed his com link, sat back down, and he turned it on. A familiar face appeared on the screen. "Carter?" Eric asked. Taylor bit her tongue, she didn't like this at all.

"Eric, something's happened," Carter informed.

Eric stood up and went into an extra room. "What?" Eric asked. Taylor got up and she listened closely to the conversation going on.

"Just got word from Andros. KO-35 has been attacked," Carter replied.

"What? By who?" Eric asked.

"Someone by the name of Emperor Grumm," Carter replied.

Eric suddenly felt sick when that name came from Carter's mouth. "Andros and Zhane are holding back the army the best they can, but they need reinforcements," Carter informed.

"What about Ashley?" Eric asked.

"Too dangerous. Andros has sent her and their kids to Miranoi to be protected," Carter replied.

"Carter…"

"It's urgent, Eric."

Eric closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. "Where do we meet?" Eric asked.

"We meet at NASADA in a few hours," Carter replied.

"Count me in."

Taylor closed her eyes and she shook her head. "You're not going," she snapped. Eric looked up and stood up from his chair.

"I have to go," he answered.

"Damn it Eric! You do this every time!" She snapped.

"This is my job Taylor!"

Taylor glared at him and she pushed him slightly. "You are a liar! You said you wouldn't do this again! You're not leaving us here!" She snapped. Taylor pushed him again. "Grumm's attacking KO-35? Even Andros and Zhane can't even keep them back? What makes you think you can?" She asked.

"This is my job, Taylor. I'm the Quantum Ranger," he reminded.

"You're going to get killed and I'm not going to raise our two kids by myself…"

Taylor trailed off and she leaned against the wall. Eric knew the look all too well. "Oh no…" he muttered. Eric held onto her and pressed his forehead against the side of her head. "It's okay, Tay, it's okay," he assured her. Taylor shook her head.

"Too soon," she muttered.

Eric bit his tongue and he got his wife to the hospital.

(Turtle Cove Hospital)

Eric was sitting in the waiting room after the birth of his and Taylor's daughter. He called Carter and told him to go without him and explained his situation. Carter informed him that he'll send Leo back to get him whenever he was ready. Eric agreed and now he was sitting out in the waiting room, waiting for the news on his newborn daughter. "Commander Myers?" The doctor asked. Eric stood up.

"Yeah?" Eric answered.

"Your daughter is pretty small, which is to be expected for being a month premature."

"Will she be okay?"

"At this point, it's a wait and see what happens."

Eric sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Just when things start to go well for me, something bad always happens," Taylor had said.

"Some husband I turned out to be," he muttered.

"Commander?" The doctor asked.

Eric looked up. "I want to see my daughter," Eric informed. The doctor nodded and led Eric to the NICU.

(NICU)

Eric walked over to the incubator that was holding his newborn daughter. Eric let out a sigh as he stood there. "Can…Can I touch her?" He asked.

"Yes, of course," the doctor replied.

Eric reached into the incubator and he touched his daughter's hand. The baby whimpered inside of her incubator and Eric let out a sigh. "Il mio angelo piccolo," he murmured. (Italian for: My small angel.) He smiled slightly when her tiny hand squeezed his hand. "I'll be home soon my little Sophia," he whispered. He kissed her tiny hand before he looked at the doctor. "Tell my wife I'll be home soon," he informed. The doctor nodded and watched as Eric ran out of the hospital.

(NASADA)

Eric arrived at NASADA and Leo was there. "Ready?" Leo asked.

"Guess so," Eric replied.

He held his morpher up. "QUANTUM POWER!" He shouted. Eric sat beside Leo and they went off to KO-35.

(Turtle Cove Hospital)

Taylor was sitting in her hospital bed with tears rolling down her face. "I hate you, Eric," she hissed. She placed her hands over her face and her shoulders shook. "I hate you," she sobbed.