"We have Lesley Lu Spencer here," the paramedic announced as he rushed me through the front door of General Hospital. I covered my stomach as I lay motionless on the stretcher, the harsh fluorescent lights passing rapidly above me. I tried to focus on his voice, to stay away from the dreamy haze that was trying to slowly pull me under. Every once in awhile, another wave of pain would rip through my abdomen, consuming my body.

"That's my niece," I could hear Bobbie say as the bed came to a stop. Her warm hand gripped mine as she listened to the medic rattle off my vitals. I didn't know what the series of numbers and letters meant, only that Bobbie sounded worried as she ordered someone on the staff to get me into an emergency room immediately. A few seconds later, I heard her timid voice page Dr. Lee.

What? What's wrong?

"What's going on? What's wrong with my baby?" I managed to say as a nurse hooked me to a monitor. Tubes were quickly attached to my entire body as soon as they lifted me onto the cold, sterile hospital bed.

"I'm sure everything is just fine," the older woman replied gently as she scribbled notations on a clipboard.

"Ow!" I screamed as the cramps started up again, causing me to double over in utter agony. The nurse looked down at me and then up at her counterpart. I could tell that something was terribly wrong as she sprinted across the room and called some kind of code. Within seconds, a team of medical professionals buzzed around me, led by my aunt.

You have to understand you spent most of the summer lying to everyone about everything. And you made up all kinds of excuses that sounded really good, and it was hard to call you out on any of it.

"Lulu, I need you to hang in there for me," she said softly as she gripped my hand. I felt better knowing that she was watching over me.

"What's going on?" Monica demanded as she came into the room. Bobbie stepped away to talk to Dillon's aunt. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could detect the worry in Bobbie's tone. Monica sighed deeply before she came back over. "Lulu, we're going to do everything we can. I'm going to have to give you anesthesiology so that we can do exploratory surgery."

"I want to see Dillon first," I implored, not sure what else to say. I wanted him to tell me that everything was going to be fine.

"Sweetheart, you can't," Bobbie insisted firmly. "We have to go in now. There just isn't time. I'll go out personally and explain everything to him."

I am not saying that I don't believe you…

"No, please, you can't leave me," I begged as I looked up into her gentle eyes. "Please, stay with me."

"Alright, I'll be here every step of the way."

"I'll page Alan and have him meet Dillon," Monica reassured me. "I will stay in and observe while Patrick Drake and Dr. Lee work on you. We are going to give you the best GH has to offer, Lulu. Don't worry."

"Monica," I said, grabbing her hand, "please ask Alan to tell Dillon that I love him. No matter what happens, please let him know that I love him."

"Now, we'll have none of that," Bobbie protested.

"Please," I pleaded.

Well, I love you, and I believe you.

Monica nodded before turning to the staff. "We need to prep Ms. Spencer for surgery. Get Patrick Drake in here right now. Only senior staff will be admitted into this room. This surgery must go well. You are taking care of my family now."

"Aunt Bobbie, I need to ask you a favor."

"Anything, Lu," she promised me as she took my hand in hers.

"I know that you are going to tell me that everything is going to be okay, but if it's not…if I don't make it, I need you to take care of the boys for me. Not just Dad but Nikolas and Lucky. Especially Lucky."

I know, I understand, and, really, I can't even say that you're wrong.

"You're right, everything is going to be fine. But if it makes you feel better, I would make sure they're okay. Just like you're going to be okay."

"I wish I could be as sure," I murmured before Patrick Drake appeared beside me.

"Alright, Lulu, are you about ready to rock and roll?" he grinned.

I nodded timidly. "Do your best."

"I'm the best there is, baby," he teased. "What do you say to a little bit of rock music and then we'll count backward? Any requests?"

You believing in him is what's going to make all the difference.

"Play some Queen," I decided as the opening strains of "I Want to Break Free" filled the O.R. Then, following Patrick's directions, I started to count slowly backward. As the light faded, I finally allowed the darkness to overcome me. And before I knew it, I was gone.

By the time I woke up, I knew several hours had passed. The room was dark and my entire body ached. Before I even opened my eyes, I remembered that I was in the hospital. The steady beep of my monitor reassured me that I was alive, but I didn't know much else past that. I could barely move, and my throat was sore. As I struggled to talk, I realized that there was a tube down my throat.

I need him, it's important.

Pain seared through my arm as I reached down to touch my stomach. I forced my eyes open to find a sleeping Dillon hunched over, his heavy weight resting against the edge of the bed. I wiggled my leg, hoping to jar him from his sleep. My attempt was successful as he shot up, his eyes wide with alarm. I tried to curl my lips into a smile but stopped as soon as I saw his red eyes. Something was terribly wrong.

"No," I said hoarsely. "No, no, no."

"Lulu, I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"Our baby can't be…" I murmured as he replied, "The baby is…"

Our voices joined together as we said a single word in unison.

"Gone."