Chapter 10 – What Do I Have To Do
"Oh my gosh um okay let's wait for Rocky and we'll take you to the hospital." Ellington said.
"Ahh! He better hurry!" Becca said, breathing quickly. "Or this will be our last kid!"
"Becca, Becca calm down." Ellington said. "Breathe, okay? Breathe in and out, your baby will be okay."
"She has to be okay, Ell. And Ross has to be there. And Riker. And Rocky. I won't have the baby without all three of them in there with me!" she said, breathing in and out like Ell had told her too.
"No, Becca, I'm going to find Riker and Ross. You and Rydel and Rocky should go to the hospital." Ellington told her.
Becca grabbed Ellington's shirt and glared at him. "I. Am. Not. Having. This. Baby. Without. Riker. AND. Ross. So you better make it happen or Rydel's cancer won't be the only reason you two can't have kids."
Ellington gulped. "Listen, Becca, you need to go to the hospital. I'll find Riker and Ross, and bring them there. Okay?" He was mentally begging her to agree.
"Alright, but if they aren't there when I have to have the baby. You are dead." Becca said, getting in the car, as Rocky pulled up.
"They'll be there...I hope." Ellington muttered the last part while helping Rydel into the car. "Love you cupcake." He kissed her cheek.
"Love you too, Elly-bear." she said.
"Let's go." Becca said. Rydel felt for the handle, and closed the door. Rocky pulled away from the curb, and Becca yelled out the window.
"Don't you dare disappoint me Ellington Lee Ratliff!"
Ellington sighed. "I won't." He said. But he didn't know if he would. He had to find them, but he honestly didn't know where to start.
Riker followed the signal from Ross' phone, trying to catch up with him. Ross felt his phone vibrating so he took it out to see a call from Ellington. He ignored it and turned off his phone. It's not that he didn't want to see anyone, it's just that he wanted to be alone for now. So he found a small alley and went in to hide himself until he feels like going home.
"Damn it!" Riker exclaimed as Ross' phone went off. He knew he had to be close though. He was at a dead end road with only a couple alleys going down it. He checked down to the end of the road, and checked both alleys. He saw Ross at the end of the second alley.
Ross saw Riker and sighed. Why did he choose to hide in an alley? Now he had nowhere to go to avoid him. So he just sat there and broke eye contact, acting like he didn't care.
Riker sighed, and sat down next to Ross. "I know you hate me, and think I'm a dick, but I'm sorry. I run my mouth when I'm nervous. You know that. I really didn't mean for it to come out. And I'm so sorry, baby."
"It's how you said it." Ross told him. "You said it like it was something you didn't like. I thought you said you loved it but you said it like you were only accepting those love bites because I'm hormonal." He still refused to make eye contact.
"Rossy, I didn't mean it like that. I love every single one of my love bites, and if you want I'll tweet that to the entire world right now. I'd do anything for you. I love you so much."
"That's not the only thing." Ross said, obviously still mad. "I wanted us to tell the world about my pregnancy together, but you said it in the worst way possible. I know you love me and I will always love you too but I don't think you actually love our baby."
"Ross, it's our baby!" Riker said, frustrated. He knew it was the hormones, but he really didn't know what to do. "How can you think I don't love our baby? From our first day as soulamtes I talked about kids. How can you think I'm anything less than estatic about being a dad? I love our baby more than anything in the world. The only thing I love as much as our baby, is her daddy."
"I don't want this." Ross said. "I'm not talking about my pregnancy or the baby. What I meant was us being like this. I know we're always like this because of me but I don't want it anymore." He sobbed. "And to add it up, the media's gonna think we're nasty and I don't want that either."
"Baby, don't talk like that." Riker said, tears filling his eyes. "We were doing so much better. We've just got to work on figuring out the hormones. I need to watch what I say, but, please don't take this wrong way baby, you really need to work on ignoring your hormones. And the media can think what they want. Male pregnancies are totally normal. And everyone already knows we're soulmates... But please" he sobbed, "Please don't leave me."
Ross frowned, feeling all the guilt in him now. "I won't. I just felt like I needed to be alone sometimes. I'm sorry for running out like that. I love you."
"And I don't mind that you need alone time, but can you at least tell me instead of just running, and hiding in an alley?" Riker said.
"I thought you wouldn't let me- Riker." Ross said looking at a figure standing there. He tensed but relaxed when he saw it was just Ellington.
"So glad I found you two." He said.
"Ell?! What are you doing here?" asked Riker a little annoyed that he found them.
"It's a really long story. I'll make it short. Becca's water broke, and she wants you two to be at the hospital when she has to have the baby." He told them. "And I tracked your phone to find you. She's gonna kill me if you two don't come."
"But she's only six months along!" Riker said, "And why does she want me in the room with her? I thought she'd just want Rocky and Ross."
"I don't know, it's what she wants." Ellington said. "And I don't know why her water broke so quickly."
"Why would she want me? If anything she'd want you Riker. Cause you're her bestfriend." Ross said.
"Yeah, but your the pregnant one!" Riker said, then added quickly, "And don't take offense to that. I love you. We need to go. This is so bad. I'm freaking out."
"Alright then come on." Ellington told them.
"I'm not offended." Ross said.
"Well, I just wanted to make sure." Riker said. "This is so bad. Emelia could die. I don't want my niece to die!"
"Think positive, Riker." Ellington said. "Lots of babies were born way before their due date."
Ross kissed his soulmate on the lips. "Yeah please think positive or you'll make me upset too."
"I'm sorry." Riker said, "Your right Emelia's going to be fine, and I am not going to be emotional scarred by being in the room when she's born."
"I'm sure you won't." Ellington said sarcastically.
"Why would you be emotionally scarred by that?" Ross asked. Gee didn't he learn anything about pregnancy?
"It's different when it's your female best friend, who happens to be your soon to be sister in law." Riker said.
"Emelia should be okay so don't worry." Ellington said.
"Yeah I bet she's as strong as her mother." Ross added.
"You guys are right. Everything's going to be fine." Riker said. They made it to the hospital. Riker ran to the desk at the front of the wing.
"Hello we're looking for..."
"Where are Riker and Ross?!" came Becca's voice from down the hall. "I'm going to kill Ellington!"
"Never mind." Riker said.
Ellington gaped. "Okay we better hurry there before her Emelia's out and she really kills me cause I don't think she's kidding " he took off to the hall.
"That would be funny to watch though." Ross said following him.
"It would be can you imagine? I mean Becca's short but she's strong. And when she sets her mind to something..." They knocked on the door.
The doctor opened the door. "Ross and Riker Lynch?" He asked.
"Yes." Ross answered.
"Mrs. Lynch has been asking for you." The doctor let them in.
"Mrs. Lynch?" Riker questioned.
"Surprise!" Becca said from the bed. "We're already married."
"Oh." Riker said, "Well, I'm very happy for you two."
"And now I don't have to kill Ellington." Becca said happily. "It would've been such a shame to kill him."
Ellington backed away from Becca and towards Rocky. "Your wife is insane. No offense." He whispered.
"Wow I'm happy for you two." Ross smiled. "So how's Emelia?"
"I heard that." Becca said. "Now get out!"
Ellington frowned but went out immediately muttering things about "Her stupid hormonal self."
"The baby will be born soon but she will be born small and will need an incubator and oxygen on her." The doctor explained. Becca bit her lip, and Rocky nodded seriously. It was the most serious Riker had ever seen him before. Becca groaned as another contraction came. Rocky held her hand. When the contraction ended Becca glared at Riker and Ross. "You guys better hold my hand next time or your child will be an only child!" Riker's eyes widened and he looked at Ross.
Ross looked back at Riker before turning to Becca. "Um, what did you mean by that?" He asked.
"I mean you won't have balls anymore!" Becca shrieked.
"Bec, calm down." Rocky said.
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down Rocky Mark Lynch! I will not fucking calm down!" Becca said. Rocky looked scared.
Ross started backing away. "She can't be serious right?" He whispered to Riker.
"I think she is." Riker whispered back.
"I can hear you." Becca said, "And I am definitely serious. So, if your fond of your little friends, I suggest you hold my fucking hand!" she said, her voice growing louder as she talked.
"I'm not gonna hold your hand if you're gonna...do...that." Ross said backing away further. Wow his hormones controlled all kinds of emotions? Or maybe it wasn't his hormones.
"Rossy please." Becca whined. "I've been with you through all this. Please, be here for
Ross hesitantly went towards her and held her hand. "I'm sorry. I just got scared." He said.
Riker and Rocky both relaxed as their soulmates calmed down.
"I didn't mean to scare you." Becca said, "I'm just so scared myself." she started to cry.
Ross hugged her. "Emelia's going to be okay. She has to be, she's strong like her mom."
"Thanks Rossy." she said. "The reason I wanted both of you in here is...we want to make you Emelia's godparents."
Ross gasped. "Are you serious?" He asked in excitement.
"Yes." she said.
"Why us?" Riker asked, "Not that I'm not thrilled. I mean honestly guys this is such an honor, but why not Rydel and Ellington?"
"We wanted you to be god-parents, because we're closer to you. No offense to Delly and Ell, but Riker your the reason I even know all of you guys, and Ross and I have really bonded over his pregnancy so far, and I hope more as it continues." she smiled at Ross.
"Thank you so much!" Ross said, tearing up himself. "This is amazing. I'm so happy right now."
Riker put his hand on Ross' back.
"Rocky." Becca said calmly, "I need to push. Go get the doctor!"
Rocky ran toward the door, calling "Doctor! Doctor!"
Riker watched him with wide eyes, that was going to be him in eight months.
The doctor heard Rocky and followed him back to the room.
"I don't know if I should be excited or scared that this is gonna be us in eight months." Ross said. "If nothing goes wrong."
"Nothing is going to go wrong." Riker said, "And I'm feeling both."
"Get this baby out of me!" Becca yelled.
"Mrs. Lynch, please calm down." The doctor said. "Breathe in and push."
Becca took a breath and pushed, "Rocky you are sleeping on the couch!" She squeezed Ross' and Rocky's hands as hard as she could.
Ross bit his lip then looked at Riker. 'Help' he mouthed.
"What do you want me to do?" Riker whispered in his ear.
"I don't know, cause this," Ross motioned to his hand squeezed by Becca, "hurts!"
"How do you think I feel?" Rocky asked. "She's squeezing mine like ten times harder."
"Here how about..." Riker moved Becca's hand and wrapped his hand in Ross'. Becca grabbed their wrapped hands, and squeezed. "Better?" Riker asked.
Ross nodded. "Much better." He grinned at Rocky. "I feel sorry for you bro."
"It'll all be worth it." Rocky said smiling at his wife.
She smiled tiredly back. "Is her head almost out?" she asked the doctor.
The doctor nodded. "It's visible. Keep pushing."
Ross caught a glance of the baby's head and turned away immediately, closing his eyes, a bit weirded out.
"You okay, baby?" Riker asked, wondering what was wrong.
"It's scary." Ross whispered. He couldn't imagine what it would be like for him in eight months.
"Hey, everything's going to be okay." Riker said, "When it's our turn I'll be right there with you."
"It's still scary I don't wanna look." Ross said still looking away.
"One more push miss." The doctor said.
"Then don't look. You don't have too. I'm not." Riker said, rubbing Ross' arm with his free hand. Becca gave one final push.
"Is she okay?" she asked tiredly.
A baby's cry was heard, and the doctor had the little angel in his arms. "She's okay." He brought her to Becca. "I believe you want to hold her."
Ross looked at the little baby and smiled. "She's so cute."
Becca held her tears in her eyes. "Oh look at her she's so sweet. She can't stay on her own oxygen though can she?"
The doctor shook his head. "I'n very sorry, but she can't." He took a small oxygen mask that was modified and placed it on the newborn. "She should be in the incubator soon so what do you want her full name to be?"
"Emelia Jean Lynch." Becca said, smiling, with tears in her eyes.
"Um..." Riker said, quietly.
"What is it Riker?" Ross asked, looking at his soulmate.
"Should there be so much blood?" Riker asked quietly.
"What?" Ross asked his attention turning back to little Emelia.
The doctor shook his head. "No there shouldn't." He pushed a little thing in his pocket and nurses came running in.
"Becca's going to be okay though right?" Riker asked. Becca's face was staring to grow whiter and whiter.
"I'm sorry, but all of you need to clear the room now." The doctor told them.
"No, we're staying here." Ross said, annoyed that they had to leave.
"I'm sorry, you can't be here right now." The nurses started pushing them out of the room.
"What's going on?" Rocky asked.
"Rocky..." Bella said, struggling to keep her eyes open, "Tell Emelia...I love her."
Becca!" Rocky said, "Bec! What's going on?"
"She's slipping into a coma." The doctor told him. "I'm sorry, but for us to work, you need to wait outside too."
A nurse escorted Rocky out the door, kicking and fighting. "I wanna stay with her! She's my wife!" The door closed and Rocky collapsed against it sobbing.
Ross kneeled down next to him. "What happened in there?" He asked. "Is she okay?"
"She's slipping into a coma." Rocky said. "I can't live with out her Ross! I can't!"
Ellington kneeled down beside him too and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't say that. She's slipping into a coma, there's a chance she'll wake up. She's strong, she should be okay."
"I don't know what I'll do with out her." Rocky said. His breathing started to pick up. "She's my everything."
"I know." Ross said. "But you gotta believe she'll be okay."
"You need to be strong for her too, Rocky." Ellington said. "You're also her everything. And don't forget Emelia needs you too."
"I can't deal with this!" Rocky said, "This wasn't supposed to happen! Emelia wasn't supposed to be born for three months! But then Riker had run his big mouth about the stupid love bites, and it upset Becca and it was too much stress! So really this whole thing is Riker's fault!"
"You can't blame Riker for this!" Ross said, angry at first, but then he felt something else. "If anything you should blame me because if I hadn't been giving him those love bites, none of this would've happened. It's not his fault, it's mine!" He said.
"Look guys, don't blame anyone, it would have happened either way if it had to happen." Ellington tried to tell them.
"No! Ross is right it's all his fault!" Rocky said, angrily. "I'm outta here." He ran off. Riker came running over, "Ross, baby, what's wrong? Ell make sure Ross doesn't do something stupid. Mom, Dad, and Ry are on their way. We can handle Delly till then."
Ellington nodded and ran after Rocky.
Ross shook his head. "Everything's wrong here." He buried his face in his hands. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
"What's your fault, baby?" Riker asked, carrying Ross over to where Rydel was. "You haven't done anything." Ross didn't answer, he just shook his head again. "It's all my fault."
"Baby, you haven't done anything. What's your fault?" Riker asked.
"Everything that happened, it's all my fault." Ross answered, with his face still in his hands. "I'm so sorry."
"Baby, none of this is your fault." Riker said firmly. "Why do you think it's your fault?"
If it was another time, Ross would believe Riker when he says it's not his fault. But this time, his own brother said it was his fault, and he couldn't see the statement as wrong. He was going to say Rocky said so, but he didn't want a fight to break out between him and his soulmate, so he just shook his head again.
"Ross, tell me." Riker said. "I'm going to sit here and ask you until you tell me. So just tell me, and get it over with."
"Riker, calm down." Rydel said. Riker sighed, "I'm sorry. It's just frustrating, because it's not your fault at all Ross in any way, shape or form."
"Ross, there's no way you could've prevented this from happening." Rydel said, shaking her head. "Just like it's not any ones fault that I'm temporarily blind."
"No, I could've prevented it! If I hadn't given you those love bites then Becca wouldn't have stressed out and her water wouldn't break!" Ross said, sobbing. "And Delly, I could've still helped you, I mean I could've...I don't know..I could've kept you healthier or something! Like I said, it's all my fault! I don't care how many times you're gonna ask me, Riker! I want to be alone now!" He got up and ran.
Riker growled, and punched, the chair next to him.
"Rike." Rydel said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You and I both know it was Rocky."
"I know." Riker sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "I just wanted to hear him say it, because I didn't want it to be true. He's never going to believe it's not his fault now. Do you know how long it takes me to get him to believe my apology for one mistake that I've made? Usually at least five hours."
"Everything's gonna be okay." Rydel said. She stood up, "I'm going to use the bathroom."
"Delly do you want some help?" Riker asked.
"I've got it." Rydel said, pulling out her cane. "I need to practice." Riker bit his lip, but let her go. He sat by himself for about ten minutes, when a nurse came up to him.
"Are you Riker Lynch?" she asked.
"Yes." Riker said.
"Your sister, fell and hit her head." the nurse said, "She's still unconscious." The nurse left. Riker pulled out his phone and dialed Ross. It rang then went to voicemail. He left a message, "Ross, please come back." he started to break down, "I still haven't heard any news on Becca or Emelia, and Rydel his her head, and she's unconscious. I'm so scared. Please come back. I need you here with me..." he hung up, and just cried.
Ross opened the message he just received, and his heart broke even more when he heard it. But to him, it hurt a lot more because he knew if he hadn't ran, Rydel wouldn't have hit her head. That buried him deeper into his guilt. Deep enough to start hating himself.