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Chapter Thirty Five: A Time To Heal

It had been nearly two days since Marty regained consciousness. She was in good spirits most of the time but both John and Cole knew how hard it was for her to be away from the daughter she had yet to meet. While she slept in the mornings at the urging of Michael John would go down to the nursery and take pictures of their little girl with a camera so Marty could at least feel somewhat close to her. At least until she was healthy enough to visit the NICU herself.

Marty could feel John's presence before she opened her eyes. He didn't know she was awake and she couldn't help but smile as she watched her boyfriend flip through the Glamour magazine Jessica had brought the day before.

"Find any good articles in there?" Marty giggled startling her husband.

"Oh yeah." John quipped tossing the magazine aside. "Did you know that pink is the new green this season?"

Marty smiled widely at him as she shook her head. "I did not know that. However that is very valuable information I'll keep that in mind when I go shopping."

John just chuckled as he leaned in to greet her with a kiss. Upon pulling away he asked, "I know you're tired of being asked this but how are you feeling?"

"I just can't believe how tired I still am John. You'd think after sleeping all the time I'd be ready to just get up and go."

"Just take your time, Marty. No one wants you to rush into things. Besides," John says smiling. "I brought you something that I know will brighten your day."

He took the digital camera out of his pocket and showed Marty all the pictures he had taken of their daughter. He watched as her beautiful chocolate eyes scanned the images eagerly and smiled as she smiled up at him. "She's beautiful John."

"What do all of those tubes do?" She whispered pointing at the various tubes the tiny girl was still hooked up to.

John sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. Taking a deep breath, he tried to remember everything that Mike had explained to him when he asked. "That tube in her stomach is for fluids that's also how she gets her medication. Her lungs weren't fully developed so she needs to take steroids to encourage the growth."

He held onto Marty's hand and stroked her cheek lovingly as he continued, "And the tube in her mouth is to make her breathing easier. That last tube the one in her hand is how she's getting all her vitamins that she needs since she can't coordinate sucking and swallowing yet."

Seeing the pain on Marty's face broke John's heart as well as the tears that were streaming down her face. "This is all my fault." She sobbed. "The reason our little girl is hooked up to all these tubes is because of me."

John shook his head adamantly as he put his hands on the sides of Marty's face forcing her to look at him directly. "Listen to me lady I can blame a lot of people for a lot of different things but I can't blame you for this. I won't blame you for this and you shouldn't blame yourself."

"This isn't your fault. Babies are born premature all the time. But look at her, Marty look at her. She's strong and she's fighting to get well for you, for the amazing Mommy she knows she's got. She's already like you and she doesn't blame you for this."

"I know you're not supposed to do this." Marty whispers her voice so small and childlike. "But could you just come in here and hold me. Please John I need you to hold me."

"You don't have to ask me twice." Carefully John climbed into her hospital bed careful of the IV she was still hooked up to and wrapped her in his arms as she clung tightly to him.

"You two do know that I could get in serious trouble if anyone but me saw you like that?" Michael quipped from the doorway.

"We'll take our chances." John stated shooting "the look" at Michael.

"Well at least my favorite patient is awake now. So how are you feeling Marty?"

"I'm feeling better. I just wish I could go see my little girl who has yet to have a name." Marty mused shooting John the same look he shot Michael earlier.

John rolled his eyes saying, "We agreed that you got to pick her name if she's a girl and I got to pick if he was a boy. So you can't pin this one on me."

"Well I think I can fix your naming problem." Michael smiled. "I heard Dr. Winters say that if a certain someone is feeling up to walking she might be ready to make the journey downstairs to the nursery."

Marty's eyes went wide as she focused on Michael. "You mean I can go see my little girl?" The excitement in her voice and on her face was completely palpable as she clung to John's hand tightly hoping Michael was serious.

"I think it's time Mommy and daughter do some bonding. Besides I'm sure my niece is tired of staring at my brother's ugly mug all this time anyway. You're pretty face would be a welcome sight I'm sure."

"If I didn't have to go down to the nursery I might just take you outside for that little jab." John retorted as he and Michael shared a laugh.

"All right well I'll go get a wheel chair and then you guys can go ahead downstairs."

"Thank you so much Michael. I feel like I've been waiting to see her since forever." Marty admitted smiling.

"Anytime Marty anytime."