Hey guys! It's the update you've all been waiting for: the baby is finally here! Well, she will be. But we have to see if she's okay first. I'm not telling! I also would've put this chapter up way sooner, but I ended up not finishing it before I went on vacation. Whoops.

Also, before we begin, I'd love to throw out a mention to Yondaimeslegacy and their story "Pokemon Master Chronicles." It's another future fic (my favorites!) and it should totally be getting more attention than it is. Everyone should go check it out!

Now...onto the story!

As soon as Ash pushed back the doors that separated the hospital rooms from the waiting room, he knew exactly what to expect. Everyone was going to lunge at him, with hopeful smiles as wide as could be, and with a million questions in their arsenal about both Misty and the baby. And Ash would have no good news to share with them.

Just as Ash had expected, everyone jumped at his presence, but they all calmed down much more quickly than he would've anticipated. The look on his face must have tipped them off that something wasn't right.

"Ash, dear, you're as pale as a ghost!" Delia gasped and rushed over to her son, pressing her hands against his pallid cheeks. "Is everything okay?"

Ash couldn't find the words to speak, so he simply shook his head instead.

"Sweetheart, tell me what's going on," Delia lowered her voice to a whisper in an attempt to soothe her clearly troubled boy. "Please."

"Misty has to have a c-section," Ash answered hoarsely.

"WHAT?"

The sudden cry wasn't from Delia, but rather Daisy, who had jumped out of her seat at the news. While everyone in the room looked shocked and concerned, Daisy just appeared downright frantic. Her face was reminiscent of Misty's upon hearing the news, and the horrible image was beginning to replay in Ash's head yet again. Miserably, he frowned and once again went to work at trying to forget the whole scene.

"Why Ash?" Daisy barked, as if it was his fault that Misty was stuck in this predicament. "Tell me why!"

"Daisy, calm down!" Tracey grabbed at Daisy's shoulders and tried to pull her back down. The angry blonde, however, would have none of it. She shrugged away from her husband and stormed over to Ash, her sea green eyes clouded with tears of both sorrow and fury.

"Tell me why!" Daisy repeated, her voice more strong than it had been the last time she'd made that forceful demand.

"Daisy, quit yelling at me!" Ash snapped, his cheeks reddening.

"Don't tell me what to do!" Daisy barred her teeth and got into Ash's face. "My sister is in the middle of some kind of medical emergency and you won't tell me what the hell is going on!"

"Yeah, great, she's your sister," Ash narrowed his eyes. "She's my wife! And it's my baby too!"

"Ash, stop!" Delia ordered, pulling her son back by his arm. Ash was surprised that his mother, who was much smaller than and not nearly as strong as him, was able to pull him back so easily, but he didn't let the shock show on his face. He was still too busy glaring at his sister-in-law.

Realizing that she was being ignored, Delia growled lowly and grabbed her only child's face, turning it towards her. Ash finally took notice of the fire in his mother's eyes, and his expression quickly softened.

"Misty is about to have major surgery," Delia chastised Ash, "and you're in here snapping at everybody! That's not what anyone needs, Ash."

"I was only yelling at Daisy," Ash grumbled as he put a pout on his face. He knew his mother was right, but he was so heartbroken about Misty at the moment that there was no way he was going to back down.

"Ash," Delia shook her head, clearly unhappy with his response.

Daisy was still shooting a hostile look at her brother-in-law, although now when Ash saw it, a pang of guilt went off in his heart.

"Daisy, you're not in the right either," Violet suddenly piped up, folding her arms across her chest.

"Vi, you must be kidding me!" Daisy cried, her eyes widening in shock. "Misty is your little sister too! Aren't you worried about her?"

"Of course I'm worried about her," Violet replied slowly, her brown eyes shining with a sense of sadness as she looked up at her older sister. "But think about how Ash must feel right now."

"Violet's right," Lily agreed, although she was still sitting in her chair and looking down at her hands. "You two shouldn't be arguing right now. It isn't right. Just think about how upset this would make Misty."

Daisy didn't say anything in response. She didn't have to; she knew her sisters were right. Walking back towards Ash, she grabbed one of his hands, which caused Ash to turn around and give her a rather bewildered look.

"I'm sorry," Daisy murmured. "I…shouldn't have yelled at you, Ash. I shouldn't have demanded to know about Misty as soon as you came out here. It was wrong of me."

"I'm sorry too," Ash admitted after a few moments of silence. "I shouldn't have snapped at you. You're just as concerned about Misty as I am, and me trying to believe you shouldn't care as much as me was just selfish. So…I'm sorry."

Daisy smiled softly at Ash and gave him a hug. The Pokémon master was taken aback by the action, for it was one that Daisy didn't often give to Ash. Never the less, he gave his own weak smile and returned the blonde woman's embrace.

"Now," Daisy's more tranquil voice floated as she separated from Ash, "tell us just what's going on. Why does Misty need this emergency c-section?"

Ash took in a sharp breath. The words were caught in his throat, and he could feel his heart begin to race. Daisy's sea green eyes were directly piercing him, and Ash could feel everyone else in the room's eyes on him as well.

"Well…the baby turned into a bad position," Ash explained weakly."She's sideways now. The doctor was going to turn her around, but he can't. Because…when the baby turned…the cord wrapped around her neck…and now…" Ash trailed off and looked down at the floor, hoping that no one would catch sight of the tears forming in his russet eyes.

"Oh no," May murmured sadly. She clutched Drew's hand more tightly, a feeling of dread washing over both of them. Dawn and Kenny exchanged sad looks, the first time in several hours they had even made eye contact.

Violet and Lily were both staring at Daisy, waiting for her to freak out once again. The blonde woman let out a heavy breath and ran a hand through her wavy locks, but said nothing in response.

"Oh, Ashy," Delia frowned. She stroked Ash's hair and held the grown man close, pressing their cheeks together and silently comforting him.

"I'm so scared," Ash breathed out, his voice heavy with sadness. "What if…what if my baby…"

"Don't think that way, Ash," Delia whispered. "Please. Think positively."

"How can I?" Ash blinked away hot, stinging tears. One managed to slip out of his eye, but Delia wiped it away before it could travel even halfway down his cheek. "She's in so much trouble…my poor baby girl…"

"Ash, this is Misty's daughter we're talking about," Delia smiled comfortingly at her son. "If she's anything like her mother, then this little girl will be a fighter. She's not going to give up so easily."

"Should I call Brock?" Ash asked quietly. "He's the baby's godfather…he should know."

"That sounds like a good idea," Delia nodded. "Do you promise to come back when you finish the call?"

Ash's heart panged. Having to keep promising people that he would return to them was fairly depressing. It was as if everyone thought he was just going to leave them. Did he really seem that much like his father?

"I promise," Ash's dull voice responded.

"Good," Delia patted her son's back and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Go ahead, now. Do what you have to do."

Ash nodded and walked across the waiting room towards the hallway where he had seen a collection of video phones sitting against the wall. As Ash left the room, Daisy watched after him, her sea green eyes shimmering with sadness. Ash had given her an idea.

She just wasn't sure if it was a good one or not.

XXX

Brock sat on the couch in the Ketchum's living room, constantly changing the channel on the flat screen television. He wasn't paying any attention to the screen, and part of him didn't even know why he had the TV on. The flashing colors were managing to keep him awake and sane, so maybe that was why.

"Brock…"

The tiny voice caused Brock to finally put the remote down and sit up. He looked around the room, wondering where the voice could have come from. Eventually, he spotted both Aiden and Michelle standing in the doorway, both children wearing their pajamas, but neither one looking sleepy.

"What are you two doing up?" Brock glanced towards the clock. It was nearly midnight.

"We can't sleep," Michelle murmured sadly.

"Are you both worried about Mommy?" Brock frowned. The twins nodded. "I'm sorry, guys, but I haven't heard anything about her yet."

Aiden and Michelle shuffled over to the couch, the downtrodden expression leaving neither of their faces. Brock knew he should put the twins back to bed, but he felt way too bad to do. They were just concerned about their mother, was all, and needed some comforting. Fortunately, Brock was more than capable of providing that.

"Come here you two," Brock beckoned softly. He lifted both children up onto the couch and sat them on either of his sides, stroking their hair and engulfing them into a tight hug. "It'll be alright."

As the Pokémon doctor worked on comforting the twins, he noticed a book sitting on Aiden's lap. It was large, but not very thick, which tipped Brock off to the thought that it was a story book. Ash had told him before that Misty often read to the children before they went to sleep, and sometimes it was the only way to get them to calm down.

"What's this, buddy?" Brock asked Aiden as he tapped the cover.

"Me and Michelle's favorite story," Aiden looked up at his godfather with big, saddened brown eyes. "Mommy reads it to us a lot."

Just as I thought, Brock mused in his head.

"Yeah, she reads us lots of stories," Michelle piped up. "But…that one is our favorite."

Brock hugged the children a little more tightly, mostly out of sub consciousness. He felt so bad for the little ones, and just wanted to find a way to comfort them. "Hey," Brock looked between the two, "I know it won't be the same, but what if, for tonight, I read the story to you? Would you like that?"

Aiden and Michelle looked at one another as if to silently discuss the idea. Finally, they both looked up at Brock and nodded.

"Okay," Brock chuckled quietly and slipped the book off of Aiden's lap and instead settling it on his own. Aiden and Michelle leaned in so they could look at the illustrations in the book, and follow along as Brock read the story to them.

Flipping the book open, Brock cleared his throat and began to read, "once upon a time, in a beautiful kingdom, there lived a young girl called Princess Elizabeth. She was sweet and kind to everyone she met, and loved wandering out into the nearby forests in search of all different types of Pokémon."

"She's pretty, don't you think, Brock?" Michelle asked as she rested his head in his hand.

Brock studied the illustrated image of the princess. She had long, light brown hair that curled at the bottom, with big silver-blue eyes and a pretty pink smile. Her dress was pink and blue, with a full poufy skirt and ribbon like sleeves floating around her shoulders.

"Yeah, she's lovely," Brock smiled. "And she sounds very nice, too!"

"Enough of the princess," Aiden turned the page for his godfather, "read more!"

"Okay!" Brock laughed before clearing his throat and carrying on, "Princess Elizabeth was friends with many Pokémon, as well as people. One of these friends was Sir Arthur, a daring and fearless knight whose job was to protect the beautiful young princess."

"He's my favorite!" Aiden pointed at the drawing of the young man with dark blonde hair and cobalt blue eyes, dressed in a full suit of armor. "He does all kinds of cool stuff, Brock, and our names start with the same letter!"

"That they do little buddy," Brock smirked. He turned the page and continued on reading, "Princess Elizabeth and Sir Arthur would go on many adventures together. They would explore the castle, the kingdom village, or even search for Pokémon. Princess Elizabeth's parents, the King and Queen, didn't like their daughter going into the forest, however."

"It's like our Mommy and Daddy," Michelle's head lolled to the side.

Brock turned the page and opened his mouth to begin reading the next paragraph, but was quickly cut off by the phone ringing.

"I wonder who that could be…" Brock murmured.

"Maybe the baby was finally born!" Michelle jumped up, her eyes shimmering with hope.

"Let's answer it!" Aiden cheered, leaping off the couch and darting towards the video phone. Michelle giggled and followed suit, while Brock put the book down (being careful not to lose the page they were on) and walked quickly after the twins.

By the time he reached the kitchen, Brock saw that Aiden and Michelle had already managed to climb up onto the chair and answer the call.

"Hi Daddy!" The twins greeted simultaneously. Their cheery dispositions evaporated, however, when they saw the exhaustion, concern, and now shock, on their father's face.

"Aiden, Michelle, why aren't you two in bed?" Ash slumped his shoulders as he let out an exasperated sigh. "It's past midnight."

"We're still too worried about Mommy," Aiden frowned.

"Is the baby here yet?" Michelle beamed.

"No princess," Ash shook his head sadly. "She isn't."

"Ash, how much longer is this going to take?" Brock leaned over the chair and locked eyes with the younger man.

"Not too much," Ash sighed, "because she's going to have a c-section."

Brock began to gasp, but quickly suppressed it when the twins whipped around to stare at him in a bewildered fashion. "Okay…" Brock continued slowly, a shiver going up his spine. "Well…I know that wasn't by her choice."

"No, it was not," Ash lowered his eyes.

"Uh…Aiden, Michelle, would you mind getting me something to drink?" Brock glanced down at the two young children. He knew at this point that there was something wrong with either Misty or the baby, and he certainly wasn't about to discuss it in front of his godchildren.

"No, we wanna talk to Daddy too!" Aiden stormed.

"You can still talk to me, little buddy," Ash held out one of his hands. He knew exactly what Brock was doing, and agreed with it whole heartedly. "I'm not going anywhere in the next few minutes. I promise."

The twins huffed, but slid off the chair and over to the fridge despite their lack of desire to do so.

"What's wrong?" Brock sat down and leaned his elbows against the table on which the video phone was set.

"The cord got wrapped around the baby's neck," Ash lowered his voice to a whisper. Looking over Brock's shoulder, he was able to see that the twins were still busy fetching Brock's drink, and hadn't heard a word he'd said. Letting out a saddened sigh, Ash continued, "She turned into a bad position and got the cord wrapped around her neck. Now it's choking her."

"So this is an emergency operation," Brock concluded desolately.

"Yes," Ash rubbed at his tired eyes.

"Oh Ash," Brock buried his head in his hands.

"Brock, what's a c-section?"

The Pokémon doctor looked down and found Michelle staring up at him, a bright blue cup held in her little hands.

"Oh, it's nothing sweetheart," Brock felt bad for giving that loudly answer, but he really felt that he couldn't be honest with the girl. The answer would scare her too badly.

"It sounds bad," Michelle blinked.

"Well, I don't know, it's different for everybody," Brock patted her head. "You could ask your Mommy once you see her. Maybe she'll tell you about it."

"Will it hurt her?" Michelle shook slightly.

"No, she won't feel a thing," Brock smiled comfortingly at the child. Reaching down, he took the cup and placed it on the table. "Thank you for getting my drink, Shelly."

"Can I sit on your lap?" Michelle raised her arms.

"Yes, of course you can," Brock lifted the little red head onto his lap and hugged her close to his body.

"Daddy, is Mommy okay?" Michelle leaned forward.

"Yes baby," Ash held back hot, biting tears. "Mommy will be okay."

"Is she scared?" Michelle tilted her head.

"Maybe," Ash shifted his eyes to the right. "But…I guess that's normal. Ya' know, to be worried when you're having a baby. She was certainly nervous when you and Aiden were born. But that doesn't mean she's not okay."

"Mommy doesn't have to be scared," Michelle smiled softly. "She's a brave Mommy!"

"I think she would be happy to hear you say that, princess," Ash chuckled gently. Looking around, he blinked before inquiring, "Where did Aiden go?"

"Hmm…good question," Brock looked behind him. Turning his attention back to Michelle, he asked, "Sweetheart, where did your brother run off to?"

"I don't know," Michelle shrugged. "He said he had to get something. Then he ran away."

"Well…I'm sure he's just fine," Ash rubbed his temples. "I should probably get back to Misty now."

"That sounds like a good idea to me," Brock nodded. "You promise to call once the baby is born?"

"Of course," Ash tried to smile, but to no avail.

"Great," Brock placed a hand of Michelle's shoulder. "Say goodbye to your Daddy, little girl."

"Bye Daddy," Michelle waved sadly.

"Don't be upset, beautiful," Ash really wanted to cry now. "I'll see you soon, okay?" Michelle nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll talk to you guys la-"

"NO DADDY!"

Brock and Michelle both turned their heads, while Ash once again peered over Brock's shoulder through the video screen. Aiden's small figure was standing in the middle of the kitchen, a large book held in his tiny hands.

"What's up, little guy?" Ash furrowed his brow.

Aiden scurried over to Brock and tried to climb up the older man's legs, but it was nearly impossible with the book occupying his hands. Smiling, Brock lifted the boy up onto his lap, Michelle shifting over to the side so there would be room for both of them to sit.

"Brock was reading to me and Shelly before, Daddy," Aiden grinned at his father. Flipping the book over, he showed the cover off to Ash and carried on, "see? It's the one Mommy reads to us all the time!"

"Yeah, your favorite," Ash observed.

"It reminds me of Mommy," Aiden beamed down at the book. Hugging it, he turned his eyes back up to Ash and said, "I know she can do it, Daddy! She's not afraid of anything! Mommy is brave, just like the princess in this book!"

"You two really believe in her, huh?" Ash rubbed at his eyes. There was no holding back those awful tears now. Aiden and Michelle both nodded as they grinned. "That's really sweet of you guys. I'll make sure to tell Mommy that you said all of that!"

"Ash…"

The Pokémon master looked over his own shoulder and found his mother standing nearby, a fairly concerned look set on her face.

"Guys, I have to go," Ash addressed the screen. "But we'll talk soon. I promise."

"Okay Daddy," Aiden nodded. "Go to Mommy!"

"We'll be here all night!" Michelle chirped.

"I want you both to go to sleep," Ash chuckled as he shook his head. "Why don't you do that?" Aiden and Michelle just looked at each other, but said nothing in response. "Just try, okay?"

"Kay, we'll try," Michelle smirked.

"Good," Ash finally smiled. "See you all later." And with that, the call was disconnected.

"Well, wasn't that nice to see your Daddy?" Brock asked the twins. They both nodded yet again, but the more Brock thought about it, the more nervous he became. Ash and Misty's unborn daughter was in serious condition at this point, but there was no way he could let Aiden and Michelle know that.

"Yeah, and the baby will be here soon!" Michelle squeaked.

Brock bit his lip. "Okay, guys, how about we go to bed, huh?"

"No Brock," Aiden shook his head.

"But Aiden…Daddy said he wanted you two to try and go to sleep," Brock frowned.

"I'm not tired," Aiden groaned.

"Me neither," Michelle scrunched her nose up.

"Alright, I guess we can read more of the story," Brock sighed, taking the storybook out of Aiden's hands. "But don't tell Mommy and Daddy, okay?"

"Yes, Brock!" Aiden and Michelle cheered at the same time, jumping off of his lap and hurrying back over to the couch.

Brock watched the two run into the living room, his heart sinking with every footstep that they took. The twins were such wonderful, precious children. What if their baby sister couldn't have the same kind of life? What if…what if she didn't get to have a life at all?

"Please be okay," Brock mumbled to himself as he stood up. "Please."

XXX

Ash hung up the phone and approached his mother, his dark brown eyes shimmering with concern and wonder.

"What's up, Mom?" Ash murmured.

"The doctor came into the waiting room looking for you," Delia wrung her hands together. "He said that Misty is ready for the procedure."

"Alright…" Ash took in a deep breath and began to march towards the waiting room. Delia gasped softly and followed after her son, nervously clenching her hands by her sides. As Ash made it past the line that separated the waiting room from the hallway, he felt his arm brush up against someone else's. He was hardly paying attention, however, so the contact shocked him and caused the raven haired man to look up in surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry…"

His chocolate eyes locked with a set of sea green orbs, looking tired and misted over with a screen of tears.

"Daisy?" Ash asked quietly.

"You're going to be with Misty," Daisy stated. Her voice was worn, and she had meant to pose the sentence more as a question than an avowal.

"Yes," Ash nodded just once. "I'm going to take care of her, Daisy. I promise that I-"

"I believe you," Daisy tucked a strand of wavy blonde hair behind her ear. "You know that I do."

"Then what are you doing down here?"

"It's not important for you right now," Daisy smiled sadly. "You need to be with Misty. Don't worry about me right now."

"Uh…alright…" Ash breathed. "I'll see you later, then."

"Right," Daisy gave a single nod before continuing down the hallway, right towards the video phones.

"That was weird," Ash muttered to himself.

"Ash, come on," Delia gently tugged at Ash's arm. He allowed his mother to pull him into the waiting room, feeling unable to walk at this point. It had just occurred to him that he and Misty were just about to have another child…and that something could be wrong with her.

"Ah, Ash, there you are."

The Pokémon master realized rather quickly that it was Dr. Aaron talking to him. He was standing in the center of the waiting room, and had changed out of his lab coat into a set of blue surgical scrubs.

"Mi…Misty is ready?" Ash stammered. He mentally slapped himself for that one. Of course Misty was ready. Why else would the doctor be in the room?

"Yes," Dr. Aaron nodded. "But…I must warn you that I had to administer some anesthesia." Ash's eyes grew as wide as saucers, so Dr. Aaron explained, "Misty was in absolute hysterics. Screaming and crying, and I'm pretty sure she threatened to hit me with a mallet?"

"Yep, that's my Misty alright," Ash held onto his forehead and tried to laugh. Tried, but with no success. The thought of Misty screaming and freaking out in the hospital room brought back those horrifying images from when Ash had left her to go back into the waiting room. And right away, the guilt was back, eating away at Ash like a hungry Caterpie.

"The anesthesia won't hurt her," Dr. Aaron assured. "It probably would've hurt her more if I hadn't given her any. She was just way too livid for me to do anything."

"I understand," Ash nodded. "Take me to her."

Dr. Aaron nodded and led Ash down another long, seemingly endless hallway. Ash was convinced he'd go crazy before even getting to the operating room. He needed to see Misty, and hold her hand, and tell her that everything was going to be okay. Ash wasn't sure if it would be, but…he had to at least make Misty believe it.

"Right through here," Dr. Aaron opened the door that led into the room. Ash followed after the doctor and was immediately met by the sight of his wife laying on a long, uncomfortable looking table. Around her, several other doctors were bustling around the room, and Ash could only assume they were there to help Dr. Aaron with the delivery.

The sound of people entering the room caused Misty to groan and turn her head to the side. Ash looked into her emerald eyes, finding them to be half shut, completely dull, and practically lifeless. She was definitely out of it. Not completely, of course; she was still conscious. It was the kind of out of it where if you asked Misty her name, she would probably respond with something like Bob.

"Hey honey," Ash smiled weakly as he walked over to Misty. She let out another little whimper, leading Ash to grab hold of her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. "I'm back now, see? Are you doing okay?"

"Help…" Misty's weak voice piped up.

"Help with what, angel?" Ash leaned in closer to the gym leader. "Tell me what you need."

"Get…me out of here…" Misty furrowed her brow, managing to reach up and grab onto the collar of Ash's shirt.

"Sweetheart, I can't do that," Ash shook his head. "You need this. I know you don't want it, but sometimes things don't go our way. This is the only way we can have our baby."

"Please no," Misty cried, getting a little more loud although still sounding incredibly feeble.

"Misty…" Ash breathed.

"I can't…" Misty sniffed, a tear slipping out of her eye and running down her cheek. "Can't do this…Ash."

"Of course you can," Ash cleared the tear away. "Everyone believes in you, Mist. I do, and all of our friends do…"

"So?" Misty whispered, closing her eyes tightly.

"Aiden and Michelle believe in you," Ash replied quietly after a few moments of absolute silence.

Misty reopened her eyes and looked up at Ash, taking in a sharp breath as she examined her husband's serious expression. "Th…they do?"

"Yes, they told me so on the phone," Ash affirmed. "They said that you're their Mommy, and their Mommy is brave and not afraid of anything. They believe in you more than anyone else in the world, Misty."

"My babies…" Misty looked up towards the ceiling.

"They love you more than anything else in the world," Ash grinned. "You're everything to them."

"But…you are too," Misty looked back at Ash.

"Yeah, I guess. But in this moment in time, you are their sole concern, and the only thoughts they have right now are about you."

"They're so sweet," Misty let out a shaky breath. "I love them so…much…"

Ash felt Misty's grip on his hand loosen, which concerned him slightly. Looking down, he realized her eyes were closing more, and her breathing becoming more shallow.

"Misty, are you okay?" Ash trembled slightly.

"She'll be just fine," Dr. Aaron informed Ash. "Because this is an emergency operation, I had to give her enough anesthesias to put her to sleep. It's taking effect slowly, but soon enough she'll be completely asleep."

"So…Misty's not going to be able to see our baby when she's born?" Ash frowned.

"I'm afraid not."

Ash rubbed at the side of his face. He knew that Misty would definitely not be okay with that once she woke up. This was going to take a lot of consoling, Ash could feel it.

"Alright, let's deliver this baby," Dr. Aaron pulled on a pair of gloves as he prepared to go to work.

Fortunately for Ash, a screen had been put up in front of Misty's stomach, so he didn't have to see any of the disturbing scenes he was rather afraid of witnessing. He instead kept his eyes locked on Misty's peaceful face, pretending that she wasn't laying there being cut open. Oh, his poor, sweet wife.

The whole procedure took about half an hour. When the baby was finally out, Ash couldn't even see her because Dr. Aaron was holding the tiny girl in a white towel with pink and blue stripes. Ash could see the doctor unwrapping the cord from around the baby's neck, extricating the little thing as fast as he possibly could without hurting her.

One of the assistants leaned into the doctor, gazing down at the baby. Ash wasn't hearing any crying, and that concerned him greatly. He remembered when Aiden and Michelle were born. Misty was thrilled when Aiden had cried, but Michelle didn't, and it was later discovered that she had underdeveloped lungs.

Dr. Aaron leaned the baby up slightly, lifting her head and staring at her studiously. The assistant turned his eyes onto Dr. Aaron and murmured, "Can she breathe?"

"I don't know," Dr. Aaron replied just as quietly. "I'm trying…"

Ash wanted to ask his own questions. Had his baby girl actually been strangled? Was something really wrong with her? Ash's paternal instinct was kicking in at full speed, and part of him wanted to just snatch his daughter away from Dr. Aaron and will her to breathe on his own. The rational part of Ash, however, knew that wasn't a good idea. He couldn't help her in the way the doctor could.

Then, when all hope seemed lost, something happened that caused Ash's heart to leap and pound, and his head to go dizzy. A miracle, if you would.

A series of loud, high pitched wails filled the air.

Yaaaay, baby! I would never, ever kill her off, don't worry! She's my favorite...I feel so bad for playing favorites XD I was going to make this chapter longer, but I thought ending it here was nice. We still have to wait for the appearance of the baby, her name, and whatever it was that Daisy was up to. Hmm...what do you guys think she was doing?

Feel free to leave a review and tell me what you thought of this chapter! It was an eventful one, so I'd love to hear some thoughts! Until next time, I'm off to work on the next chapter! Don't like to keep you guys waiting, after all ;)