As they entered the delivery suite Catherine noticed that it wasn't her doctor who was waiting for them. "Catherine, I'm Dr. Lee, the on-call physician tonight. It looks like your little boy is ready to make an appearance". "But it's too early" Catherine replied in a fearful voice.

"It's okay", Dr Lee replied. "I have a team from the NICU that will be here shortly and they will do everything that they can to make sure your baby is fine. However, I want to make you aware that when he is born they will take him right away and once he is stable you will be able to see him".

The thought of not being able to hold her baby was a lot for Catherine to take in but she knew that it was all for the best. Just as she was about to speak her strongest contraction yet hit her. "Oh God, I need to push" she yelled as she grabbed for Lou. "Okay Catherine, it looks like we are all set to go. Lou, your job is to be supportive and keep her calm okay". Alright Catherine, give me a big push. You're baby boy is almost here".

Catherine took a deep breath and with Lou's arms around her for support she pushed as hard as she could. "You're doing great, I can see the baby's head" the doctor stated as he smiled and looked up at both of them. "Keep pushing". "I can't" Catherine cried out. "You can do it babe, you're the strongest person I know" Lou told her as she leaned her head against him.

"Come on, one more big push and we will have the head out. On the count of 3; 1, 2, 3 okay push as hard as you can". Catherine pushed as hard as she could. Lou could feel her body tremble as Dr. Lee exclaimed "the head is out". Catherine, one more big push and your baby will be here okay". "I, I can't" Catherine cried."I feel so weak". Lou noticed that she looked really pale and her breathing was becoming ragged. "Come on babe just hold on to me. We will get through this together". Lou wrapped his arms around her. To Catherine it felt like Lou was trying to give her his strength. Catherine pushed with all of her might crying out as the doctor stated here he is and held up the baby for them to see. "He looks so tiny" Catherine exclaimed looking up at Lou with tears in her eyes. "He looks perfect but I'm going to have the NICU staff check him out just to make sure".

As the doctor handed the baby off to the nurse Catherine couldn't hold on any longer and started crying devastated that she didn't get to hold her son. After they were alone in her room Lou sat on the edge of the bed and held her while she cried saying everything that he could think of to try and comfort her. As he gently rubbed her back and rocked her he could hear her breathing even out knowing that she had fallen asleep. He gently laid her down and sat in the chair next to her bed. He wasn't usually an emotional man but he hated to see her like this. She was his whole world and all he wanted was for her to be happy.

He must have drifted off to sleep without realizing it and when he woke up he couldn't help but smile as he saw Catherine holding their son.

Happy New Year's everyone!