Chapter Five

"Hannah, how you doing in there?" Kara asked through the door.

"I'm ok." Hannah said wiping the tears and sweat from her face. She wished she had a watch or something to time the contractions, she knew they were getting closer together which wasn't good but she couldn't find the emotional strength to open the door and her back labor pains were crippling. She was the type of person who didn't waste doctor's time unless it was really bad and right now it was bad but the only other doctor was Larrin but she would be just as clueless as Hannah felt. God forbid if there were complications.

"Yeah, you've been in there a long while and food is getting cold." Kara said casually, her voice so steady and calm. It was like salve to Hannah's raw nerves as Kara always had presence that brought stability to a room.

"I'm not hungry." Hannah said swiping the tears from her face. The pain her back was unbearable another reason she struggled to get off the floor as she was stuck. At least she was sitting against the wall by the door but it wasn't very comfortable nor comforting to her as the bathroom while seemed like a sanctuary in some respect in others was a nightmare.

"Ok, well I just want you to know that we've hit a snag. The ambulance isn't going to get here for a while. So we're prepping Tex's room so you can be comfortable. The boys are getting Dr Scott here to help you. But it would help if we knew what was going on. Can you tell me how far apart your contractions are?" Kara asked her, it was a fair question to ask but Hannah couldn't answer it.

"I don't know." Hannah said, she was really failing on the motherhood business and the baby wasn't even here yet.

"Hannah, I know you're panicking in there. You know, my water broke when I was sleeping, it completely freaked out Danny. I didn't really start to panic until I knew the baby was coming, I was so exhausted, I was worrying about everything. I had a birthing plan and Frankie was breech, there were other complications which meant all my plans went out the window. It all became about getting through the experience with Frankie and myself alive and well. So I know how it feels but you're not alone, and we've got Rachel coming over. So we'll have someone who can do all the medical side so you can focus. But we really need you to come out. We can't help you from out here. So can you please open the door?" Kara asked her in a gentle coaxing manner.

"I can unlock it, but I don't want any of the men out there to see me." Hannah said, as she really didn't want to see Wolf. She felt pathetic, the father of her child, the man who had ignore her for months now was pissed at her for not calling him more or trying other channels of communication. It wasn't like she expected him to just confess his undying love for her but maybe just an iota of excitement or happiness would have been great because all she got from their exchange was that this was all her fault and she was a terrible person and right now she didn't need him tearing her down anymore than she was doing to herself.

"Promise there are no men out here." Kara said, she heard the door's lock snick open and waited for Hannah to slid it open. When she didn't, Kara gently slid the door open and looked to see Hannah on the floor leaning her back against the wall by the door. "Hey," she said as she crouched down beside her.

"It really hurts and the breathing crap I learnt in Lamaze is bullshit." Hannah said, Kara smiled as she recognized Hannah's state. She hot and sweaty, in pain, scared and in tears because as much as they talk about giving birth being a miraculous journey. It was also an incredibly insane and frightening one.

"I agree on some of the breathing techniques being bunk but I think a slow deep breath in and out wouldn't hurt." Kara offered, Hannah nodded tears running down her face as she struggled to do just that. "Why don't we get you off the floor? Larrin brought you a long t-shirt to get changed into. The bed is made up with fresh sheets and will be comfier than the floor."

"I'll ruin the bed." Hannah told her, she had wanted this to be very different and right now she wasn't sure how she was going to look Tex in the face after all of this.

"We prepared for all eventualities and new sheets can be bought. Right now it's about making you as comfortable as possible." Kara said as she came into the bathroom and held out her hands to Hannah to help her up.

"It's going to be ok." Tex told Wolf, the kitchen was clean and food was packed up. The women had declared Tex's room a male-free zone which was rather archaic but then they didn't argue given it was probably Hannah's request. He'd changed his clothes and was pacing the floor waiting for something- anything to happen so he could be of use.

"Really? I'm about to become a father and Hannah hates me." Wolf said, as his life was a mess and he couldn't think of a way to fix it and he hated being left out of the birth of their child. He always wanted kids and had wanted to be there in the room when the baby was born. Now he was only getting half the wish and he selfishly felt it was unfair.

"You did knock her up and not answer any of her phone messages." Tex pointed out.

"I honestly don't know what you're complaining about. It's balmy out there." Rachel said to the guys as she took off her jacket and smiled obviously she had fun traipsing through the snow while Burk wore an expression of discontentment and Miller was amused. It hadn't been a fun walk but they made it back alive and in one piece.

"Doc, good to see you." Tex said with a smile as Rachel was nearly a different woman from the one he'd met in GITMO. She was more relaxed, happier as the weight of the world was no longer on her shoulders. She worked her own schedule that had more of a life-work balance than before. In fact she was living more than before which was a good change for her.

"You too," Rachel said as they exchanged a friendly hug. "Kat, how are you?" she asked going to Kat and giving her a hug.

"I'm good, it's pretty exciting here." Kat said with a smile as she just happy to have everyone around and to meet Hannah's baby. Hannah had been very inclusive in sharing her pregnancy with those in the house. Kat figured Tex didn't mind hearing about sore nipples and other less than desirable side aspects of pregnancy as it was meant to deter Kat from having sex. Kat just liked being part of a group as theirs felt like a family of people.

"Yeah, sorry we had to cut your evening plans short." Tex said to Rachel as she stepped back to pick up her bag.

"Not to worry, you're just lucky that I had come from work to Tom's. I had this weird feeling Hannah wouldn't keep to schedule so I came well prepared. Where is she?" Rachel asked getting own the business, she had to admit she liked spending Christmas Eve with Tom, Jed and the kids but this moment she had been waiting months for.

"In my room, down the hallway." Tex said, gesturing to where Sasha had come from. Rachel gave a nod and headed to his room.

"That's Rachel?" Sasha asked once Rachel disappeared into Tex's room. She wanted to feel jealous of the woman that had stolen Tom's heart but couldn't. It had been great to reconnect with Tom but their time as a couple had come and gone. She was just glad that she and Tom were able to create a friendship in the short time they had on the Nathan James and move forward without hard feelings after all these years.

"Yeah." Tex answered, not missing the expression on Sasha's face before she replaced it with one of banality.

"Can I have another beer?" She asked him, changing the topic before Tex could try and dig for information.

"Help, yourself." Tex said to her, knowing they were all in the waiting game. He did feel for Sasha as she was a bit of an odd man out with the group and there was a deep sadness she carried with her. Sure she smiled and laughed with carefree joy but he saw flickers and he hadn't missed the wedding ring, so he guessed her partner was gone. At least she was here surrounded by people than alone.

"What the hell is that?" Hannah asked as she grabbed Larrin's hand, they were walking around the room to ease the pain but then Hannah caught sight of the ring on Larrin's left ring finger and decided it was the distraction she needed and wanted. The promise ring which was a rounded bear tap washer that Miller stole from some bar had a ring beside it. It was a thin vintage, delicate silver filigree band with tiniest diamonds sunk flush into the top half band.

"An engagement ring. Eric asked me to marry him." Larrin said with a shy smile. She loved the ring Miller had chosen for her. It was so delicate and ornate, she loved that it was sedate as she wasn't a big jewellery wearer but this was perfect.

"What?!" Kara said, she rushed to other side of Hannah looking at Larrin's hand in shock but smiling nonetheless. She looked at the ring. "Love the ring." she said, Larrin blushed at the compliment.

"You didn't say a thing." Andrea drawled in mocking disapproval taking her turn to look at ring.

"We were going inform everyone at dessert but then Hannah went into labour and well... here we are and honestly this is your moment." Larrin said looking to Hannah.

"Ugh, no it's yours. I'm giving birth to a baby from a one night stand with a man who wants nothing to do with me." Hannah said as they move back to the bed for rest. Hannah gratefully sagged down in her pillows that cushioned her back nicely. She was in labour and she still had time to think about her nonexistent love life. The only comfort she drew from the here and now was that she was surrounded by incredibly amazing women who'd helped her get changed and onto the bed. She did feel horrible about the fact she was in Tex's bed but it did help with the pain to be on a cushy bed.

Andrea's quiet strength was comforting, Larrin made her laugh through her moments of panicking and Kara was her support system. She hadn't planned on it but Kara just had a way of bolstering her that she hadn't expected. But it did make the whole labouring a little easier to bear. It also helped that all the women knew how it felt to be in immense pain, so it gave Hannah perspective.

"That's not entirely true, if he wanted nothing to do with you. He wouldn't have gone all caveman on you." Larrin said, not that she was advocating for Hannah and Wolf to get together as they had to sort it out by themselves.

"Well, it's everyone's moment. Congratulations Larrin," Kara said as Hannah and Andrea followed suit in agreeing with her.

"Thanks." Larrin said, the door to the room opened and they all turned to see Rachel come in.

"Hello, how are we all?" Rachel said with a smile, she set her bag by the end of the bed.

"Larrin's engaged." Hannah told her.

"Congratulations. Let me see the ring." Rachel said, Larrin lifted her hand up and showed her. "Gorgeous." Rachel said before she turned her attention to Hannah. "Ok, so who wants to bring me up to speed here?" Rachel asked them all.

"Contractions are 5 minutes apart, BP is a little high." Larrin informed her.

"Completely normal given the stress, now let me wash up and we'll get down to business." Rachel told her, Hannah took a slow inhale and exhale feeling a tension in her easing at Rachel's presence as it meant it wasn't all down to her.

"What's going on?" Wolf asked as Andrea come out of the room half an hour later. He had to step back as he'd been eavesdropping trying to find out what was going on. He didn't know why but he expected noise of some kind but there was nothing. Ok, there seemed to be conversation but no groaning or crying as he remembered when Larrin was born. His mother was a strong woman but even she'd made having a baby look painful.

"She's having a baby. It's going to take time. So you should just wait in the other room." Andrea said firmly as she protecting Hannah. The woman was in a vulnerable state and didn't need to be riled.

"I'd like to go in there." Wolf told her.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Andrea said folding her arms giving him a stern look.

"I didn't mean to put her into labour." Wolf said sincerely as he felt like the worst man in the world. Andrea's features softened at his admission.

"She's been in labour for a day and half. She just didn't realise as it was back labour. But right now, she needs to focus on getting through this before you two decide to hash out whatever is your problems are." Andrea told him.

"Oh just let him come in." Hannah shouted from behind the door. Andrea looked conflicted but opened the door. Wolf didn't miss the death glare from Andrea that meant he could forget having more kids if he messed this up. She stepped out of the way and Wolf stepped in.

"Whoa." Wolf said as Andrea snapped the door close behind him so fast it nearly hit him but he stepped out of the way quickly. He turned to the room, taking it in. The bed was stripped down to just the sheets and towels. There was a bassinet in the corner of the room and a baby bath set up on the dresser. Rachel was setting out equipment he didn't want to know about with Kara's assistance. Hannah was holding onto Larrin's arms in a monkey grip. She was dressed in t-shirt dress that was drenched in sweat. Her hair was pulled back into a braid with just a few wisps of hair escaping it. She looked tense with pain and looking miserable, something he felt fully responsible for.

"Yeah, what?" Hannah snapped at him, as she obviously misinterpreted his last comment to be about her and not Andrea trying to clip him with the door.

"I'm sorry I'm an asshole." Wolf said, Hannah huffed a laugh, he moved to stand in front of her and gently took over Larrin's place. He gripped her under the elbows an held her up. He could feel her shaking from exhaustion. "But I'd really want to be here for you, for our child. Before you shout at me, I care about it all including you. Yes, I messed everything up but I'm here and I won't leave your side. Please just give me a chance." He told her, tears filled her eyes as Hannah really wanted to hate him but then he went and had to be perfect.

"It's your funeral." Hannah said, Wolf gave a chuckle and even she couldn't help but smile.