Okay, I know you all hate me, so I urging for a speedy update! I don't know how much I'll write tomorrow, seeing as Saturday is the start of my college football games, but I'm hoping get a jump start tonight!

Without further ado….

Chapter 17- The Air I Breathe

Lora

I was in a state of shock. The pain wasn't really that bad anymore. I guess my body was battling it out, leaving me feeling numb. But, I did know, that my brain was still on hyper-awareness. I could still make sense of my surroundings. I knew that my sister was following behind us, tailgating the ambulance, with my mother in the passenger seat. I knew that Daniel was staying at the house, watching after Odera. And I knew that Randy was at my side, clinging tightly to my hand. What I couldn't wrap my head around, was why I was in the ambulance in the first place. That's where everything got blurry in a haze of sirens and flashing red lights.

I remembered the piercing pain in my abdomen. The falling, I also remembered. But I didn't know why. My last prenatal check said I was perfectly fine. Albeit, it was two weeks ago. But, how much could change within fourteen days? I leaned my head back on the gurney I was strapped to, and tried to remain calm. Because it was obvious, that Randy was freaking out. He wasn't showing it, for my sake, but I could see it in his eyes. They held fear and worry in them. I just had to hold to my faith and pray that everything was okay.

After what seemed like hours, the ambulance slowed to a stop, and the EMT's rushed me out of the back, and through the automatic-sliding double doors. A doctor and some nurses rushed us immediately, speaking fluently to the EMTs. I didn't make sense of anything they said; it was just a jumble of noises. I did notice that one minute Randy's face was in my vision, and then I was passed through another set of double doors, and he was gone. I almost started panicking.

"Where's Randy?" I called out, my voice sounding foreign to me. A nurse placed a soothing hand on my shoulder.

"He's in the waiting room, dear. We have to get you worked out before you can see him, okay?"

I didn't want to agree with her. I wanted to argue, and yell and throw a fit that I wanted him at my side, but what choice did I have. I didn't want to aggravate the people that were trying to help me. So, I closed my eyes, and try to pretend that I was somewhere else. Anywhere else, where this wasn't happening to me. I heard the swish of a curtain being pulled around me. I heard someone speaking to me, but I just didn't care enough to pay attention. Then, hands were on me, pulling my clothes from my body. I would have been stark naked, if it wasn't for the sheer hospital gown they tied to me. I felt cotton slide on my feet, and knew that someone had slipped socks on me, before hitching my legs up into stirrups. A sharp prick in my arm alarmed me, and I snapped my head in the direction of the pain. I was being hook-up to an IV. More people flocked over me, seemingly attaching me to machines.

"What's happening?" I said, trying to stay alert. A man in white lab coat came into view. I took him for the doctor. He was scratching notes out on his clipboard.

"Just relax, Mrs. Orton. Everything will be alright. You've gone into premature labor. And while being at being at twenty-seven weeks along, it would be any damage to deliver your son. But we are going to stop the process, giving him some extra time to develop."

"What? Labor? Where's Randy? Where's my husband?" I demanded. I was now letting myself get upset, and frightened. And I wanted—no, I needed Randy. I couldn't do this by myself. I felt the moisture well up dangerously in my eyes.

"Now, there's no need to panic. Everything will be alright when we stop the labor. You will not have your baby tonight. And Mr. Orton is just out in the waiting room," he assured me. I couldn't process anything else. It was just too overwhelming. But, I did know, that I was not calming down.

"Dr. Cole, her heart rate is climbing. If we don't get her settled down, there will be no stopping this labor," the nurse that had been with me since I was brought it informed the doctor. And her words did nothing for my psyche.

"Mrs. Orton, we're going to give you a sedative, to help you calm down. You may feel some drowsiness, and possibly sleep. Don't fight it, okay? Can you do that for me?" I nodded weakly, and watched the nurse push a syringe in my IV drip. It wasn't five minutes later before I couldn't hold my eyelids open.

oo

The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a darkened room. The soft hum and beeps of machines and the unsteady thumps were the only things I heard. As my eyes adjusted, I noticed that I was in a hospital room. I lay there, in the bed made with crisp, white sheets, trying to get my bearings. I was a little sore, but other than that, I was fine. I tried, hard, to remember what had been said before I faded out, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember. I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat was so dry that I couldn't make my tongue work. The only sound I made was a low gurgling noise in the back of my throat.

"Lora?" A voice that I didn't know was in the room called my name out. I turned my head and saw Randy sitting in a chair, which was pulled right next to the bed. It was then that I registered that a hand had been covering mine, clutching it gently. Randy's. I looked into his eyes, and saw relief, and fear, and worry all at once. His unoccupied hand cupped my face, brushing my hair away. "Baby, what is it? Can I get you anything?"

I tried to lick my lips, to get my mouth to working, but nothing I did managed to help. I cleared my throat, and tried to speak. What came out was pitiful excuse for talking. "Wa… wat—er."

But, Randy was able to understand me, and rushed the foot of the bed, where the tray table was, and poured me a glass of water, with a straw. He wouldn't even let me hold it; he placed the straw close enough so I could reach it without moving. I drank gratefully, nearly emptying the cup. When I finally felt like I could put together a legitimate sentence, I tried again.

"How long have I been out?" I whispered. It was still dark out; no light seeped through the blinds on the window behind Randy. And his clothes looked rumpled and wrinkled. His eyes were bloodshot and droopy. I had no hold on the time; I didn't know what time of night it was.

"You've been asleep for about four hours now," Randy murmured, and I received a shock. Four hours? I've let my family hour about me for that long? Shame seeped into my awareness. I felt guilty for worrying them so. "You were just so tired."

"Is everything alright? What happened?" my voice was still scratchy from lack of use. I stared at Randy for answers, but before he could comment, my door opened, and the same doctor from before marched into the room. And following in behind him, was my mother and my sister. I tried to focus on only one person. It was easier at the moment. I watched the doctor as he checked my chart, and watched the machines for a minute.

"Well, Mrs. Orton, it seems like everything is going to be okay. And we never got properly introduced. I'm Dr. Cole," the blond-haired man said to me, smiling in my direction. I still so caught up in the fact that I was in the hospital, and that my baby was in danger, to smile back.

"What happened?" I insisted again. I wanted answers, and I didn't care who gave them to me.

"You were trying to go into premature labor. The process hadn't completely started, but the uterus was contracting more than it should, even for the practice tightening contracts, such as Braxton Hicks contractions. We did have to sedate you, because we couldn't get you to calm down on your own."

I focused my attention on the bump that was covered by a hospital gown. "But, everything is fine now?"

"For the moment, yes. We were able to stop it before it started," Dr. Cole replied. But something about his answer did not help me.

"For the moment?" What did that mean? Was I still in danger?

"Well, it's in my understanding, that due to your job, that you travel quite often?" I nodded, sensing where he was going with this. "Now, I can't tell you what to do; I can only give you the facts. You're stressed. And that doesn't necessarily mean that your work is hard. Anything can stress the body. In your case, traveling three times a week, either by plane or by car. Hopping from hotel room to hotel room. It's putting pressures on your body that you may not notice. And when you're stressed, so is the baby. And that's what brought on the near preterm birth."

"What do you suggest?" Randy interjected. I was already afraid of this answer, even though my brain told me what it was going to be.

"In my professional opinion, I would recommend early maternity leave. Otherwise, this will happen again. You need rest. You need to time to prepare for the new baby. You only have around two months left. I think the rest of it should be spent relaxing; taking care of yourself."

"And the baby? He's fine right?" I asked, just as an added measure. Something to soothe my frayed nerves. The doctor smiled at me.

"He's very healthy. He came through wonderfully after we stopped the labor."

I sighed, and layed my head back into my pillows. Randy's hand softly caressed mine. His voice sounded a lot stronger now that everything was going to be alright. "When can I take her home?"

"Well, I want to keep her tonight, for observations. But if everything keeps going like it is, we'll release her tomorrow. And make sure she gets some rest." Randy nodded his head silently. The doctor then excused his self from the room. I felt a soft squeeze on my ankle, and looked down to see my mom. She had tear tracks on her cheeks, and looked so worn out. She mumbled something about a coffee break, and excused herself from the room. It wasn't long after that, that Zoey did the same thing, saying she needed to call Daniel, to fill him in. Leaving Randy and I alone. And I couldn't fight my tears anymore.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. I clamped my eyes closed, and let myself wallow in my self-hatred for a moment. I felt Randy's thumbs rub my cheeks, swiping at the tears.

"What on earth for?"

"For ruining Christmas," I stuttered out through my tears. I clasped both hands over my face. "And for not being a good mother. He's not even born yet, and I'm failing him."

Two hands closed around my wrists, and pried my hands away from my face. Randy was staring down at me with an emotion in his eye that I couldn't place. "You did not ruin Christmas. I loved it, and it was one of my favorites. This scare has done nothing to my memories of our first Christmas," He spoke forcefully, willing me to listen. I didn't want to, but his words were too sweet. "And that last part was just complete lunacy. There's no way, on God's green earth, that you could be a bad mother. Look at the example that you've had to learn from. This," he waved about the room, "is not your fault. It's not my fault. It isn't anyone's fault. It just happened. And, now that it has, we can deal with it. Just like we always do. This will not break us."

I sniffed, and wiped my face with the back of my hand. "I was just so scared. When I was back there, with all the doctors and nurses. I called out for you. But they wouldn't let you be with me. I didn't know what was happening, Randy."

I saw the torture in his eyes, and immediately regretting telling him that. I knew how much he always wanted to be there for me, and I just told him of a time where he couldn't be. He grasped my hand with both of his, a hard look in his eye. "I will not let anything else like this happen to you. I can't. Seeing you in pain like that, seeing you afraid. I've never felt that kind of pain. It was like trying to breathe with no air. You, Lora, are my air. The only air I need to breathe, to live. And I will protect you with everything I have."

oo

"Is this completely necessary?" I asked, as Randy rolled me through the lobby of the hospital in a wheel chair. It was getting on in the afternoon, and I was dying to go home. "They cleared me, and gave me a clean bill of health, I'm sure they wouldn't have done that if I couldn't walk on my own."

Randy laughed at me, but never answered. I huffed slightly, letting him push me through the sliding glass doors. I spotted my mother's car, and smiled at her, leaning against one of the doors. Randy and Mom helped me in the back seat, and shut the door. I loved them for trying to help, but I was being a little suffocated. I guess that was only to be expected after what happened yesterday. And the fact that I had to travel today by plane. Moma wasn't too happy that I wanted to go back to Missouri. But it was my home. And if I had to relax, I wanted to do it there.

On the ride to the airport, I didn't say much. I was too busy in my own thought. Too busy thinking about, when this next week was up, I was going to be without Randy for thirty days. Our original plan for my leave was to leave at eight months, with Randy having suffered an "injury" during a pay-per-view event, and to be put on the "shelf" for three months. But that plan was shot in the foot now. I had to go and be stressed out, and now I had to leave a month early. I knew there was no way that Randy would be allowed to leave a month before schedule. Guaranteeing me a month at home alone. Something I was not looking forward too.

I hugged my mother good-bye, promising to call her when we arrived, and keep her updated. Randy held on to me as we loaded the plane. I knew he was worried about traveling so soon after the incident, but it was either an hour on a plane our eight hours in a car. I would take an hour over eight any day. I just wanted to go home. But, I would never admit it to Randy, but I was scared of the plane ride as well. Even though I knew it was the logical choice, it still didn't make me feel great about it. The doctor had told us, in so many words, that if I didn't stop my traveling habits, that the preterm labor would start again. And I didn't want that. Keith still had so much more growing left to do.

But, as it seems, it was almost as soon as the plane reached its full altitude, that we were descending. That's what I loved about short planes rides. It wasn't long after the descent, that Randy and I were disembarking the plane. I stood off to the side, while Randy gathered our luggage. As we were making our way out of the airport, I heard the distant call of my name. I turned around and saw John and Casie hurrying towards us.

"What in the world are you guys doing here?" I asked, as they both enveloped me into a hug. I noticed that they had luggage of their own.

"We came here to see you," Casie said, with a tone that said "Why else?". My heart warmed at my friends concern. I sometimes forget how many people I have to care for me. Something that should never slip my mind. Because it is a wonderful thing, to be loved.

"Yeah, I told Randy that we were crashing at his place for a few days," John said, smiling down at me. But I saw the faint concern in his eyes. "Er, well, you guys place. I guess I should've asked you too. I keep forgetting."

I laughed softly, for a couple of reasons. One, at John's easy humor; he didn't even have to try sometimes. And second, that John might think I wouldn't let him stay at my home. He was family. He would always have a place to stay. John and Casie.

"Randy told us about Keith. I guess he's really tired of being cooped up in there," John laughed, poking my softly in the belly. I couldn't help but laugh at his explanation of what happened. That was one way to put it, I thought. I had to admit, it sounded better than having me at fault, from all the traveling. John and Randy walked ahead, carrying the bags and suitcases, and Casie looped my arm and we followed behind slowly.

"So, how are you feeling?" she asked. I turned my head and saw the concern etched on her face. I sighed.

"Well, besides feeling like a failure, I'm fine." No matter what Randy had told me, I still couldn't shake that this whole thing was my fault. I should've known something was wrong. It was my body, and my child was in it. There should have been some clues along the way.

"Don't say that Lora," Casie scolded me. I couldn't help the slight smirk on my face at her tone. She sounded so much like Randy did last night. "This isn't your fault. You had no way of knowing. Not when all of your doctor's visits have cleared you to continue on with your job."

"I know that, but, I'm the mother. I'm his mother. I should've just… known."

"Mothers can't predict everything. There are actually times when a woman didn't even know she was pregnant until it's time to give birth. They don't show, no cravings, no symptoms. Nature will not always tell you when there is something wrong. I know that for a fact," she said gravely.

Her words soothed me more than anything had in the past twenty-four hours. And it wasn't like she had said anything different than Randy had been trying to tell me. But somehow, hearing it from another point of view, just sounded different. It was like seeing it from another point of view. As I got into the car, with Casie by my side, and Randy driving us home, I felt like things were going to be okay. And I wasn't such a let down for my son.

A/N

So, do yall forgive me now? Everything is okay! Such a traumatic experience! Lol

And, now, I don't have to follow Raw as closely any more, now that she is on maternity leave. I skip as much time per chapter as I need to now. And don't get tired of the pregger chapters. They are almost at an end! Please REVIEW!

KimmieCena, Xandman216, Queen Islanzadi, babyxbxgurl, xLou26, miamitravel, Eisac Namhort, undermyumbrella, alana2awesome, barnsley gal 09, littleone999, FireFlyFlicker, vipergirl86, Bingobaby, dreamin'BIG, jcilyx3, Christina89, Diivalover, and Lil'MissCena keep up the amazing job!