Hi loves! Promised you I'd be back tonight! And I kept that promise! Cause I'm a nice person! At least, sometimes I am. When I feel like it.
So, here is the second part to the earlier part. I really hope that this one gets some emotion out of you. When I was writing this, I definitely almost had tears running down my face. Just sayin.
Oh, also, this one goes out to LostInTheStars24! Hope it makes you cry love! :)
Enjoy!
"Zander!" Zander shoots awake from the chair where he had dozed off to see some of the people he had been waiting for.
He stands from his seat to greet his friends with a hug, having long since removed the scrubs and discarded them. "Kevin, Kacey." He says, engulfing each of them in a hug.
"Guys!" Zander turns to see Grace and Nelson rushing towards them. Zander goes and hugs each of them as well. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees two more figures approaching. He breaks from his friends and goes towards them, arms extended.
"Mom, dad." He engulfs both of them in a hug and they just hug him back.
"Big brother?" Zander turns his head at hearing the faint voice call his name.
He gets a look on his face and walks towards her, "Baby sister." He wraps her in a hug and she hugs him back tightly. He pulls away from her momentarily and sees the last few figures approaching the crowd.
"John, Cindy." He says and walks towards them, hugging the both of them. Then he turns to face Stevie's older brothers; Chris, Nathan, Ethan and Sam, and gives each of them a man hug. He leads them over to where the rest of the group has gathered and they all sit down on the couches and chairs available.
Zander's and Stevie's parents sit together on one of the couches, both of the moms sitting next to each other.
Kacey and Kevin sit next to each other in two of the chairs, Grace and Nelson sitting next to them. Grace is holding their sleeping 3 year old son, Jarred, in her arms. Stevie's brothers stand behind the couches together. And Melanie, Zander's sister, takes a seat on the floor in front of her parents. Zander sits in one of the remaining chairs, and sighs, holding his head between his hands.
"So?" Kacey asks, "What's happening?"
Zander looks up at all of them, "I don't know. They haven't come out yet."
"Why are you out here?" Nelson asks him curiously, "When Jarred was born, I was back there."
"Well I was back there. But then Stevie passed out, and the doctor got a panicked look on his face and had a nurse bring me out here. I'm really worried about her, and our baby. What's going to happen to our little girl! No one has come out here yet and I'm really freaking out."
"Relax Zander." Grace says. "I'm sure that your baby girl is going to be fine."
"But what about Stevie? Huh? What about Stevie?"
Everyone stays silent, and doesn't say anything. None of them wanting to say another word that might upset Zander and set him off again.
"Stevie Baskara-Robbins?" All heads turn to see a doctor standing in front of them, clad in scrubs which are covered in blood.
They all stand up, waiting to hear any news.
"I'm her husband." Zander says stepping forward. "Is she alright? The baby?"
"Your baby is fine. It was a very close call for a moment, but we were able to deliver her safely and alive. However, since she was born a month early, we are going to keep her here for a couple days, make sure that she is completely fine. And then you are more than welcome to take her home with you."
Zander sighs at the good news, "Thank you." Then his eyes go wide, "What about Stevie?"
The doctor sighs looking down and mumbles to himself, "I always hate this part," then he looks back up at the large group in front of him and speaks clearly, "There were complications, with the birth. The placenta, instead of being attached at the wall of the uterus when she started giving birth, it had slowly started to detach from the wall, which might have caused the pain she had experienced earlier this evening. And when she started pushing, it became fully detached which caused massive hemorrhaging. She was losing a lot of blood and we had to perform an emergency C-section in order to deliver the baby safely. We tried everything we could, but unfortunately we weren't able to save your wife. Maybe if we had been able to catch it sooner we might have had a better chance at saving her. I'm so sorry."
The mood of the room instantly drops, the residents of the room become sad and start to let the tears fall down their faces.
Stevie's mother, breaking into hysterics, falls into the supporting arms of her husband, who holds her close. Zander's parents hold each other, his mom shedding a few tears, for they had loved Stevie like she was their own daughter. Mel turns and walks off down the entrance hallway, she and Stevie had thought of and treated each other as the sister they never had. Chris, Nathan, Ethan, and Sam, despite how much they call themselves men, break into sobs as well; they had just lost their only sister, their baby sister. Kacey breaks down as well, falling onto Kevin at the realization that she has just lost her best friend. Grace leans on Nelson, sniffling, clutching Jarred tightly to her chest.
As for Zander, he just stands there, staring at nothing. Then he manages to look at the doctor in the eye, "Can I go and see her? Stevie?" He swallows back the lump he can feel forming in his throat.
The doctor nods his head slowly, "I'll have one of the nurses come out and get you momentarily." Zander nods his head. "Again. I'm very sorry for your loss." The doctor says, with one hand on Zander's shoulder. He then turns and walks back down the hallway through the double doors, to get himself cleaned and washed up.
Zander turns around and looks at the people he has grown to love, and just stands there. They are all silent until they hear a quiet voice off to the side, "Zander Robbins?" He doesn't have to turn around to know who it is. It is the nurse sent to take him to see his dead wife. He glances at his friends and family. Their faces are all saying the same thing. Go. He turns around and walks towards the nurse, slowly, not wanting everything to happen too quickly.
He follows the nurse through the double doors and down the long hallway. They pass by many rooms, filled with happy families, celebrating their successful births. Zander's mood only deflates even more if that is even possible at his current emotional state.
When they reach the room, the nurse opens the door and extends her arm inside, "Right through here. And take all the time you need sweetie."
"Thank you," Zander says, barely audible, and then slowly and quietly walks into the room, hoping and praying that this is all a sick joke and that once he walks in there, she'll be sitting in the bed, smiling down at the baby girl in her arms.
His hopes are let down though as he walks into the room. Instead of seeing her sitting up and smiling, she is lying there, completely motionless. He walks up to the side of the bed and stands there looking at her. She looks so peaceful and calm. Just like she's sleeping. But her chest isn't moving up and down, and she isn't on her side like she usually is when she sleeps. He stares at her for a moment, taking in her appearance. The blanket on the bed is pulled up to right under her chest, she is wearing clean robes and her chocolate brown hair is pulled to one side and lying across her shoulder. And then, without any warning, he breaks.
He falls to the floor on his knees and leans on the bed, looking at her. The tears pouring from his eyes as he looks and thinks of all the moments they will no longer be able to share. All the memories that won't happen. The birthdays she'll no longer celebrate. "Why?" He cries, "Why did you have to leave me alone Stevie! I can't do this by myself. You think I know how to raise a daughter? Sure I have all of our friends and family, but it won't be the same without you here by my side. Our daughter will never know you now. I'll tell her stories, but it won't be the same." He breaks into more tears and puts his head down on the bed, "Why Stevie? Why did you have to leave? You were perfectly fine the whole time. This is so unfair." He continues to cry, staining the blanket with his tears.
"Zander?" He hears a soft voice call his name.
He shoots up and looks up at Stevie, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, "Steves?" he whispers.
"No. It's Grace." He whips his head around to look behind him to see the blonde woman standing there looking at him.
He stands up from the floor and wipes the tears from his face, "Grace. Uh, how much of that did you hear?" He asks her.
"Enough," she replies.
"Why are you back here? Not that I don't want you back here, but, why are you back here?"
"I came to check on you. I know you're upset."
"How could you tell?" Zander chuckles sadly.
Grace gives a sad laugh in return. "So what are you going to do?" She asks.
He moves and sits in one of the chairs in the room, "Honestly? I don't know. I don't know how to raise a daughter by myself."
"You know you have all of us to help you Zander. Nelson and I have a kid already, and I know he's a boy, but we can still give you tips on raising a kid. And Kacey, Mel and I are girls, so when she gets older, we can take her out for some girl time. And you have your parents too. They raised a daughter. And, you have Stevie's parents, they raised Stevie. And trust me, if your daughter is anything like Stevie, then you might want all the pointers you can get." Grace laughs quietly.
"Thanks Grace. You really are a good friend."
Grace gives him a small smile.
"Excuse me, are you Zander Robbins?"
The two look up to see a nurse at the door.
Zander steps forward, "I'm Zander."
The nurse steps forward and they can now tell that she is holding a pink bundle in her arms. "Would you like to see your little girl?"
Zander swallows and steps forward again, "May I?" He holds his arms out and the nurse places the small child in his arms, telling him how to place his hands and arms. He nods his head, making sure to make a mental note on this. He looks down at the little baby in his arms and can't believe that he helped to make such a small and fragile human being.
He feels a hand on his shoulder and looks behind him to see Grace smiling down at his daughter.
"She looks like the both of you," Grace says. He looks back down and takes in the appearance of the baby. Her eyes are closed and her nose is scrunched up in the way that reminded him of Stevie. What little hair is on her head is a light brown, already with a slight curl to it. Her face is still a slight pink color considering she was born only a few moments before.
"No," he says back, "I definitely see more of Stevie in her than me."
"You really think so?" Grace asks him.
"I know so." He says back, smiling down at his daughter.
Then, one of the most amazing things happens, the baby opens her eyes. Zander stares into those beautiful chocolate brown eyes, those eyes that look just like her mothers, and gets completely lost in them. The little baby's eyes dart around the room, looking for anything familiar, and then they finally settle on Zander's eyes. She just stares at him and then opens her mouth, giving a small yawn. Zander smiles and watches as she closes her eyes once more.
"Hey Grace?" Zander says without looking up.
"Yeah?"
"Well, there was something that Stevie and I were talking about, before everything happened. And, well, we decided," he looks up and over at Grace, making eye contact, "that we want you and Nelson to be the godparents."
Grace gasps and puts a hand over heart, "Are you sure?"
He nods, "We couldn't be more sure. I mean, I know that Kacey is her best friend, but she really feels like making you the godmother would be the decision. She said that she had a gut feeling about it and everything. And it was weird, cause when we mentioned your name, this little one," he looks down at the baby in his arms, "she kicked." He looks back up at Grace to see her smiling.
"Really?"
"Yeah. And we figured that Nelson should be the godfather, not just because you guys are married, but because before I came to Brewster and she met me, Nelson was her best friend."
"This really means a lot Zander. We'll make her proud. Both of them." The two adults look over at Stevie lying on the bed and smile sadly.
"I believe that. And I know that Stevie does too." They both just stand there in silence, admiring the bundle of beauty in Zander's arms.
"Knock, knock." Zander and Grace turn to see the rest of their friends and family standing in the doorway of the hospital room. Zander looks at Grace and gives her a look with his eyes. She gets the look he is giving her and slowly pulls the curtain closed around Stevie's bed so as not to upset everyone quite yet.
Zander carefully holds one finger up to his lips, telling them to be quiet, and then with the same hand, motions for them to come closer. They all shuffle into the room and gather around Zander and the baby. Jarred, who is know awake, sees his mom and reaches for her. Grace smiles and pulls him to her, hugging him close.
"She's beautiful." Kacey says.
"She looks just like Stevie did when she was a baby," Cindy says sadly.
"I see a little of you in there too Zander," his mom, Martha, says.
"You did good big brother," Mel says, putting her hand on his shoulder and looking at her niece.
"So this is our niece?" Chris says stepping forward. Zander nods his head.
"She's so tiny." Sam points out.
"Well, she was born a month early." Zander replies.
"If this little one is anything like Stevie was, you're going to need all the help you can get brother." Nathan comments.
"Yeah," Ethan steps in, "She was a feisty little thing. Even as a baby."
"But don't worry," Chris adds, "We're here to help."
"We all are," Kacey says.
"Yeah. We aren't going to leave you to do this all by yourself." Kevin adds.
"Most definitely," Nelson says, "we're always gonna be here for you and your little girl." He smiles, wrapping his arms around Grace's waist.
"Well you better be here for her Nelson," Zander states, looking up from his daughter, "Because you're her godfather. And Grace is her godmother."
"Seriously?" Nelson asks in disbelief.
"Seriously," Zander smiles, "Stevie and I thought long and hard about it. We feel like you two are the right choice."
"Well thanks," Nelson smiles back, hugging Grace close to him "We'll be sure to make her proud."
"I know you will." Zander says back and then looks down at his daughter again.
"Hello?" Everyone turns to look where the voice came from to see a nurse standing in the doorway.
"Hi," Zander whispers, and motions for the young nurse to come towards them.
The nurse steps forward and looks around at everyone in the room. Then her eyes settle on Zander and the baby, "Looks like you have a lot of fans here," she whispers looking down at the baby.
Zander smiles, "Yeah. She sure does."
"Have you picked out a name yet?" the nurse asks.
"Yeah Zander," Kacey says, "What's her name?"
"Well, we had a few names floating around already. But I think I know the perfect name." He says.
"What is it?" Mel asks him.
"Stevie Elena Robbins."
"It's beautiful name baby," Martha says to him.
"I agree. It's a lovely name," Cindy says as well.
"Thanks. Stevie, obviously after her mom, and Elenameans Light. I've always thought it was a pretty name. And she is most definitely the light in my life right now. And she always will be."
"It's a wonderful name," the nurse smiles, "I will get the birth certificate ready for you to finish filling out. In the meantime, I think it's time I get… Stevie, back to the nursery. But you are more than welcome to come back and see her again tomorrow."
Zander nods his head and carefully places little Stevie into the nurses waiting arms and kisses her tiny forehead before watching her leave the room.
"Zander?" He turns around to face the large group in the room with him at the mention of his name. Cindy Baskara.
"Yeah Cindy?"
"Would you mind if, if we saw her?" Zander doesn't have to ask to know what they mean. He sighs and nods his head as well. He walks over to the closed curtain and slowly pulls it back.
Cindy breaks into tears again but not as heavy as before, "She looks so peaceful! I can't believe she's gone!" She buries her head into her husband, John's shoulder and continues to cry.
"I know," Zander replies sadly. "I can't believe it either. She was so careful through the whole pregnancy. We didn't think anything was going to happen."
"None of us did Zander," Nathan speaks up.
"Yeah," Sam adds, "We thought that they were both going to survive it."
"So did I," Zander replies, "But it happened. And we have to deal with the fact that she's no longer going to be with us."
"Yeah," Mel says, "and we'll all deal with it together."
"But we'll be sure to tell little Stevie, all the stories of her mom," Kacey says.
Everyone nods their heads in agreement.
Zander looks up at all of them, "Thanks guys. It really means a lot."
Everyone stays silent until a nurse enters the room again, "I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude and interrupt anything, but I'm gonna have to ask you all to leave now."
One by one, everyone goes up to Stevie's bed and bids their goodbyes to her, her parents and brothers each placing a kiss on her forehead. Kacey squeezes her hand tightly for a moment, and Kevin puts his hand on her arm as he drags a crying Kacey away from her best friend. Nelson places a hand on her arm as well, and is then joined by Grace who smiles at Stevie as Jarred climbs out of her arms and onto the edge of the bed.
He crawls closer and hugs Stevie tightly, whispering into her ear, "I'll miss you Auntie Stevie. I'll be a good big cousin to your baby. Don't worry. I love you." While everyone had been talking to Zander about everything, Grace had explained to Jarred what was happening in a way that he would understand. Nelson peels his son away from Stevie's fragile frame; he always was closest to Stevie out of everyone, and held him in his arms as a few tears fell down the boys' tiny face. Mel gave Stevie a quick hug as well, and a smile. Zander's parents each gave Stevie a quick hug and a kiss to the top of her head.
As everyone files out of the room, Zander looks over at the nurse, "Can I just have five more minutes?" The nurse gives him a sad smile and nods, leaving the room.
Zander walks to her bed and sits down on the edge, grabbing her lifeless hand in his own. "You did it baby. I told you she would be just fine. I just wish that you were fine too. But I guess everything happens for a reason, even if I don't know the reason and think it's unfair. The doctor says it was a really close call with her. That we almost lost her today. But they were able to save her. She's our little Christmas miracle." He leans down and places a kiss to her lips, still warm. As he pulls away, he feels a single tear escape his eye and fall onto the bed. He wipes a hand across his face, and lets Stevie's hand fall back onto the bed. He stands up straight and turns, making his way towards the door.
Once he reaches the door, he turns around slightly for one last look at her. "I just wish you still being here was a part of that miracle too." Then he turns sadly back to the door and walks out, shutting off the light, leaving behind the woman he has and will always love but will never forget.
So? Did you like? I hope you cried! Or at least came close to it!
Also, thanks to LostInTheStars24 for helping with the middle name! :)
Still looking for monkeys to help with my special project for Max! PM me if you are interested!
Jellybean96 out!
