A/N: So for the past few weeks I've been updating this story and I plan to continue on a little farther than I did before, making it fifty chapters instead of forty. How does that sound everyone? Will ya like that? xx Mariah

The pain came first, then her surroundings. The sweat dripped down her forehead. The locks of hair stuck fast to her forehead and neck. She reached up and swiped her hand across her forehead. She was breathing fast and heavy and her hands were shaking.

"Get it together," she murmured quietly to herself.

She had to stay calm because freaking out wasn't going to help.

Somehow, she couldn't keep her head from spinning. She had her hands resting atop of her stomach at her fingers tapping softly. She couldn't focus on anything.

The doctor would be here soon. It wouldn't be much longer now. She could do this. She was going to be fine. Yes, she was going to be just fine. She focused on Jacob's face. He was sweating nearly as bad as she was. His mouth was moving.

"Amber!" He said. "Hey!"

Her eyes shot to him, a scowl on her face.

"Have you forgotten that I'm trying to have a baby here or what?" She snapped.

"I'm sorry honey," he said, holding his hand out to her. "Squeeze my hand as hard as you need."

The door swung open.

"Ready to have a baby?" the doctor, Mrs. Young, asked. She shook her head slowly. "I'm afraid you don't really have a choice at this point, Ms. Britton. You're dilated the full ten centimeters, and this baby is ready to come out." Mrs. Young explained as she pulled on rubber gloves.

Her eyes widened, and she squeezed his hand. Her grip was so tight he thought his hand might burst. She gazed at him with big eyes and said, "I'm terrified."

He kissed her, gently and said, "Everything is going to be okay."

"I don't think I can do this. What if he or she comes out and hates me?" She asks.

He laughed, "He or she won't hate you."

"You don't know that!" she yelled.

"Yes," he said, "I do. You're going to be a great mom. You can do this. I believe in you, Amber. I love you so much. Are you ready?"

"No, but I guess I have to be," she answered then said, "I love you too, Jake."

She brought her eyes to the doctor who said to her, "You can start pushing whenever you're ready. Jake and I will count down from ten, and when we finish you can stop. Here we go."

Her face hardened, and she took a deep breath. Then, they were counting down, and she was wailing in pain. Her grip got even tighter on his hand, which he hadn't thought was possible. When we finished she let out a small whimper.

"I can't do this!" She cried out.

He brought his face next to her and made her look at him. "Yes, you can. You can do this." He reassured her.

Her cheeks were flushed, and sweat was dripping down her forehead and soaking into her eyebrows. She was breathing heavy, like him. Her eyes were searching his frantically. He had no idea what she was looking for, but she must have found it because she began to nod.

"You're right. I can do this." She pants and then smiles softly.

He kissed her again, "That's my girl."

She smiled, "I love you so much."

He beamed and began counting down again. She scrunched her nose and pushed as hard as she could.

This time she hadn't yelled out of pain, or even made a sound. She simply had her head down, and her chin rested against her chest. At the end of the push, she let out a cry.

"I see the head," the doctor said.

"That's it?" She asked in shock.

She threw her head back. Her chest was methodically rising and falling.

"Keep pushing," the doctor told her, "Ready?"

They began the countdown. She cried out, and her face turned the color of a cherry.

"Keep pushing!" He encouraged. "Three, two, one!"

She slumped in the bed.

"Keep pushing like that and this baby will be out in no time. Now we have the hardest part, the shoulders. Two more big pushes." The doctor said.

"You hear that? Just two more pushes. Big pushes." Jake gave her an encouraging smile, kissing her hand.

She began to push without the countdown. Her face turned that same color, and this time her scream pierced through the air of the room. Her other hand was gripping the side of the bed. Her knuckles were white. She stopped to breathe. Then she began again in the same way she just had.

"Almost! One more push!" The doctor called out.

"You said only two more!" she bellowed.

"One last giant one!" the doctor said.

Jake tucked the falling pieces of hair behind her ear. She took several quick breaths and started her last push. Halfway through, a smile spread across Dr. Young's face. She caught the baby in her hands and held him up.

"It's a boy!" the doctor said as Jake kissed her forehead and went over to help out.

She slumped over on the bed as Jake brought over the squirming little boy.

Her face softened as the baby was placed in her arms. He was so small but so loud. His eyelids were closed, but his mouth was wide open. She began to cry right along with him. The tears rolled freely down her cheeks.

"Oh Jake," she met his eyes, "He's so beautiful."

"He looks like you... he has your eyes." He whispered against her hair.

"And your little nose," she said and kissed his forehead. "Thank you for him. I love you."

"I love you too," he smoothed out her hair and wiped away some sweat with a damp washcloth.

"Jake?" The doctor said turning pale white.

"Hmm?" He said looking up at her.

"I'm gonna need you to take the baby from Amber," the doctor said pulling on a fresh pair of gloves and paging people in here.

"What? No!" She said and gazed down at her son. "I just got him... You can't take him away from me!"

"Amber you're hemorrhaging... I can't have you holding him while I try to stop the bleeding. It will only put him at risk of getting injured. It will only be for a minute... this should be an easy fix. You will be just fine," the doctor explained. "Jake please take your son."

"You'll get him right back. I promise," he said and took the little boy from her arms slowly. "Okay? I'll be right here with him."

"Okay..." She whispered softly, laying back. She smiled at him, looking at the squirming boy. "He's so beautiful."

"From his mother," he whispered in her ear.

She leaned her head against him, her eyes feeling heavy. Maybe she should sleep, it did seem like the best thing for her right now. She had just given birth. Her eyes felt even heavier than, and she gave in, closing them. But only for a minute, she decided. Only for a minute...

Katie shot up straight in bed, the sunlight was present and she was covered in sweat and breathing heavily. It was the same vision Amber had given her earlier, at the game.

What was so important? What had she missed?

"Bad one?" Ned kissed her shoulder, his arms wrapping around her waist.

"It was the same one," she sighed and pulled herself out of bed. "I'm sick and tired of giving birth every time I close my eyes. What time is it?"

"I wish you could get some sleep too." He yawned and looked at the clock. "It's eleven."

"I need to get some air." She said walking out into the cabin.

Ned relented, letting her go. He'd wait for her.

She went downstairs, seeing Aaron and Lucy cuddling on the couch. She remembered the days when Ned would have to sleep on the couch at the beginning of their relationship, separate from her. Even though they had been dating, her father wouldn't let them share a room. Not here anyway.

She smiled at them, before slipping out the back door. She could see her father down in the water with Mackenzie and Lana. Her mom was in the kitchen with Emma and she sighed. Her head was filled with images. She felt sharp, alive and curious. She just didn't know what they meant.

She leaned against the cold and damp railing and looks out at the beautiful view of the lake. The sunlight shimmered on the wavy water, the sounds of the forest around her. Boats hummed in the middle of the lake and Lana giggled and splashed as Jim threw her into the water. Mackenzie dove off the dock and came up, high fiving their dad. The branches swayed in the warm summer wind, a bird chirped, despite the early hour and crickets hummed in the distance.

What did that dream mean?

She was scared and confused by it. Why did Amber feel the need to show her how her son was born?

Unless it had some sort of higher meaning that she believed, there was no new information. She already knew Amber had a son, that she'd hemorrhage from childbirth and die on the table moments after her son was born.

What did she want her to see?

She remembered how it felt to be in pain while pregnant. Did Amber need to remind her of that? Of the awful pain that caused her to pass out in the car on the way to the hospital. Eli kept telling her to forget, to let him be in the past with her pain. How could she? It's all part of her, she couldn't let go of the pain without losing something sacred. The good memories of her pregnancy kept her going some days and the bad ones made her want to curl under the duvet and never come out again.

But lately, they hadn't come back. Until now.

She held onto the balcony of the deck and rested her head on her arm. This is what Amber wanted. To see her back at her worst.

"You feeling better?" Her mother's voice was soft, as her hand touched her back, rubbing softly. Melinda rested her head on her daughter's shoulder momentarily, just comforting her. As much as she wished it helped, it didn't. That had only happened one other time. After Charlie. "You should be resting you know. Especially after yesterday."

She turned to face her mother. Their eyes met and her tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down her face. Her chin trembled as Melinda pulled her in, pressing a silent kiss to her forehead. Melinda held her daughter in her arms as though she were a child again.

The mother set down the mugs of tea to cool on a nearby table, pulling her in for a proper hug. It reminded her of that time when Katie had been so young, yet still so in love with Ned. He'd once again hurt her in some way. Loving Ned had never been easy for her. At least not then, now is different.

"What's on your mind?" Melinda whispered, sitting her down in a nearby chair. She sat down next to her, rubbing her back.

"I had a daydream from Amber. A vision. The same one from before." She explained, pressing her lips into a fine line. She sighed, frowning. "It made me think of everything that happened. When I was in the car."

Melinda reached out, holding onto her arm. She tried her most to comfort a smile from Katie, but she couldn't. Not this time. It reminded her of an all to recent time.

Katie found her strength, clearing her throat. "I was in so much pain. It was everywhere. I couldn't see or feel anything but pain. I passed out and the next thing I knew I was in the hospital, hooked up to so many different machines and there were so many people. Ned came in some time later, but I just remember the ceiling and a lot of whispering about my blood pressure and body temp." Melinda held onto her as she cried then. Heartbreak was never easy, even if it came as often as it did to Katie.

"Here. I made you some chamomile," Melinda moved to grabbed her the still steaming mug. "It should help you fall back asleep." Emma cried out and Melinda glanced back inside. "I should go. She's probably hungry."

"Thanks, mom. I'm okay," she hummed, bringing the cup to her lips. She took a small sip, knowing it was still hot and followed her over to the chairs nearby. She shooed her as Emma cried a little louder. "Go, mom. I'm fine. I'm gonna go join the girls and dad down in the lake with Ned. Okay?"

"Okay," Melinda nodded, smiling. She paused, glancing at Aaron, who had gone to Emma until she came back. "Aaron won't talk to me about what happened. You should try and see if you can get anything out of him."

"I'll try," she sighed, feeling a tinge of pain in her forehead when she furrowed her brow. "I don't know if I'll get anywhere, but maybe." She trailed off with a sigh, sipping her tea. "I need to talk to Ned too."

Her mom held her eyes sadly, sighing. "Yeah," Melinda muttered. "Just be patient with him. He is always so good at comforting for you."

"Yeah," she took another sip of the tea as she stood up. "Thanks, mom." She walked through the house, going upstairs.

Her mother went to check on Emma and took her from Aaron on the couch, kissing his cheek before tucking back into her room.

Ned was just opening the door when she walked up the last step and he met her in the doorway.

"Less tense?" He asked, opening his arms to her.

"Not really," she muttered, walking into his arms.

She laid her head on his chest and relaxed. He pulled her closer, gently rubbing her arm. Despite the heaviness in her stomach, it fluttered at the feeling of her body pressed against his. She sunk into the warmth of him, appreciative of his love for her. He made her feel so safe like she didn't have to be strong.

She just melted into him, all-encompassing. His touch made her warmer, her day seemed a little less bleak.

He cradled her in his arms, for as long as she needed, pressing kisses to her hair. He breathed her aroma in, his hands move over her hips. He kissed her hair then again and whispered, "Hey… what happened?"

"Amber," she muttered, pulling back and sipping her tea. "Is that enough of an explanation?" She laughed, and he did too, getting back into bed with her. "It brought me back. To that night when Charlie came."

His hand came up to curl around her neck and he hugged her. She tilted her head back, practically sighing when she felt the tip of his tongue trace the seam of her mouth, his lips moving against hers in tentative, constrained exploration. She opened her mouth readily, touching her tongue to his, and it was all the permission he needed. She whimpered and wound her fingers through his hair, trying to pull him closer. He groaned in response, pressing his mouth to hers harder with a neediness and ferocity the left her lightheaded.

The door was closed a second later, she barely remembered walking to the bed before they were lying there, Ned on top of her, his lips already on her neck.

"God, I've wanted to do this all night," he gasped between kisses, and she nodded eagerly, wrapping her arms around him.

She wanted to taste more of him, but he seemed focused on discovering every crevice of her neck, and she was content to let him. She pulled more of his body on top of hers, pulling his shirt off as he covered her neck with kisses. She panted toward the sky as she felt his tongue trail wet paths along the curves and sinews there, his chin nudging her tank top out of the way.

He latched on to the dip near her collarbone and sucked lightly, trailing his hand up her ribcage and pushing the tank up to her breasts. She sucked in a moan when his fingertips brushed the underside of one breast, but then Ned was tearing himself away abruptly, sitting up.

"Ned, no." She pulled him back, kissing him. God, she wanted him. Her whole body was on fire, her hips rubbing against him. She wanted her husband, now, and he was not getting out of this. "You're mine. I don't care."

"Your family," he muttered, kissing her chin. His hands were on her hips, as she ground against his erection. God, she was too good. He groaned, deep and primal as he thrust against her, laying her back down. "We shouldn't."

"I can be quiet," she said softly, eliciting another look of surprise from him. His mouth opened and closed as he searched for a response, but then his eyes clouded over, his face darkening with something she didn't understand.

"That's the problem—I wouldn't want you to be," he murmured, and she looked away, her entire body flushing with heat. The day's air was tense, heavy with humidity and the desire coursing between the two of them. He could never say no to her.

"Then I won't be," she pressed her face against his, bringing a laugh from her throat. She braced her weight on her hands behind her, challenging him with her eyes; they were so close, she could feel his hot breath on her mouth, could see the brown flecks in his blue irises. Dizzy with want, she tipped her face toward his, but he didn't meet her mouth with his own.

Instead, his hand came up to cup her jaw, forcing her head back slightly to expose her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed as he dragged his hand down to her chest. She gasped when he slipped his fingers under her tank top, stretching the material down to expose her breast. They both groaned when he palmed the mound, her nipple rubbing against the rough center of his palm. He cupped and kneaded her breast until he yanked the top down farther to free her other breast, showing it the same attention.

Moaning squeaks stuck in her throat, and she tried to thrust her chest into his hands. She was relieved when he laid her back again, lowering his face to suck a nipple into his mouth. Bucking in pleasure, Katie gasped; she weaved her hands through his hair again to hold his head in place as his tongue and teeth teased and worried the pebbled bud. His hand massaged her other breast, his thumb circling the tip. Wetness seeped out of her at an embarrassing rate as she squirmed beneath him.

"Ned," she moaned desperately, and he moved his mouth up to her neck to suck on her pulse point. His hands tugged her top out of her waistband and fumbled to unbutton her shorts and pull down the zipper. He began to push them down her hips but stopped to let her pull his belt loose. Once he had her panties out of the way, he wedged his hand between her thighs to dip his hand between her thigh. She jerked against him with a gasp, but he pinned her down with his weight, his fingers pushing inside her before retreating to rub her center as he dropped his mouth to her breasts again.

Katie bit down on her lip, trying to stifle her loud moans, but it was impossible with the intensity of the pleasure building at her core with a surprising quickness. "Ned, oh… yess.. Ned yess oh god..." she gasped his name again, gyrating her hips against his palm to stimulate more friction on her. "Oh, please, I'm gonna come—"

Her breath hitched, bordering on a raucous moan, but he immediately smothered her sounds with his mouth, thrusting his tongue between her lips to swallow her moan as she shuddered and strained against him, her orgasm ripping through her. She panted against his lips, holding onto his shoulders, but his fingers kept moving against her, easily manipulating her to another orgasm. She finally ripped her mouth away from his to breathe, grunting with the force of her release.

"God, Katie, I so badly want to make you scream. I can't wait until we're back home, as fun as the cabin is," he groaned into her neck, withdrawing his hand, and once she had her bearings again, she reached between them to unfasten his pants, pressing her cheek against the side of his face.

"You can," she gasped deliriously. "Another time. Whenever you want, however many times you want. I just need you to fuck me right now."

He groaned loudly at that and helped her push his pants and boxer-briefs down, toeing his shoes off as he kicked the rest of his clothes off. Then he pulled her shorts and panties off the rest of the way, Katie lifting her legs to help him. When she felt him brush against her thigh, she tensed in anticipation. He was watching her, his eyes dark, his erection straining upward as he took in her state of near undress, her tank top bunched around her stomach, and her stomach tightened.

Pushing him down onto his back on the bed, she hooked her leg over his thigh to straddle his hips. He gaped up at her as she took him in her hand. He grabbed her hips to guide her into place, her hand still gripping him to position him at her entrance. When she felt the tip of him part her folds, she shifted her hips back and then sunk back down onto him fully, moaning as he stretched her completely.

"Oh, my god," she whimpered, bracing her hands against his chest to steady herself. She never would stop loving how he made her feel. How good he was at it. SHe never needed anything but him. She threaded her fingers through the light dusting of hair there, the muscles hard under her palms.

Ned groaned softly, thrusting up into her slightly. "Fuck, you feel amazing."

Using her hands and shins for leverage, she began to rise and fall, clenching her walls around him as he pushed inside her, over and over. Her moans came out in quiet, throaty gasps, echoed by his own groans. He slid his hands up her torso to her breasts, holding the weight of them in his palms, and she sat back some to cover his hands with her own, guiding his movements. The room was hot and stuffy by that point, their body heat trapped by the walls and windows, but she still moved slowly, reveling in how he filled her.

Ned sat up suddenly to wrap his arms around her, and then he rolled her underneath him, hitching one of her knees under his elbow to pull it up to her chest. His thrusts resumed, and she moaned, louder as she arched off the bed and opened her other leg up wider for him.

"God, I need...Can I..." he gasped brokenly, nuzzling into her neck, and she nodded in understanding.

"Harder," she agreed, wrapping one arm around his shoulder and the other around his back, and just like that, his hips began slamming against hers. It was increasingly harder to muffle her moans as she lost herself to him, but he reached the arm hooked around her leg up to cover her mouth with his hand, his other hand tightly gripping her hip.

"You're so hot," he grunted in her ear, and she moaned against his palm, breathing heavily. "You can be loud as you want to next time… when we're home." He promised thickly, and she just nodded, digging her nails into the vertebrae of his back. He began to move faster, more erratically, and she knew he was close. "Fuck, babe, I'm gonna come."

She clenched herself around him again when he thrust into her then, and he lost it, stalling after a few shallow thrusts. He swore again into her ear as he spilled himself into her, his body pulsing, and she moaned softly at the feeling. After a moment, Ned uncovered her mouth and slumped against her, burrowing his face into her shoulder.

"You wanna go swimming?" She whispered, smiling at him as he moved off her. "It's nice out."

"Yeah," he nodded, kissing her lips for a second. "Not yet. Maybe after a little rest."

She closed her eyes, nodding as she smiled into his arm, kissing it. "I can't wait to be home."

"Me either," he whispered, kissing her head.