***I am so thankful for all of the reviews, favorites and follows that this story is getting! I am sorry for making you all wait so long. Life has been hectic but I'm learning to make time for these stories and I love writing them. I hope that you guys like this update and continue to let me know what you think!***

"Mark!" The tall, lanky man called out to him again, waving his arm high into the air so that Mark could spot him amidst the chaos of the room. Both Mark and Jax were caught off guard by the sudden urgency in the man's voice and with concern overshadowing everything else Jax was able to follow right behind Mark on his way over to where the man stood, unnoticed.

"The baby's heartbeat keeps dropping," the man tried to whisper, keeping his voice low and directed only towards Mark, but Jax had heard, crystal clear. The man shifted his eyes quickly to Jax who was straining intently, in obvious discomfort, waiting to hear the rest of his sentence, before turning back to Mark and motioning him over to speak in private, "They're looking for you." He grabbed Mark by the shoulder and ushered him away.

What the fuck? Barely able to control himself, Jax tried to get closer to where the men were now speaking in the corner of the room. Any regard to consequences for his actions were quickly out the window, his only focus being Ashley and the baby. He pushed his way closer to where they had retreated to but could only make out some sparse random words, they needed Mark, c-section, the baby's heart.

His heart leapt and he knew how Ashley must be feeling right now, the same way he had felt when he learned of Abel's problems when he was first born. Add on to that her anxiety and she must be a fucking wreck. But he didn't have very much time to think it over, because before he could even process the words he had just heard he could see them wheeling Ashley's bed out of the room she had been in and turning it to go further down the hallway.

"Ashley!" He yelled out, pushing his way past all of the police who were suddenly in his way. He could hear Mark to his left, he could tell they were letting him right in by the way his voice seemed to move along with her. "Ashley!"

Her head turned towards his voice, but her eyes weren't focused, they were hazed over and clouded with whatever drugs they had her doped up on. He tried to reach out to her, but it was no use, they had already turned her bed and were quickly moving her down the hallway, shouting to each other with a sense of urgency that did nothing to calm the rage that was brewing inside of him right now.

"Hey," A soft voice broke him out of the frustration that was eating at him and beginning to greatly influence his judgement. "Go sit down, I'll let you know what's going on as soon as I find out." That little nurse was staring up at him, gently tugging at the sleeve of his navy hooded sweatshirt and trying to get his attention, a useless tactic for the whirlwind that was absorbing every bit of him. He looked down at her, but it took a minute for him to really see her, because he didn't want to see her, he didn't want to be out here at all. Empathy flowed from her dark brown eyes and he started to remember her, she was the caring one that had always informed him of everything that was going on with Abel, always talking to him in a way he would understand, a comforting way, and he knew that he could trust her. But his eyes were wide, crazed even, as he fought hard against his instincts, everything inside him demanding to be in that room with her. "It's going to be alright." She continued, rubbing his forearm until he processed what she was telling him to do.

Jax nodded to the nurse and turned, fully intending to go sit on the couch to await any news. But instead, he folded his hands behind his head and began to pace around the waiting area, he had too much energy running through him to be able to sit still. And in the midst of everything that was happening, some calm was lying there, just enough to keep him considering the consequences. If he had any chance of seeing them he would play by these fuckers rules. Just for tonight anyway. He hoped everything was going to be alright, with Ashley and with the baby, he couldn't remember how it got to this point, how she was in there with Mark and not him. He could fucking strangle the bastard, he wanted him dead with a passion he had never had for anyone else before, and he could hardly wait a minute longer to take care of it. If Mark hadn't brought an entourage of his fucking agents with him down here, Jax would be in the room with Ashley for sure, where he should be. If anyone knew Ashley, it was him, and she didn't need to be alone with this shit right now.

"Mr. Teller?" That same sweet voice beckoned him out of his trance. The young nurse was discretely motioning him over to where she stood in the hallway.

He walked over to her, looking at the mousey girl expectantly.

"Everything is fine," She started with a small smile, which slightly calmed him, "Miss Sullivan is in recovery and the baby is perfect. She's being weighed and measured and all that good stuff right now."

"She?" He asked, a wave of happiness rushing through him hearing that, all of his anger disappearing for the moment.

"Yes, she Mr. Teller, a baby girl," the nurse answered him with another friendly smile.

"And Ashley? Is she ok?"

"She's been through a lot, her blood pressure has been high which they will start treating now that the baby is born. But she's in recovery and will most likely be alert and aware in a few hours or so."

"Can you get me in there to see them?" He wanted nothing more, but did he really think this little girl would get him past all of these cops?

"Let me see what I can do Mr. Teller, but for now please sit patiently." She gave him a serious glance and turned to go back to her station, her ponytail swaying with her movements. Jax was silently grateful that he had been awarded one person on his side.

Hours ticked by, the police in the waiting area eyed him but went about their business, talking, laughing, going for food. Every once in a while the nurse would look at him, but he wasn't getting the updates he craved. The news playing on the television overhead had looped about four or five times and Jax knew every story by heart. His eyes were dry and heavy, but his mind was still racing and he knew there would be no sleep for him tonight. But he must have dozed a little, because he was shaken awake by her voice again and the feeling of her small hand on his shoulder.

"Follow me," She leaned down and whispered to him once he opened his eyes. He nodded and waited, giving her some distance and not trying to draw attention to what she was doing. It was late now, the lights were dimmed and the atmosphere was quiet, probably to give the other patients a chance to rest.

The small nurse led him down the corridor, walking swiftly and maneuvering herself around carts and empty IV holders which lined the hallway. She continued on as they passed the nursery. He peered to the side, taking in the sight of the newborn babies and wondering which one of them could be his daughter. She turned around to him at that point, gesturing quickly with her hand for him to follow and not be distracted.

The side door squeaked faintly when she opened it, causing her to jump from nervousness as she squeezed herself inside as fast as she could, turning to pull him along behind her. He would have to remember to thank her for all of this later, he could tell by the way she was acting she was probably breaking every rule in the hospital.

He continued to follow her as she went through a short hallway, turning to wash her hands with soap and warm water in a sink that took up most of the space. "Wash your hands," She instructed him with a haste. Jax remained quiet as he followed her orders, both nervous and excited, for what could possibly be coming.

The nurse opened another door and led him into a tiny room. There was a hospital style glider in the middle of it and a bassinet in the corner. He could see a baby inside it and couldn't stop himself from walking straight over to it, the pull of his curiosity getting the best of him.

He peered down inside and saw the most beautiful baby, swaddled up tight in a pink and blue striped hospital blanket, sleeping soundly, not appearing at all like she had just gone through the trauma of beginning her life on the outside. Forgetting that the nurse was even there, he reached in to touch the blanket, feeling the softness of the tiny person inside of it.

"Would you like to hold her Mr. Teller?" He turned to the nurse with gratitude in his eyes, nodding appreciatively.

"How...how were you able to get her in here? All alone?" He asked her, unsure of what was really going on.

"Miss Sullivan is sleeping and Mr. Carlucci is too for the moment. There were instructions to keep the baby in the nursery and let her get some rest for the first few hours. So you only have a few minutes ok?"

Jax nodded. Not sure what he was thinking or feeling at all. More or less consumed by stupor.

"If you sit down in the chair, I will hand her to you." The nurse told him. He followed her directions, eager to hold his daughter.

"What's her name?"

"She doesn't have a name yet," She told him as she placed the little wrapped up sleeping baby in his arms.

Jax could feel the smile spread across his face, the room was quiet and he was holding his baby, a baby he didn't even know he had barely twenty-four hours ago. He stared at her peaceful face, her perfect little nose, her pink rosebud lips, and the longest black eyelashes he had ever seen on a grown person, much less a newborn. She was tiny, but didn't look as small as Abel had been when he was born, not even as small as he was now. Of course, he remembered, angry with himself. How did this all happen? When he thought he was only screwing other women to fill the emptiness he had given himself by pushing Ashley away. And then for him to take advantage of her that one night when she was obviously too drunk to use her senses, because she would have never forgiven him as easily as that if she had any clarity at all. And then pushing her away again. He really fucked everything up. The questions, the shitty reality, it was all in the background right now. But looking at that face, a face he never thought would be so beautiful, he had no choice but to think about what he had done.

"I'm sorry," He whispered, feeling a guilt that was different than anything he had ever experienced. She was so perfect, in every way. Even at a couple of hours old, he could see Ashley's lips on her, and her little nose that turned up so cute at the end, that was Ashley too. She barely had any hair, but what she did have was small wisps of blonde, reminding him of Abel. What the fuck was happening to him? She had some power, this little loaf of bread, she had the ability to turn him into a pile of mush, willing to give her whatever she needed.

"She's beautiful," The nurse quietly spoke, drawing him out of the trance the baby had put him under.

"She's amazing. Has Ashley seen her?" He wondered what she thought when she first saw her, he smiled thinking of the happiness the baby would give her. Happiness she deserved more than anyone else. He knew she would be a great mother. She was always taking care of other people, putting their needs first.

"Not yet."

The baby stirred in his arms and he wondered if he was somehow holding her wrong. Even with the practice he had with Abel, he never felt totally confident that he wasn't making the baby uncomfortable. He thought about unwrapping her to see what she looked like underneath the tight blanket. Maybe he shouldn't because she started to fall right back to sleep, looking so peaceful again.

As he held her against his chest and stared down at her, he felt overwhelmed with so much happiness and a feeling he could never explain. It was like a hole in him that he never realized was there had been filled up, overfilled and brimming at the edges. But he also felt guilt, he had failed her so much already. He knew why he felt that way. Her family was dismantled, her mother hurt, broken by him and living with someone else, someone who would do everything he could to keep Jax away and take over the role as husband and father. Someone who was determined to keep the truth about Ashley's pregnancy from him up until this point. Ashley had too.

"I'm sorry," He whispered again, a tear falling off his strong face, knowing that to keep her in his life might be his most challenging obstacle yet. Clay, the club, everyone knowing she was with Mark...he dismissed those thoughts as he looked down at the sleeping baby, he just couldn't walk away from her. "Can I undo this thing?" He asked the nurse, referring to the blanket that appeared to be squishing his daughter into a tight little ball. How could she possibly be comfortable like that?

"Sure, it might wake her though," She told him, showing him where to pull the blanket apart.

He opened it up, and just like a tiny little present he was amazed by what he found inside. Two little skinny legs stretched as soon as the air hit them, her toes curling tightly into her feet. He touched her skin and felt it's softness, smiling at how perfect she was, how wonderful she smelled. He placed the pad of his finger underneath one of her toes, it's so fucking tiny, he thought to himself, so fucking cute. She started to squirm, shifting and stretching, her arms freeing themselves from the binding he had broken her out of and heading towards her face. He gently pushed them down, knowing that she could scratch herself and her eyes flickered open.

"Hey," He laughed at her. Her blue eyes opened wide and she was staring at him like he was a crazy person. Maybe he was. He leaned down to kiss her cheek and her eyes blinked closed, opening back up again as he pulled away.

"Excuse me for a minute, Mr. Teller," The nurse told him as she slipped out of the small room, his attention never leaving the baby in his lap. He would be lying if he said that for one second he didn't think about taking her out of there, sneaking her away from the chaos that was looming in every corner of the place. He could have her with him, as she should be, not out there in the unknown, not letting that shithead ever get his hands on her. But as great as that sounded, as much as he needed her to be with him, he knew that it wasn't the right way to do it.

"Mr. Teller, I'm really sorry, but we have to put her back in the nursery and get you out of here now," The girl informed him nervously. He could tell by the look in her eyes that it was urgent for him to move.

"Thank you," He told her, she had given him something priceless. He had seen his daughter, he had been the first one to hold her. He knew her. And she had seen him.

He stood up with the baby still in his arms, unbundled, and placed her back into her bassinet. "Don't forget me," He said to her, "I will see you soon, I promise." He leaned in to kiss her soft little cheek, "I love you."

He stood back and turned, seeing the nurse squirm uncomfortably, indicating that he wasn't moving fast enough for her liking. But he was happy. Happy and satisfied, if even for a short moment. And it was in that moment that he understood what he needed to do, he was getting them back, both of them, and fuck Mark if he got in his way.

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