Hanging on a Moment II

Chapter 13

Ashley and Ted raced down to Saint John's Medical Center shortly after their daughter was admitted to the L&D Unit.

The older couple checked in and softly knocked on the door to Hanna's private room. It was now earlier in the evening and way past little Piper's bed time. Ted held the zonked out two year old on his shoulder where a little drool spot was now forming.

"Oh." Hanna sighed emotionally as they entered the sterile white room.

"She played with Grandma in the sprinklers today. How ya feeling kiddo?" Ted questioned as Ashley knelt down giving her daughter a hug.

Hanna sniffled wiping her eyes a little. "Nervous." Caleb was sitting on the side of his wife's hospital bed holding her hand like any good husband would do.

"Tanya from Church had her son here last year, he was born early too. She said they are really the best and will take great care of you and baby Rivers." Ashley stated trying to soothe Hanna's nerves.

"I spoke with Pastor Harris and he is going to say a prayer at tonight's mid-week's service." Ted added.

"Thank you both." Caleb smiled sincerely.

Piper's eyes started fluttering as she was waking up a little. She didn't know where she was at and it scared her causing her to start crying.

"Here." Caleb gestured holding his arms out and the small blonde haired toddler reached out for her daddy.

"It's ok Pipes, we are just at the Hospital with Mommy."

"I want a hug." Hanna added as Caleb went to pass her to her mother. Caleb gently set her beside her mom, where she curled into her chest. "Hi baby. This is just what mommy needed." She smiled closing her eyes as a few tears fell.

"Have you heard from Claudia?" Ashley asked as Ted glanced nervously back at his wife.

"Yes, girls had a blast. They should be back home by tomorrow afternoon."

"Good. Ted and I can watch them all, you know." The redhead offered right away.

"I would really like you guys here." Hanna added softly. Piper had fallen back asleep again with the comfort of her mom as she was balled up into her side.

"Would you like me to call, Spencer and Toby?" Caleb added as Hanna shook her head. "Please?"

"Hello." Another nurse entered in her turquoise scrubs pulling the curtain over.

Ashley moved over to the side of the bed letting Hanna give Piper a kiss and say goodbye before leaving the room with Ted.

"My name is Emily, we just had a shift change. I will be taking care of you until delivery now." The thirty year old mentioned as she moved around the room looking at all the monitors and stats. Hanna smiled when she heard her name was Emily. It gave her some weird small piece of comfort.

"It looks like everything is pretty stable right now, I am going to let Dr. Nesseti know and as long as things don't change, we will still keep surgery time for tomorrow morning." The nurse with the braided black hair announced taking a seat in the circular chair next to Hanna's bed. "How are we doing? Can I get you anymore pillows or blankets? Do you have any questions about what might go on tomorrow?"

The blonde laying in a mound of white hospital linens looked over to Caleb. "Probably just about the baby." She exhaled being a selfless mother.

"Well, you are at almost thirty weeks gestation. Baby's at that period generally won't be strong enough to get the suck, swallow aspect of feeding so," she paused for a moment looking over the charts, "Do we know baby's gender?" she added whilst glancing.

Caleb cleared his throat, "No. We want the surprise."

Emily continued as she finished up looking at the notes. "Baby River's may need a feeding tube. He or She may also need some assistance breathing for the first few weeks as well. The baby will be taken by the NICU team immediately after delivery and assessed as to what kind of distress she or he is facing at that time. We have one of the most comprehensive Neonatal teams in California and they will do everything to stabilize baby River's as soon as they can do so. It looks like Dr. Gehrill will be the doc from the NICU. He will meet you tomorrow before delivery prep and answer all your questions.

"Thank you." Caleb mumbled rubbing his hand up the back on his head.

"Hanna, you do know that you aren't permitted to eat or drink anything until after surgery tomorrow morning, ok?" Emily wrapped up the conversation as her pager was going off. "I will be back to check on you."

The twenty seven year olds were left alone again as their ears buzzed from all the information the nurse had just saturated them with. Never in a million years did Hanna and Caleb imagine themselves before thirty about to have their fourth child. Life had been very busy and chaotic for them up to this point but both were confident about how they felt about the girls. Hanna and Caleb had an unprecedented, undying love for one another that was proven way before they ever referred to themselves as 'Mommy' or 'Daddy.' It was there in the first moments when Caleb laid eyes on the (then) long blonde haired, blue eyed, smart ass teenager that took a seat next to him in detention. Having the triple P's brought them even closer as a couple and solidified their love into something both had dreamed about ever since they were kids themselves. They were a family. No matter how tough things would get, they would pull through. Now more then ever they were depending on their love to see them through this crisis.

Caleb placed his hand on Hanna's stomach like he normally did every evening after the kids had gone to bed.

Hanna pressed her head on to Caleb's strong muscular shoulder. "I like Peyton."

Caleb's eyebrows perked up to the new name suggestion. They had talked a little about names when Hanna first found out she was pregnant but after the bleeding scare, they didn't discuss what they would call the new addition.

"It works for a girl or a boy."

Caleb started rubbing small circles on Hanna's bump. "Are you ready to meet us in a few hours, Peyton?" he questioned as he suddenly felt a few small jabs.

"Hey, I think it likes its name." He smirked bending over giving Hanna a kiss.

Authors Note: Hey my Pretty Little Readers! Tonight's episode was good, I feel like we are kind of on track for getting some answers as to whom 'A' is. So, supposedly Charles is dead now? That would make Charles not 'A' then? He has got to still be alive! I am so confused. I just have no freaking clue. Mr. D said that Charlie was 15mo older than Jason, so they aren't twins. Why is all this re-occuring twin shit happening then? Why so many twins in the story lines? Bethany Young has to be "Charles" whoever the fuck she is. It just makes sense. My mind can't handle this anymore. Did anyone get the hint that was thrown out there about Mrs. D's sister knowing and spending time with Charles? Emily said she died when they were in the 10th grade. Is that not the time that Toby's Mom was pushed off the roof at Radley? Could it be Charles (Bethany/Sarah Harvey chick) pushed her off (Toby's Mom) and that's why Sarah is always on the roof? All I do know, is Jason D was looking extra fine this evening. For real, how old is Drew VanAcker and can a girl get his number? Hahahahaha! Moving on, I was so blown away by all the love this story keeps getting so I decided to stay up and write this little chapter to show my appreciation. Next chapter will be the baby chapter and I am still torn as to what baby River's will be. You all are more than welcome to offer up suggestions because I am always looking for new ideas. Thank you, thank you for all the love! Hope you all had as wonderful of a Tuesday as I did. -BroStow