ALTERNATE ENDING 2, CHAPTER 1

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Dr. Hillcroft entered Lena's room with another doctor right behind her. The nurse had just left from her latest round of charting and monitoring.

Gretchen sensed this was going to be a serious talk. She put her hand on Lena's arm. "Honey, we're going to be just outside alright?" Lena nodded. Gretchen led Callie out of the room and closed the door softly behind her.

Dr. Hillcroft had been treating Lena's family for years and she was not a woman who minced words. She got straight to the point.

"Lena, this is Dr. Meadows. She's a Perinatologist who specializes in high risk pregnancies. She'll be assisting me moving forward with this case."

She nodded a greeting to Lena and Dr. Hillcroft proceeded. "We're going to need to start with a sonogram. This one isn't going to be a standard version. It will be a 4d ultrasound. We're also going to have to do an echocardiogram to check on the babies. Neither one of these are invasive procedures but, they do have to be done by specialists."

Dr. Meadows performed the tests and printed off copies of the sonogram for Lena. They then excused themselves to examine their results.

Gretchen walked back in with Callie. She gave Callie the remote and told her to find something to watch. "What happened?" she whispered to Lena noting her pallor.

"They did another ultrasound. " Lena had been rubbing her hand absently across her expanded middle. She had tears in her eyes but she was trying hard not to shed them in front of Callie. She didn't want to scare her anymore than she already was. "I can't feel them. And they wouldn't tell me anything. They just sat there quietly and walked out." She said in a shaky breath.

Gretchen stepped forward, "I'll call your family for you."

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Gretchen went into the hallway to call Lena's family. She used Lena's phone to locate their numbers. As she was calling, a text message from Stef came in. Gretchen pushed delete and kept going with her phone calls.

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Lena had never been more terrified in her life. Here she was, wanting to do whatever it takes to save her babies but there was no fight to be had. She could only sit and wait. Be patient suddenly seemed to be the cruelest words ever spoken. All she could do was hold Callie a little closer and thank God she hadn't had to witness any of this.

Gretchen returned and told her that her family was on the way. She was thankful for that. One of the first things you learn as an adult, is that you never outgrow needing your Mommy from time to time.

Stef had been gone for hours. And honestly, Lena was glad for that. She didn't think she could face her now. Lena loved Stef. But, right now she was hurting and angry and confused. She knew rationally that Stef wasn't to blame for the situation. But, she couldn't help wondering, why did she bring that monster to her house?! Who brings their ex-husband to events?

Dana, Stuart, Lisa, Oz, Radha, and Timothy all came into the room.

"We come bearing gifts," Dana said holding up an old comfort blanket of Lena's. Lena laughed but her laughter soon turned to tears.

Gretchen took Callie out of the room. Stuart ushered everyone else out after them. He and Dana flanked Lena. Between them, they held her in their arms until her tears subsided.

"I'm so scared," she admitted in a whisper.

"We know." Her father took some Kleenex and wiped her face. "But, you have us. All of us. We'll get through whatever comes next."

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Dr. Hillcroft and Dr. Meadows walked into the room. Lena took one look at their faces and knew the news was not going to be good.

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Stef awoke and stared at the message Sharon had left her. She sat up and threw her head back. She let out a deep breath. She closed her eyes and just sat breathing in and out until she got her out of control heartbeat slowed. She looked at the message again, shook her head and got dressed.

She hadn't meant to fall asleep. She just wanted to rest her eyes for a few minutes. But, she was glad for the rest also. It had been a long day.

She texted Lena again to ask if she was okay and to let her know that she was on her way back. She called the jailhouse while she waited for a response back. They gave her an estimate of Mike's bail. Stef let out a whistle. It was going to take all of her savings but it was doable.

She ran to the bank before it closed. She withdrew the money and drove back home. She felt disloyal to Lena paying Mike's bail. But, she knew if the situation was reversed, he would do it for her without question. And he was going to be Brandon's father forever. They had been best friends before they turned their relationship into something deeper. She just couldn't turn her back on him.

She checked her phone. There was still no answer from Lena. She texted her again and asked if everything was alright. She got back to the house and looked up the number to the hospital. She called and asked for Lena's room. The operator patched her through and it seemed to ring forever.

"Hello?" A man's voice answered.

"Stuart?" Stef questioned.

"Yes. Is this Stef? Were you looking for Lena?"

"Yes! Is she there? I've been texting but she didn't respond. How is she? Is she okay? Can I talk to her?"

"Stef – I don't think so. I don't think that's a good idea." Stuart's spoke in a monotone. It was as if he was in shock.

Stef began to fill with dread. Her heart started beating faster and her hands were sweating. Her mouth went dry and her stomach started to turn. Her body went numb except for her fingers. They started to ache from her gripping the phone so hard. But, she had to know. "Is she….?"

"Lena's fine. The babies ….."

"I'm coming right over."

"Stefanie. I don't think that's a good idea. I don't think –"

"I'M COMING RIGHT OVER!" Stef yelled.

Stef dropped the phone and bolted out of the house. She jumped in her car and took off for the hospital as fast as the speeding limits allowed.