Rachel's screams had reached a new octave by the time they arrived at the hospital. Eddie had never driven so fast in his life, desperate to get Rachel and the baby to the hospital, where they would be taken care of.

He helped Rachel out of the car and into the hospital, where a nurse took her details before taking her up to the labour ward in a wheelchair. Rachel's hand was glued to Eddie's the entire time. She was terrified. Whilst the baby seemed unharmed, she didn't know how true it was.

The contractions were intense and more painful than she'd imagined. They were excruciating and powerful, each one threatening to finish her off. As soon as one had gone, she barely had chance to catch her breath before another one started.

Once they were settled into a hospital room on the ward, Rachel was hooked up to monitors and machines. To both hers and Eddie's relief, the baby's heartbeat was fine. But they weren't out of the woods yet.

Rachel gripped Eddie's hand tightly as another contraction ripped through her. The pressure in between her legs was growing increasingly more and more uncomfortable and intense, causing her to shift uncomfortably on the bed.

The midwife was instructing her to push. Whilst she couldn't help obeying her body and bearing down, she wanted it to stop. It was all happening too fast. She wanted her baby to stay put, where they were safe. She hadn't expected to be giving birth like this, so unexpectedly, at 36 weeks and at the hands of Max. Had he not pushed her into that wall, she probably wouldn't be in labour now, about to give birth to her baby.

She grew more tired with each push, the pain sucking all of the energy out of her.

Eddie stroked the stray hairs away from her face with his free hand, letting her know he was there. She looked up at him, managing a weak smile. She loved Eddie Lawson with everything she had, and he loved her too.

He smiled back at her, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"Push, Rachel" the midwife instructed

Rachel screamed into yet another push, the energy she had rebuilt in the short break between contractions disappeared almost immediately. She felt defeated, weak. The pain was overwhelming.

"You're doing so well, Rach" Eddie whispered into her ear

She cried out again as she pushed, pleading with her body to get her through this, to deliver her baby safely into the world so she could hold them in her arms.

"The baby's head is out Rachel, you're doing so well! Just a few more pushes" the midwife announced

Rachel suddenly felt the energy return to her at those words. She was almost there. Her baby was almost here. She and Eddie were moments away from meeting their baby and becoming parents, a moment they had dreamed of for the last 9 months.

She pushed again, without stopping, determined to get through this.

Seconds later, the pain abruptly stopped, and she felt relief wash over her instantly. She breathed heavily, the silence overwhelming her.

And then, the cry of an infant filled the room.

Rachel looked at Eddie, to check that he was hearing it too. The beaming smile on his face gave her confirmation that she wasn't dreaming, that was their baby crying.

She burst into tears, the sound was music to her ears. It made her heart skip a beat.

"Congratulations, you have a little girl" the midwife announced

A girl, they had a daughter. She couldn't believe it!

Eddie leaned in, kissing her forehead gently. He was so proud of her. His heart threatened to explode with love and joy at the arrival of their baby girl. It was everything they'd imagined and more.

"We're going to take baby to the NICU now Rachel, and then we'll send you for some scans" the midwife explained

Rachel sat up immediately, panicking. She barely felt the pain that erupted in her skull at the sudden movement. She wanted to see her baby.

"Is she ok?" She stammered, watching as her little girl was rolled away in the incubator

"She's fine, it's just precaution. She'll be back with you before you know it" the midwife reassured

"Eddie go with her, please?" Rachel pleaded

"I will, as soon as you're settled" Eddie nodded

"I'm fine, she needs you, please go with her" she begged again, her eyes filled with tears

"Eddie wouldn't be able to go in with her Rachel. No visitors in the NICU" the midwife cut in

Rachel groaned. She didn't want her daughter to spend the first hour of her life on her own.

"Don't worry Rachel, she's in the best hands" the midwife reassured

"She's right love, she'll be ok" Eddie agreed

Rachel nodded reluctantly, still unsure.

The couple watched as their little girl was taken out of the hospital room and out of sight. Rachel had a tight grip on Eddie's hand as she watched her go. She was scared. She had only just given birth to her, and she had instantly been taken away before she'd had the chance to hold her. Even though she knew she would get to see her, the thought of her baby being alone in a hospital ward made her feel sick. She needed her Mother and Father.

"Right, let's get you down to x-ray, Rachel" the midwife decided

Suddenly, the hospital bed was moving. Rachel's hand was torn from Eddie's as she was wheeled into the corridor. She panicked.

"Wait!" She cried, gripping hold of Eddie's hand again

"Eddie can't go with you, Rachel, I'm sorry" the Midwife sighed

"What? Why not?" Eddie frowned

"It's procedure, I'm afraid. She won't be gone long, but we need you to stay up here" the midwife explained

"No, please! Let him come with me!" Rachel pleaded

Eddie was growing frustrated. Rachel hated hospitals. He could tell how scared she was. He was surprised she'd coped so well getting here in the first place.

"Look, Rachel was attacked by one of her colleagues earlier today and went into labour as a result. She's just given birth, and you've taken the baby away before she could even hold her. That's a lot to go through in one day. And to top it off she doesn't like hospitals, they terrify her. Can't you make an exception just this once?" Eddie pleaded

"I'm sorry, no. But I will go with her, she won't be on her own" the Midwife compromised

Eddie admitted defeat, the midwife wasn't backing down on this one. He had to follow the rules. He couldn't go with her.

He glanced at Rachel, who was trembling from head to toe, looking back and forth between him and the midwife. Her eyes were wide with fear and clouded with fatigue, her hand shaking in Eddie's grasp.

"I'm sorry Rach, I can't go with you. You're in safe hands, they'll look after you. I'll be here waiting the minute you get back, ok?" He whispered

Rachel looked at him tearfully

"Do you promise?" She asked

"I promise" he nodded, kissing her forehead gently

She nodded

The medical staff continued to wheel Rachel's bed down the corridor. Eddie followed them, keeping a hold of Rachel's hand.

When they reached the double doors, Eddie let go, watching as she was taken through the doors and out of sight.