Her heart skips a beat when she feels his arms wrap around her, his lips and stubble pressing against her left cheek.

"You're still up, huh?" Dex says softly, holding her against him. He gently rocks her from side to side, both of them standing right in front of the master bedroom balcony door. Sheets of ice cover the glass, blurring the skyscrapers across the way, the clear night sky as the backdrop.

"I am," Kristina hums, gripping the arm wrapped around her chest with both hands. Her cheeks flush as she feels his other hand on her bump, "Can't sleep."

"What's wrong?"

"I've been feeling a lot of…dread and anxiety recently with the baby's date coming up. It's meant to be February 10th, and today's January 24th."

"That's about two, maybe three weeks away. That's pretty scary."

"You have no idea," she pulls away and turns to look at him, "and I might not even make it there. I could go into labor at any time, and I have no idea what that'll look like. I know I'll be in a lot of pain, but it could be super normal or it could turn into something really terrible," she feels her throat close up with sadness, tearing up, "And what if this kills me? I mean, childbirth is deadly. I could go through all this and not even get to meet my…niece. I wouldn't be able to go home to you, I wouldn't be able to be with my family, it could all be gone just like that-"

"Okay," Dex pulls her into a tight hug, "that's enough. You're driving yourself crazy."

"Yeah. I know it's not healthy, but I can't help it. The journey's almost over and I have no idea how it's going to end."

"And that's mortifying to think, I get it. Your fears are completely valid, but the more you think something bad will happen, the more likely it will."

"You think I'm setting myself up for a self-fulfilling prophecy?"

Dex makes a face, nodding, "A little bit."

She sighs and cuddles into him, keeping quiet. He gently rubs her back, eyes closed as she melts further into him.

"I just want everything to turn out okay," her words barely register in his ear.

"I know, and they will," he matches her volume. She pulls away slowly and gazes into his eyes, sadness present in her pupils. Dex brushes her hair aside, tucking it behind her ear, his eyes trying to will some hope into her. She offers him a small smile and opens her mouth to speak just as a loud knock comes from downstairs.

"I'll get it," Dex says, getting up. He rushes out of the bedroom, his bare feet slamming against the stairs before he opens the front door. The sight before him immediately stops him in his tracks.

"...Oh," Victor looks him up and down, observing his recently-cut short hair, plain navy blue T-shirt, and white plaid pajama bottoms, "I'm sorry, is Kristina here?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I asked you a question first. Answer it."

"Dex?" Kristina's voice echoes down the stairs, her footsteps heavy as she makes her way down the stairs. Victor walks past the man, bumping his shoulder, "Who's here?"

"It's your Uncle Victor," he flashes her a smile when she appears at the top of the first flight, "How are you?"

Kristina reaches out a hand towards Dex, who walks up to her and helps her down onto the hardwood floor. She runs her hands down her stomach before looking up at the old man, "I'm doing alright. What are you doing here this late at night?"

"I wanted to see you, my dear, to make sure you and the baby were doing well. I also wanted to extend my heartfelt congratulations."

"They're fine," Dex approaches them, his hands on Kristina's shoulders.

"I think Kristina can speak for herself as well as her niece."

"Yes, we're fine," she replies.

"Good, good. Between Ace and this little one, the Cassadine family is growing at a good clip."

Dex rubs her shoulders as both he and Kristina flinch.

"I also heard about your youth center, and I wanted to extend my congratulations. Philanthropy and charity runs deep in the Cassadine legacy, and to see you take on that mantle is admirable. You're going to impact so many lives for the better."

"That's sweet of you, thank you."

"Indeed," Victor looks past her, giving Dex a sharp glare, "Do you think you can get your…bodyguard to give us some space?"

"I'm good right here," Dex answers.

"Hey," Kristina looks up, "it's okay. He's not gonna do anything."

Victor maintains his glare, "Who are you?"

"Dex," she replies, her hands on top of his, "short for Dexter."

"I'd hope so. What is his importance to you?"

"We're…together. We both live here, actually."

"Is that so?"

"It is," Dex speaks up as the front door opens up. Sonny and Alexis walk in, eyes wide and sharp as they fixate on Victor.

"What the hell are you doing here?" they say together, Sonny's tone stern and Alexis's bitter.

"Oh good, there's more," Victor says bitterly, "What brings you two by?"

"We're here to check on our daughter," Sonny responds, "Alexis…came from work and I joined her."

"Lovely."

"Get out," Alexis snaps, standing on the other side of the couch, "You weren't welcome at the baby shower, and you're not welcome now."

"I am allowed to visit family-"

"You heard her, Victor," Sonny rubs his bottom lip, "Leave while you still can."

"I believe that's Kristina's call," Victor stares at the woman in question. She looks up at Dex before looking between her parents, biting her lip.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Victor," she says, "I think it's time for you to go."

"...I see," he stuffs his hands in his front pants pockets, "I'll be taking my leave then," he gazes down at Kristina, "I hope you have a happy and healthy birth, my dear. I expect to hear from you soon."

Victor shoots daggers at Dex, Sonny, and Alexis as he passes them by, all three returning them in kind. The door closes behind them, prompting the elder adults to swarm the couple.

"Are you both alright?" Alexis asks, pulling Kristina into a hug. She then hugs Dex, who accepts it reluctantly, as Kristina goes to Sonny.

"We're fine," she nods, a hand on her stomach.

"Why was Victor here?" Sonny questions.

"I don't know," Dex shrugs, "He just…showed up."

"Has he dropped by before?"

"Other than the baby shower, no. What do you think he wants?"

"It's not what, it's who," Alexis stares directly at Kristina, who raises an eyebrow in response. Dex and Sonny look her way as well.

"What?" she asks.

"You're not safe here," Sonny rubs his chin.

"I'm not leaving the penthouse."

"Kristina-"

"No!" she snaps, backing away, "I don't see why I can't stay here, or why Dex can't protect me. Victor hasn't pulled anything-"

"Sweetie," Alexis takes a step forward, "Victor is an incredibly dangerous man. I get that he hasn't outwardly acted that way towards you, but-"

"Stop. Just…stop. I…" she takes a deep breath, averting her eyes, "If this really is about the baby, what does Victor want with her?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure his motives are anything but altruistic."

"Okay, but I don't need to leave the penthouse, nor do I want to leave the penthouse."

"I'll take care of Kristina," Dex's eyes are sharp, "I'll keep my eye on her at all times."

"I don't know if that's the best idea," Alexis sighs, "You have a target on your back as well."

"I'm more than capable of defending myself as well as Kristina and the baby."

"...Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. If anything happens to her, it's on me."

"Don't let anything happen to her," Sonny snaps, eyes dark.

"I won't."

"Well," Alexis takes a breath, "if that's how things are going to be, then alright. But I'd feel a lot better about it if security was upped."

"Mom," Kristina rolls her eyes.

"I can do that," Sonny nods.

"Good," the elder woman approaches her daughter, pulling her into a hug, "I just want you to be safe, okay? For your sake and the baby's."

"I know," the younger woman sighs, rubbing her mother's back, "and I will be."

Alexis gives her a small smile before turning to Dex, pulling him into a hug he reluctantly accepts again, "You stay safe too. Victor's got his eyes on you just as much."

"I'll be safe, I promise."

"Call me if you need anything, both of you," Sonny points between them before pulling Kristina into a hug. He gives her a comforting smile before making his exit, Alexis pulling the door closed.

"That was…tense," Kristina sighs as Dex walks in front of her, his back to the door.

"'Tense' is quite the understatement," he says.

"The Cassadines have a pretty…messy history, to say the least. I don't blame my parents for being hostile towards Uncle Victor, but he's been on this kick about uniting the family and he's been…decent, I think."

"That doesn't make him a good person, you know."

"I know," she sighs, tucking some hair behind her ear. She crosses her arms against her chest, looking away from him for a moment, "Let's, uh, go back upstairs."

Their walk back to the bedroom is slow and gentle, his arms and hands providing support the whole way. He helps her back into bed, watching her eyes flutter shut before climbing in himself, drifting off to sleep.

It's just past eleven when Kristina wakes back up. She faces the balcony door, eyes heavy and dry. She forces herself onto her back, turning to see Dex on his side, face half-buried in the pillow and body stiff under the comforter. She lets out a small sigh before turning to her left, getting to her feet.

"Hi, baby girl," she begins, standing between the bed and balcony. Her hands slowly run across her bump, "I know you're probably sleeping right now, but I wanted to talk to you one last time."

She meanders around the end of the bed, "I can't believe that you're almost here. You could come tonight, or you could come in February, it's all up in the air. I'd say that not knowing makes your arrival more exciting, but…" she takes a deep breath, going into the bathroom. She shuts the door behind her, back pressed against the wood, "I'm scared. You know it, Daddy knows it, I'm sure the rest of the family picked up on it. Things don't come easy in my life, and I can't help but think giving birth to you might not end well. What if something happens to you and you don't make it? Our family loses a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter, a cousin, and we'll all have this…gaping hole haunting us for the rest of our lives."

She walks up to the mirror, hands tight on her stomach and fear present in her eyes, "What if I don't make it? What if my body just…gives out on me, and I don't get to meet you before I go? I'll miss seeing you grow up, I'll miss all the big milestones you'll achieve, I'll miss all your screw-ups and the ways you could try to fix them…"

She forces herself to smile, combating the tears forming in her eyes, "God help us all if you become a messy little firecracker like me. Daddy wouldn't know what to do with us," she rubs the base of her bump, stopping herself, "...and he won't know, because you're going to be with Aunt Molly and Uncle TJ when this is all said and done."

Her back ends up facing the mirror, "You know, I honestly thought I'd be able to do this, to act like this surrogacy was just that and I'd see you as my niece, but you're not my niece. You're my daughter: my own flesh and blood. I shouldn't do this to you or Daddy or even myself, but I made this bed. The only thing I can do is lie in it. Better to hurt myself than hurt everyone else…even if it means costing myself something, someone, I actually really want-"

It immediately hits her like a truck. Pain shoots through her entire body, mainly concentrated at her pelvis. She feels intense cramping around her lower back and inner thighs, cascading down her legs. She doubles over and drops to her knees, eventually falling onto her side.

Oh God, she thinks, No, please, not now, not like this. Please!

She ends up on the floor, facing the bathtub. Her hands grasp her stomach as she begins to shake, a mix of groans and screams leaving her mouth.

Oh God, it hurts. It hurts so bad. It hurts, it hurts, IT HURTS!

"D…" her voice cracks as she feels another sharp pain, only a few minutes after it begins, "De…"

She gulps a number of times, tears rushing down her cheeks, "Baby girl, p-please. Please. Oh God…please," she forces herself onto one elbow, her call weak, "Dex…?"

Her arm gives out as another wave of agony washes over her, her disembodied cries louder and fuller.

"Dex?" the faint sound of something shifting perks her ears up, "Dex?!"

"Krissy…?" her whines muffle his question.

"Dex…!" she says, lifting her head, "Dex! DEX!"

The door slams open, the man's eyes wide at the sight before him. He steps out for a moment to grab his phone before he drops to his knees and pulls her into him, her hands gripping his shirt for dear life.

"It's okay, baby, it'll be okay," the reassurances rush out of his mouth, full of air. He dials 911 shakily, pressing the phone to his ear. Kristina turns around and presses her back against him, her nails sinking into his free arm. She grits her teeth, trying to breath through the pain. No success.

"911: what's your emergency?"

"Hi, yes, my girlfriend just went into labor. She's in an immense amount of pain."

"How long has she been in labor?"

"Uh," he looks down at her, frowning at her tear-stained, reddened face, "at least for a few minutes."

"How far apart are the contractions?"

"I…I don't know. Two to three minutes? She's in so much pain…"

"Has she experienced any pain prior to this? Or was this sudden?"

"Sudden, I think. I know she was fine up until now."

"Okay. Where are you two right now?"

"We're at home: Harborview Towers, Penthouse #2, 122 Harbor View Drive."

"Paramedics are on the way."

"Okay…okay. Thank you," Dex sighs in panic as Kristina's grip on his arm tightens. Her grunts and wails come out in spurts, eased a bit by her sequenced breathing.

"Dex…" she whines, her head rolling back against his shoulder, "Please…"

He hangs up the phone, "The ambulance is on its way, baby. You're going to the hospital, you're going to give birth surrounded by doctors, and you're going to be okay."

"It h-hurts…so bad…"

"Breathe, Krissy, just breathe."

"I…" she jolts up when she feels another contraction hit her, "AAH!"

Dex says nothing, rubbing her shoulders and planting a few kisses on her head. He proceeds to wrap his arms around her chest as she sobs uncontrollably, pain practically swallowing her whole.

"Ah…" she gulps, "ah…"

"What is it, baby?" he asks sweetly.

"Wh…Where are the p-paramedics?"

"They're on the way."

"N…Not fast enough…" she tries to take a deep, steady breath.

"Not fast enough?"

"She's…c-coming…I can f-feel it…"

"Right now?" his eyes are wide as he stares at her, "But…doesn't labor take a lot longer than this?"

Kristina's eyes sparkle through her tears just as they hear the sound of a knock from downstairs. Dex gently rests her on the tile, squeezing her hand before rushing out. She lays there as still as can be, a hand on her bump as she stares at the ceiling. Two unfamiliar faces suddenly appear in her vision, older men in navy EMT uniforms, causing her to squint to adjust with the light. They attempt to help her onto her feet, her screams piercing their ears all the while. Her back is flat against the leather of the gurney as Dex stands to her left, taking her hand in his. She squeezes hard enough to break bone, and a very small part of her wonders if she did so. Kristina opens her mouth to speak as another contraction cuts her off. The paramedics nod at each other before wheeling the gurney ever-so-gently downstairs. Dex keeps his hand in Kristina's as they formally exit the penthouse, riding the elevator down to the lobby, out the doors, and into the waiting ambulance parked in front. It still remains during the ride to the hospital.

Part of him wants to throw up at the sight before him: agony colors every single inch of Kristina's body, her skin glistening with sweat and her face a strong, bright red. A ventilator mask sits over her nose and mouth while an IV stands on the opposite side of him. One of the paramedics hands him a small towel, and he proceeds to dot her forehead with it, sucking up moisture and moving strands of soaked hair off her face.

"I'm right here," he says gently, "I'm right here, okay? I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

Kristina stares at him, vision slightly blurring and black spots appearing as the ride continues. She jerks up again as the contractions grow more and more frequent, seemingly a minute apart at most.

God, she thinks to herself, eyes shut tightly as her breathing exponentially speeds up, if you can hear me, please…please don't let it end this way. Let my little girl and I pull through this. Let us live. Please.