Chapter Text
Hailey lay in the hospital bed, with Jay's mom at her side, her hand in Hailey's comfortingly. They'd been there for twenty minutes already and Hailey still hadn't been examined, so when those twenty minutes turned into thirty, Catherine explained to Hailey that she was going to go and grab a doctor or nurse.
Whilst she was gone, Hailey rolled onto her side and brought her legs to her chest, in hopes that it would suppress some of the pain she felt in her side. Catherine had tried to comfort Hailey as best as she could, came up with things she thought it may have been - the only reasonable explanation being appendicitis, but they were in the dark with it all.
Hailey hadn't even been allowed pain killers to ease any of the crippling affliction she was experiencing constantly - has been all morning and it was nearing the early afternoon now. All she wanted was to go home, she hated hospitals or any sort of medical attention for that matter.
But despite her hatred for the place, she knew the amount of pain she was in wasn't normal... even if she was on her period, which she wasn't. And part of her also didn't want to fight Catherine on the situation, she's been kind enough to take Hailey in, help her through nightmares and really stepped up into being the mom she wished she had.
Her thoughts got cut short when Catherine walked back through the door and returned to Hailey's side, her hand instantly locking with Hailey's.
"Did you find a doctor?" Hailey asked quietly, an arm still clutching her stomach as she held her knees to her
chest.
Catherine slightly smiled with a nod, "we're going to get to the bottom of this honey, I promise."
Hailey nodded, tugging her lip between her teeth as she fought back the tears in her eyes, "Catherine," she began quietly, Catherine humming in response,
"Whatever's wrong with me, you'll be-"
Catherine cut her off with a gentle hushing noise, her thumb brushing against the back of Hailey's palm, "I promise you dear, I'm not going anywhere, I'll be right by your side, whatever it is." she explained softly, slightly squeezing Hailey's hand.
Hailey nodded, about to reply when the curtain slid open and a doctor in dark crimson scrubs with long dirty blonde hair walked in. "Hi, I'm Dr. Ivars, what brings you here today?" she asked with a friendly smile, clipboard to her chest with her arms crossed.
Hailey glanced at Catherine, her hand trembling in the older woman's palm before focussing her glance back on the doctor.
"She's had quite a bit of stomach pain all morning," Catherine began, getting the memo that Hailey felt uncomfortable with talking. "It fluctuates on the pain scale from about a four to an eight, and it's in her lower right side more so." she explained, glancing down at Hailey whom was writhing in pain beside her.
"Alright, Hailey do you mind if I examine you?" Dr Ivars asked, grabbing a pair of gloves and she quickly put them on.
Hailey watched as she did it, furrowed brows and pursed lips. Bold of the doctor to assume that she would let her examine her, that precise comment threatening to roll off her tongue sarcastically. But she shoved the thought aside and rolled back onto her back, a seething pain shooting across her stomach as she did so and so she whimpered in pain.
“Just do what you have to," Hailey whined. Dr Ivars nodded, ran Hailey through the basic tests and she agreed to literally all of them. The blood tests, the urine tests, including the ultrasound - which they performed last... not knowing that the specific test would change absolutely everything.
"Alright, the gel is gonna be cold-"
"I honestly don't care, please just get it over with," Hailey pleaded in a painful whisper, her eyes looking everywhere but catherine and the doctor. Although, Catherine was still right by her side with their hands locked together as the test began.
It took a good minute, reason being because the doctor was currently scanning over Hailey's appendix - although there was absolutely nothing wrong in that department, her appendix was fine. It wasn't even the slightest bit inflamed. So instead she went further over Hailey's stomach, a loud thumping noise echoing off the walls of the ED room. Therefore, Hailey turned to the screen and frowned, "what's that?" she asked, completely none the wiser as to what is actually wrong.
She glanced over at Catherine after a beat, when she didn't get an answer from the doctor and the elderly woman had glazed eyes - as if she were crying. "Catherine?" Hailey asked quietly, tugging at her hand and managing to get her attention, "w-what's that, what's happening?" she asked.
Dr Ivars caught her attention and she silently asked whether or not she should tell Hailey what the reason behind her stomach pain was. But Catherine shook her head and looked up at Hailey - terror and worry written all over the teens face. "Hailey honey," she began, her voice betraying her as it cracked when she said Hailey's name, which only had Hailey more worried.
"It appears that, you uh- that you're pregnant." Catherine blurted out, tightening her hold on Hailey's hand just slightly when she watched the colour vanish from Hailey's face.
Hailey shook her head, looked back over at the doctor who was pausing the scan... then she saw it - the very clear image of the baby. "I-I can't-I'm not," She breathed out, raising a hand to her mouth to muffle the sob she broke out.
"H-how? how am I- I don't even look p-pregnant!" she exclaimed,
looking over at Catherine who was wiping a tear from her eye, "Catherine," she whispered, needing some sense of reassurance.
"I'm here honey, i'm here I promise you," Catherine replied, cupping Hailey's cheek with her hand and the younger blonde leaned into her
Touch.
Dr Ivars stopped the exam whilst Catherine and Hailey talked each other through the comfort they both needed. The reassurance that Hailey needed from Catherine, and the comfort that Catherine needed from Hailey.
When the gel had been completely removed, Catherine was quick to pull Hailey into her chest where the teen hysterically sobbed into her shirt. "i'm sorry, i'm so sorry," She into her shirt. "i'm sorry, I'm so sorry," She stammered, choking on her own sobs as she slowly processed everything that had happened in the last fifteen minutes.
Catherine rubbed Hailey's back, her one hand cradling Hailey's head against her chest, "Shh now dear, It'll all be okay. I know it's scary, especially at your young age- but I promise you, I'm not going absolutely anywhere during this, and after this, okay?" she said, raking her fingers through Hailey's wavy blonde locks.
"Now, I'm going to get you a drink and something to eat - since you've been scared to eat since this morning, and I will be right back, okay?"
"Please come back, p-please don't leave me," Hailey mumbled through her tears, peeling herself away from Catherine's chest and she looked up at her.
"I swear on my kids lives, I will be right back." Catherine explained, her hands on either side of Hailey's face and she leant forward to leave a peck on her forehead.
Hailey nodded hesitantly, closing her eyes when Catherine planted a longing kiss to her forehead. Before watching her leave and she pulled the curtain behind her, now Hailey was left with Dr Ivars, who was seemingly about to talk her through the process of being pregnant, everything after and between.
When Catherine stepped out of the room, she pulled her phone from her coat pocket, stopping by one of the windows before tapping on her husbands contact.
“How is she?” He asked concern clear in the older man’s voice,she took a deep breath before answering.
“It’s not appendicitis, she’s uh, pregnant they d-“ but she was cut off by the man’s displeased sigh,
“Christ, I thought you were handling them, you told me they were being responsible,you promised when we took her in this wouldn’t happen.” Catherine took his pause to catch his breath to defend the teen.
“yeah well Pat, they’re teenagers. Rebellious is in their nature, besides, I was handling it! I talked to them, Hailey went on birth control - there is nothing else we can do in that aspect. It was unexpected, she’s terrified so we have to be there for her.” And with that she decided she had wasted enough time away from hailey and Carried on her way down to the cafeteria.
—
Once she had gotten the drink and food that she needed for Hailey she quickly walked down the sterile hallways back towards her room, ignoring the constant vibrating in her pocket - which she assumed was Pat trying to call her back.
She appeared outside of Hailey’s room, swung the curtain open and her eyes dropped onto the distraught teenager whom was burying herself under the blankets. “Hailey honey,” Catherine started quietly, not wanting to scare Hailey as she walked through, “I’ve brought you some jello and a bottle of water, is that okay?”
“it’s getting worse,” Hailey sniffled, knees against her chest again as she stared at something in her hand - when Catherine got closer, she saw it was an image of the scan.
“What’s getting worse dear?” Catherine asked slowly, plopping down on the edge of the bed and she set the jello and the bottle on a side table. Then her hand found Hailey’s leg under the blankets, where she gave her knee a squeeze and Hailey visibly relaxed a little under her grip.
“The pain- it’s getting worse,” She muttered, drawing her eyes away from the printed scan in her hand and she placed it on the side table. “D-does Jay… does he-“ Hailey paused, the words she wants to say disappearing on her tongue as she goes to say them.
However, Catherine knew what she was asking. “Pat is going to call Jay, he’s going to get Jay from work and he’ll be at home waiting for us.”
“He’s gonna totally freak out,” Hailey replied, mentally scolding herself for telling Jay he didn’t have to use protection. She utterly blamed herself for all of it, she told him she was on birth control and that he didn’t have to use protection and now look at where they are. “The doctor said i’m already at thirty-five weeks, a- all this time and- and it’s all my fault.” she choked out, putting a hand over her face as she muffled her cries and hid away from Catherine.
“Oh sweet heart, it’s not your fault,” Catherine sighed.
“Y-you should be mad at me! y-you should be sh-shouting, a-at me-“
Catherine stopped her there, shifting further up the bed so she was sat right beside Hailey’s chest, she grabbed her hand which was covering her face and held it tightly in hers, her other hand rubbing against Hailey’s back. “Hailey, I’m not mad. I know what you and my son were doing and I’m not proud of you for it. But I also know that you’re teenagers, believe it or not I was one too,” Catherine paused, managing to make Hailey smile just slightly and she took that as an accomplishment. “You are both going to do stupid things, that’ll end up with consequences, such as right now. But no matter how I feel about it, mad, disappointed, upset with you both… I will still support you with my every breath.” She went on, bringing her finger to the side of Hailey’s cheek where she trailed a strand of blonde hair from her ears.
“You really mean that?”
Catherine smiled, a large friendly smile, “Yeah, I mean that,” she replied, tilting her head just slightly and Hailey looked up at her, “You want a hug?”
“I could do with a hug,” Hailey said quietly, a sad smile on her face but she pushed herself up right - despite the shooting pain across her stomach - and she wrapped her arms around Catherine.
The older woman reciprocated the hug and wrapped her arms around Hailey’s waist, her head landing on Hailey’s shoulder. “You’re right though, Jay’s totally gonna freak,” she chuckled, stifling a laugh from Hailey.
“I’m worried about it,”
“I’d be concerned if you weren’t.”
Hailey sadly smirked at that a gentle roll of her eyes to follow, “I mean- him going away to the army… he’s already applied, I don’t want to do this on my own… I don’t want to do this without him.” She whispered, another tear rolling down her cheek.
“Hey now, hush sweetie… nothing has been confirmed yet. Besides we still have ages and ages left.”
“i know,” Hailey breathed, pulling away from Catherine’s hug and she shook her head. “The uh- the doctor said that it was a cryptic pregnancy,” seemingly changing the topic, Catherine went along with it because Hailey clearly didn’t want to talk about Jay, at least not anymore. “It uhm, it has a couple risks…” she whispered, looking down to her fingers where she just realised the blood seeping around her nails from where she’s picked and bit at her cuticles.
Nonetheless, she brushed it in the blanket and ignored the stinging that vibrated through her hand. “I w-want, I think- ugh,” Hailey groaned, running a hand through her hair which was already frizzed and all over the place. “Jay would be allowed to be there? right? like y’know, holding my hand through the whole thing?” she asked.
“Of course he will be, he’s the baby’s father, your boyfriend. And if you want him there then he can be there,” Catherine explained, “It’s up to you who you want in the room and who you don’t want in there. It’s a scary thing, and the last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable with your company on top of that.” She added.
Hailey nodded slowly, before laying back down in the very uncomfortable hospital bed, she was tired, and the pain she was feeling was getting worse and she just figured that getting some sleep will dull the ache. Although their “figuring” hasn’t done them the world of good. “How long are we in here for?”
“Well, i’m assuming we’ve just gotta wait for your blood test results, any more exams you might need?”
Hailey shrugged with one shoulder, “she said something about another ultrasound, but she never did it- I don’t know, communication sucks ass here,” she rolled her eyes, turning in on her side and bringing her knees to her chest again. “I’m just going to try and take a nap, is that okay?”
“Of course it is dear, I’ll wake you up if there’s any news,” Catherine replied, standing from the bed and she pulled the protective side up before sitting down in a chair and went back to her conversation with Pat…
— — —
Not even half an hour later though, Hailey woke to bad pains in her stomach again. She groaned in her sleep, arms hugging her stomach as her face contorted in pain. Catherine noticed it and frowned, reaching forward to brush Hailey’s arm. She was aware of Hailey’s nightmares, so she figured she was having one of those. “You’re okay Hailey, you’re safe-“
Hailey shook her head and opened her eyes, rolling onto her back with her arms tightly around her stomach, “it- it hurts, it really hurts,” she blurted out through an agonised gasp, barely managing to sit still when she rolled over onto her other side again, blowing out a pained sigh.
“Hailey honey, talk to me what’s going on?”
“I don’t know- I- I don’t know what’s happening, it’s strong, it’s really strong and it hurts,” She muttered, heaving breaths passing her lips as her hand gripped tightly to the side of the bed.
Catherine shot her a concerned glance, knowing full well exactly how cryptic pregnancy’s can go. “I’m gonna go and get a doctor, okay?”
Hailey looked over her shoulder with a groan, abruptly nodding at Catherine and the woman soon disappeared. That’s when Hailey allowed another tear to roll down her cheek, followed by another and another… before the dam broke and she dug her head into the pillow. She mentally yelled at herself for being so reckless and stupid, then thought about Jay and what he might do… then she wondered why he wasn’t even here in the first place but remembered that they were waiting at home for them.
But now, it seemed like home was once again hours away.
So, she rolled onto her other side, extended her arm out to the side table where she grabbed her phone. “Siri, call Jay” She said, not having any energy to open her contacts and call him directly. Siri replied with the usual “calling Jay” and then the familiar ring tone sounded through the room.
When Jay finally picked up, Catherine walked through the door with a doctor and a nurse - the same doctor from earlier and Hailey broke into shambles all over again.
“Hailey?! Hey what’s going on, you guys were supposed to be home by now-“
“Jay i’m sorry, i’m so sorry,” Hailey choked into the phone, pressing the device against her forehead with her eyes closed - completely ignoring anybody else in the room as she focussed on Jay.
“No, Hailey don’t say sorry - this is just as much my doing as it is yours, we can talk about it later, for now just tell me what’s going on okay? I- I wanna help.”
“I don’t know what’s happening- I fell asleep, a-and then I woke up and I was in pain, m-more pain than I was in earlier,”
“is there a doctor with you? my mom?”
“Mhm, they’re here,”
“Okay, Hailey i’m on my way alright? just sit tight, can you put my mom on a second?”
Hailey didn’t reply, instead just opened her eyes and handed Catherine her phone. When she rolled onto her back, Dr Ivars was stood there with a friendly smile and those ugly blue latex gloves on her hands. “Hailey, can you tell me where it hurts the most? or show me?” She asked.
Hailey didn’t reply, again, instead just tugged her lip between her teeth as she writhed in pain, although her hand was sitting at the lower centre of her stomach and Dr Ivars instantly knew what was happening. She glanced over at Catherine, whom was looking at the doctor whilst talking to her son and then Catherine latched onto what was happening.
“Okay Hailey, I’ll need to do an exam to be certain… but I have a pretty strong feeling you’re already at the start of your labour, possibly have been going through it all day.”
Hailey’s eyes went wide and the colour drained from her face again, her expression giving off something similar to absolutely terrified, “This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening,” she breathed out quietly, shaking her head continuously as she took control over her breathing. “This is a nightmare- it’s not real, this can’t be real,” The teen whispered to herself, somehow managing to get a word in edge ways given the amount of pain she was currently in.
Catherine got off the phone with Jay and she placed the device on the side table, her hand once again landing in Hailey’s and her other rubbing her arm. “Hailey sweetie,”
“You have to make it stop, p-please make it stop,” Hailey whined in fear, bringing a hand from her face as she looked over at the doctor, then at Catherine, who was looking at her sympathetically.
“Hails baby, I know you’re scared-“
“this isn’t happening-“
“But Jay is right now in his car and driving here as we speak. I promise you, it will be okay-“
“This isn’t happening,”
“It is baby, it’s happening and you’ve gotta face it now so that you can get through it.” Catherine replied, placing a hand gently on Hailey’s cheek and Hailey looked over at her.
“I don’t want to,” Hailey breathed out, shaking her head against Catherine’s palm as she fought back a river of tears. Her voice has already betrayed her enough as it was, she didn’t need to spill out in tears. She didn’t want to.
“I know you don’t, Hailey what is it you want to hear baby?”
Jay. “I don’t know, I- I just- I need Jay, I- I need him,” she croaked, her voice betraying her again only this time a few tears rolled down her cheek.
“And Jay is coming as fast as he can, will you please let the doctors do their thing so we can define if it definitely is labour?”
Hailey hesitated, a look of worry and something mirroring horror and pain in her eyes, but reluctantly she nodded and let the doctors do their thing. People came, people went, time passed, pain increased and was tipping off the scale… but soon it was all over, it was confirmed Hailey was in the early stages labour, and only then did Jay appear outside Hailey’s hospital room.
“Jay!” Hailey shrieked, shooting up in bed and she flung herself into Jay’s arms as he came to the side of the bed. “Oh my god you’re here,” she whispered, her hands holding a tight grip around his shoulders as she hid herself into his neck.
Catherine stepped back and gave the kids their moment, following a couple doctors out of the room so she could stay updated with Hailey’s status and what their plans were to go forward. She’d expect Hailey to be transferred to an actual ward and not stay in the ED. That they would treat this as a woman who’s in labour and not a kid. Technically she wasn’t a kid, more of a young adult - but either way, hospitals had strange policies and views on things and people and she wasn’t about to have her son’s girlfriend get different treatment as to anyone else.
Jay pulled away first, his hands either side of Hailey’s face and he smiled down at her, “Are you okay?”
“Not really, but I feel a little more at ease now that you’re here,” She explained, her hand instantly locking with Jay’s with their fingers twisting together, “I swear- Jay I’m so sorry,”
“What did I say? We’re not apologising, for any of this. We’re going to be through this, you and me, together.”
“But you’re moving away soon!” Hailey choked out, instantly regretting even saying anything because she knew Jay had to do this, for himself. For them. She caught his glance again and it seemed like he was guilty, so Hailey quickly shook her head and placed her hands either side of his cheeks, “I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to-“
“Stop apologising it’s okay-“
“but it’s not okay! None of this is okay, this baby is my fault, my stupid mini outbursts and loose lips is not okay. I shouldn’t have said it and I’m sorry. I’m sorry for that, i’m sorry for the baby, I- I’m sorry, Jay, i’m so fucking sorry” She breathed at the end, sinking into Jay’s chest as he pulled her against his chest.
She listened to the continuing thrum of his heart beat against her ear, the way his hands rubbed against her back and she felt herself relaxing - as best as she could - into his touch. The warmth of his body against her cold one, the way he whispered sweet words of reassurance into her ear and calmed her almost immediately.
That was until their moment got interrupted by the doctors who walked back in with Jay’s mom, and the surge of pain that shot across her stomach as they did so. Catherine returned to Hailey’s side and grabbed the unopened bottle of water, jello and her phone then placed it on the bed beside her. “Hailey sweetie,” She began quietly, reaching for Hailey’s knee and she gave it a reassuring ‘pat pat squeeze’.
Hailey looked over at Catherine, a small soft smile on the woman’s face and it also helped Hailey feel a little more at ease. “Our plan of action is, we take you up to the ward and get you changed out, because of how early this is happening and the fact it’s a cryptic pregnancy, there’s precautions they have to take in order to keep you and the baby safe. Does that sound okay to you?” Catherine asked in a more simpler way, a way in which Hailey would understand what she meant with the amount of pain she was in and the way her brain was already foggy as it was.
Hailey nodded, letting out a breath as Jay pecked her forehead without a care in the world that his mom was there. “That sounds okay, Jay gets to be there-“
“Jay can stay with you for as long as you need him too Hailey,” Dr Ivars chipped in, stepping forward and unclipping the finger monitor from Hailey’s hand before placing that aside. Then, she took the wheelchair from the nurse and Hailey glared at them.
“I can walk- Is that necessary?” Hailey asked, not exactly wanting to be transferred from one ward to another in a fricking wheelchair.
“You were struggling to stand still this morning Hailey, in the chair,” Catherine said, mom tone activated and Hailey quickly gave in. She didn’t exactly want Catherine to be using her stern mom tone for the rest of the time they were in the damn hospital - however long that may be.
So, she reluctantly accepted the wheelchair, grabbing her phone and the bottle of water before getting to her feet - with the help of Jay - and then soon sitting back down in the wheelchair. Honestly maybe Catherine was right, walking might not be the best idea, given the fact that the pain has only gotten worse and it was bad enough that morning that Hailey couldn’t even stand without her legs going numb or completely giving in.
Jay quickly grabbed a blanket Hailey was using and draped it over her before they started moving, and Hailey felt her heart throb as he did it. Maybe he wasn’t so mad after all… his hand then found hers and their fingers locked together, a reassuring smile on his face although it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was internally freaking out by the seems, and honestly Hailey didn’t blame him. They find out they’re having a baby, and then they have the baby on the same day, that’s surely something to freak out about.
Anyhow, they got moving, Catherine straggling behind with a large smile as she watched her son fall more in love with the woman who was holding his hands. The woman who was pregnant with his baby and was already in the early stages of labour. The woman who has supported his every move, and who loves him just as much as he loved her. Teenage romance could be really sweet sometimes, as long as you find the right person.
They grabbed Hailey a room about ten minutes later, where there was already a gown waiting for her on the bed and a crib already prepped on one side of the room. As soon as Hailey’s eyes landed on it, she felt a wave of nausea pass through her and she tightened her grip on Jay’s hand. She couldn’t do this, she really couldn’t do this.
“Hailey?”
“I- I can’t- I can’t do this,” Hailey breathed out, hugging Jay’s arm and she closed her eyes. “It’s too much, I can’t,” she mumbled, shaking her head as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Jay stopped the doctors from going into the room any further, and he knelt down in front of Hailey, “Baby, hey look at me,” he said quietly, his hands on her knees and she slowly opened her eyes to look at him. “You can do this,”
“No,” Hailey whined, still shaking her head slowly as the tears continued to roll down her cheek, “No, I can’t- I can’t do it,” she added, a quiet groan following the sob that broke through.
Jay rubbed her knee, his hand still locked with hers, “Hails, look at me,” she did, she looked at him and he was wearing that stupid dopey smile on his face and instantly she felt a little more at ease. “I know you’re scared - hell I am too, i’m absolutely terrified. I don’t even know the next thing about being a dad. But what I do know, is that I have you,” he said, running a hand through her hair and she smiled a teary eyed smile at him. “I have you, and you have me and I swear to you that I’m going to do everything I can to prove I can be who you need me to be.”
“Jay-“
“I’ll get another job, i’ll get us the money we need- anything you need me to do i’ll do it,” Jay went on, bringing his hand around to wipe away her tears - only they were tears of happiness, tears of appreciation. She was so grateful she had the man in front of her, and she was so proud of him it made her heart throb and her eyes water.
“Right now I just need you to hold my hand and never leave my side, please,” Hailey whispered, reaching forward and she put her hands on Jay’s shoulders, shimmying forward in the chair.
Jay smiled at her, grabbed onto her arms and he slowly stood up with her, “I wasn’t planning too,” he replied softly, pecking his lips to her forehead and she leaned into him.
“Good because I wasn’t going to let you,” Hailey softly laughed, stepping forward with Jay as he helped her over to the bed. She was scared, had absolutely no knowledge on how to be a mom, but she had Jay- she knew she had Jay. That’s all she could ever want and the only person she’ll ever need.
Hailey made it to the bed and she didn’t hesitate to sit down, a blip of relief passing through her as she did so. She pushed the gown out of the way, so she could sit back, her hands still gripped onto Jay’s shoulders. “You’ve gotta get that on-“
“I don’t think I can,” Hailey muttered, glancing over at Dr Ivars and Catherine who was stood aside. “everywhere hurts and i’m tired, Jay i’m so tired,” she whispered, a pained sigh passing her lips and her face scrunched in pain before she hid away into Jay’s chest. Her hands tightened their grip on his shoulders and she muttered greek curse words under her breath - a good handful of seconds passing before she relaxed against him again.
Jay picked up on it, pulled away from her and eyed her curiously, “The sooner we can do this the sooner it’s over, okay? I’ll help you get it on, but you need the doctors to properly check you and the baby, Hails please ,” he said, the desperation in his voice. He would never beg Hailey to do something that would make her uncomfortable, but right now he was nearly pleading with her just to get checked out properly and hooked up to whatever machines she has to in order for things to go safely.
Hailey hesitated before answering, a dull ache shooting across her back and that’s what did it for her. She nodded at Jay and noticed the relief that washed across his face, now entirely unsure of how she felt. Her emotions have been tossed all over the place since that morning, and it’s only half two in the afternoon. So it’s been a very wild rollercoaster, that’s for sure.
They started with changing Hailey into the gown, Jay helped her put it on and tied it around the back - then they got rid of her clothes underneath, purely because Hailey didn’t have the energy to get back up and change in the en suite. After that was done, the doctor hooked Hailey to machines and IV’s and god knows what else - all of which was enough to make Hailey even more uncomfortable, despite the fact it was supposed to help her feel comfortable. It was just the complete opposite. Nonetheless, once that was all done the doctor sat with them all, ran them through what was to come before leaving them to digest everything.
Hailey was lying on her side, the only position that actually felt somewhat easy to lie in without feeling as if she were being stabbed in the back or in her stomach. Her hand was tightly wrapped in Jay’s - even in her half conscious state - with a blanket draped over her. Catherine was also in the room, however she was sat aside on her phone, online shopping for last minute things for the baby.
She would look over at Jay and Hailey every now and then, keeping an eye on both of them to make sure they were both okay - or as okay as they can be. She listened in when Jay coached Hailey through a contraction - as if he had done it numerous times before then - and it honestly brought a ‘proud mom’ smile to her face. She was proud of her son, even if it was such a stupid idea to have unprotected intercourse - she was still proud of the man he was becoming, the man he was and the father he was about to be. Even at his ripe age of seventeen, and his girlfriend’s early age of sixteen
She was still proud of them, and supported them nonetheless.
Hailey grabbed Jay’s hand tighter, a whine passing her lips and Jay knew she was having another contraction. Which seemed a lot closer than the last one. He stood up and ran a hand through Hailey’s hair - making a mental note to plait it after the contraction passed - which wasn’t too long, thankfully. He knew Hailey was exhausted and the very last thing she wanted was to be experiencing the long and painful contractions she knew were on the horizon.
“Has it passed?” Jay asked, softly smiling at Hailey who slowly and tiredly nodded. “Alright, i’m gonna tie your hair okay?”
“Do you even know how?” Hailey whispered, a glint of a teasing smirk on her face. It brought a sense of comfort knowing that despite everything, her sense of humour was still intact.
Jay tilted his head at her with a smile, “briefly,” he replied, taking her hand again and shifting his arm around her back so he could help her sit up straight. Once she was up and comfortable, Jay climbed onto the bed behind her with his legs draped either side of the bed, his hands clamping all of her hair in a fist.
First he started lightly brushing it through with his fingers, then he grabbed two strands of hair and started twisting it. When he was about half way through, he realised it didn’t look anything at all like a plait that he’s seen Hailey in before and he grew puzzled. From the side, Catherine was watching as he struggled, a smug grin on her face.
“Hails,”
“Hmm?”
“I don’t think this is working like it usually is- is there something wrong with your hair? like did you change shampoo or something?” Jay frowned, knowing next to zero about hair and how to style it - so he was none the wiser about whether or not a change in hair products would affect the way to style it.
Hailey frowned with a subtle shake of her head, “No I haven’t, and even if I did that wouldn’t change the way my plait looks… are you doing it right?” she asked, reaching a hand back but Jay swatted it away gently, insisting that he was independent and could do it himself.
“It’s two strands of hair and then twisting it isn’t it?” He asked, tilting his head as he held the hair in his hands, the hair tie still on his wrist.
“No- it’s three strands,” Hailey replied, glancing over at Catherine whom was holding back her laugh and biting back a grin. “You have three strands, and you twist them over the other in a pattern.” she added, running her tongue along her lip which was something she did impatiently.
Jay dropped the hair and grabbed two side strands, leaving a stray strand in the middle and he flipped the right strand over the left strand. He proudly smiled at himself, seemingly thinking he did it correctly and then he grabbed the middle strand and twisted it around the other two which were already tied together. He continued like that for a good minute, before realising that it wasn’t working anymore and still didn’t look like a plait. He furrowed his brows and looked over at his mom, who was smiling softly at him - a silent encouragement to keep going and try again. Although they both knew it wouldn’t be too long until Catherine stepped in and braided Hailey’s hair for her.
So, sucking in a breath of defeat he tried again, only this time using a different method, twist the middle strand with the left strand twice and then bring the right strand into the mix. But that didn’t work, again. “Are you almost done?” Hailey asked, reaching a hand back and she placed it on his knee, “you’re taking a while and I think i’m about to have another of those stupid contraction things,” she grumbled, turning her head to the side just slightly and that’s when Catherine stood up and offered Hailey her hand. Hailey of course accepted it with a pained smile and she squeezed it tightly through the contraction.
“Take slow breaths Hailey, remember what the doctor told you before she left. You need to-“
“Breathe through it,” Hailey finished off, taking a deep breath, which she held for a few seconds and then slowly let it out. She did it a couple more times until the contraction had cleared, and only then did her grip on Catherine’s hand loosen. “thanks,”
“There’s no need to thank me sweetie, you’re doing amazing.”
Hailey slightly smiled at her, before focussing her gaze on something else as her mind wandered off into the world of unknown. It was something that happened often, when Hailey’s mind would drift off and she would zone out, a thousand thoughts crossing her mind all at once. First of all, how the hell was this happening and why did it come down to this? A stupid little ‘cuddle and watch TV’ turned into something way more and now here they were.
Second of all, how in gods name were they supposed to manage a newborn when they could hardly look after theirselves? Hailey had just escaped an abusive household and now she was breathing through fricking contractions in a hospital bed. They hadn’t a clue about the pregnancy until that day, and she’s already in labour. They didn’t even have a onesie for the poor dab, let alone a crib or even a car seat. There’s no way they were going to manage.
Third and foremost, how in the world were they supposed to get by financially? Hailey had a couple bucks to her name and was only working a summer job due to being in high school still - Jay was simply working with his dad and had just a little over two hundred bucks, that was merely enough for a car seat and a couple clothes, let alone the fee that would go to the hospital.
Hailey suddenly felt overwhelmed with everything she was about to face, and everything that was hitting her head on. Her body grew clammy and her eyes stung with tears as she thought of one of the most horrendous things yet. What the hell was going to happen to the baby? if they couldn’t even get themselves by financially, there’s no way they’d be fit enough to raise a baby. Her parents were none the wiser as were her brothers, social services hadn’t been involved yet and she was at least thankful for that. But it didn’t help knowing that they’d have to be involved before long, even if Catherine and Pat were willing to step in. Afterall Hailey knew full well her parents wouldn’t, her mom was in no state to do so and her father spent all their money on drink.
“Hailey honey?” Catherine gently taped Hailey’s shoulder, which caused the teen to flinch in response and her eyes glazed with fear. Although that quickly washed away when she saw it was only Catherine and her body relaxed a little. “Are you okay? Jay’s been calling you and you didn’t answer him.” The older woman explained softly, her hand resting on her arm.
Hailey looked away and slowly nodded, dropping her head as she toyed with her fingers. “Just thinking, thanks for uh- for doing my hair,” she thickly swallowed, assuming that Catherine had taken over with the braid.
“It’s alright, what are you thinking about?”
“Oh it’s uh- it’s nothing, really- just stupid- nothing,” Hailey stammered, bringing the braid over her shoulder and she decided to lie back down again, back facing Jay since her left side was the comfortable side.
Catherine didn’t buy it, but she also didn’t want to budge or put any unnecessary stress onto the poor girl. She was going through enough as it is and so she didn’t want to pry or seem to invasive. “Alright then, i’m gonna head down to the cafeteria- you guys want anything?” she asked, glancing between Jay and Hailey every now and then.
Hailey simply just shook her head, even if she really felt like she could devour a meal. However she did hear Jay asking for another bottle of water, some more jello and apple sauce - which had Hailey’s mouth watering at the thought of it, although she’d never admit it. And then, Catherine was gone, leaving Hailey with a reassuring arm squeeze before she bothered off.
It was quiet for a moment, nothing besides the beeping of the heart monitors filling the room. Until Jay stood from his squeaky chair and padded around the bottom of the bed to Hailey’s other side so he could see her. “Hey,” he began, his hand finding hers - which was trembling against the blanket - so he threaded their fingers together and lightly squeezed her hand. “Wanna tell me what’s been playing on your mind or do I have to guess?”
Hailey glared at him for a beat, before looking away and staring back at the monitor beside her. Her silence is the only answer Jay needed, it was now a guessing game. “Alright then, you’re worried about what’s going to happen next, aren’t you?”
“It’s not just that Jay,” Hailey breathed out, surprising herself when she spoke, simply because she had every intention to keep it to herself. Jay just had a way of doing things, clearly. “It’s everything before, during and after” she said, raising her hand to wipe her cheek when she felt a stray tear run from her eyes. Another thing she didn’t intend to do was cry, again. She was sick of crying, that’s all she’s done all day and she didn’t have the energy to do it anymore.
“Okay, Hailey i’m listening to whatever it is you have to say. I just don’t want you to keep it all bottle up, please talk to me.”
Hailey sighed, then rolled onto her back and pushed herself up right - ignoring the pain she felt across her back. “I got given so much information when I was on my own with Dr Ivars earlier- about- like feeding and- and caring for the baby properly… it was so much, maybe even too much,” she started, her lip already trembling and her heart rate was slowly starting to pick up.
“A-and I want to do what’s right for the baby, I- I really don’t want to fuck this all up,” she explained through a whisper, another tear slipping down her cheek however she just let it roll - she didn’t even bother to wipe it away. “W-we are in no fit state to look after a baby, physically- mentally even financially, Jay. A-and I s-swear to you, the very l-l-last thing, that I-“ she paused, taking a moment to catch her breath but it felt tough. It felt like there was pressure on her chest restricting her airways and she struggled to catch her breath.
“I- I can’t-“ She gasped, reaching for Jay’s hand with both of her hands- her eyes darting around the room.
Jay stood up, his hand landing on her back and the other squeezing her hands, “Hailey, hey you need to breathe okay?”
Hailey panicked, dropping her head against Jay’s shoulder as she tried to take control over her breathing. But she couldn’t. Her chest felt tighter, as if somebody were sitting on it, and her hands were shaking in Jay’s with her whole body trembling. “I- I can’t- Jay I can’t b-breathe,” she gasped, quickly moving a hand out of Jay’s and she tugged at the gown on her chest.
Now Jay was freaking out, although he did his best to hide it and started rubbing her back and squeezing her hand. “Alright, okay put your head down and squeeze my hand, squeeze it as best as you can,” He said, a little uneducated on what he was supposed to do to help Hailey through a panic attack. He’s never seen her have one before, and seeing her go through one now was pretty scary to say the least.
However, Hailey did as he coached her to do and squeezed his hand continuously, hanging her head down low as Jay rubbed her back. “I- I can’t do it,” she choked out through a strangled sob, chest still heaving although it felt a little easier to breathe.
“Just take deep breaths Hailey, slow deep breaths, everything’s going to be just fine.” Jay said cautiously, holding back his own tears as he witnessed his girlfriend completely breakdown in front of him. It’s never easy watching someone cry, but watching someone you love so incredibly? that was a whole different type of pain, and it truly did suck.
Catherine then walked in and saw Hailey amidst a panic attack, so she quickly made her way over to Hailey - dropped the food and water onto the side tray - and looked over at Jay. “What happened?”
Jay looked up at his mom, the worry and concern in his eyes as he shrugged, “She panicked-“
“Ya think?” Catherine replied, sitting down in the stool beside Hailey’s bed and she gently placed her hand on Hailey’s knee. “Hailey honey,” she began quietly, reaching her other hand up to Hailey’s shoulder.
Hailey opened her eyes and briefly saw Catherine through the blurred vision from her tears, and then she dropped her hand into the older woman’s - her other hand still in Jay’s. “Focus on me sweetie, okay? you need to take slow deep breaths, I promise you’re safe,” Catherine started, rubbing the back of Hailey’s hand with her palm, “Can you follow my breathing? We’ll do it together, okay?” she said, beginning to take slow deep breaths.
Hailey followed her, unable to hold it as long as she could without choking a strangled sob, but nonetheless she continued to take slow deep breaths and followed Catherine’s lead. “There you go, just like that. Hailey you’re doing perfect honey,” The older woman said, continuing to take deep breaths and rub the palm of Hailey’s hand.
After a while, Hailey finally calmed down and she had never felt more depleted in her life. She was upset, anxious, in an incredible amount of pain all at once and there were hardly any pain killers involved. Above all, she just wanted sleep. She truly needed it. So, once she was sure the panic attack had passed, she took a minute to herself before laying back down in bed and curling in on herself. Her hands clutched the blanket as her whole body shivered, and that’s when she saw Jay get up and walk over to his bag - that he had brought with him to the hospital just in case. “What are you doing?” Hailey mumbled, one of her arms extending over her stomach as she felt a familiar surge of pain.
Jay looked over at her with a smile, before pulling out Hailey’s favourite fluffy throw blanket, “I grabbed a couple things,” He started to explain, “We didn’t know what was happening or how long we were going to be here, so I grabbed a couple clothes and a blanket - even brought a few snickers for when you’re up to it.”
Truth be told Hailey could’ve cried again, she had no idea what she did to deserve such a decent man - a man who gently draped the fluffy blanket over her and held her hand through everything, even if his own was cramping. A man who would always have a snickers or even a hair tie on him just incase Hailey needed it. A man who would stop what he was doing - no matter how important - if Hailey needed him or needed something from him. A man who loved her like nobody else has loved her before and it made her heart swell in all the best places.
She smiled softly at him, snuggling with the blanket and she found his hand under the sheets, “thank you,” she whispered, with a yawn to follow.
“You don’t have to thank me, just try and get some sleep, I promise i’ll be right here when you wake up.” Jay said delicately, his thumb brushing her knuckles and it soon lulled her to sleep.
Although who was to know how long she could nap for.
— — —
It had been an hour since Hailey fell asleep, her face contorting or scrunching up ever so slightly every now and then - when the monitor picked up the contractions, but she wouldn’t wake entirely so that had to be a good sign, she was finally resting. Jay took a breath, before turning to his mother who was now back on the couch. “mom,” he began slowly, managing to grab Catherine’s attention. “Yea baby?”
“What are we gonna do?”
Catherine furrowed her brows, a little confused at what her son was trying to say. “About what dear?”
“About the baby. Hailey’s absolutely terrified that it’s going to be taken away by family services, i’m scared because I don’t know the next thing about being a dad,” Jay started, trying to keep his composure but it was slowly getting harder and harder. “We don’t have anything for the baby and it’s not like we can pay the hospital fee, i’ve only got a small job with dad and Hailey’s been out of work for a few days because of her sickness - so she’s not going to get her money this week,”
“Jay-“
“And I know for a fact that she’s going to go full panic mode when the time for the baby to be born comes around- she’s going to be in total denial that it’s happening, and her panic attack from earlier was enough to… y’know. I could’ve sworn I felt my heart tear into pieces.” Jay explained, taking a moment to breathe and wipe his own eyes. He’s never been one for crying, he would do it when he was on his own if ever he felt like he needed to, but he couldn’t hold it back now- he was mortified for both Hailey and himself.
Catherine stepped up from the couch and rounded the bottom of Hailey’s bed to stand beside her son, “Jay you don’t have to worry about any of that,” She said, running a hand along the back of his shoulders, “I’ve sorted out a bassinet and it’ll be there when you guys get home. I’ve had a deep conversation with your father, and he’s gone to the baby shop to grab the list of items that I gave him.”
“How’d you do all that?”
“Sometimes phones are a magical thing,” Catherine smiled, “You two, especially Hailey, need to focus on yourselves and the baby. Nothing more and nothing less,”
Jay smiled at his mom, a slow nodding motion to follow and his eyes landed back on Hailey - whom was still sleeping, thankfully. “I’ve also been searching some support groups for the two of you, insurance and benefits involved so you’ll get money every month to help with the baby.”
Jay looked back to Catherine with wide, shocked eyes, but she was smiling a teary eyed smile at her son. “You did all of that?” He breathed out, feeling slightly overwhelmed with everything.
“Of course I did, you’re my son and that’s my grand baby,” Catherine said, sniffling back her tears and she brought Jay in for a hug. His head landed on her chest and he also wrapped his one arm around his mom - his other however still holding Hailey’s hand.
“Thanks mom,” Jay whispered, letting his own tear fall, sinking into his mom’s embrace. Teenagers his age are always nattering on about how they’d ’never be caught dead’ hugging their mom at the age of seventeen. But not Jay, Jay would always hug his mom. When he needed, or when it looked like she needed one… before leaving for school and coming home from school, and then before leaving for work - if he gets home before his shift starts with his dad. Some days he’ll be going to work straight from school.
Jay’s mom was his best friend, and she always has been.
Just then, the door swung open and a nurse dropped in to see how things were progressing. When Jay had explained that Hailey was asleep, the nurse nodded in understanding, claiming she ‘didn’t want to wake a tired momma’ and then told Jay to press the call button when Hailey woke.
Which is exactly what he did, Catherine had gone to sit back down by now and a good twenty minutes passed - the time now nearing half three in the afternoon - and that’s when Hailey stirred in her sleep, rolling onto her right side and she whined in pain. Jay stood up and hovered over the bed, running a stray baby strand of hair behind Hailey’s ears and she slowly opened her eyes. “Hey,” he slightly smiled, reaching for the buttons on the side of the bed and he called for a nurse. “Better or worse?”
“Worse,” Hailey sighed in agony, “Aren’t they supposed to offer pain killers? like that epi thing - or even gas and air?” she asked, looking over at Catherine who came to stand by Hailey’s side too.
“Dr Ivars didn’t offer you it earlier?” Catherine frowned.
Hailey shook her head, rolling back around in bed as another pain seared across her stomach, which had her groaning into the pillow. Jay looked cluelessly at his mom, not understanding why she seemed so infuriated by Hailey not being offered it, but before he could enquire about it- the door swung open and the nurse from earlier walked in with Dr Ivars.
“Hi Hailey, how are you doing?”
“Where’s her epidural and why hasn’t she been offered it yet?” Catherine quickly chipped in before Hailey could even respond to the nurse - although the chances of it just being a cry or a whine was quite high.
Dr Ivars and even Nurse Nellie ignored Catherine - which was a very bad idea since that only infuriated the woman even more - but instead focused their attention on Hailey who was clearly in pain. “Hailey, can I check how far along you are?” Dr Ivars asked, whilst Nurse Nellie stood aside.
Hailey rolled onto her back and pulled her blanket over her head, covering up the tears of both fear and embarrassment. Nonetheless, the doctor checked how far along Hailey was and given how young she was and the fact it’s a first born - she was progressing quickly. “You’re at seven centimetres Hailey, you’re doing so well.”
“Where’s the pain meds? I- I’m- I can have them right?” She asked, pulling her blanket away from her head and Catherine pulled it over her legs.
Dr Ivars slowly shook her head and Hailey looked utterly mortified, “What?!” She cried out, “W-why are- why” she stammered, the tears rolling down her cheek again and she felt another contraction strike through her like an uncontrolled wild fire.
Catherine rubbed Hailey’s back as the teen rolled over onto her side, Jay still holding Hailey’s hand with a tight grip. “Dr Ivars can I talk to you outside?” She asked, shooting the doctor her perfectioned ‘mom glare’ and the doctor nodded.
Jay apprehensively glared at his mom, watching as she left and shut the door behind her. Nurse Nellie was still in the room with the kids, watching the machine which timed Hailey’s contractions but everything seemed great in that department.
Catherine shut the door behind her, standing opposite Dr Ivars who was holding a board against her side. “You wanna tell me why she wasn’t offered the epidural when we found out she was in early labour?” Catherine started in an angry whisper because they were in a hallway.
“Mrs Halstead, the reason why Hailey hasn’t been offered it is because you’re not her legal parent- and she needs consent from a legal parent-“
“Excuse me?!”
“Therefore we didn’t offer her the epidural. She needs consent from a legal parent, and you are not that.”
“Oh bullshit!” Catherine yelled, now without a care in the world that they were in a hallway and people were passing by. “This is Illinois, you don’t need consent from parents if the kid is under eighteen years of age. Not for this. Not when she is a terrified, pregnant sixteen year old who knows next to nothing about being a mom. And yet you don’t even have the decency to ask the poor girl whether or not she wants the epidural, so now she has to go through this with gas and air.” She explained through gritted teeth, “And that does jack shit besides make you feel sick, she’s already in a load of pain and you couldn’t even feel the slightest bit sympathetic for her.”
“And, i’ll have you know Dr Ivars,” Catherine went on, eyes narrowed with anger and she truly had to give it to herself, Dr Ivars looked pretty scared. “It’s extremely unprofessional to interpret your views into the way you treat your patients. Which you have clearly done-“
“excuse me?”
“I’m not finished.” Catherine spoke over her, not standing down for a beat, she would protect Hailey to the ends of the earth. “You failed to properly treat a sixteen year old girl, I could get you benched for that, and by christ I will if you don’t do exactly as I say.”
Dr Ivars stepped back slightly, more so out of fear more than anything, but she nodded at Catherine’s request. “I suggest you get me a different doctor, who will do their job and who will correctly inform Hailey of what’s to come next. Because I promise you, if you don’t, I will be not only reporting you to the hospital- but also the health board.” Catherine threatened, dropping the terrifying mom act in a beat and she sent the doctor an innocent smile before brushing past and walking back inside Hailey’s room.
When Catherine came into sight, Hailey sighed out of relief, praying she was coming back with good news. Even if the look on her face said otherwise. “Mom, what did they say?” Jay asked, still holding Hailey’s hand only this time he was sat on the bed beside her.
Catherine sighed, glared at the nurse before looking back at Jay and Hailey. “Hailey sweetie, you can’t have the epidural because you’re too far on in the labour,” she paused, looking down to the ground before her gaze landed on the two kids again. She could see the terror in Hailey’s eyes, and the panic on Jay’s face as well as the upset for his girlfriend. “but there are other pain medications, such as gas and air which you’ll be able to use when you feel like you need it.”
“Does it make the pain stop?”
Catherine subtly shook her head at that, “It doesn’t make it stop entirely, but it does help reduce the pain to something you can manage,”
Hailey seemed to consider it, eventually giving in and accepting the gas and air when she felt another contraction starting. In hearing her request, Nellie quickly got onto that and sorted out the gas and air machine for her - which thankfully was sorted quickly and before long the nurse was explaining to Hailey how to use it properly.
That she had to use it when she had a contraction, to place the mask on her face and then tug the mouthpiece between her teeth and take deep breaths with it. Then she left for a second time and explained she would be back for a routine check soon, but to call her if they needed it.
So she used the gas and air as much as she could.
— — —
About five - thirty seven pm, Hailey started to complain about stronger pressure and that the gas and air wasn’t doing much to help the pain anymore. She was exhausted, in pain, stressed, worried and everything else under the sun.
Doctors came and went, checking in more and more as Hailey continued to progress in the labour. At one point they were able to increase the amount of gas and air she was getting, which didn’t do a lot but there was a slight effect and she had reached that point where she would take absolutely anything for the pain. Even if it was just a slight change in medication.
Although, as mentioned, it didn’t last long because she was soon tearing up as another - stronger and longer - contraction hit. She did as she always would and took in the mouth piece as she felt the contraction, her hand tightening in Jay’s and she pressed her head into the side of the bed.
A staggering cry passed her lips and she closed her eyes to pray it would just go away. That none of this was actually happening, but the second she felt catherine’s hand rubbing her arm and Jay’s hand gently brushing her knuckles - she knew it wasn’t some terrorising dream. It was real.
And that alone was enough to send her spiralling again. Her knowledge on pregnancy and giving birth was slim, but she knew enough that this could end horribly - her age being a factor of tragedy. She pulled the mask away from her face and looked up at Catherine, who was looking down at her with a small proud smile on her face. “You my dear, are doing amazing,”
“No- No I can’t do it,” Hailey whined, shaking her head profusely before putting the gas and air back to her face - she just needed it for the pain at this point, and not just the contractions.
Jay frowned, his hand dropping to her lower back and she turned to him. “Hailey-“
“I can’t- I can’t do it, please don’t make me do it,” Hailey whined, eyes trained on the contraction monitor and she could’ve sobbed over the fact the pain was growing again and it was indeed another contraction. “It’s too painful,” She cried, putting the mask to her mouth and Catherine coached her through the pain.
At one point, Catherine glanced over at her son whom was tearing up at the sight of Hailey writhing and crying in pain beside him and her heart throbbed. “Jay, hey,” She whispered, managing to grab his attention and he looked up at his mother sadly. “She’s gonna be just fine, it won’t be easy but the second that baby is born it’ll be so worth it.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Catherine smiled softly at him, “You and your brother are the best things to ever happen to me, and you’ll feel the same way when this baby comes along,” she explained, reaching her other hand over to Jay and she squeezed his arm. “Both of you are going to be just fine.”
“Sorry to break the sweet mother - son moment,” Hailey interrupted them breathlessly, dropping the mask down into the bed beside her, “But something is happening and it’s not comfortable,” she explained with a quiet groan to follow and she looked worriedly at Catherine.
“You think I should get a nurse?”
Hailey managed a nod, smiling softly when Catherine pecked a kiss to her forehead and then set off to get a nurse. She then looked up at Jay and he frowned at her, “You’re going to be okay, I promise,” He said quietly, gently placing a hand on her cheek and he leant down to peck a soft kiss to her lips.
Hailey leaned into it, her hand running through his hair before dropping it to his back and she clenched her fist into his shirt. Jay pulled away, his hand dropping to her arm and she hid herself in his stomach - her whole body tensing in pain. “Oh Jay- it hurts, somethings happening,” she groaned, sitting up slightly and wrapping her arms around Jay’s waist. Jay wrapped his arms around Hailey and held her to his chest, a hand on the side of her head and the other rubbing her arm.
Catherine walked back through the door with a nurse and a different doctor, Dr Virani - whom both made their way quickly to Hailey’s side. “Who are you?” Hailey asked breathlessly, looking the new doctor up and down with furrowed brows.
“I’m Doctor Virani, i’m the doctor that your mom requested for-“
Hailey’s eyes went wide and she glared at Catherine, “That’s not- okay, never mind, what happened to the other doctor?” she asked, hand now clutching Jay’s instead of fisting his jacket.
Dr Virani looked over at Catherine, before looking back at Hailey and she sent her a friendly smile, “Let’s just see what’s going on right now okay?” The doctor explained, to which Hailey hesitantly nodded and led back in the bed - her hand didn’t leave Jay’s for a second, and she was quick to grab the gas and air again.
Dr Virani examined Hailey, a look of surprise on her face, “Hailey honey-“
“What?” Hailey whined, tossing her head across her shoulder as she waited for the contraction to pass.
“You’re fully dilated, sweetie - which means you’re ready to start pushing.”
The second those words met Hailey’s ears, she panicked. There was absolutely no way she could do this, she wasn’t prepared in the slightest - now couldn’t be the time. It couldn’t - this is how she planned anything in her life to go. She shook her head repeatedly, a quiet sob passing her lips, “I don’t want to,” she cried around the mouth piece of the gas and air.
Catherine stepped forward and grabbed Hailey’s attention with a simple arm rub, “Hailey, baby, this is happening and it’s going to happen so quick, I promise,” She started, keeping Hailey distracted enough whilst a few other nurses came through the door and they all worked to get prepared. “So how about we get you prepped on your knees, okay?” She added, receiving a slow nod from Hailey - whom was looking at her with terror in her eyes.
Dr Virani, Nurse Nellie, Jay and Catherine all helped Hailey onto her knees - not that she needed so much assistance, she was able to move pretty good when she wasn’t amidst a contraction. But it was reassuring to know that despite the state she was in, with the gown falling off her shoulders and riding up her hip - Jay held the blanket over her back to keep her covered.
Then he manoeuvred around to the back of the bed, and Hailey quickly grabbed his hand with her other holding the gas and air over her mouth. “Hey, you’ve got this-“
“I don’t, I don’t i’m so scared. I’m so scared- please don’t leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere, I promise, just focus on you and the baby okay?”
Hailey reluctantly nodded, setting her full attention to what the doctors and nurses were saying to her.
Honestly, being pregnant was not on her bingo cards for that year - let alone it being a cryptic pregnancy. Meeting Jay wasn’t on her bingo cards for this year, she just thought it would be another of those dreadful years of just waiting for the day she turned eighteen and could get out of her house. But then she met Jay, Catherine took her in and now here she was - pushing her way through contractions whilst apparently making an attempt to break Jay’s hand as she cursed him out in Greek.
Fun!
“Hailey you’re doing so well-“
“How much longer?” She cried, looking up at Jay who was smiling at her - she wasn’t stupid, he was absolutely shitting himself, but he was doing well at hiding it and she was at least thankful for that.
“Just a few more pushes-“
Dr Virani was cut off by a piercing cry, as Hailey dug her head into the pillow and let herself sob whilst she pushed. Her nails dug into Jay’s hand and it forced a hiss from his lips - and she looked up at him, he had a clear pained expression on his face and Hailey rolled her eyes, “Why do you look like you just got slapped?” She asked.
“Nothing- nothing i’m fine,” Jay said quickly, squeezing her hand three times and she smiled at him.
“I love you too,”
Hailey soon went back to pushing and stopping, then pushing and stopping - she had no idea where the energy to push came from but the fuel was starting to deplete quicker than she had expected. At one point Hailey completely shut down for a good minute and refused to do anything, until Jay gave her a tough love speech and she rolled her eyes at him before pushing again. At least ten minutes went by before Dr Virani yelled something about the baby crowning - whatever that meant, Hailey hadn’t a clue and neither had Jay. Catherine seemed to understand though, because she explained to Hailey that she was almost there and continued to rub the teens back.
“Gosh I am never having sex with you again!” Hailey cried out mid push and the room erupted into small laughs - everyone besides Catherine, who offered Jay a tight lipped smile and that stern mother look.
“Just breathe babe,” Jay shifted awkwardly, brushing Hailey’s knuckles with the pad of his thumb. “You’re doing way better than I could ever do-“
“Oh please, you wouldn’t be able to handle the contractions.” Hailey scoffed, dropping her head into the pillow as an attempt to hide herself - it worked so she praised herself for that.
It felt like ages, it probably was ages - it definitely was ages, but Hailey pushed one final time and she felt a lot more relieved. That was until she heard a baby crying and the panic struck her again and she looked over her shoulder, her eyes landed on the doctors and nurses who were gently wiping the baby over with a towel and she felt tears prick her eyes. “You have a wonderful baby boy,” Dr Virani announced, lifting the baby into her arms and Hailey looked at him with wide eyes. “Did you want to hold h-“
“No- no I…” Her voice trailed off, shaky and hoarse from crying for so long, but she still shook her head and Dr Virani understandably nodded.
“Okay, we’re just going to check him over and run a couple tests.” Dr Virani explained, quickly taking the baby over to the crib and the nurses surrounded him - he was soon out of sight and Hailey felt her body relax a little.
Jay eyed her curiously, not quite understanding why Hailey wouldn’t want to hold the baby, but he didn’t hold it against her. He looked up at his mom, who was pulling the hospital blanket back down over Hailey so that she was covered and felt more comfortable. She also seemed slightly confused as to why Hailey didn’t want to connect with the baby, but like Jay - she didn’t hold it against her. Having a baby can be scary, and even more so when it’s sprung on you the same day you give birth…