I awoke with the sound of heart meters going off and overcalls calling out for doctors. I knew exactly where I was; hospital. I remembered everything that happened before hand, thank God, which made me settle into an ocean of worry. My eyes fluttered opened to a semi-dark room. I didn't see Mama, but I did see my angel -- I mean, Jack. He was sleeping soundly at a chair beside me; I could hear his soft snores. Was I out for that long? When I went to rub my stomach, I was surprised to see nothing there. Oh my God, Melody was fucking born? She was here?! I slapped Jack's thigh hard, thankfully not pulling out my IV. "Jack!" I whisper-shouted. Jack startled upwards, grunting,

"H-Huh?" He looked at me and gasped. "Babe, you're awake!"

"Yeah, yeah," I pushed his happiness aside, "where's Melody?"

"She's still in the NICU. They're still waiting to do the birth certificate and everything until, you know.."

"You know what?"

"Alex, she has a chance of not making through this." My heart sank. My baby could be dying or even dead, and I didn't even know it. I cupped my mouth and began to breathe heavily. He went to my side and held me. "Sweetie, she's okay right now. They just don't know if her lungs will be strong enough."

"I want to see her, Jack. I want to see my baby." Jack nodded before pressing a button beside my bed that read, "NURSE" in capital, white letters. Moments later, a nurse came jogging in.

"Yes?" she asked.

"My boyfriend wants to see his baby." Jack replied for me. The nurse nodded, saying,

"I'll grab your doctor and see if you're able to go back there." Without another word, she went to go fetch my doctor. As we waited, Jack and I sat in a hug.

"I can't believe she came so early. I tried to be in the best of health for her, Jack. I tried so damn hard."

"I know you did, Lex. They said you were underweight when the pregnancy began, and you were just too stressed. I am so sorry."

"I want her to live. I want her to fucking live, dammit." Before I could go on a hysteric meltdown, the doctor arrived in our room.

"Hello, Mr. Gaskarth. I was told you want to see your daughter?"

"Yes, I want to see her." I whined. "Please."

"Well, before we go down there, I want to inform both of you that, miraculously, your daughter will be alright." My eyes widened, jaw dropping.

"But, Jack told me --" I was interrupted.

"Your daughter's lungs are working well, but not quite enough to be released yet. She, however, will be taken off the lung guide tomorrow, so she'll be able to trial out breathing on her own. Your daughter, all in all, will be surviving, Mr. Gaskarth." I couldn't have smiled any wider. I squeezed Jack in my arms and wailed,

"Our baby is okay!"

---

The doctor guided me to the NICU with Jack alongside me. We entered, having to put on plastic, yellow robes. I stepped over to the crib that held her. She was still wired up, and she was the tiniest baby I had ever saw. It saddened me, but I perked back up knowing she would be okay. I leaned in and picked her up slowly and carefully. I cradled her in my arms. She had Jack's nose; I could see it. Her eyes were peeking open, and I couldn't help notice they were chocolate brown. I rubbed the soft, black hairs on her head. "Hey there, baby-girl. I'm your daddy." I whispered. Jack was at my side, staring over my shoulder at his newest addition. "I prayed for you in my dreams; I know I did. I am so glad you're okay to be okay, and I know your dad and I will always be there for you. You're going to be our little weirdo, okay?" I laughed, and so did Jack. Yet, then, something hit me. I turned to Jack and said, "Jack, we can't name her Melody."

"Huh?" he looked at me perplexed.

"Babe, she's a fighter. I... I want her name to Miracle Melody Gaskarth-Barakat. She's our miracle baby, Jack. She deserves a name as special as that."

Notes

we are throwing chapters out like nobody's business

xoxo krys