Chapter 1: Labor.

"Jeff... Jeff, I think my water just broke."

"Wait what? like Right now? on my new Floor mat?"

"Not freaking funny man." she said as she cried out "Oh fuck you mean like right, right now!!" I said while reconfiguring the GPS to the closest hospital "CALL PHILLIP" She screamed whilst breathing frantically "Okay for now just put your legs up on the dash" I turned and lowered her seat so she could keep her legs upright. I called numerously and although ringing, never answered so I put a location notification through to Meech.

"Phillip pick up the fucking Phone for fucks sake!" I yelled whilst filled to the brim with Anxiety "She's coming Jeff, I can feel it!" Anna screamed as she gripped my arm with her legs spread across the dashboard "Just try and stay calm we're about 6mins from the hospital Ann"

"CALM? HOW THE FUCK AM I MEANT TO STAY CALM WHEN A 5-POUND BEAUTIFUL CHILD IS BREAKING MY FUCKING UTERUS"

"I mean you could start by breathing," I said jokingly to try to reduce the tension but alas to no avail "WHY ISN'T HE ANSWERING MY GOD, am I going to be a single Mom?? wtf, I Can't do this Jeff... oh God no "

"Girl can you shut up and breathe, No matter what happens you have me remember."

"Cheesy ass," she said while bursting into laughter. The blinding lights of Saint Mary's Hospital guided us as we turned to a stop in front of the Entrance " HELP, HELP SHE'S HAVING A BABY" I screamed while I got down from the SUV to get attention from the front desk but to no avail " WHAT ARE THOSE MUSCLES FOR, COME CARRY ME INTO THIS BI- arghh" she yelled while lamented in pain from the contractions "Oh sorry, sorry. " I quickly answered using a mickey mouse impression while darting to her side of the car.

"GET OF YOUR ASS SHE'S HAVING A BABY" I screamed in frustration as I burst through the Hospital doors alerting the once distracted Nurse "SHE'S COMING!!!"

"Try and breathe ma'am everything is going to be Okay." She turned and looked at me "Are you the father?" she asked as other nurses escorted Anna through silver-plated doors leaving only her screams lingering in the air "Yes... No wait no, I'm her best friend." begging for composure I responded, "Well Mr...?"

"Jeff- Uh Jeffery Winter " Stumbling over my own words and drifting in between worry and fury I responded, " Well Mr. Winter You are going to have to wait here so please take a seat and wait for our call."

"And don't worry we have very skilled professionals taking care of her, our 95% success rating in Childbirth is no joke I assure you. Best in the state"

"Oh, thank Goodness" I whispered to myself and took a seat at the reception as the nurse scurried off with them through the Silver-plated doors "Wait what about the 5%"

"WHAT ABOUT THE 5%!!" Yelling to no response I fell back to my seat and picked up my phone to dial Phillip again but still to no response "Lord God, Please Protect her and Protect her offspring " I prayed to God almighty as I laid my head back on the cold iron Headrest and was quickly drawn into a slumber.

"How does one explain the end?

I stare at the finish line of creation and find myself lit ablaze

For this sight should not be buried within my eyes

For I have tried and I do not seek the truth no longer

To tell a worm to crawl,

To tell a bird to soar

To tell flies to swarm

To tell my blood to feel warm

An imposter lies within these truths

For this puddle does not comfort me

And I see the flames...

They call to me.

-C.ink"

I set down the pen as the smell of freshly made coffee envelopes my senses "Still writing these whatchamacallits??" She sets a cup beside me and lays a kiss on my cheek "How many times do I have to tell you?"

"A muse must not outshine the author's interest," We say in Unison and burst into a quick laugh "Well I wouldn't be too sure about that" She clears the table and makes it her throne sitting before me as an object of worship... I stare amazed "What would I do without you, My dearest Ann"

"Well one of which is missing that job interview silly, It's already 8:30"

"Oh, shit, shit, shit." I scurry around to find my Parcel that I need to deliver by post "Looking for those?" She gestures towards the Parcel by the lamppost and freshly ironed clothes hung right beside them "Again what would I do without you"

"Absolutely Nothing, Now go take a bath you reek eww" She covers her nose in a cartoony fashion and pushes me into the shower "Fine, fine."

"JEFF... JEFF!!"

"What honey I can't hear you"

"Wake up my man" I am forced awake by a familiar voice... too familiar "Wait... what?"

"Another Anna-rific dream innit"

"Meech, my Broski" I opened my eyes to see my childhood friend staring down at me with water dripping fingers he used to splash me awake. He pulls me up and offers me water to help clear my eyes from that very vivid dream " Yeah man, I haven't had one in a while... it was-"

"It was a dream mate, now get up she's out of labor."

"Oh right, right!! let's go in there" Although more anxious than I should be I summoned the confidence and walked right in there to find Anna fast asleep but a beautiful baby in a crib right next to her "She's beautiful" I stood there in pure awe after I spoke while a great joy overwhelmed my heart "How'd you know She's a she? and Broski why does 'she' look like you so much"

"Sometimes you just know and no she doesn't look like me at all" I brushed away Meech's accusations and just continued to stare at her only to be interrupted by Phillip busting through the doors covered in sweat "I'm here, I'm here"

"Well it took you long enough" Meech replied at him sarcastically "Well hello Ramirez"

"Bite me"

"Can you guys not do this today... Especially at the birth of my daughter" Anna spoke up softly as she struggled to sit upright so I offered my hand to aid her and she accepted "I'm sorry I couldn't make it earlier babe I was caught up with work and-"

"Just save it Phillip" It was clear to all of us that she was still very exhausted and needed her space "Alright Jeff and I will give you two some space" Meech offered while budging me to snap out of the trance The baby had put me in "No all of you can leave but Jeff stay" Stunned by this Phillip and Meech walked out the room but Meech with the biggest smile on his face "She's done with your ass!"

"Bite me Ramirez" I overheard them from the hallway. "She's beautiful, just like her Mother " I walked up to the crib and laid a hand on her cheek "Alora... Her name's Alora"

"Alora!?... But wait... I mean"

"Just shut up for once Mr. Winter" She smiled at me so purely it made my heart sink "Alora, It's a beautiful name and I should know" I shrugged proudly "Proud ass, God this morphine is hitting me like a bitch."

"Well, I'm glad you're feeling good."

"Pretty good" she laughed for a solid minute while phasing in and out of consciousness due to how tired she was "It- It should have been y-"

"Shush... Just go to sleep Ann" I laid a kiss on her forehead, grabbed a seat, and held her hand as she smiled and fell asleep.