***Alex's POV***

Ellie's labor lasted a dreadful 13 hours before she made any progress at all. The entire gang had camped out in the waiting room while I stayed in Ellie's room with her. It's deep into the night at this point, and everything seems to derail by the hour.

Finally, she was told it was time to push. After another 2 hours of that, her beautiful son, Noah Spence, was born. Around 30 minutes later, her beautiful daughter, Aliyah Lorraine, was born.

The entire labor was horrible. Without Steve, Ellie wasn't very motivated to have her kids. Even after they were born, she didn't really want anything to do with either of them. 

Once they were both wrapped in blankets, Two-Bit and I took them out into the waiting room where the gang eagerly waited.

Everyone loved the kids. Noah looked like a mini Steve, and Aliyah was identical to both Ellie and me. It made me happy to see how much the gang loves the kids. Even if Ellie wasn't particularly fond of them yet, the rest of the gang loves them to pieces. 

We spend 3 more days in the hospital, allowing Ellie to recover. Each of the girls came to the hospital every day to help me out with the newborns, seeing that Ellie still wants nothing to do with them. I know she's not in a good place without Steve, but they're her kids.

When it was finally time to go back home to the house Dally and I are living in, Ellie was overjoyed. She finally touched the babies, which made me think maybe things would be okay. Of course, being a single mom won't be easy, but I think we can do it.

I mean, how hard can it be?

It's not like it's only one of us or anything.

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I wake in the morning to silence. It takes me off guard, having two newborns generally means no silence ever, especially when it's their first night in the house. I decided to think nothing of it and enjoy the quiet. I head downstairs for a cup of coffee.

After pouring a cup and finally taking a minute to think, I realize how strange the silence is. It shouldn't be this quiet.

"Ellie?" I call loudly, loud enough so that babies would wake up if they were asleep.

"Ellie!?" I call even louder, quickly heading to her room. I throw the door open and find a made bed and cleaned out room.

Why is it so empty? What the hell is going on?

"Dallas?" I call out, but he's nowhere either.

I walk around in confusion until I find the folded paper labeled Alex in clean handwriting.

If you've found this, it means you've realized me and the kids aren't here. Don't worry, they're alright.

Alex, I'm so sorry, but I just couldn't do it. I thought I could be a single mother, but ever since Steve died, everything has been so much harder. I couldn't do it, Alex. So I made the decision to go stay with some relatives until I can come to terms with what's happened. Noah is with me, so don't worry about him. When you're ready, call Two-Bit and he'll explain more.

I'll be back someday, but please don't go looking for me. I just need a break from everything. Take care of Aliyah, and don't tell her what's going on until she's old enough to understand. I'll be back by then, hopefully. I love you.

Sincerely,

Ellie

I have to read it a few times before it sinks in that she left those kids on their own.

Tears streaming down my face, I rush to the phone in a panic and call Two-Bit.

I cling to the phone so hard my fingers lose feeling as I wait for him to pick up.

"This is Two-Bit," his voice says.

"Two, it's Alex," I say, terror filling my voice.

"I was wondering when you'd call," he says with a sigh. "How are you taking all of this?"

"Do you have her?" is all I want to know.

"Yes, she's asleep right now," he says. "Bailey is over to help out with her."

"I'm headed to you as soon as I hang up," I say. "I'm so sorry she sprung this on you, it's really unlike her..."

"Don't worry about it Alex, as long as she's okay, everything else will be too. I mean for God's sakes, she has like 10 aunts and uncles to help take care of them," he assures me, making me feel a little bit better.

"I'm still going to come get her, at least until all of this works out. Once I hang up, I'm also going to call Darry and see if he knows anything. Plus we have to tell the gang," I say with a sigh. "I don't know, I'll be over soon."

I hear Two-Bit murmur his agreement, then I hear a baby crying. Female steps rush upstairs and I immediately hang up. My mind races with awful thoughts as I throw myself into my car and head for Two-Bit's.