Hazel

September 6th, 2019

7:08 p.m.

She was lounging on the couch watching Netflix and eating ice cream. She was on maternity leave due to her due date approaching and she was nervous. Once she finished her strawberry ice cream she set her bowl on the coffee table. She didn't typically like strawberry (she was more of a vanilla girl) but the pregnancy cravings got to her. She paused the show she was watching and she stood up to put away the bowl she felt a liquid trickle down her leg. In a panic, she quickly grabbed her phone and dialed Nico's phone number. Within seconds he picked up.

"Nico, my water broke. I think the baby is coming."

"Really?" He asked eagerly. "Okay! I'll be there in a minute!"

After making sure all her bags were packed and changing into more comfortable clothes she went back into the living room. As she went to call Nico again a figure stumbled out of the shadows. He ran over to his sister quickly and peppered her with questions. Hazel chuckled at his overprotectiveness.

"I'm fine, Nico," Hazel said. She spoke too soon. All of a sudden, she could feel her stomach tighten. She winced in pain.

Nico's eyes knit in concern, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Hazel sighed after the short period of pain was gone. "Just a contraction."

"Does that mean we have to go to the hospital?" Nico asked.

"No, we don't have to go until they're five minutes apart," Hazel said, setting a timer on her phone. Having a feeling this was going to take a while, she sat down on her couch and started to play the show she was watching earlier. She could feel Nico's presence as he sat on the couch next to her. Her mind wandered off from the show. She couldn't believe she was about to give birth to a baby without Frank by her side. Over the past 8 months, she had been preoccupied with her new job and preparing for the baby to even have much time to think about Frank but now that her mind was partially cleared...he was on her mind. A tear began to roll down her cheek. Nico noticed and frowned.

"What's the matter, Haze?" He asked.

"I miss him... more than ever," she sniffed.

Nico wrapped her in a hug. "Hey, it's going to be okay."

Hazel nodded her head on Nico's shoulder. He released her from his hug and a second later another contraction hit. Her hands flew to her stomach. Her eyes squeezed shut for the eternal 32 seconds. Once it was over Nico looked at her with concerned eyes.

"How far apart was that one?" He asked.

"5 minutes," she rounded up. "If they are still five minutes apart in an hour then we can head to the hospital."

And so the countdown began. She turned on the tv and tried to get as comfortable as her pregnant body allowed her to. When the hour came to a close and Hazel had just had another contraction. After the pain was over, they drove to the hospital nearby Hazel's apartment. After being checked into a room, she was there all night and by the time she was 10 centimeters dilated it was 8:19 a.m.

A doctor walked into the room, pulling gloves onto his hands. "Alright Hazel, time for you to have that baby of yours." She turned to Nico. "Are you the father, sir?"

He shook his head, "No I'm her sister."

"Sorry but unless you are the father of the child you cannot be in the room during the birth."

"Wait, what?" Hazel asked quickly, fear sprawled across her face. "I have to do this alone?"

The doctor shrugged solemnly, "I'm sorry, it's hospital policy."

Nico squeezed Hazel's hand reassuringly, "Don't worry Haze, you can do it. Plus you have the doctors here who are here to help."

Hazel took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Okay."

Nico

Thirty minutes. That's how long it took. Nico waited outside, sitting on one of the waiting chairs. He hated the thought of his sister being in pain. Not being able to clear his mind, he went on his phone and played Words With Friends with Percy.

After nearly beating Percy, a nurse opened the door and poked her head out.

"You're here for Hazel, right?" Nico nodded his head. "Great, well you can come in now if you want."

Nico gave a small smile and slipped his phone into his pocket. He stood up and followed the nurse into the room where he saw Hazel sitting up on the bed cradling a small bundle of blankets, her cheeks wet with tears.

"Hey," Nico said quietly.

"Hi," Hazel replied, "Meet Elaina. Would you like to hold her?"

"Sure," Nico said, hesitantly. Most babies didn't like him. Maybe he radiated death or maybe they just didn't like him.

Nico gently took the baby into his arms.

Unlike what Nico was expecting, Elaina didn't cry the moment she was placed in Nico's arms and gave a small smile.

"Hello there El," Nico said.

Hazel chuckled. "Looks like you have a nickname already."