Hello

So, I'm stressed, also I'm feeling really down at the moment, for reasons I'm not going to say.

Secondly, a reason why I'm stressed is because three more of my friends have decided it would be an 'oh so good' idea to come and read my books.

GREAT

I told them not to, because I feel awkward about it, because one of my close friends really loves books and I feel...that compared, this really sucks butt. Also both my close guy friends have started to read them. SO I'M SO NERVOUS BUT I'M NOT GOING TO STOP THEM. I believe one of my three new reader friends has caught up so um...hi?!

Kissing scenes, confessions, tears, all those chapters, IT'S A LOVE STORY AND MY GUY FRIEND'S ARE READING IT, ONE ACTUALLY REALLY LIKES IT WTF. Everyone gives lovely reviews, but they would wouldn't they?

As I said, bad mood, but I always doubt everything, so what's new?

-Lx

P.S- SORRY IT IS SO LONG! I hope it is worth it? :)

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I watch disapprovingly as he blows the smoke out from almost closed lips, breathing a sigh of relief before he takes another drag. I watch the smoke drift up above him and then disperse as if it was never there. I shift my weight on my feet, my boots crunching on the small amount of snow that settled on the ground this morning.

His blue eyes meet mine as I sigh; his brings the cigarette away and flicks it, a few ashes hit the ground as he blows out more smoke.

"You don't have to stand there and watch me smoke" Matt says rather bluntly, raising the cigarette to his lips again.

"Why not? Kirsty's studying at the library last minute and Emma is with the boys, so what am I supposed to do? And besides, I thought you only smoke when you're stressed?"

He closes his eyes in aggravation and takes another puff, he looks over at me and sighs.

"I am stressed. Mum and I fell out last night and it's playing on my mind"

I nod in reassurance, I decide to turn away from him, I rest my back against a tree that we stand by, I watch Emma flick a few strands of her dark hair from her face as Josh makes her laugh, Ollie's hand seems to always be at the small of her back or at her waist, I watch Dan's green eyes light up as he laughs too, his eyes screwing up and a hand at his stomach.

A sizzling sound makes me turn back around, Matt's black leather converse push the cigarette into the dirt, he smiles at me, and shifts his leather jacket as a sudden icy breeze blows through the trees.

"I'm exhausted" he whispers, he sits down on the bench, rubbing at his forehead, he clenches his jaw as I sit beside him.

"Did you dream about your...Dad again?" I mumble, he doesn't look at me instead makes his hands into fists and stares at his shoes.

He nods, running a hand through his dark hair, he closes his eyes and to my surprise, moves to rest his head on my shoulder, I raise my hand to stroke it through his hair. He mumbles in appreciation and his tense posture relaxes, I look up to see Emma walking over with Ollie in tow.

"Hey guys" Ollie says, waving his hand. His eyes look down to Matt; who for the record, puts up with Ollie for my sake, Ollie raises an eyebrow at me.

I shake my head and then reply "Hi" Emma and Ollie look at each other. I poke Matt in the ribs distinctly and he grunts, then opens one eye and says "Alright?"

"If we're disturbing something...." Ollie begins but I cut him with a glare.

"Oh don't you start" I warn, widening my eyes at him, he shrinks back, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm not...you know I'll just go, I don't like this"

He turns on his heel and marches back to Josh and Dan, leaving Emma standing before us.

"Matt's in a bad mood" I whisper, she nods with a small smile.

The sound of light snoring comes from Matt's relaxed figure, I look over to see his body rising and falling.

"He fell asleep on you?" Emma says, stifling a giggle.

"I guess he did"

I check my watch and then I poke him in the ribs again and he grunts, he opens his eyes and looks at me waiting for an answer as to why I disturbed him.

"Come on, we're gonna be late for class" I chuckle, he groans in protest as I pull him to his feet.

"But your shoulder is so comfy!"

I laugh, pulling him along with me so that we will eventually make it in time.

***

I glance up at the clock a few hours later, watching the second hand tick gradually, I roll my eyes and rest my head against my hand, tapping my pen against the desk.

I do love history, but the cold war is just so dull. At least the way that Mr Peters teaches it.

I look to my left and then to my right, the students around me are all scribbling they're copies of the practice paragraphs, when I have no idea what to write, I spot Kirsty daydreaming out of the window and I smile, knowing that I'm not alone.

"Hazel, can you come up here please?"

My attention shoots back to Mr Peters, who is staring straight at me, I freeze, fearing I have been caught in the act of severe boredom. I nod and get to my feet, my boots tap down the aisle of the desks as I reach him.

"Yes sir?" I ask, my voice coming out squeaky and unlike my own, I look down at his square glasses on his old and tired face, reflecting the bright glow of his laptop.

"You are required at main reception, there's a message waiting for you"

I look at him curiously, he shrugs and then nods to my desk. "Take you things, you can catch up at another time"

"Um...okay"

My boots click again as I walk back to my desk, I slide my stuff into my handbag, I look up to see Kirsty looking at me confused, I shake my head and frown, she nods and mouths: "text me".

"Oh...this email also says that a Mister....Foster I believe? Is waiting for you"

I stare at him, I hear Kirsty choke on her water, and Mr Peters doesn't look over or ask if she is okay, he continues to stare back at me.

"Is that a problem Miss Robinson?" he leans forward on his desk, looking at me over his glasses.

"No Sir" I say quickly "I'll be going now"

He nods and I hurriedly make my way out of the door. I feel incredibly anxious, what is going on?

I speed walk my way down the corridor, I leave the building and cross the stone courtyard to the other building, I walk into the library doors, I walk past the entrance to the library to main reception, I spot Dan straight away, sat on one of the fabric chairs, his leg bouncing nervously.

I push the door open, his head turns at the sound and he looks straight at me. I stop on the spot and I raise an eyebrow challenging him to say something.

"Hazel" he says simply, voice rather dull, nodding in acknowledgement.

"Daniel" I respond, the name rather foreign on my tongue "What's going on?"

"Ah Hazel is that you?" a high pitched, sing song, voice asks.

A little blonde lady sits behind the square in the wall at the desk, she smiles warmly at me, tapping her pink manicured nails against the dark wood desk. I cross the carpet to stand before the desk.

"I have a message for you, then you and Daniel can sign out and make your way there, a taxi has been paid"

What is going on?

She hands me the telephone, I raise it to my ear, she presses a button and a recorded message plays.

It's Heather's voice.

"This is a message for Daniel Foster and Hazel Robinson, it is urgent that the pair get to the hospital as quick as they can, Laura Cox, a family friend of Mister Foster and sister in law to Miss Robinson, has gone into labour"

My eyes widen, I nearly drop the phone and I nearly fall over, I grip the desk and hand the phone back, I quickly scribble my name into the book to sign me out and Dan meets me at the door.

"Good luck!" the lady yells, we rush out of the door and down the stairs.

"Why are you even here?" I hiss at Dan as we begin to power walk down the long driveway, beads of anxious sweat forming on my forehead, my heart beats fast.

"Oh wow that's nice"

"Seriously though, I don't mean to be rude"

"But you are though"

I turn my head to him, narrowing my eyes, he looks back with a straight expression.

"I'm going to be an Auntie to this baby, and what are you?"

"A family friend?"

"Oh right, because that's important"

"Look. I'm here to escort you, also because my Mum requested I come which means Laura or James probably asked. Also, Laura and James mean a lot to me, take that as you will, I really don't care"

I scrunch up my nose in a grouchy manner. Moving some hair from my eyes, I storm after him as he begins to walk ahead.

He turns to see me slowly walking behind him.

"Well hurry up then!"

"Sorry..."

We resume our fast paced walking, going once again the long driveway. Both of us extremely annoyed to be in the presence of each other.

We reach the taxi parked at the end of the driveway, Dan simply yells 'hospital' and the man steps on the gas. I shift uncomfortably on my seat, my stomach flooding with nerves, I tap my foot against the carpeted floor and grip the handle on the door. I look over to see Dan watching me, eyebrows furrowed, I raise an eyebrow at him, thinking that he is definitely not going to say anything nice.

"Yes?" I question, my tone unsteady and high pitched. But instead he smiles and puts a hand on my shoulder.

"It's going to be alright Hazeln..." both of our eyes widen and he stops himself, he takes a deep breath closing his eyes. "Hazel...Hazel, yes"

I raise both my eyebrows at him, then push his hand off my shoulder, he goes back to having an off attitude around me, especially as I continue with: "I'm fine Dan, it's nothing of your concern".

As we pass trees, bushes, houses and shops I feel more anxious, I crane my neck to look out of the window to the right. When he does finally pull up, I launch out of the car, leaving Dan to pay as I run into the building, he runs in after me.

"Hazel wait!" he shouts, I grind to a halt, looking around me, suddenly for some reason, I realise now that I haven't stepped in here since I was 10.

I had run straight into a window ledge, cutting my cheek, although it didn't leave a car thank god. I remember Dan being there, asking if I was okay, while panicking. Later we were sat in A&E (Accident and Emergency, known as ER in America) and Dan was sat at my side, making sure I stayed positive and happy by making me laugh and smile, he held my hand the whole time. Which proved very reassuring.

"Hey, remember when we came in here?" he smiles at the very same memory, but I'm suddenly reminded of the task at hand and I dash over to the front desk, ignoring his question.

A tall red-haired woman sits behind the desk, tapping at her keyboard with a telephone balancing between her chin and shoulder. She looks up and smiles apologetically. A young man comes into the room from an office behind the desk, he pushes his glasses up his nose and then notices us standing there, his eyes widen at our frantic expression.

"Sorry. Can I help you?" he asks, leaning back, his eyes tired from a previous night shift, as they flicker back and forth between Dan and I's anxious expressions.

"Yes. We're looking for Laura Cox's room?" I say, drumming my fingers against the desk. He nods and walks over to another computer, searching the data.

"What relation are you to Miss Cox?"

"Well the father of her baby, is my brother. So I guess I'm her sister in law" I say, he nods and then looks over at Dan.

"I'm a family friend" Dan nods, the man looks at us sceptically, as if we are not telling the truth, I feel like I'm about to scream at him when the girl on the long phone call rolls his eyes, she puts her hand over her phone and whacks the boy on his arm.

"I'm so sorry, he's new, of course you can go up, room 56, in the maternity ward which is ward 8, floor 3" she says, glancing at his screen as she reads it, I smile gratefully, sighing in relief.

Dan and I dash over the porcelain white and grey floor, over to the elevator, he forcibly clicks repeatedly at the button.

"Come on!" he yells, I flint slightly at the irritated sound, the doors open and I step inside, he follows me slightly. I gasp for breathe, running across the reception room, which is rather long, took the wind out of me.

Daniel POV

Her dark brown eyelashes flutter closed as we both gasp for breathe. My own lungs ace for air, I inhale deeply and lean against the mirrored wall.

Her eyes open and she eyes me carefully, no words are spoken as I watch her eyes, examining the dark chocolate colour.

The doors open and the panic kicks back in, she shoots out of the door and out of the doors, I groan to myself and follow her as she frantically looks round for the right ward.

"Over there!" I point, spotting a large sign with an 8 on it in the near distance, she squeaks and shoots down the hallway, I thank myself for wearing my gym trainers as I run after her, she pauses in front of the sign and I nearly collide into her, stopping myself in time.

"What's wrong?" I ask as she looks up at the sign, biting down on her pale pink bottom lip.

"I-I'm scared" she stutters, I look up at the ceiling in exasperation.

"You think you're scared? How do you think Laura and James are feeling right now?"

She nods, looking at the ground, something must've sparked again as she zooms into the ward to the waiting room, I watch from her previous spot as her parents and Laura's family get up to greet her.

Mum, Dad and Ellie aren't there, so why am I here? And why did Mum send the message?

My phone buzzes, as if on cue, it's my Mum:

Danny,

Laura's been in labour for round about 6 hours, I was there earlier but your father and I are working night shifts today of all days, I was the one who called as James was freaking out and everyone else was either not there yet or also scared out of their minds.

Do me a favour son.

Keep Hazel safe.

-Mum x

I can't believe they made Hazel wait for 4 hours.

I look down the hallway to where Hazel's Mum, Clarissa smiles at me, motioning me to come.

I hesitantly enter the waiting room, I'm introduced to Laura's Nan and parents, and then Clarissa pulls me to one side.

"Dan, thank you so much for coming her with her"

"It's okay"

"No really, I'm almost positive that she wasn't...um...too happy to be escorted here by you"

I shake my head, shrugging my shoulders. She surprises me by pulling me into a tight hug.

***

5 hours later

It's 8 o'clock. We haven't seen either of the upcoming parents, only heard screams and seen nurse after nurse leave and enter the door.

Hazel and I are in a deserted waiting room; Laura's parents went to catch up on sleep in the hotel over the road, Hazel's parents are sitting three floors below in the cafeteria.

Hazel paces the room, she has been for an hour, pulling at her or biting her nails or clenching her fists.

It's annoying me, so much.

"Hazel" I say agitated, as she walks round the set of chairs in front of her, biting her nails. She ignores me, continuing to pace with tired eyes.

"Hazel" I urge, she stops and looks at me blinking, tilting her head to one side instead of answering.

"For Christ's sake, please just sit down, you're stressing me out!"

She sighs, biting her lip, then sits down opposite me slowly, looking at her hands that are clasped in her hands.

The door behind her, room 56, opens, I look up from her lap and over her head to see James emerge from the room, screaming following from behind him.

"....THAT'S RIGHT GO! LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME YOU COWARD, I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU GO THROUGH THIS!"

He cuts her across, closing the door. He looks absolutely exhausted, his chest heaving heavily, tired eyes, dropping shoulders and messy hair. Hazel leaps from her chair, walking over to him. He looks at her, then takes her by the arm and leads her to the other side of the room.

"Hazel...how long have you been here?" he whispers, his voice hoarse. A hand on either of her shoulders.

"5...5 hours" she mumbles, looking at the ground.

"Wait what? Hazel I'm so sorry"

"Evening classes. Its fine, really it is, we got here at 3. What's wrong?"

"Hazel. I'm so scared, so bloody scared" he sounds like he is going to cry. His hands shake as she guides him over to one of the plastic blue seats, I watch anxiously.

"Hazel, I don't think I can do this" he whispers, her reassuring smile disappears, she looks physically broken to see him like this.

She pulls him into an embrace, him beginning to sob into her shoulder.

"What can't you do James?" she says quietly, stroking his brown hair softly.

"I don't think...I don't think I can be a Dad"

"What?! What makes you think that?"

"Listen to how she screamed at me Hazel!"

"She's in so much pain James, you have to realise that"

"Yeah, but I'm 22! Nearly 23, and like you said sometimes I act like a bloody 2 year old!"

She smiles, shaking her head, pulling him up to look at her properly.

"Our Dad's immature isn't he? And he's the best one yet, he raised us in a happy home, teasing us and trying to give us the best opportunities he could. Having a childish father is probably the best thing in the world!"

He smiles weakly, brushing his tears from his cheeks. He rubs over his tired and sore eyes with his chequered sleeve.

"You...r-really think so?" he mumbles, laughing slightly and running a hand nervously through his messy hair that falls back on his forehead.

"I know so! James you'll be great! And we'll all be here to support you through it; a beautiful little baby is being currently...brought here by Laura, he or she will grow and take advice from you, live like you, admire you James and there's so much that comes with having a child in your life, who cares how young you are?! You will be fine"

"Thank you Haze, thank you so much, I'm acting stupid, I'm just..."

"Petrified?"

He nods, meeting my eyes for a second before looking back to her.

"You don't think Laura is too? You'll learn together, we'll all learn, you just need to simply take things a step at a time, it will come naturally I'm sure, but right now, you need to support Laura, because she can't do this without you"

He smiles, nodding his head. "Okay, thank you so much"

He gets to his feet and they both hug tight, then he walks back to the room, takes a breath, looks back at Hazel who nods supportably, then pushes down the handle and walks into the room.

She looks back at me, eyes glazed over and lip trembling. She shakes her head, strolling back, she sits next to me this time.

I hate seeing her like this. Especially when she was supportive to her brother.

I dig into my pocket for the bag of tissues, I open then and hand her one, she smiles at me through teary eyes and accepts it, wiping at her eyes.

Should I comfort her? Would that go against the no contact thing we agreed?

I slowly wipe my hand on my sweatshirt, I hover it over her shoulder for a moment, and then I gradually put it on her shoulder, tapping it gently.

She doesn't react, so I gently move my arm round her shoulders, realising a ragged breathe between my teeth, to my surprise she leans into my touch against my left rib. I look down at her with wide eyes, but her eyes are closed tight.

I smile to myself, feeling accomplished, I look round the room and then down at her as she shakes gently, I keep my arm around her in comfort.

***

Hazel POV

"Hazel, Dan wake up!" someone says, with an excited tone in their voice.

I open my eyes carefully, I had fallen asleep and so had Dan, it takes me a minute to realise his arm is around my shoulders, I quickly jump away and he opens his eyes also.

"Wha-?" he says, he rubs at his eyes, clearing his throat and sitting up as my Mum and Dan's Dad look at us with smiles on their faces.

My cheeks flush at the situation they found us in, I cough and straighten up.

"Hazel..." My mum begins, her eyes alight with such happiness and her smile wide.

I look up her with half open eyes, smoothing a hand through my hair.

"There's someone I want you to meet" she squeals, I notice tear stains on her cheeks, I gasp, my eyes widening. I jump to my feet.

"Dan you come too"

But I'm already at the door; I raise my hand into a fist and knock on the light wood, tapping my foot impatiently, Heather opens it beaming at me.

"Look, it's your Auntie Hazel come to see you" I hear Laura's voice, the smile and happiness evident in her voice. She lets me into the room, I feel my eyes already stinging and I haven't even seen him or her yet.

In the corner of the room; my eyes fix on James, half sat on the bed, his eyes lit up, an adoring smile on his face as he looks down, I watch as he presses a kiss to Laura's forehead, pushing back her sweaty and matted hair.

"You did so well baby" he whispers, kissing her lips gently, she smiles at him, I look down into her arms, a small white blanket in her arms, I feel the tears prickling even more. She looks up me, her bright blue eyes tired and exhausted.

"Hazel, this is your new nephew" she says, James looks up and smiles at me. I walk over to the bed and Laura carefully hands me the warm bundle.

My arms weigh down as I hold him in my arms, the new parents watching me carefully, my breath hitches as he stirs slightly, he lets out a little yawn and I swear my heart swells with pride. A tear runs down my face as I look down at the tiny little figure in my arms.

"Hello, I'm your Auntie Hazel" I whisper, rocking him slowly in my arms.

"We have a name"

I look up at Laura, her arms folded over her hospital gown, wet hair tied back in a ponytail and her face slightly blotchy, she still looks elated.

"Already?" I ask, tightening the blanket around my new nephew to keep him warm.

"Yes. Do you want to tell her James?" she looks up at him lovingly, he kisses her hand, pressing his lips to each fingers as he nods.

"Ryan. Ryan Cole Robinson" he breathes, running a hand down Laura's arm to intertwine their fingers.

I look down at the baby in my arms again, I smile wide, wiping the tear from my eye, I kiss his forehead and then I whisper:

"Welcome to the world. Little Ryan"

I hand him over to my Dad who looks absolutely chuffed, I walk out of the room feeling like an emotional wreck. I find Dan leaning tapping his hand against the coffee machine.

"Oh come on" he says, shaking his head. "I want to go and meet the baby".

"Dan!" I squeak, before I can even think about it, he whips round, no smile on his face.

"How's the baby?" he says, with a tiny ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Perfect. So perfect, oh my god!"

I feel myself begin to cry again as I run at him, wrapping my arms round his warm torso tightly, he stumbles a bit, his hands hesitant as he hugs me back. I close my eyes and don't even think about what I'm doing.

"Danny come and see the-" the person trails off and I open my eyes, Heather is frozen in the door frame, her eyes widen and a smile appears, dimples deep in her cheeks. I jump away from him, averting my eyes.

"I'm coming Mum"

We meet eyes briefly as I look back at him, he smiles, but being my stubborn self, I roll my eyes and look away. He chuckles, walking after his Mother.

I stand there for a moment, processing everything, looking at the clock that reads nearly 11:40. I blink, shaking my head before I step over to the room.

Our relationship is so weird.

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A/N AWWWWWWWW

GUYS I DID IT! Thank you if you tea the whole thing I really hope you liked it.

How did i do? Good? Bad? I just loved writing this one, it makes me so happy :)

And Dan and Hazel? AWKWARD AHA

WELCOME RYAN!

Thanks for reading!

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Vote, comment, ETC. :)

-Lx