Warnings: Swearing, mentions of birth, mentions of anxiety 

Word Count: 1512

"Fuck," you muttered, grabbing the edge of the kitchen counter to steady yourself.

You glanced at your watch to check the time, it had been just under five minutes since your last contraction. There was no denying the fact that you were in labor now, and you couldn't put off going to the hospital any longer.

Unfortunately for you, you were home alone. Tyler had left the morning before to go on a quick trip to iron out some details for the upcoming album. He had been hesitant about leaving in case the baby came early and wanted to send Josh to handle everything alone, but you had insisted it would be fine and sent him on his way. It was only going to be an overnight trip and the baby wasn't due for another week, after all.

Turns out you were wrong.

You grabbed your phone from the counter as soon as the contraction finished and dialed up your mom who had been staying in town over the past few days so that she would be here when you went into labor. She was nothing if not a bit overprotective, and ecstatic for a grandchild, for that matter.

"Hello?" your mom picked up the phone after one ring.

"Mom, hi," you said. "I need you to come pick me up and take me to the hospital. I think I'm in labor."

Your mom squealed on the other end of the phone, "Ok! I need to gather a few things and then I'll be right over."

"Thank you."

You hit the end call button and immediately started to search through your contacts for Tyler's name. It rang four times before Tyler finally picked up.

"Sorry, phone was in the other room and I didn't hear it ringing at first. What's up?"

You were about to start speaking when another contraction started.

"Ty, I'm...you need to...get home right...now."

"What's going on? Are you ok?"

"It's happening."

Tyler gasped quietly on the other end of the line. "The baby?"

"Yes, doofus," you paused as another shock of pain ran up your back. "Now get your ass home before you miss it."

"Ok, we weren't planning to leave for another couple hours but I'll get everyone moving. I'll be at the hospital as soon as I can."

"You better."

"I love you, babe. You've got this."

"I love you too."

Tyler ended the call and you began to walk around the house gathering things you needed to bring to the hospital. Every so often, you had to stop and take a second to breathe as another contraction passed. Anxiety sat at the back of your mind as you thought of how far away Tyler was right now, but you tried to push it away. Added anxiety wasn't going to help your case right now.

Your mom showed up at the door just as you were pulling your shoes on. She let herself in and immediately began to run through the house until she found you bent over in the living room. Once your shoes were on, she helped you up to a standing position.

"How frequent are your contractions?" she asked as she led you out to the car.

"About every three to four minutes," you said.

"That baby is definitely coming," she smiled.

"I know, that's why I want to get to the hospital."

You arrived at the hospital twenty minutes later. Your mom handled all the talking as you waddled along behind her, one hand rested protectively on your stomach. A nurse quickly arrived with a wheelchair and you were thankful for not having to walk any longer, it was getting increasingly difficult as the contractions were getting more intense.

The hospital room that they put you in was simple, not unlike many hospital rooms that you had seen before. Nurses walked in and out of the room freely, occasionally stopping to update one another with the latest news or let them know where they would be. Your mom sat in one of the hospital chairs, clutching tightly to her little bag.

"Mom, did you really need to bring an entire bag of things to the hospital?" you asked, finally feeling comfortable enough to make conversation not related to the baby.

"Yes!" she smiled. "I have snacks, a book, some yarn..."

"Why do you need all that?" you asked.

"Labor can take awhile, you know."

"Don't remind me," you grumbled.

"It's going to be alright, dear."

Your phone buzzed on the table beside you and you quickly grabbed it. On the screen was a text from Tyler.

About an hour from home. Hope everything is going ok. Love you <3

You tossed your phone back on the table and pushed your hair back from your face, trying not to let your worries get the best of you. Your mom immediately noticed your nervous demeanor, and came over to stand by you.

"What's going on? Is it Tyler?" she asked.

You nodded. Conveniently, another contraction started. Unfortunately for your mom, who had taken hold of your hand for reassurance, this meant you squeezing her hand as it passed. Once it settled, she let go of your hand and rubbed it a bit.

"Sorry," you said sheepishly. "It happened so fast that I didn't really think about what I was doing."

"It's alright, dear," she said, running a hand along your hair. "I was the same way with your grandma when I was in labor with you," she smiled.

"Tyler said he's still an hour away," you sighed.

"I'm sure he'll be here by the time you have the baby. You heard the doctors, you still have a little while before you have to start pushing."

Turns out that "a little while later" really only meant fifteen minutes. Your doctor walked in and announced that it was time to start pushing, and the color practically drained from your face. Tyler had been with you for every step of the pregnancy process so far, but now that it was time for you to actually deliver the baby, he was out of town with the band.

"Can't we wait?" you pleaded. "My husband isn't here yet, I know he wants to be here."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Joseph, but we can't control when the baby is ready to leave."

You looked from the doctor to your mom, as if she could somehow execute some executive force like when you were a kid. Unfortunately, this was the adult world and her mom authority could only go so far.

"It's going to be ok, dear. He's forty-five minutes away and pushing usually lasts for a couple hours. He'll surely be here before the baby is born."

You nodded, hoping that your mom was right. She walked over and took your hand once again, assuming Tyler's position while he was elsewhere.

You had been pushing for just under an hour when Tyler ran into the room. His hair was plastered to his forehead by sweat and his cheeks were a bright red color. A wave of relief rushed through you as soon as you saw him.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, flashing a lopsided smile.

"What are you doing? Get over here!" your mom said.

"Right," Tyler said, walking over and taking your mom's place.

You grabbed onto his hand, which was a bit sweatier and warmer than you would have liked it to be. You really couldn't complain though, nothing else really mattered as long as he was here with you.

"I'm really sorry I wasn't here. There was all this traffic and then Josh insisted we stop to get lunch and-"

"Ty," you huffed. "Now is not the time."

"Right, sorry. You got this, babe. Look at you go!

"Tyler, that's enough!"

"You're like a baby-having machine!"

"Tyler Joseph if you do not shut up so help me," you snapped.

"Sorry." Tyler placed a gentle kiss on your sweaty temple.

Your baby girl was born at 6:49 in the afternoon on what had been a sunny Tuesday. Tyler practically squealed when he was finally given the opportunity to hold her after she had been cleaned up.

"I hope you don't mind, but I might have brought a few people with me," Tyler said sheepishly, your daughter still cradled in his arms.

"Tyler, who did you-"

You were interrupted by Josh and most of their management team walking into the room. All of their faces lit up when they saw the baby in Tyler's arms. You were a bit embarrassed by your disheveled appearance, even though you were hardly the first thing on anyone's mind right now.

"We didn't really have time to drop everyone off, so I brought them all with me."

Each of them gave you a small wave.

"She's beautiful," Josh said, gently touching the baby's fingers.

"Right?" Tyler smiled.

You sighed and leaned back into your pillows. As tired and sore as you were, you couldn't help but smile at the wonderful people that you were surrounded by, including your new daughter.