I will always love you <3

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒

*TW!*

About a month later

Natalie's POV:

Set aside the fact that it's Christmas, the last weeks have been really stressful, as Crockett and I are getting closer and closer to moving in together and I'm getting close to my due date. At Crockett's apartment, whenever I try and lift something a little heavier, he immediatley tells me to sit down and take a break, while he works until he sweats like a pig. "There's no need to fuss, Crockett, I know when it gets too much" I always say, "but I want to fuss" is his usual reply, which makes me laugh. 

Today will be my last day at work, before maternity leave, and Crockett's apartment is completely empty, except for the pile of boxes lined up in the corner. We decided that, since I'll have a lot of time at home, I could sort out where to put his stuff, create some spaces, and really make it into our home. 

I take Owen's bag and call him downstairs, as I heard the doorbell ring. I open it to Crockett standing there with his usual smug smile "anyone order a private taxi?" he says and kisses me as he enters. "I'm just kidding, how are you feeling honey? You excited?" he asks and bends down to the height of my baby bump. "I'm feeling fine, thank you, and yes excited, but it seems no one is as excited as you are" I say and run my fingers through his hair. He giggles, and stands back up, as he notices Owen ready, with his shoes on.

"Shall we get you to school buddy?" Crockett asks, as Owen runs to him for a hug. "I guess that's a yes" I say, and we all go out through the door.

After dropping Owen off at school, we both get into the car to get to work. It's a silent drive, but I can feel how excited Crockett is, as he can barely keep himself still. Eventually, Crockett lays his hand on my stomach. I smile, and he looks over at me, and smiles too. I grab his hand and kiss it, and he looks at me with a really big smile. My eyes shift over to the lane coming from the left, and I see a car approaching really fast. "Crockett, watch ou-!" I try to bring out, right before it rams into us.

Crockett POV:

I know that I won't be able to be with Natalie as often as now, once she goes on maternity leave, but I guess she'll like having some time off to sort out how and where I can put my stuff. I put my hand on her stomach, hoping that our little bean will kick again. She takes my hand and kisses it, when I see her expression change. She tries to bring out some words, and before I can realise what is happening an incredible amount of pain shoots through my body. Before I realise what just happened, the car turns over and slides a while to end up on its side, as I go unconscious.

After a while I slightly open my eyes, finally realising what had happened. I open my eyes as far as I can, and try and turn my head over to Natalie, noticing her unconscious. I want to shake her awake, make sure she is alive, but immediately pull back, because I couldn't live with myself if I hurt her more. I try to look around, seeing if anybody is there to help, but I can't find anyone. I try to say something, or somehow call out for help, but I can't get any sound out of my throat, and it hurts to breath. Slowly letting go of my consciousness, I see flashlights approaching, thankful for them coming to save us.

A while later

Natalie's POV:

I wake up to Maggie calling my name, and I realise that I'm being wheeled into the ED. I quickly take Maggie's hands, trying to find some comfort, because my entire body hurts. She looks at me worried, but sort of reassuring. 

They lift me over to the trauma bed, and I groan, as I try to say anything, trying to say that my body hurts, my stomach especially, and ask if the baby is ok. Ethan looks at me and asks me something, but I am so disoriented, with so much thoughts in my head, that I can't make out what he's saying. They just keep talking and talking, and I have no idea what is happening. The tears are streaming down my face, and I deeply wish that Crockett could be with me now. 

My body instantly fills itself with a feeling of worry, as I realise that I have no idea how he is. "Cro- Crockett?" I finally manage to ask, as I frantically try and look around. Maggie looks at me "what is it sweetie?" she asks, I try and swallow my tears, "How-how is- where is Crockett?" I ask with almost all of my strength. Maggie gets a worried expression and looks over to the trauma bed next to me. I want to turn my head, but feel the safety collar around my neck, and close my eyes. I try to breathe as normal as possible, but I can't seem to get it done. Maggie puts her hand on my shoulder and looks at me "it'll be alright Nat, I'm here, ok?", I feel a lot of doctors and nurses poke and touch me, and I hear Maggie say "Nat, sweetie, you have a lot of bruising, and it looks like we're gonna have to do an emergency c-section..., alright?". 

I open my eyes with a shocked expression and tears start filling my eyes again, worrying about all the things that could go, or already be, wrong with the baby. My eyelids start to feel really heavy, the tears still burning in my eyes, and I can't get myself to keep them open. The last thing I see before I go unconscious, is Maggie hovering over me, telling me over and over again that everything will be alright.