This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

Hope

A/N: Sometimes, all we need is a bit of Hope :)

The meeting at the restaurant was scheduled to discuss potential collaborations for Sam's upcoming project. As the conversation unfolded, the topic shifted to Sam's impending parenthood.

"You must be thrilled," remarked the man across the table, genuinely interested.

Sam's eyes sparkled with joy. "Absolutely! I'm having a baby girl. It's an incredible feeling, you know?"

"Congratulations!" he exclaimed. "Let's toast to that!"

Before Sam realized, the initial celebratory drink turned into rounds of toasts, laughter, and countless drinks. Time seemed to slip away as the evening continued.

The morning sun filtering through the unknown hotel room's window woke Sam. A headache pulsed behind her temples, and her phone buzzed incessantly. Dazed and disoriented, she picked up the phone to find a flurry of missed calls and texts from her friends.

Jim's voice was stern and urgent when Sam called her back. "Where have you been? Mon went into labor last night, and she's at the hospital!"

Shock and guilt flooded Sam. She hastily dressed, frantically gathering her belongings, and dashed out, her mind a blur of worry and remorse.

Rushing through the hospital doors, Sam's heart raced. "I hope I'm not too late," she muttered to herself.

The maternity ward was a maze of corridors and bustling nurses. Sam navigated through the hospital's labyrinth, each step filled with mounting anxiety. She fervently hoped she hadn't missed the birth of their child.

Finally reaching the delivery room area, Sam was met with a sense of relief as she heard the cries of newborns. Moments later, a nurse emerged holding a wrapped infant.

"Congratulations!" the nurse beamed. "Would you like to see her?"

Sam's breath caught in her throat. "Yes, please."

As the nurse handed her the newborn, Sam's eyes glistened with tears. Holding her daughter for the first time, a whirlwind of emotions swept through her—joy, immense love, and profound regret.

She whispered to the baby, "I'm here now. I'm so sorry, little one. I promise to make things right."

Irin stood by the hospital room's entrance, her gentle voice breaking the momentary silence. "Mon is asking for you and the baby, Sam."

Sam hurriedly followed Irin into the room where Mon lay, a serene smile gracing her face despite the exhaustion. "Look at our angel," Sam softly exclaimed as she approached Mon's bedside, carefully carrying their newborn daughter.