I awoke slowly and frowned as I noticed that I wasn't in my own bed. I quickly sat up and looked around and realised that I was in the hospital. The events from last night came flooding back as I felt the familiar butterflies in my stomach. I was now a mother and the scariest part was that my daughter might not survive.
I sat on the bed, deep in thought. I had to tell Ethan, he had a right to know. It wasn't something that he shouldn't hear over the phone, I needed to tell him in person.
"When can I go home?" I asked the midwife as she entered the room.
"The doctor is happy for me to discharge you." she smiled.
"Good, I have to be somewhere." I stated as I quickly stood up and left the room.
"Where are you going?" Caleb asked as I passed him in the corridor.
"There's something I need to do, keep an eye on Georgia for me." I said quickly as I continued walking.
I had to do this, I couldn't let him talk me out of it.
As I drove to the prison, I couldn't help feeling nervous. I'd never been to a prison before so I didn't know what to expect. I eventually arrived at the prison. I sighed as I was searched and my belongings taken from me.
"Who would you like to visit?" the policewoman stated after she'd finished searching me.
"Ethan Hardy." I told her.
"I'll just fetch him." she smiled.
I sat for a moment as I waited for Ethan. My hands began to shake as the nerves crept in. I hadn't seen him in so long, it felt strange to be seeing him again and in this environment. I had no idea he'd react to the news.
I looked up as I saw him enter the hall and slowly walk over to me. I reluctantly stood up and smiled as he pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly.
"What happened to your bump?" he asked nervously as he eventually let go of me.
I sat down and watched as he sat opposite me.
"Emma, what happened?" he whispered. I could see the panic in his face and felt instantly guilty.
"She arrived early." I said quietly.
"What....no...she can't have?!" he exclaimed.
I nodded slowly.
"She was three months early." he said almost to himself.
"Yeah it just happened and by the time I got to the hospital there was nothing that could be done to stop it." I sighed.
He sighed deeply and put his head in his hands.
"I should have been by your side." he whispered.
"It's not your fault, you mustn't blame yourself." I told him.
I hated seeing him hurting like this, I considered telling him that Caleb was with me so that he would know I wasn't alone, but I was afraid that would only make him feel worse.
"Please tell me she's okay." he said eventually.
"She's in an incubator and on oxygen because she has RDS." I said quietly.
"My own daughter is in hospital and I can't even visit her!" he exclaimed angrily as he banged his fist on the table.
I glanced up at one of the wardens as he wandered over.
"Is everything okay here?" he asked us.
"Yes, everything is fine." I reassured him.
"Ethan, talk to me." I pleaded as he stared at the table.
I placed my hand over his hand and smiled slightly as he gently played with my fingers.
"I don't recognise my life anymore." he whispered.
"Don't say that." I said quietly.
"But it's true, I've lost everything." he stated sadly.
"Don't." I whispered, shaking my head.
"I just want to hold my baby girl." he said sadly.
"You will do, once she's out of the ICU I'll bring her to meet you." I reassured him.
"No don't do that, it's not a suitable environment for her." he said quietly.
I sighed quietly, he was right but at the same time I could see how much he was longing to meet her.
"My court date is in a couple of months." he told me.
"Hopefully it'll be good news." I said quietly.
"Probably not." he whispered.
"Don't say that!' I protested.
I glanced up as the prison warden walked over to us.
"Visiting time is over now." she said sternly.
I nodded and watched Ethan as he slowly stood up. He smiled slightly and hugged me tightly.
"I love you." he whispered in my ear.
"I love you too, I'll try and get you out." I whispered back.
He let go of me, and sighed sadly as he was led away.
AN: Sorry for the late update guys, I went away for a few days. Hope it was worth the wait ;) x
