Parenthood - (completed)

Part 23

Jacob followed Mr T back into NICU and stood beside Connie.
"At the moment your baby has extremely poor lung development so we are going to continue to ventilate her. Her brain function is minimal and if and when it does start to increase its going to be a slow process.
She will be fed via an NG tube straight into her stomach with formula milk since breast milk is not an option. Do you have any questions?" Mr T explained.
"What are her chances? Percentages?" Jacob asked.
"Being honest, I'd say no more than 65%. In most cases of birth this early I'd expect to see chances between 70 and 75% but it seems your baby's brain function may have been damaged during the impact from the crash" he replied.

Jacob nodded and grabbed Connie's hand with his free one then she brought it to her face and kissed it softly.
"Have you thought of a name?" Mr T asked.
"Maya Masters" Jacob replied, "it was my sisters name, she died when she was three" he added.
Connie sighed and stood up, wrapping her arms around his musclar torso whilst being careful not to hurt Noah.
"I'm sorry" Mr T said sincerely.
Jacob shook his head not wanting to mention it again and squeezed Connie's hand, "you should get Grace home baby, it's getting late" she said.

"I'll call Audrey and ask her to have her, I'm sure she wouldn't object to having her, especially considering the circumstances. But I'm staying right here with you, do you want me to find someone to have Noah?" Connie replied.
"Actually I'd like him here if that's ok" Jacob said.
"Of course, I'll go and sort Grace out then I'll be back up. Would you like a coffee bringing up?" she asked.
He nodded and smiled weakly before kissing her cheek, "I love you" he told her.
"I love you too" she replied before walking out.
"I just need to make a quick phone call, would you stay with her please?" Jacob asked Mr T.
"Of course" he replied with a nod.
Jacob carried Noah out into the hall and took his phone out, dialing his parents house phone number.

"Hello?" his mum said as she answered.
"Mum? I need you to come to the hospital" he told her, his voice always breaking.
"Of course, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" she asked in worry.
"I'm not hurt no. Look I know this is going to come as a shock to you, but when you arrive, come up to the maternity ward. To NICU" Jacob said.
She gasped, "Jacob, am I a grandmother?" she asked him.
"Yeah mum you are" he replied.
"Oh my, Jacob why didn't you tell me?! We are on our way!" She said frantically before ending the call.
Jacob pocketed his phone then went back inside to Maya.
Mr T left him with her then he placed his hand inside the incubator again, a smile forming on her face as wrapped her tiny hand around his pinky finger.

"Noah, this is your little sister. She's going to need all the help she can get from us, but I know she'll be ok because she has you. The best big brother she could ask for" he told Noah who was sleeping in his arms.
Jacob stayed there for another fifteen minutes or so before Connie came back in and placed two cups off coffee on the table beside him.
"Audrey's on her way to pick Grace up" she said quietly.
Jacob smiled and lifted Noah up slightly and moved his hand back, "sit here" he said as he patted his knee.
Connie sat down in his lap and snuggled into him, "she's a fighter Jacob, she's got your genes" she told him.

"I just want her to be ok. She could have development problems, anything like that, but none of that matters. She's my baby, I love her no matter what" Jacob said.
"I know, I understand" Connie replied.
"Please don't say that baby, I know you mean well but you don't really understand. Seeing your child like this, it's not the same as being a doctor and seeing someone else's child like this" he told her.
"No Jacob you're right, it's not the same as seeing someone else's child in this position. But almost nine years ago I was you, and Maya, she was Grace. Two months premature, lying there just like that, no brain function, unable to breathe for herself" Connie said.
Jacob looked at her and held her closer, "I'm so sorry baby, I had no idea. I'm so sorry. When you'd said things went wrong last time something like this never crossed my mind, there was me thinking you meant terrible morning sickness or back problems. I'm sorry" Jacob replied.

Connie shook her head, "you weren't to know, it's not your fault. And she's fine, Grace is fine, so I don't see any reason why Maya can't be. She has the best daddy in the world, and when she's better we are going to take her home with us. Paint a pink nursery just next to Noah's, pretty pink dresses, a crib, toys, blankets. Everything will be perfect for her because she has you" she told him.
Jacob held her hand tightly, "and she's got you baby. You're an amazing mum to Noah and Grace, and I know it may never feel the same to you, but if you're comfortable with it, Connie will you raise her as your own? Be her mummy? Because you're the only one she's got" he said.
Connie nodded quickly, her eyes filling with tears, "of course I will" she told him.