Brave (Sequel to Beside You)

Chapter Three

Ashton's POV
Just before we left Aria's room, I suddenly remember the guys were outside. I explained to Aria what had happened when she was asleep and she told me to go and get them. Ever since we started dating Aria and the guys had gotten really close. Aria and Michael especially were close. I think that is because that Crystal and Aria were best friends, so Aria ended up spending a lot of time over there when I went off writing. Aria told Theo to give us a few more minutes and he nodded.

I found Calum, Michael and Luke waiting in the reception area and told them that Aria wanted to see them. I guided them to her room and slowly opened the door. She looked up and took a deep breath as I opened the door a little wider. Michael got impatient and pushed past practically throwing himself at Aria. The thought of either of us going through such heartbreak completely distroyed him inside. On the outside he was as hard as stone, trying to stay strong for both of us. They were looking forward to becoming uncles. Calum came over the other day, after going shopping with Nia, with a little Chewy baby grow. Luke spent the weekend helping me paint the baby's bedroom a few weeks ago. Michael, well lets just say he went mad buying toys, his personal favourite a small teddy lion just like his who he calls Daniel.... they were no longer going to get used.

They stayed for a few minutes before Theo asked if we were ready. We bid our goodbyes and Aria placed herself in the wheel chair. I pushed her along as we made our way up to the Intensive Care Baby Unit. As we walked through the corridors we could hear the screams of new borns. Something we wouldn't ever hear from our own daughter. I found myself envious of them. They get to spend their days watching their child grow up. In a week or two, we'll be burying ours. Fresh tears threatened to overflow as we continued walking, but with much effort I managed to hold them back.

Finally we came to a quiet corridor, we walked to the room at the very end. Theo opened the door and led us in. There in the corner of the room was an incubator. He guided us closer and Aria let out quiet sob, as the tears I had managed to hold back overflowed. There in the incubator, lay our sleeping daughter. That's the only way I could explain it, she just looked like she was sleeping. She looked so peaceful. She was covered in wires but I didn't really pay attention to them. She was the most beautiful I thing I think I have ever seen. I put my hand through one of the little hole and touched her tiny hand. She was so small. I wrapped her tiny fingers around my one giant finger.
'Hello baby girl, I'm your Daddy. Your Mummy is with me too.' I whispered as more tears spilled from my eyes. I grabbed Aria's hand with my free one and pulled her up to stand with me.
'Say something to her Aria' I encouraged softly.
She shook her head before crying 'But she can't hear us Ash.' I noticed how she had barely looked at our daughter.
'Aria...this is our only chance.' I sniffed, as I squeezed her hand lovingly. I briefly took my hand out of the incubator and I pulled Aria closer to me, so I was stood behind her. I took her hand and guided it with mine to our daughters. I could see Aria close her eyes, and let out another sob as our hands reached our daughters. She opened them slowly and looked up at me for encouragement. I nodded and smiled weekly. She turned her full attention back to out daughter.
'Hello beautiful, I'm your mummy.' She whispered.
'God you're so beautiful. You look just like you're daddy' she continued, chuckling lightly.
'I'm sorry we didn't get to spend much time together baby, but please know how much we both love you.' she sobbed.
'We will always love you baby girl. I'm so proud to call myself your Daddy' I said, barely audible over the tears and cries threatening to escape my mouth.
'Would you like to hold her? We will have to turn the machines off though' Theo asked, crying himself. I looked to Aria, who slowly nodded. I looked up and nodded too knowing it was too late, she was already gone. He turned the machines off as we held her hand and there was an instant flatline, confirming my thoughts.
'We love you little one, forever and always. You will never be forgotten.' I whispered, before slowly letting go of her hand and taking a step back with Aria. She turned around in my arms and gripped on my shirt tightly, sobbing into my chest as I cried into her hair.

Arias POV
I managed to compose myself enough a few minutes later to turn and watch what was going on. She was beautiful. She looked so peaceful, just like an angel. I watched as Theo removed all of the wires from her tiny body and carefully wrap her in a pink blanket. He lifted her gently out of the incubator. I sat in the only chair in the room and Ashton knelt beside me, one of his long arms wrapped around me. Theo carefully placed her in my arms.
'Have you thought of a name?' Theo asked, as he wiped the tears from his face.
'Aria has had one picked out since we found out, she wouldn't tell me what it was though.' Ashton replied, turning to look at me as I began to cry a little more. Remembering the conversation we had and my descision to name our baby the name my sister had always wanted to call one of her future children before she died.
'Isla.' I stated.
'Do you mean...' Theo trailed off as I finished his sentence.
'Yes, the name Theresa wanted to name her daughter. I know she'd hate it if I used her own name so I thought of the next best thing. What do you think?' I asked both Ashton and Theo.
'I think she would love it, she would be so proud of you Aria.' Theo sniffed.
'I love it too.' Ashton smiled weekly.
'I was thinking Isla Marie. If that's okay with you and of course your mum.' I explained. Ashton's face distorted into worry.
'Oh my God. I haven't even told them yet.' He exclaimed, as more tears flowed down his cheeks. He stood up and grabbed his phone out of his pocket. He had a few missed calls from his mum and then found a text message. He read it aloud.
'Ash, Michael has phoned, he has told us what has happened. I'm so sorry darling. We just wanted to say that we are on our way over now. Stay strong. We love you all. If there is anything you need let us know.'
'I'm just going to ring to see where she is.' He explained.
I nod in response. 'Tell her to head on up if she is here and tell her to bring the boys.' I reply tearfully, not caring about what Theo thought. I knew he wouldn't be pleased. Ashton dialed his mums number.
'Mum don't talk just listen. I don't know where you are but if you are at the hospital, head up to the 3rd floor and head to the end of the 1st corridor. Then go left, the room on the end of that corridor is where we are. Bring the guys too. I love you.' He rushed the words out and hung up, I knew if he gave his mum time to talk she wouldn't be able to get any words out.
'Do you want to hold her?' I whispered, realising I had been holding her for about 15 minutes. He looked at me and nodded. I stood up carefully and let him take my seat. I placed Isla in his arms, and watched as he looked in awe of his daughter.
There was a quiet knock on the door and I went open it. There stood Anne Marie and Lauren, just behind them was Calum, Michael and Luke. Anne flung her arms around me, saying things I couldn't quite catch as she cried. Lauren stood beside us sobbing into her hands. I guided them through the door of the small room over to Ashton who was still cradling our angelic daughter. They all knew the situation. This was the final goodbye.