Never Be Afraid Again (sequel to We'll Carry On)

Welcome to the world, Bandit Lee Way

For the sake of my plot line, I changed the actual time and date of Bandit's birth! I'm sorry!! I hope you like this!

xoxox

S. Way

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"It fucking hurts!" I screamed as Gerard ran at my bedside as I was pushed down the hallway on a gurney.

"We need to get her to labor and delivery stat! The baby's vital are dropping." The nurse to my left ordered to the nurse at my feet. The pain was immeasurable, it was so intense that I couldn't breathe, and to top it off, apparently neither could my baby.

"Gerard! Don't let her die!" I screamed at my frantic husband.

"Neither one of you are going to die, god dammit!" I gulped, not feeling so sure about his statement.

They rushed me back to the delivery room; Gerard had made sure that everyone knew it was time for the baby to come. They were all waiting impatiently in the waiting room while I was getting an epidural.

"Stormy, who do you want in the room?" The nurse asked me after she was done shoving a huge needle into my spinal cord.

"My husband, Lindsey Ballato, and Donna Way." She nodded and went to retreat the people I requested.

"Stormy!" Lindsey gushed, running to my side. She was scared, she knew that this was risky, and two weeks too early. I thought I had more time. Sure, I was getting better, I was now back in stage two, but I couldn't shake this unsettling feeling I had in my gut, and no, it wasn't the baby.

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"Hey guys. Can I talk to Gerard?" I breathed, looking for the only person I really wanted. I felt his warm hand stroke the hair from my flustered face.

"I'm right here, baby. its okay" Just then, something happened.

"Stormy, we have to push, now! We're losing her heartbeat." The doctor was now in full panic mode. Why was my life like a fucking soap opera?

"Gerard! This can't happen, it just can't! Please don't let this happen!" I screamed at my husband, afraid for Bandit's life.

"Stormy, it will be okay, I swear. This is nothing we can't handle. Now, take my fucking hand and never be afraid again." I took Gerard's warm hand in mine and squeezed it. I had to get Bandit out so she could have a chance to live life. I looked at Gerard and nodded, tears in our tired eyes.

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6:42 P.M

"Okay, Stormy, 1, 2, 3, PUSH!" The doctor instructed me.

I squeezed Gerard's hand and pushed as hard as I could, lifting my torso up and forward, almost as if it would push Bandit out.

"YOU DID THIS TO ME!" I screamed at my snickering husband. I'm thrilled he found my pain funny.

"You're doing great!" Lindsey cooed.

"I can see her head!" Donna gushed, smiling at me. I was in no smiling mood, however.

"Okay, one more good push. 1, 2, 3, PUSH DAMMIT!"

I pushed with all I had and grunted hard, when I felt a relief. Suddenly all the pressure was gone. I fell back to the bed feeling rather lightheaded. Something didn't feel right and I couldn't shake it no matter how hard I tried, but I was quickly pulled out of my thoughts when I heard a small cry coming from my feet. Bandit was here.

"Congratulations, it's a healthy baby girl. Mr. Way, would you like to cut the umbilical cord?"

I heard Gerard say 'yes' enthusiastically, and then the world went black.

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Gerard's Point of View, November 3, 2008

10:47 P.M.

I held tightly on to Stormy's hand as the doctor told her it was time to push. She had to due to Bandit's heart rate dropping rapidly. Stormy was petrified and so was I. I couldn't handle possibly losing my wife and my daughter. I wouldn't be able to handle that and neither would Storm. I knew that for sure.

"Okay, Stormy, 1, 2, 3, PUSH!" The doctor instructed Storm. She had a vice grip on my hands and my knuckles were now turning blue from how hard she was holding on to me. She threw some profanities at me and even told me she hated me, but that wasn't my favorite.

"YOU DID THIS TO ME!" That was my favorite, because I did do this to her, very happily. I helped create a little life with her and I was proud of that.

"I love you too, Stormy." I kissed her forehead and wiped the sweat beading on brow. She leaned up, as if her boobs pushing down on her stomach would pop Bandit out sooner, grunting and screaming as she pushed.

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"You're doing great, babe!" Lindsey half jumped at Stormy's feet. Lindsey and my mom were holding Stormy's legs watching the, uh, action take place. I was happy by her head, I'd rather sex not be ruined for me, even though birth was a beautiful thing.

"I can see her head!" My mom squealed delightedly.

"Okay, one more good push. 1, 2, 3, PUSH DAMMIT!" The doctor yelled over the commotion.

She grunted and pushed with everything she had in her, gritting her teeth, and then letting out a scream. Finally after that last push, she was out. The room fell silent and then was filled with a beautiful little cry. I kissed Stormy's head and rushed to her feet with the doctor who held my little creation. She was perfect.

"Congratulations, it's a healthy baby girl! Mr. Way, would you like to cut the umbilical cord?" The doctor-who was clad in mint green scrubs and gloves-, asked me, while holding a very blood, but healthy Bandit.

"Yes." I sniffled enthusiastically, wiping my now misty eyes. I cut my daughters umbilical cord and took her in my arms for the first time-after she was cleaned up-after imagining this moment for what seemed like an eternity.

How can you put perfection into words, when it's looking up at you? She was gorgeous; she had bright hazel eyes, and Stormy's perfect face. Her cheeks were blushing a light shade of pink and she was staring at me with big eyes. I was at a loss for words, all I knew to do was smile at the miracle I was holding, the little bundle of perfection Stormy and I had made.

Bandit Lee Way, born on November 03, 2008 at 11:37 P.M. 6 pounds, 5.6 ounces.

Suddenly the silent room arose in panic.

Stormy had flat lined.