Let Me Go (Tyler Carter)

Chapter Twenty-One: Welcome

"Sir, you have a daughter. A little girl. She's a bit hurt from, so she'll be in the NICU, but your girlfriend, she's, she's not doing so well." The doctor says as he stands there.

Nod doing well? "What do you mean not doing well?" I say, swallowing carefully as Michael stands there, a hand on my shoulder.

"Her heart rate is unsteady. It keeps dropping. As it keeps dropping, we don't know how long she'll back able to hold out." He says and I nod slowly. He disappears as I stand there. The rest of the band is asleep as Michael looks at me. I break away from him, running outside to the warm summer air. I take a few deep breaths. I run my hand through my hair and walk back inside, wiping the tears away. I walk to the front desk.

"Where can I go to see my daughter, and my girlfriend. Addison Luna." I say and she gives me directions. I get dressed in scrubs and a nurse opens the door. She leads me through rows of basinets, until I see her. She carefully takes her out and hands her to me. Tears threaten my eyes as I stare at her little body. She's so small.

"Open your shirt up. It's called 'Kangaroo Care'. It helps the baby develop a stronger bond." The nurse says and I carefully undo my shirt and place her against my chest. "What's her name?"

"I don't know. I don't want to name her before Addison doesn't even get a chance." I say and she nods. I sit there, a peaceful calm settling over me. She wraps her little hand around my pinky, gripping it tightly. Tears threaten my eyes as she holds onto me. I feel so stupid for even thinking she wouldn't be mine. Even if she's not my blood, she's my daughter, regardless. "You're beautiful, you know that. You're gonna be a fighter, just like your Mama is. Your mama loves you, you know. She's gonna get better and we're gonna spoil the heck you of you, I promise." I say, as I kiss her head. We sit there quietly as time passes. I really hope Addi is okay; if she isn't, I don't know what I'll do. Time passes so quickly, as the nurse comes up to me.

"You can come back, but you're needed in your girlfriend's room. Just down the hall, room 407." The nurse says and I nod. I carefully hand the baby back and fix my shirt, walking to the room. I walk in slowly, as I see Addison sitting there, her eyes closed, a peaceful look on her face.

"Tyler?" She says, her voice small. I move closer, nodding.

"I'm here. I'm here babe," I say, grabbing her hand. A smile dances across her lips slightly.

"Where's the baby?" She says, moving quickly up.

"Calm down babe. It's a girl, and she's fine. She's a bit roughed up from the trauma but she's fine. I just came back from seeing her, she's beautiful. Looks just like her mama," I say, not even bothering to try and cover my excitement.

"We, we have a little girl?"

"Yeah, and she's beautiful. Listen, don't stress or worry right now, please. Your heart, it's not steady." I say, as she stays quiet.

"Tyler, we need to name the baby." She says and I nod, trying not to disrupt her. "Sarah Rachel Carter. That's her name. Sarah after Mike's Sarah and Rachel after your Rachel." She says, as tears threaten my eyes.

"Rachel? Are you sure?"

"Yes. She had a great impact on you, and I want that to continue through her." She says and I nod, kissing her forehead. She smiles slightly, hitting the 'Nurse' button. A nurse comes in, looking at us. "I want to see my daughter." She says, her voice taking on a stronger aspect.

"I'll go with her," I add in and she nods, as she carefully disconnects the IV from her wrist and sits her carefully in a wheelchair. I move, pushing her to the nursery. I buzz and the door opens, as I help her in, sitting her in her wheelchair by Sarah. The nurse carefully moves her, as I instruct Addison to bare her chest. "It's called 'Kangaroo Care'," I add in and she nods, as the nurse carefully places Sarah against her chest.

"She's beautiful," Addison says, wiping her eyes, tears dancing in her eyes. I smile and grab her hand, as Addison sits there. "You're beautiful, you know that. You're gonna be great, just like your Daddy." She says and I smile.

"And she's gonna be strong just like her Mama," I add in as she sits there peacefully. A nurse brings me a chair, which I thank her for and sit down. Time passes, thankfully, slowly. I smile as Addison sits there, but I see her begin to doze off. I get a nurse and she carefully moves her off Addison's chest. I fix Addison's gown and push her back into her room, helping her into the bed and the nurse reattaching the monitors and whatnot. I give her a kiss and walk out to lobby, the band sitting there, along with both our parents.

"She's okay. Our daughter's name is Sarah Rachel Carter. Addison's heart isn't in the best shape, but she's asleep now. Visitor's are welcome tomorrow, but only Addison. Sarah is still too fragile. Also, we chose her, Sarah's name, for Sarah," I say and motion to Sarah, as she smiles widely and continue, "...And a homage to Rachel." I say and everyone nods. They move, giving my hugs as I yawn, tired. I haven't slept in more than thirty-six hours. Soon, everyone leaves, but my Mom'll be back. I sit in the lobby, waiting for my Mom.

"Tyler, get up. I got you some clothes and some clothes for Addison," She says, handing me my keys back. I give her a kiss on her cheek and a hug.

"Thank you Ma, I don't know what I'd do without you." I say as she gives me another hug, leaving. I take the elevator up to the room and decide to take a shower, Addison still deeply asleep. I step into the shower, hot water burning my skin. I stand there, letting myself unwind. I wash my hair and body, wrapping a towel around my waist, stepping into a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt. I sit in the chair, grabbing a pillow and blanket from the cabinet, drifting to sleep quickly.