"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Nevaeh"

Nat pulled Summer aside. They were in Krystal's house helping her with household chores & caring for the kids. Krystal had been on semi-bedrest for the past couple of weeks. She was only allowed to get up a couple times a week, but while at home, she had to rest. It was her doctor's orders. It had been a long day for both of them. They each had to change their schedules to fit Krystal's. Nat spent the day running errands, buying groceries & picking up certain things at the store that Krystal needed all while caring for Krystal while she was on bedrest. Summer had been at work & had to leave early to pick up all 3 girls from their schools & bring them to their after school extra curricular activities such as ballet & Girl Scouts.

Nat: Look, I love K & all, but it's not fair that I have to put my life on hold.
Summer: You're not the only one, Nat. I've had to move all my counseling appointments for today to tomorrow. I haven't been home in 2 days.
Nat: I get it. Maybe we need help?

Summer grabbed Nat's shoulders.

Summer: Nat, we are the help. Krystal doesn't have anyone else.

Nat sighed, stretched his arms up & placed them behind his head & closed his eyes.

Nat: What are we gonna do? This ain't working.

Kacey came running from upstairs. She was frantic & crying. Summer knelt down to her level.

Summer: What's wrong babe?
Kacey: Mommy's bleeding!!
Nat: Shit!

Nat & Summer ran upstairs to Krystal's bedside. Nat started calling for an ambulance. Summer went to Krystal's bedside. She tried to remain calm. Krystal was in tears & her hands were covered in blood. Deja, Kacey & Diamond were all at the door of Krystal's bedroom.

Krystal: Summer, I don't want my girls to see me like this.
Summer: Ok, ok.

Summer calmly walked over to the girls & talked to Deja.

Summer: Hey, Deja. I need you to go put on a movie downstairs & keep your sisters with you no matter what goes on up here. We'll be down in a little bit to check on you. Ok?
Deja: Ok.

Deja looked over at her mom. Krystal still managed to smile at Deja to let her know that she was going to be fine. Deja brought her sisters down & followed what Summer had instructed her to do. Nat got off of the phone with the hospital.

Nat: They're sending an ambulance right away.
Krystal: You guys, I think I lost the baby. I can't feel her move.

Krystal was trying her best to remain calm, but she couldn't help but cry.

Nat: Let's just wait until the paramedics come.
Krystal: This is all my fault. I don't know how I'm going to tell Devon.
Summer: Shhh... Save your energy.

Summer caressed Krystal & held her.

Summer: Krystal, this isn't your fault.
Nat: Don't blame yourself.

Both Nat & Summer tried to calm Krystal down. They both felt guilty for being inconvenienced. How dare they both be so selfish at a time like this. Krystal needed them now more than ever. Nat quickly packed a bag for Krystal to take to the hospital. Summer helped Krystal get into clean clothes. Soon, they heard the ambulance's sirens & saw the flashing lights through the window. Nat ran downstairs to let the paramedics inside. He directed them to the stairs & Summer met them at the top. Nat remained downstairs with the girls to keep them distracted. Summer offered to go with Krystal to the hospital while Nat stayed at the house with the girls. Everything happened so fast. The paramedics carried Krystal on a gurney, brought her in the ambulance. It took maybe about 10 minutes of questioning & taking vital signs. Krystal's blood pressure was high & she was losing plenty of blood. Before they knew it, they were headed towards the hospital.

The next few hours were the hardest hours for Krystal. She took every precaution even while she was on bedrest. She only got up if it was absolutely necessary. It was a moment of truth when they entered the hospital room. Krystal clung to Summer's hand as they waited in the room for the doctor. Moments later, the doctor came in & spoke a few words. Then she placed the instrument against Krystal's stomach. As the instrument glided across her stomach, Krystal hoped that the next words to come out of the doctor's mouth would be that her baby was still ok. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Doctor: I'm sorry, Mrs. Williams.

Krystal just shook her head while repeatedly saying,"No, this can't be". The doctor had done her best to comfort Krystal by saying that miscarriages are never the mother's fault. Krystal's heart was broken. She had everything ready for her daughter. She & Devon had even come up with a name for her.
After no success in comforting Krystal, the doctor turned to Summer.

Doctor: Please, take all the time you need & when your friend is ready, we can schedule a d&c.
Summer: Thank you, Doctor.

The doctor quietly walked out of the examination room. Krystal continued to cry, but softly. Summer just sat there waiting to offer Krystal help. Five minutes turned into 15. And soon, half an hour slipped by. A nurse came by to see if the room was vacant, she quickly closed the door when she saw Summer & Krystal were still inside. Krystal finally sat up, took a deep breath & looked at Summer. Tears were still flowing down her face. Summer had been crying too. In that moment, Krystal looked to Summer as a child looked to it's mother. For help. For hope. For comfort. For answers.

Krystal: Her name was Nevaeh.

Krystal flung herself into the ready arms of Summer. Summer held her tightly while caressing her back & calming her down with soft shushes.