The Canary's Lullaby

Chapter Three

"Laurel, I know this isn't ideal for you but I need you to start pushing" the doctor instructed firmly. She was an attractive Latina of average height with deep brown eyes and a crisp voice that sounded as if it belonged at a jazz club. Her lab coat had the name Hernandez embroidered on it in royal blue thread.

When calling the hospital, they had said that Doctor Schwartz was taking a personal day to deal with important family matters. Laurel and Oliver nodded their understanding; thinking that this was but a minor setback in their plans. However, it was nothing they couldn't handle.

"But my mother isn't here yet and the baby's father hasn't returned. Where are they?" Laurel sobbed, nearly choking on her own tears.

"I'm sorry, but we can't tell the baby to wait for them" a male nurse piped up, the utmost sympathy laced in his voice.

Laurel quickly turned her spiraling head toward Sara. The reflection of fear and second guessing was evident in the brunette's olive green eyes.

"Everything's going to be fine, Laurel. This baby is so lucky to have you and I'm here for you" Sara promised as she held onto her sister's hand. However, the young blonde's heart was flooded with anxiety; evident in the way her hand began to clam up beneath Laurel's. She had never been witness to anyone's birth before and was not so keen on the idea after hearing her mother recount theirs.

As the male nurse drew a breath to count to three, Sara and Laurel released breaths of relief at seeing Oliver and their mother in the room. Sara glanced at her sister and smiled, "see, sweetie? I told you everything would be fine".

"I'm sorry to have to say this but someone has got to go. There's a few too many people in here, there's about to be one more. So, Laurel, you've got a choice to make", the male nurse announced.

Without so much as a single sound, Oliver prepared to volunteer. One foot trembling in front of the other, he made his way to the door. His heart skipped a beat at Laurel breathlessly calling after him. "Ollie, wait". During the lifetime in which he had known her, she was always so strong and independent. At this very moment, he'd never known her to be more vulnerable and uncertain.

Gentle freeing her hand from Sara's grasp, Laurel traded it for Oliver's. The young couple held each other's loving gaze for what felt like an eternity for them on their own little planet; wordlessly reminding each other of the promise Oliver had made months ago.

"I'm so sorry, Sara" Laurel whispered.

"It's okay. Just go on and live your dream. Be the mother we all know you can be" Sara encouraged as she awarded Laurel's hand one last gentle squeeze and prepared to leave the room. Dinah rose from her seat to accompany her younger daughter, hoping that Laurel wouldn't mind.

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"Ollie, I'm so scared. I can't do this" Laurel whimpered.

"Yes, you can. I know who you are in your bones, Laurel. You can do this and I'll be with you the whole time" Oliver vowed as her grip on his hand tightened and she prepared to push.

Her reddening face contorted through the pain. Oliver wiped the river of sweat from her forehead as she took a breath. The bun in her milk chocolate brown hair that was once perfectly made slowly came undone with each passing minute. She'd been instructed to push three more times and her head began to throb with every single one. The world around her began to spun as her vision blurred. She refused to let go of Oliver's hand in her time of need, but it seemed she had no choice as her hand fell from his.

"Did you know what you were having?" Dr Hernandez asked happily as the room filled with deafening cries of a newborn.

"No. We didn't" Laurel sighed, slowly losing her breath and the ability to stay awake.

"Dad, why don't you cut the cord and tell her" Dr Hernandez said proudly.

"It's a girl, Laurel. Can you believe that?" Oliver answered excitedly. However, his cheerful disposition was quick to fade as he took his eyes off the baby for a second and returned his gaze to an unresponsive Laurel.

Dr Hernandez and two nurses attended to her while the others dealt with the baby.

"Laurel, can you hear me?" Dr Hernandez asked worriedly.

"What's going on? Why isn't she waking up? Laurel, wake up, my love. We've got a daughter. Laurel, please.." Oliver said frantically, but not before he was urged to leave the room by a female nurse in salmon scrubs.

"I'm sorry, Mr Queen. But you can't be in here right now"

"But Laurel...."

"We'll do everything we can to make sure she's alright. But in the meantime, we need you to stay with your daughter".

              ~ 

His daughter was alive and well. That should've been comforting enough. But what good would raising a child be if the one you love wasn't around? Especially considering how his parents felt. No one thought he could do it, but Laurel was certain that they could as long as they were together. As her life hung by the thinnest of threads, Oliver was unsure of what to believe. His head hung low in shame as he made his way to the waiting area to find Dinah and Sara. He couldn't even fathom trying to explain to them what had happened. But they would inevitably have questions. Hopefully someone else would come along with the answers.

The lifeless grey walls of the hospital seemed to close in on him as he became closer to his destination. The ticking of the clock mocked him as his heart rate increased with anticipation and worry.

"Oliver, is everything okay?" Dinah asked as Oliver appeared in front of them.

"You look like you've seen a ghost" Sara added.

The young father closed his eyes for the briefest of moments to gather his emotions and formulate his answer. Upon opening them and releasing a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, he looked between the pair of women with apologetic eyes. He dared not let the tears escape.

"There was a complication and they ushered me out of the room. The doctor told me to be with the baby, but I just can't do that right now" he revealed.

"What-" Sara began but not before Oliver could supply the only answer he knew.

"I don't know what happened. But told me I couldn't be with her. I think they're taking her to the OR".

The hearts of the Lance women sank with concern. "I'm sure they're doing the best that they can to determine the problem", Dinah spoke finally. "Have faith".

Hesitantly, Oliver took a seat next to Sara; who immediately grabbed his hand and bowed her head at the ground.

He thought to ask what she was doing, but he knew. Praying was something he hadn't done since Sunday school at the age of 8. He couldn't even remember if it worked back then. However, given the circumstances he felt it was appropriate to try.