The Nature of Things

Chapter 36

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Brian stood holding Molly's hand trying to keep her calm. He'd asked one of the nurses who'd been there from the beginning to call Justin, Jennifer and Cynthia. He was whispering words of comfort and encouragement to Molly when Justin burst into the room.

The doctor followed and advised them all that they had to deliver the baby tonight. The ultrasound they'd done just moments before Brian had arrived showed that the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck and body which was causing the heart rate to drop drastically.

Molly asked that Brian and Justin be in the operating room during the C-section. Both men stood with Molly as the doctors began the surgery to deliver their baby.

Once their daughter was born the doctor quickly passed her to the neonatologist. The baby was placed in an incubator and taken to the NICU for tests.

Justin followed the baby while Brian stayed with Molly. He had a nurse go out and let Jennifer and Cynthia know that they'd had a daughter and that Molly was doing fine.

An hour after Molly was back in her room Brian left her side to go meet his little girl. He found Justin sitting in a rocking chair watching her sleep. She was very small and remained hooked up to oxygen and heart monitors.

Brian put his hand on Justin's shoulder and Justin turned to face him with tears in his eyes.

"She's going to be fine, Sunshine. She's a Taylor, she'll fight."

"She's also a Kinney, Bri."

"All the more reason to believe in her strength."

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Debbie and Emmett stood outside of the NICU and watched Justin and Brian with their daughter. Emmett's eyes filled with tears as he thought of all those two had been through to get to this point.

Debbie handed him a kleenex and laughed at his sentimentality.

"I wonder what they'll name her."

"I guess they'll tell us when they're ready, Em. Come on, let's go check on the little mama."

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The doctor asked Brian and Justin to join him in a conference room to discuss the test results.

"It seems that your daughter's lungs are not fully developed yet, so she'll have to remain on the oxygen and in the incubator until they develop properly.  Her blood work has come back normal which is a good sign that she's strong.  However I'm concerned with her EKG results. I want to do some further tests to check on her heart strength."

"How long will she have to stay here?"

"I'm not going to give a definite time line just yet, Mr. Kinney. This is something that has to happen in it's own time. We can't rush her."

"Can we stay with her?"

"We strongly suggest that the parents spend as much time as possible with their baby while they are here. You can feed her and even hold her. I would suggest that you stay positive and talk to her. Even though she's an infant, she needs to know that there is someone who loves her and is fighting for her as well."

"I bought her a blanket, can she have it in her incubator?"

"Unfortunately no, Mr. Taylor. And anytime you are with her you will be required to wear the gown. Have you thought of a name for her yet?"

"We're working on it," Brian stated with a look to Justin.

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Justin took the first shift of staying at the hospital with the baby. Jennifer stayed in Molly's room the first few nights, but would be alternating with Cynthia and Debbie.

Brian went home and readied the nursery for when the baby finally came home.  He also called Lindsay and asked her to help sit with the baby while he and Justin worked some. Even though Justin swore he wouldn't leave their child with anyone other than Brian, he knew that sooner or later exhaustion would win out over determination.

The next morning Brian stopped at the diner and picked up breakfast for them all before heading back for his shift in the nursery. Justin left the baby long enough to accept the coffee and food from Brian. Kissing him on the cheek, Justin thanked him for bringing him a change of clothes.

"I knew you couldn't leave her side, so I figured at least you could smell better."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate it."

Brian stared through the thick glass at his daughter. "You know she really needs a name. She's the only one here without one."

"Have you thought of anything you like?"

"Maya."

"Maya?" Justin thought for a moment. "I like it. Maya Taylor Kinney."

"As in Taylor-hyphen-Kinney?"

"As in Taylor, middle name."

"Are you sure?"

"Very."

Brian studied Justin's face before kissing him. "I guess our little girl has a name."

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Later, while Brian was feeding Maya, Justin stepped out to introduce the gang to their daughter. Lindsay and Emmett oohhed and ahhed over her while Ted recommended stocks to invest in for her future.

Melanie brought Jenny Rebecca, and Justin was amazed at how much she'd grown. He was looking forward to all the milestones that Maya would achieve. Brian held her close to the window for a few moments so that everyone could see her before she had to go back into her incubator.

After everyone left, Brian and Justin stood admiring their little girl. They were just standing and watching her when Jennifer wheeled Molly up to the window. She waved and Brian went out to talk to her.

"Molly, come in and see Maya."

"Not yet, Brian. I need time to get used to the fact that she's yours."

"Molly, if you're having second thoughts, you need to tell me."

"I'm not. She's your daughter. Yours and Justin's. It's just that I'm a little sad about it."

"You will always be her mother. You can have any type of relationship with her that you want."

"Would you mind if I pumped so she could get breast milk?" Molly was hesitant to ask and her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I think that would be a really good idea. I'll go let the nurse know so they can get you whatever you need." Brian kissed her forehead and headed off down the corridor to find a nurse.

Molly sat for a few more minutes watching Justin hold her daughter before asking her mother to take her back to her room.

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