Better Man

Two nights later I was trying to sleep, but there was a feeling inside of me. It's not pain, or the baby kicking, it's the feeling of being empty. Like something was missing, that's when I remembered Val said she felt something similar when she lost their daughter last year. Quickly I began crying, and poking Brian as he slept; it didn't take much to wake him nowadays, anyway.

"Mmm," He croaked, opening his eyes. "You alright?"

"No," I sobbed, he sat up and helped me into a sitting position. "I feel like there's something wrong with the babies. I don't know if I'm right, but..."

"It's okay. Let's go get you checked, kay?" He groaned sitting up, and grabbing some clothes to change into. "Did you wanna stay in your pajamas?"

"I'll change," We both changed into some more comfortable clothes, then I got Aedan while Scotty was carried by Brian to the car. We didn't have anywhere to take them, everyone was still on tour and I didn't have anyone I was close to to take my sons to this early in the morning. Brian tried to keep the conversation calm, neither of us were sure what to expect.

Brian took the 'baby bag' and slung it over his shoulder, took Aedan in one arm and Scotty in the other. I offered to take Aedan but he shook his head, no, he was sure he could manage both.

"Can I help you?" The tired lady asked at the Triage. She was middle aged, and her brown hair was streaked with silver that made me think she was closer to fifty then fourty.

"My wife's carrying triplets, and she's not feeling okay," Brian explained.

"Can I get some details, please?" Brian nodded, and she got ready to type. "Name?"

"Annabelle Hanar,"

"Age?"

"Twenty four..." The questions continued until we were asked to sit and wait until someone could see us. Brian lay Scotty across a few chairs, then held Aedan while I rest my head against his shoulder. Both of us had a hand on my belly, preying everything was okay; we couldn't loose them.

"Annabelle Hanar, please?" My head shot up, and collided with Brian's jaw.

"Sorry," I whispered, kissing it gently.

"S'alright," We were taken to a room, where I was asked to lay on the bed while she pulled the curtain across so no one could look at us.

"So you're seven and a half months, with triplets?"

"Yeah,"

"Alright I'll do an ultrasound, as soon as I can," She excited, and a nurse came in.

"I'm gonna start an IV, just incase the doctor thinks you need it," She explained, and pulled over a stand with her equipmet on it. I focused on Brian while she stabbed me, it doesn't hurt much, childbirth hurts more. I haven't got any tattoo's or piercings, except for my ears, so needles aren't something I'm overly comfortable with. But Brian kept on looking in my eyes, and rubbing my hand gently, so I stayed calm. "All done,"

"You did great, Babe," He kissed my forhead, and I looked at the IV. It was set up about an inch and a half below my elbow, so I still had the ability to move my arm comfortably. Awhile later the doctor returned with the ultrasound machine, which she set up quickly. Before anyone could say much the sound of very faint hearbeats filled the room.

"Okay, two of the babies are looking, a little large. But one is farely small," She explained, then pointed to the screen. "Okay, from what I can tell the two larger ones are receiving more blood, and food. And the smaller one-"

"Isn't getting any?" Brian cut in.

"No, it's getting some. Just not enough,"

"S-so what do we, or you, do?" Brian asked, his voice cracking.

"Well if the two larger ones continue to reciever this much, they may pass away. And if the smaller one doesn't get more, it'll also pass away,"

"What do we do?" Brian pleaded. "Just tell us,"

"We're going to have to do an emergency ceserian,"

"But it's too soon," I pointed out.

"This is their best chance. Do you consent this?"

"I-I..."