Mount Olympus [5]

Rayah

I flash a small smile at them and Ella smiles up at him, "Me can count."

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Jackie

I swallow but don't say anything back, traumatized.

Jace

I lightly smile, "Yeah? Show me?"

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Nic

I swallow and flash us to the hospital, kissing Jackie's forehead and a clean part of her stomach before letting nurses and doctors take care of them. Please be okay. Please be okay.

Rayah

"1...2...4...5...7...9...10...11...12...13...
14...15...16...18...20!" She claps.

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Jackie

Stuff happens and I don't acknowledge any of it, Halee talking to me in my stomach.

I love you mommy...my head hurt...

Her voice echoes in my head and I swallow, looking at the nurses, "She...She's hurt," I stutter, "H-Help her, I'm-I'm fine."

Jace

I smile proudly at her, finding it adorable how she missed a few numbers, "Good job, Els."

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Nic

I watch them wheel her away and realize I'm sobbing only when they attempt to move me. I don't let them, staying right where I am on the floor.

Rayah

Ella nods and I smile at her, loving how she missed some numbers.

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Jackie

I they patch up my stomach and my vision shifts, my eyes closing. Everything goes numb and all I hear is the beeping of two heartbeats, mine, and Halee's.

Jace

I kiss the top of her head and glance up at Rayah.

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Nic

I stop crying and toughen up, wiping my face and standing. Hesitantly, I walk to the door they took her through and set a hand on the wood. A nurse comes up and tries to stop me.

"You can't go in yet," she says solemnly, "The doctors are still working. Please take a seat."

Rayah

I flash a halfhearted smile at Jace and look at Ella.

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Jackie

The doctors exit the room and I keep uncontious, my breathing unsteady.

Jace

I study Rayah. Can we talk? About what happened? I feel it's bothering you somehow...

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Nic

The doctors come out and I walk straight in, my heart aching at the sight of Jackie hooked up to all those machines. I take her side and wrap her hand delicately in mine, letting her know I'm there.

Rayah

I shake my head, not responding, and take Ella in my arms.

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Jackie

I open my eyes weakly and glance down at my stomach, wincing as my other hand brushes over it. I glance at Nic and swallow, "She...She's gone..."

Jace

I swallow and look away before heading up to our room, shutting the door behind me.

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Nic

I swallow and blink back any more emotion, kissing her forehead and pulling myself as close as possible. My eyes scan the room and set on a glass casing the size of a shoe box, a frail pink body wrapped in white inside. I flash a smile hysterically and point to it for Jackie, "She's right there, Jacks. She's fine."

Rayah

I watch him leave before bringing Ella closer.

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Jackie

I look to where he's pointing and let out a breath of relief, "Thank you baby Jesus."

Jace

I change into pajamas and get under the covers, not wanting to deal with anything else today.

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Nic

I flash a smile and kiss her forehead again, closing my eyes to savor the moment.

Rayah

I shake my head and close my eyes.

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Jackie

I smile and sigh, "I want to hold my baby girl."

Jace

I close my eyes and it replays again, causing my head to pound.

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Nic

I smile and flash to the incubator, looking over our beautiful newborn. Scanning over the chart at her side, I notice how small she is and set my hand on the glass, "I-I don't know if you can yet, Jacks. She's so tiny..."

Rayah

I fall asleep, in a peaceful sleep.

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Jackie

I frown and sit up, surprisingly not hurting, "Aw..."