A/N: Here's the thing…I've never given birth before, so writing about one isn't the easiest thing in the world for me LOL! But I've researched it for hours on end so if there are any inaccuracies about anything, just ignore it and pretend like it can happen that way! :-)

Now...probably the most anticipated chapter ever…the birth! Two years in the making! LOL! And just in time for Labor Day, how about that? LOL! Come on, you didn't really think I'd let Alison be pregnant forever now did you? ;-)

Enjoy! :)

Rafe drove like a madman down the road with Alison screaming at him the whole time.

"Rafe! Stop driving so fast! You're going to kill us all!"

"I'm just trying to get us to the hospital as fast as I can…damn it!" he cursed, stepping on the brakes as the light just turned red. This light always took forever. Rafe looked both ways, checking to see if any cars were coming. "There's no traffic coming. I can run it."

"Don't you DARE!" Alison warned. "Now, Rafe, you either slow this car down, or I'm getting out and walking to the hospital MYSELF!"

Rafe looked over at Alison. She wasn't playing. "Okay, I'll slow down."

"Thank you!"

The light turned green, and Rafe pressed on the gas.

"Rafe, I thought you said you were going to slow down!"

"I am!" Rafe eased off the gas a little, watching as the needle on the speedometer went down. 35…30…25.

An impatient driver behind them beeped his horn several times.

Rafe continued on. She was right. He should drive slower. In his haste, he hadn't been thinking clearly. He'd never be able to live with himself if he made them have an accident.

"Rafe, you can go a little faster than that," Alison said, annoyed.

"But you said you wanted to go slow."

"I know but…OWWW!"

"Alison?! What's wrong?!"

"OWW, OWW! I think it's a contraction! Get me to the hospital!"

"But…"

"DRIVE FASTER! DRIVE!"

Rafe pressed down on the gas, speeding the car up. He was going 55 in a 45, edging closer to 60.

"Rafe, SLOW DOWN!"

"Make up your mind!" Rafe hollered. "Do you want me to go fast? Do you want me to go slow? What do you want me to do?"

"I don't want to have this baby in the car! So SPEED IT UP!"

Fortunately, GH was right around the corner.

Once there, Rafe jumped out of the car and ran to the passenger side. He opened the door, helping Alison get out.

"I need some help here!" he hollered out, hoping to get someone's attention. "Pregnant woman! Pregnant woman! She's having a baby!"

A hospital orderly pushing a wheelchair ran over to assist them, and Rafe took her hand and helped her sit down.

"Her water just broke. Her doctor is Dr. Meadows," Rafe said as the orderly wheeled her into the hospital.

"It would help if you wheeled me a little faster, you know! Can't you see this is an emergency?!" Alison snapped at the orderly.

As Alison was wheeled into the ER, she smiled as she saw a familiar face. "Nana!"

Amanda turned around, surprised to see Alison. "Alison! Are you in labor?"

"Yes. My water broke. What are you doing here?"

"Just taking care of some charity matters." Amanda looked at the nervous orderly. "Well don't just stand there, young man. See to it that my granddaughter gets the best room in this hospital."

"Yes, Mrs. Barrington," he replied.

Not long after they arrived, Alison was all settled into her nice, cushy room. She had to remember to thank her grandmother later. It was the nicest birthing room in the entire maternity ward. The walls were painted in soothing pastels. The lighting was much more calming. There was even a rocking chair!

Dr. Meadows walked in with a smile on her face.

"The day's finally come!" she said.

"Thank god!" Alison said.

"How are you feeling?"

Alison just moaned.

"Her water broke about twenty minutes ago," Rafe said.

After a quick examination, Dr. Meadows said everything was coming along, and all they had to do was wait a little longer. "Ten's the magic number. As soon as you hit ten centimeters, we'll be ready. I'll be back to check on you later."

"Is there anything you need? Anything I can get you?" Rafe asked.

"Just you here."

"You got it."

"OHHHH! OH GOD, MAKE IT STOP!"

Rafe didn't know what to do. For the first time, he felt completely helpless. He hated seeing Alison in so much pain. All he wanted to do was to take it away from her.

Rafe reached for her hand and touched it lightly. "Alison…"

"Don't touch me!"

Rafe pulled back his hand, confused by her reaction. "Alison, it's going to be okay. Think back to your breathing exercises…"

"I AM BREATHING!"

"Okay…how about I go run and get you some ice chips? Would that help some?"

"Yeah! You go do that! Go get me some ice chips!"

As Rafe reached the door, Alison called him back. "Rafe! NO! Don't leave me, don't leave me!"

"I'm not going anywhere," Rafe said as he rushed back to her side. "I'm staying right here."

"Please don't leave me!" Alison sobbed.

"Shh, I'm not going anywhere." Rafe held on to her hand tightly and kissed it.

"Rafe?"

"Yeah?"

Alison took a deep breath. "I'm really scared."

"Well anytime you're feeling that way, you just look at me, all right? Because I'm going to be right here. I'm not going anywhere. We're going to get through this together. And when it's all over, there's going to be this brand new life in the world. One that we created."

Alison shook her head, and gave a little smile.

"Knock, knock." Livvie poked her head into the door. "Hi, sweetie."

"Livvie, hey."

"Lucy said you had gone into labor. So I had to come over and check on you. And by the way, Lucy wants you to give her a call as soon as you have the baby. She's dying to know what it is, and she doesn't care if it's 2am. How are you feeling?"

"I'm miserable." Alison turned to Rafe. "Hey, do you think you could still go get me some ice chips while I talk to Livvie?"

"Sure."

"But don't take too long."

"I won't. I'll be right back."

As Rafe left, Alison turned to Livvie with a sad expression on her face. "Livvie, I was mean to Rafe."

Livvie smiled. "Don't worry. I think he'll understand."

"Well just so we're clear, if for some reason I get really angry at you, please know it's not really me talking."

"Okay. So, is it really as bad as they say it is?"

"I don't know, but so far, it's no picnic, that's for sure."

"How are we doing?" the nurse asked all bubbly, walking into the room to check on Alison.

Alison grumbled.

The nurse shook her head. "Contractions getting stronger, huh?"

"Can't you give me something? Like some drugs?"

"I'll talk to the doctor."

Just then, Rafe walked in. "Here are your ice chips."

Alison took them gladly. "Thank you."

The nurse turned to Livvie. "Well, I hate to be the one to break up the party, but I'll have to ask visitors to leave for a while. I have to examine the patient."

"Oh no, can't you do that in a little while? She just got here." Alison complained.

"It's okay," Livvie said. "I can't stay long anyway. But I'm going to be here first thing in the morning to see that baby!"

"If it ever gets here," Alison said.

"Bye, sweetie." Livvie leaned forward, giving Alison a hug.

"Bye."

Another hour had passed, and with that, the contractions Alison felt had only grown stronger…and more painful.

"Rafe," Alison said through clenched teeth.

"What is it?"

"Come here." Alison motioned with her finger for Rafe to come a little closer. "I've made a decision. We are using a condom every time after this! Got that? And if you want a daughter, you better start hoping and praying it's a girl because we are NOT doing this again!"

"Don't worry, they always say that," a man's voice said. "I should know. I have three of my own."

Rafe and Alison looked up to see a middle-aged doctor standing beside them.

"Who are you?" Alison demanded.

"I'm Dr. Kessler, the anesthesiologist," he said with a smile.

"Took you long enough!" Alison muttered.

Dr. Kessler looked at Rafe. "Ouch," he said with a laugh. "I usually get a more friendlier reception. Guess I waited too long!"

"She's been a little edgy for the last few hours."

Alison glared at Rafe.

The doctor turned to Alison. "I know you. You're Amanda Barrington's granddaughter. You don't remember me, do you? I used to walk past you all the time when you were a volunteer here."

"Are you going to give me the drugs or are we going to chat?" Alison said, not at all hiding her impatience.

"Well okay, someone's definitely not happy today," the doctor said with a laugh. "Don't worry, very soon, you'll be feeling a lot better."

"Thank god," Rafe said with a sigh of relief.

"So, I take it this is your first child?" he asked as he checked Alison's IV.

"Yes, it's our first," Rafe said.

"And LAST!" Alison added.

"Alison, I'm going to have you lie down on your side facing your husband while I administer the epidural, okay?"

As the doctor began to prepare, Alison caught a glimpse of the needle he was going to use. "Oh my god!"

"Are you feeling a contraction?" Rafe asked.

"No. Oh my god, you're using THAT?" Alison pointed to the needle.

Dr. Kessler shook his head yes.

"Um, I changed my mind! I don't think I want the epidural after all."

"You won't feel much pain, Alison. It may be a little uncomfortable while administering it but once it's over, it'll make your delivery a lot less painful."

"Uh-uh! No, I don't want it."

"Doc, please give it to her. If not for her sake at least for mine," Rafe said.

Dr. Kessler laughed.

"I said I don't want it…AHHH! OH GOD! OH GOD!" Alison grabbed Rafe's hand, feeling a rather strong contraction.

"You still don't want the epidural?" the doctor asked.

"I changed my mind! I changed my mind! Give it to me!"

"Now, Alison, it's important to stay as still as you can during the procedure. If you feel a contraction coming on, just let me know and I'll stop and wait until it passes. Just breathe through it."

Alison looked at Rafe, tears already in her eyes. "Rafe…"

"It's going to be okay. I'll hold your hand the whole time."

Dr. Kessler started the epidural, and while it was a little uncomfortable, having Rafe by her side holding her hand took her mind off of it.

"Okay, and we're finished," the doctor said when he was done. It should kick in pretty soon, about ten or so minutes. You'll feel some numbness from the waist down. Just relax, and stay in bed. And if for some reason it doesn't take or it starts to wear off before it's time to deliver, just buzz the nurse and I'll be right back up here."

"Thank you, doctor," Rafe said.

"Good luck," he said, walking out of the room.

"You okay?" Rafe asked.

Alison shook her head.

"Just rest, okay?"

"Okay."

Dr. Kessler had been right. It wasn't too long before the epidural began to take effect. She did feel a lot better, and in much less pain than she was before.

Suddenly, Alison began to feel incredibly guilty for her temper. How many people had she yelled at today? The nurses, the doctors, an orderly, Rafe.

Oh, poor Rafe, Alison thought. How could she have said all of those things?

"Rafe?"

Rafe looked up from the book he was reading. "Yeah?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of those things I said before."

Rafe put his book down and moved his chair closer to the bed. "I know you didn't. I can't imagine what you're going through right now. I know it can't be easy on you." Rafe smoothed her hair back with his hand. "Is it working?"

"Yeah. It's really weird. My legs feel so heavy and numb. Rafe, was I mean to that doctor?"

"You were in pain. You had an excuse."

"Oh, I was mean to him! I feel so guilty. I feel great now and it's all thanks to him."

"Don't worry. I'm sure he's seen his share of women in labor. He's knows you didn't mean it."

"Whoa."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just felt another contraction. They seem to be getting closer."

"It didn't hurt, did it?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Well just rest some more. I'm sure it'll be time pretty soon."

Not too long afterwards, the same nurse as before came in to check on Alison's progress. "How are you doing?" she asked cheerfully.

"Much better," Alison said.

"Is the epidural Dr. Kessler gave you working out? It's not wearing off is it?'

"It's fine."

"Good! Because it won't be too much longer now! Dr. Meadows will be in to check on you soon, alright?"

"Alright."

"What was that nurse talking about? About it not being much longer! What time is it?"

Rafe looked at his watch, amazed at how long they had been here. "It's 11:15 now."

"Ugh! I've been in this bed practically all day! How much longer?"

"Not long I'm guessing," Dr. Meadows said as she walked into the room with the nurse right behind her. "How are you feeling, Alison?"

"I'm ready for this baby to be born!"

"I'm going to check your dilation now. How are your contractions?"

"Like one right after another," Alison replied.

"Yes, just as I thought." Dr. Meadows looked up at Alison and smiled. "You're at 10 cm now. It's time to start pushing."

"Already?" Alison asked, surprised.

Dr. Meadows smiled. "Already."

All of a sudden, Alison felt terrified. She'd been preparing for this moment for months, but now that it was finally here, it was as if she had forgotten everything she had learned about this. Alison didn't know if she could go through with it.

Rafe sensed her nervousness, and gave her hand a little squeeze. "Hey, you're going to do just fine. In just a little while, she'll be here."

Alison smiled. "Or he."

"Alison, I want you to push on this next contraction."

Alison felt the contraction right on cue, and she pushed as hard as she could.

"Good, Alison, you're doing great," Dr. Meadows said.

With every contraction she felt, Alison pushed. But after a while, she felt like she was getting nowhere.

"Come on, keep pushing!" Rafe said.

"I am!" Alison yelled.

"You're doing great, sweetie," the nurse said, patting her arm. "One and two and three and four and five."

"The baby's crowning, Alison. Just a few more pushes and it'll be here."

Alison moaned, tired of pushing. "I can't do it!" she whined.

"You can do it, Angel."

"I'm tired of pushing!"

"Just try, Alison. It won't be too much longer," Dr. Meadows said.

Alison squeezed Rafe's hand and the nurse's as hard as she could, pushing as strong as her already tired body could manage.

"One and two and three and four and five," the nurse kept counting.

"Keep going, Alison! The baby should be here on the next push."

Alison gave one more push, and before she knew it, Dr. Meadows was holding up a shaking, wet, pink little baby.

"Well Daddy was right. It's a girl!" Dr. Meadows announced.

"Oh my god," Alison gasped, staring at their tiny baby, not able to take her eyes away from her for a second.

"Alison, she's so beautiful," Rafe whispered.

And then, the sounds of her crying filled the room. It was like music to their ears.

The nurse gently wrapped the baby up and placed her into Alison's arms. "Congratulations. Here's your beautiful baby girl."

"Hi," Alison said, smiling as the baby looked up at Alison's face. "Hi, sweetheart."

"Alison, she's so tiny." Rafe couldn't resist taking her small hand into his. "Look at those fingers!"

"Look at those eyes."

"There so blue."

"And her little nose." Alison knew she would do it. She knew the moment she laid eyes on her and Rafe's beautiful little miracle, she'd cry.

Rafe saw her tears, and he gently wrapped his arm around her. "You did wonderful," he whispered, then giving her a kiss.

Alison looked at him and smiled. "No. We did wonderful."