Always

The end of March was nearing and they had found themselves in quite the situation. Liz barely had a day off, between school and placement at the hospital, and Adam's schedule had only gotten crazier the closer it got to the post season.
Flopping down in one of the chairs at the nurses desk, Liz sighed and plopped a hand on her now significantly rounded stomach. This was her third day in a row and she couldn't wait to get home and have the whole day to herself the next day. She had half an hour left of her shift, but everything she had to do was done so she opted to stay in the chair. Because Liz was Liz she wouldn't admit to anyone that she hadn't felt just right over the past couple days and right now she was definitely feeling worse for wear. Closing her eyes she rubbed small circles on the centre of her stomach hoping that it would make her feel a bit better. The nauseous feeling she had been trying to kick all afternoon was rearing it's ugly head full force by now. Just as she took another deep breath in she heard the voice of one of the other nurses on the floor.
"Are you okay, hun?"
Her eyes popped open and she looked at the older nurse.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine."
A sympathetic smile appeared on the other woman's face.
"Honey, I've had three kids. I know the look of a pregnant woman who just wants to be home in bed. Why don't you head out early? Our little secret."
The last part came out more as a statement than a question, but with the way she was feeling, Liz wasn't going to argue with her.
"You know that sounds pretty amazing right about now. Thanks Lil."
"Not a problem. You just take care of you and that baby in there."
Liz smiled at her and pushed herself up from the seat with all the energy she had left and headed to the staff room to grab her things. As she was heading back the opposite way, towards the elevators she ran into one of the other girls in her class who was on the floor.
"Hey Li- you okay? You don't look so good."
"Oh yeah I'm fine. Just tired. Heading home a bit early today."
"Yeah, looks like that's probably best. You're not planning on waking today are you?"
Normally Liz just walked home from the hospital considering she only lived about 15 minutes away.
"No, I think I'm going to call Adam. He doesn't have a game tonight so he should be able to pick me up."
"Good. If he can't come back up and wait for me, I'll give you a ride."
"Thanks Carly."
She gave her the best smile she could with the progressively shitter feeling that was taking over her body. As she pulled her phone out of her pocket she felt a little kick to the side of her belly.
'I know baby. Momma feels crappy too.' She thought.
Dialling Adam's number she pressed the button and waited for the elevator.
"Hey babe." He picked up a couple rings later.
"Hey. You at home?" Her voice sounded weak.
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just not feeling the best. Can you pick me up from the hospital?"
"Of course." She heard his keys jingle in the background. "I'll be right there."
She heard the door of his apartment close and hung up the phone knowing it wouldn't take him long to get there. Five minutes later she saw him pull up and headed out to the vehicle. Opening the door she slid in and was met with the concerned face of her boyfriend.He brought his hand up to her face immediately.
"Are you sure you're okay?
"She nodded and closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of his hand on her skin. "Can we just go home now?"
He sighed and leaned in pressing his lips to her forehead, before turning back front and pulling away from the building. As he pulled back into his parking spot he looked over at Liz, very worried about her but didn't say anything. She unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed the handle of her bag that was sitting on her lap. Suddenly the door opened in front of her and Adam was standing there holding his hand out for her. She gladly accepted and took his hand pulling herself up out of the car. He watched her the entire way, a worried look carved on his face which only amplified when she wobbled as soon as both feet were on the ground.
"You're not okay."
"I'm fine. I just need some food, I haven't eaten since this morning."
"You need to eat babe." His voice stern as they started walking back towards the building.
"I know that Adam. And I really don't have enough energy to fight with you right now."
His eyes were glued to the pale girl he was practically holding up on their way up the elevator. When they finally got into his apartment he walked her straight to the couch and plopped her down.
"I'm going to make you something to eat, anything specific you want?"
"No. Food's fine."
He kissed the top of her head and quickly went to the kitchen throwing together some leftover pasta that he had in the fridge. A couple minutes later he returned with a bowl full of pasta and a glass of juice, placing it in front of her on the table. He studied her as she slowly ate the bowl, wondering if he should ignore her pleas of being fine and call someone or just let her be. After she finished the bowl she placed it back on the coffee table and looked over at Adam.
"That better?"
"Kinda. I've just been feeling crummy the past couple of days. Zero time to rest and I think it's catching up to me. Plus, I haven't seen you in almost a week."
His hands were automatically on either side of her face. "You need to find time to rest. It's not good for either of you for you to constantly be on the go."
"Yeah, look who's talking mister I'm never home."
"That's different, I'm not pregnant."
"So. You still need to rest too. You're just getting over a concussion."
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
"Fine. We both need to rest."
She smiled weakly, still not feeling as though she had enough energy for a full one. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He leaned in and kissed her again. "Need anything else?"
"Yeah, a shower. Wanna help me with that?"
He chuckled and a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Don't have to ask me twice about that one."
"Calm down, I feel crummy, remember?"
"I know. But doesn't mean I can't enjoy the view."
She shook her head as they made their way to the bathroom.

After half an hour they were back on the couch, both clad in Bruins sweats, cuddled up watching whatever sit com was currently on. Liz had felt okay after her food and shower, but the okay feeling was starting to wear off and the shit feeling was coming back with vengeance. She slowly started sitting up from the position she held curled into Adam's side and closed her eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"I think I'm gonna be sick."
He quickly hopped off the couch and went to the other side of the living room grabbing the small garbage can that was in the corner and placed it in front of her. Sitting back down beside her he softy rubbed her back and continued to look on with worried eyes. After a couple minutes, and with much displeasure, Liz's supper made a reappearance. The whole thing. But she couldn't stop throwing up, she had no idea where it was all coming from, but she wished it would be over. After half an hour of wrenching, she looked up at Adam with tears softly streaming down her cheeks.
"I'm not okay."
"Oh baby. Do you want me to call the Doctor?"
"No, I just want to sleep."
Quickly he stood, picking her up in his arms and headed towards the bedroom. "Your wish is my command."
She chuckled the best that she could feeling as exhausted as she was. Her entire body hurt from the exorcist-like show she had just put on. Feeling the softness of the mattress under her as Adam placed her on her side of the bed she sighed and closed her eyes.
"I don't think this bed has ever been more comfortable."
He smiled down at her and yanked his shirt over his head climbing into the other side of the bed and pulling her into him. She re-adjusted so she was cuddled into his side. Adam pressed his lips to her forehead and she smiled, she loved the feeling and it never felt better than right now. "I love you." She mumbled quietly.
He kissed her forehead again and before he had the chance to respond, she was out like a light.


Liz awoke with a start, a sharp pain shooting through the bottom of her stomach. Immediately her hands were on her stomach, rubbing circles. She didn't think it felt like a kick, but if it was, this baby was going to be the death of her. She had just gotten back to sleep when she felt it again, this time she sat up and let out a long breath. Whatever these pains were, she knew that she shouldn't be feeling them when she was just over the 6 month mark. Feeling the worry creep up in her, she threw the covers off of her and got out of bed heading towards the kitchen. Opening the cupboard, she grabbed a glass and quietly filled it with water. Leaning against the counter, she continued to rub circles on her protruding belly silently pleading that everything was going to be okay. About a half an hour later she thought that she was out of the woods, but right as she turned to place her now empty glass in the sink, another pain hit. The glass that was in her hands hit the floor and shattered immediately. She grabbed the counter, bracing herself, the aftermath of the pain still lingering.
"Did I just hear a glass- Liz?"
Dougie's voice registered in her ears, but she was too focused on breathing and praying that she couldn't answer him. Suddenly she felt him beside her and heard his voice again.
"Liz, you okay?"
She shook her head lightly.
"Adam!" Dougie yelled, not leaving Liz's side. Adam emerged from his bedroom looking groggy. "What the hell do you want?"
Before Dougie had the chance to answer him, he saw Liz standing in front of the sink and ran. "Liz, baby, what's wrong?"
"Something's not right."
Adam looked at Dougie, "go get my shirt, keys and phone."
He didn't think twice, he ran doing exactly what he was told. Adam lifted Liz's hands off the kitchen counter and kissed the side of her head.
"I'm taking you to the hospital." She nodded, but didn't say anything. He finally looked at her face and saw fear, as well as tears, in her eyes. Kissing her forehead he whispered, "you're going to be okay. Both of you."
She nodded and a few of the pent up tears fell. Dougie emerged back in the kitchen and the three of them headed down to Adam's car, which Dougie was instructed to drive as Adam and Liz sat in the back seat. When they got to the emergency department, Liz was immediately taken in. Adam was about to follow the crowd of people bringing his girlfriend and baby to the back, but stopped looking at the shaken up Dougie standing behind him.
"Call her roommate and Soup." He nodded and watched Adam run through the double doors where they had just wheeled Liz through.

Several hours later, Liz woke up, looking at the cold and unfamiliar sights around her. She felt someone squeeze her hand and looked beside her being met with the eyes of her boyfriend. "Hey."
"Hi. How you feeling?"
She shrugged, "tired." He chuckled and leaned forward pressing his lips against her knuckles. "Everybody okay?"
"Oh, I'm great, thanks for asking." Adam replied, smirk present on his lips.
"Well you know I was worried." She smirked tiredly back at him.
Adam moved his other hand up, brushing away some of the hair from her face.
"You're gonna be just fine."
"Just me?"
"The little squirt is gonna be just fine too. They stopped you from going into labour, but you're now on bed rest until you go into labour for real."
Her eyes opened wider as she stared at him, "Adam, I can't be on bed rest. I have school-" "Hey. I don't care about that, they think those long shifts at the hospital and all your school work were part of the reason this happened. We can figure out school, but I need a healthy you and a healthy little girl. Three months from now."
She sighed and looked up at him. The concern in his eyes was present, and she felt horrible for putting it there. She knew exactly how he felt, the roles being reversed only a month prior and she never wanted him to feel like that.
"You scared me you know?" He said quietly. "I didn't want to lose you," he moved his hand down to her stomach, "either of you."
She closed her eyes, taking in the feeling of his one hand wrapped around hers and the other resting softly on her stomach. After a few minutes, there was a voice from the doorway.
"Well, it's just never a dull minute with you two, is it?"
Both of their eyes diverted to the doorway where Julie stood, arms crossed and a fake smirk plastered over the worry that Liz could see present on her face. She walked into the room and went to the other side of Liz's bed.
"How about, next time you don't end up in the hospital so Dougie doesn't have to call me at an ungodly hour to tell me you're in the hospital? Deal?"
Liz chuckled, "Hey, blame this one. She wanted out, not me!"
She pointed to her stomach. Julie leaned down, directing her words at Liz's stomach.
"Alright in there, you're gonna stay put until you're a good 40 weeks, and then you can come out. Until then, no funny business."
Liz looked up at her best friend like she was losing her mind and then chuckled, "note to self, aunt Julie will lay down the law."
"Damn right I will! Seriously though, are you okay?"
"He tells me I'm going to be. But apparently I'm on bed rest until she makes her entrance into the world."
Julie crossed her arms, "you know I wondered if school and everything was just too much." "Jule's I was-"
"Yeah, you went into early labour because you weren't stressed as hell."
"You know, she's really starting to grow on me." Adam said to Liz, smirking at Julie.
"Well if you two are just so on the same page, then why don't you two have a baby together." Liz furrowed her eyebrows and glared between the two of them.
"Meh, not into the curls." Julie shrugged.
Adam chuckled and looked down at Liz.
"We both just want you to be okay, and if okay means you're not doing anything for the next three months, then so be it."
She sighed and put her head back on the pillow and before she had time to say anything, she heard a knock on the door.
"Knock knock, looks like someone's awake." The doctor walked in and Liz looked up at him, but still remained sullen on the pillow. "And how are we feeling?" The doc said as she hit some buttons on the machine Liz was attached.
"Better than when I came in here, that's for sure."
"Good. Any more pain?"
Liz shook her head, "nope."
"Well, I'm sure that you've been informed about what happened, but you were in early labour. Luckily we could reverse it, but then the issue is it happening again. So, to prevent this we're going to keep you on bed rest."
She sighed again, "I heard that part too."
"He told me you wouldn't be overly thrilled about that, but it really is what's best for you an your baby. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that much."
"No, you don't. But it doesn't mean I'm going to be happy about it."
"And trust me, most women aren't! Now when I say bed rest, at this point I don't think it's completely necessary to have you on complete rest, so I'm going to say no school, no work, nothing that involves you on your feet for more than half an hour or so. Run to the grocery store, sure. Perhaps a trip to TD Garden or two, just no jumping around." He said with a smirk on his face.
"Trust me, no jumping to be had from me. But this one can't make any promises, she's a little jumping bean."
"Well I think we gave her the message to cool it in there," the doctor chuckled, "So the plan is we're going to keep you here for a couple more hours and as long as you don't have any more contractions, you're free to go home."
"I think I can deal with that."
"Perfect, I'll see you in a few hours then!"
Just as the doctor had left the room, there was another knock on the door and a blonde head popped around the frame.
"Hey, can we come in?"
Liz smiled and nodded, "of course you can."
The door opened fully and in came Katie and Greg.
"How you feeling?" Katie went to Liz's free side and Greg migrated over beside Adam.
"Oh you know, apparently she's not cool with the whole staying in there for 9 months thing, she's more of a 6 month girl."
"Well little girl, you need to take a chill pill."
Katie rubbed her hand lightly over Liz's stomach and the girls shared a laugh.
"You sure you ready for this Quaider? Little girl's not even born yet and she's already a trouble maker." Soupy chuckled and lightly punched Adam's shoulder.
"I'm trying not to think about that aspect of it," he chuckled, "I don't know if I can handle another Liz."
Immediately Liz's head turned to face him. "Hey! Who says I'M the trouble maker? You're the one who beats the shit out of people for a living!"
"Girls got a point." Adam looked over at Greg, "whose side are you on here?"
"I'm on whoever's side works at the time."
The group shared a laugh and Liz took a glance around the room.
"Hey, where's Doug?"
"Out in the waiting room."
"Still? Why didn't he come in?"
"We tried to tell him he could, but he said he didn't want to be in the way." Greg shrugged.
"I think he's a little shaken up from everything, kid was white as a ghost when we got here." Katie said with a slight frown on her face.
Liz sighed and looked over at Adam. "I probably scared the shit out of him."
"If it makes you feel better, you scared the shit out of me too."
He pulled her hand up to his face and kissed her knuckles. She gave him a sad smile and looked over at Greg.
"Could you go get him for me?" Greg nodded and headed out to the waiting room to get Dougie. A couple minutes later he came back with a slightly frazzled and tired looking Dougie trailing behind him. He stood awkwardly in the doorway for a second before looking over at Adam and Liz.
"Hey."
"Hey Doug." Liz smiled warmly at him.
"Glad to see you're doing okay."
"Thanks."
There was a moment of silence amongst the group, Liz looked around at everyone and then spoke.
"You guys mind if I talk to Dougie for a second?"
He looked at her a little confused but the rest of the group nodded and started heading out. Adam bent down and kissed her forehead before following the other two out, closing the door behind him. Dougie stood in the same spot as he was before, looking over at Liz with a waiting look. Since he wasn't moving, she patted the edge of the bed. Slowly he made his way over and sat down, facing her.
"Thanks Doug."
He shrugged, "no problem."
"No, really. If you hadn't have been there I don't know when Adam would have found me or if we would have gotten here this fast. I don't know if she' still be around right now." She absently dragged a hand over her stomach.
The two were silent for a moment.
"I'm really happy you two are still okay. I wouldn't want to see Quaider if anything happened to either of you. Plus, you've kinda grown on me."
He smirked. Liz chuckled, "just kinda?"
"Yeah, I wouldn't go too far."

Notes

I suck. I'm beyond horrible.
I am the worst kind of person.

I AM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG. Life got CARAZZZZZY. But hopefully now it's all settled and I can get on with this! If anyone is still actually going to read it that is…

Well, I hope you enjoy this if you do take the time to read it!

And if you did read it, you're a rockstar and you deserve a hug.

THANK YOU PEOPLES!