Taylor sighed and tried to keep her head as Nick nodded sadly. "I'm sorry Taylor..there was some wreck and they can't get through."
"For real? Oh, well thats just great..I'm gonna have these kids sometime tonight, today whatever and he's not even going to be here.."
"He said Kev and Howie are looking at a map, trying to figure out a way to get here as quick as possible.."
She sighed, "I'm scared Nicky.."
He took the seat next to her and smiled, "It'll be okay Taylor..I'm sure he'll get here before you go into delivery..he better be.."
She smiled, "He better be too..or I'll kill him.."
He laughed, "Do you want anything? I was going to go down to the cafeteria.."
"Will you get me a candy bar?"
"Sure..I'll be right back."
"K."
Nick left then and walked down the hall to the elevator. He had just stepped inside when his phone rang. "Hello?"
"Nick? Its Denise."
"Oh hi Denise.."
"You with Taylor?"
"Yep..well I'm on my way to the cafeteria right now.."
"How's she doing?"
"I think she's upset that AJ isn't here yet..you heard where they were?"
"Yeah..he called just a few minutes ago. I'm almost to Orlando General."
"Oh, okay."
"I'll be there in a few, okay?"
"Okay, see you then Denise."
"Oh, what room is she in?"
"Umm..1428, its up in the maternity ward.."
"Okay..bye Nick."
"Bye Denise.," He said as he hung up and walked off the elevator.
As he was getting a candy bar, a bag of chips, and two cokes, he remembered his date with Jayde. "Crap..," He mumbled to himself as he paid for the things and walked back to the elevator.
He dialed Jayde's number and hoped she wouldn't be too mad he had to cancel. "Hello?"
"Hey Jayde. Its Nick."
"Hey Nicky..whats up?"
He sighed, "Well..Taylor, you know AJ's wife? Well, she went nito labor.."
"Oh really? Thats great!"
"Yeah..it is..but I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to make it back home in time for our date..AJ's in the middle of traffic about an hour or so from the hospital.."
"Ouch..okay, thats fine Nick. We can re-schedule.."
"You sure?"
"Yeah.."
He stepped off the elevator and walked into the room. He handed Taylor her candy bar and coke. "Okay..thanks so much Jayde.."
Taylor looked up at him as he said her name. She asked him, "Does she want to come down? Its not much of a date.but I hate to be the reason why you two can't get together.."
Nick shrugged, "Hey Jayde? Wanna come over here?"
"I'm sure I'd just be a third wheel Nick.."
Taylor took the phone from him, "Hi, Jayde? Its Taylor."
"Oh, hi Taylor. Congradulations!"
"Thanks. I really hate being the reason why you and Nick can't go out tonight, so if you want to come down, you can. I've heard alot about you..and from what Nick tells me, you're real sweet and nice. Plus, I'm sure Nick would like some company.."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive.."
"Okay..I guess I can..do you need anything?"
"Well, my husband would be nice but he's on his way. Umm..just bring yourself..I look forward to meeting you.."
"You too Taylor."
"Okay, here's Nick."
Nick smiled and took the phone. Taylor opened her coke and took a drink of it. Denise walked in just as Nick got off the phone. "I can't believe you're in labor and my son isn't even here!," Denise said with a smile.
"You think I can?"
"Yeah, think I can?," Nick asked laughing.
"Is she coming Nicky?"
"Yep..she said she's leaving right now.."
"Cool.."
"Who's coming?"
Taylor grinned, "Nick's girlfriend, Jayde."
"Ohhh..," Denise said smiling.
The two women laughed as Nick turned about three shades of red. Dr.Ramierez walked in just then, "Hello..are you AJ's mom?"
Denise nodded, "Yes I am."
"Okay..I've heard alot about you from your son. Is he here yet?"
"No, he's stuck in traffic.," Taylor replied.
"Okay..well, everything looks good so far. You have the epaderyl so i'm guessing, no more pain?"
"Taylor nodded, "I'm floating right now.."
"Okay...well, would you want to walk around the floor maybe for a few minutes?"
"Can I?"
"Sure.."
"Okay..get me outta here then."
A few minutes later, Nick was walking with Taylor down the hall. They were expecting Jayde any minute now. "Nick?"
"Yeah?"
"Okay..if AJ's not here, you know..well..umm.."
"You want me to come in there?"
"Well..I was sorta thinking about it...I mean, I'd get Denise but I'm afraid she'd start bawling or something.."
"You actually want me to help in the delivery of your babies?"
"Yeah.."
"Wow..I feel honored.."
"Don't get all deep on me Nick.,"She said playfully hitting him.
He laughed, "But, only if AJ's not here.."
She nodded, "Okay.."
"You feelin' okay?"
"Yeah..they're still moving around.."
"Cool.."
The elevator doors dinged open and a pretty brunette stepped out with a vase of flowers. Taylor saw Nick's face light up and looked down the hall. "Nicky, she's pretty..," Taylor said.
Nick blushed a little, "I know.."
"Hi Nick!," Jayde said.
"Hey.," He said hugging her.
Jayde grinned at Taylor, "And I'm guessing you're the one and only Taylor?"
"One and only? Hmm..I'm liking that. Yes, I am. Its so good to meet you!"
"You too..I brought these for you.."
"Oh thank you..let's walk back to the room and I'll put these somewhere.."
The three walked back to Taylor's room. "So..any news on AJ and the other guys?," Jayde asked sitting by Nick.
Taylor shook her head, "Nope.."
"I'm sorry he's not here yet.."
"Me too.."
"Where'd Denise go?," Nick asked.
"Oh, I saw her in the gift shop..she said she was going to go get some food and then some back up.."
He nodded, "Cool.."
Taylor leaned against the pillows and sighed, she wished AJ would hurry and get there. She needed him to be there and be her focal point and help her through this. She wasn't sure Nick or Denise could do that. "So, how many minutes apart are the contractions?," Jayde asked.
"About eight now..this is the slowest day of my life. And sorry you had to meet me when I'm looking like a homeless person and the size of a house.."
Jayde smiled, "I think you look just fine. Aren't you having twins?"
Taylor nodded, "Yep.."
"Know what they are?"
"Nope..we wanted it to be a surprise. But, I have chosen the names of boys.."
Nick looked up, "What?"
"Well..me and AJ thought up Christopher James..I want him to have at least his middle name..But I hate like Aexander James McLean Jr. I couldn't deal with that..Umm..and the other, we picked out awhile back but I think its perfect."
"What?"
"Nicholas Alexander. I've always liked your name and plus, you've really helped me out today.."
Nick smiled, "So, you want to name one after me?"
"Sorta kinda..I liked Alexander too.."
"That is so cool Taylor.."
"I know.."
Nick pretended to wipe a tear away, "I think I'm gonna cry."
The two girls laughed. "Now he's gonna get a big ego!," Jayde said laughing.
"Nahh..thats not Nicky.."
"You call him Nicky too?"
"Yep..I don't think he minds too much.."
He shook his head, "My two favorite girls are the only ones besides my mom who can call me that.."
"Aww..I feel special..," Taylor said smiling.
"You should."
She sighed, "I wish he'd get here already.."
"Me too..think I should give his cell a try?"
"Couldn't hurt?"
"Okay..I'm gonna step outside."
The two nodded and he walked out in the hall. He dialed AJ's number and waited for him to pick up. "Yeah?"
"AJ?"
"Yeah..Nick, whats happening?"
"Nothing..she walked around a little, we're watching tv now.."
"Is she allowed to walk around?"
"Yeah..where are you all?"
"On some god forsaken back road! We're about a half hour from there.."
"Okay..I think she's scared AJ.."
"Tell her I'll get there.."
"I will..she asked me to umm..go in to the delivery room with her if you're not here.."
"Okay.."
"Yeah..I don't know if I can do that AJ.."
"You'll be fine Nick..just take care of her for me.."
"I will.."
"Is it getting close?"
"Not really..her contractions are being monitored but they're only eight minutes apart.."
"Oh..you know how much she's dialated?"
"NO!"
AJ laughed, "Breathe Nick..can I talk to her?"
"Sure.."
Nick handed her the phone and motioned for Jayde to come with him. "AJ?"
"Hey gorgeous.."
"Where are you?"
"I'm almost there.."
"Okay.."
"You doin' alright?"
"Yeah..," She said wiping her eyes.
"Are you crying?"
"AJ..I just need you here so bad..I'm so scared that you're not going to make it or something's going to go wrong.."
AJ sighed, "Baby, I'll make it, don't worry. And nothing will go wrong..I promise you. How much are you dialated?"
"About 5 centimeters I think.."
"Okay..well..Kev just informed me that we're about 15 minutes away from you.."
"Okay..hurry.."
"I will..I love you, you know that right?"
"Uh huh..I love you too.."
"Okay.."
"Tell the guys I said hi.."
He laughed and told the guys hi, "They said hi back and they love you.."
"Okay..I better go.."
"Alright..I'll be there..I promise Taylor."
"Okay..bye AJ."
"Bye Taylor."
She hung up as Nick and Jayde walked back in. She gave Nick his phone back. "He said he's only like 15 minutes away now..," She said.
"Thats good.."
"Yep.."
About twenty minutes later, Taylor's worst fear was happening: AJ wasn't there and she was being taken into delivery.
Taylor got up on the gurney and tried not to cry. Why wasn't he there yet?? She hugged Denise and Jayde. Nick stood up shakily and walked with her down the hall. "Nick? Why isn't he here yet?," She asked looking up at him.
"I don't know Taylor.."
"He said he'd be here Nick..he promised!"
"I know he did..he'll show up at the very last second.."
She took a deep breath, "You gonna be okay?"
He nodded, "I think so.."
"Okay..you just have to keep me focused and stuff..okay?"
"Alright.."
She took another deep breath and wiped the tears that threatened to fall from her face. 'He said he'd be here..he has to come..please God, get him here in time..,' She silently prayed as they rolled her into the delivery room.
Kevin skidded to a stop in front of the hospital. Brian and AJ hopped out of the back and ran inside. "What floor's the maternity ward?," Brian asked.
"14th.."
"Okay..thanks! Come on AJ!"
AJ and Brian ran to the elevators and got on, pressing the 14th floor button. "I'll never forgive myself if I miss this..," AJ said.
"You won't..don't worry..she's probably watching tv about ready to kill you though.."
"I hope so."
The elevator dinged and they bolted out. Denise and Jayde looked up as the two men ran in. "Hi mom, Jayde. Where is she??"
"They just took her to delivery."
"WHAT?! HOLY SHIT! Which way?"
"That way..I think..through those doors."
"I'll be back..maybe!"
AJ ran to the doors and opened them. He was stopped by someone's hand on his arm. "I'm afraid you can't go back there..," A nurse said.
"My wife, is in labor..just went back there."
"Come with me..brown hair? With blonde haired guy?"
"Umm..yeah.."
"Name?"
"Taylor McLean..she's having twins."
The nurse nodded, "Right this way..you just made it Mr. McLean."
AJ sighed with relief. He put on the scrubs and walked with the nurse into a delivery room. Nick looked up as the door opened and smiled, "You made it!"
"Course I did!," He exclaimed.
Taylor looked up and smiled, "You did make it!"
"Course I did baby.."
"I was wondering there for awhile..," She said kissing him.
"You just made it AJ.," Dr. Ramierez said.
Nick grinned, "You can take over."
"My pleasure..thanks Nick."
"No problem..see you guys later."
"Bye Nicky..thanks!," Taylor said.
He nodded and walked out. AJ kissed her forehead, "I'm so glad I made it.."
"Me too..do you realize our lives are never gonna be the same?"
"Are they when I'm around??"
She laughed, "Guess not!"
"Let's get these two out and into the world.," Dr. Ramierez said.
Taylor and AJ both took a deep breath. What she said made sense, from this point on, their lives would never be the same ever again. Not that they were ever normal or anything.
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