Choosing Love

Chapter 10: Home

Lauren woke up some hours later and scanned the room around her. Ian had dozed off in the chair beside her. She guessed that the rest of the BAU were sitting outside of her door, and was proven correct when they came into her room.

"How do you feel?" Asked JJ.

"Better than I was before now that I finally got some rest."

She nodded. "I remember going through labor with Henry. I didn't feel remotely close to normal until after I slept."

"I can see why." She murmured, sitting up.

"Have you decided what to name the baby?" Asked Garcia.

She nodded, and couldn't help but smile as she thought of his precious little face.

"His name is Anthony Braden."

"That's beautiful." They chorused.

Ian finally stirred from his sleep. Lauren put her hand on his leg, and he looked into her eyes with a smile.

"Well look who's awake." He said with a smile.

"Hey. What time is it?" She asked, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. He glanced at his watch.

"Four O'clock."

"In the afternoon?" He looked again and nodded. "How the hell did I sleep for fourteen hours straight?"

"You were exhausted, love. It happens."

"Not to me it doesn't."

He gave her an exasperated look that said "let it go".

"Have you heard anything from the doctors?" She asked.

"He's in the NICU now. They'll tell us more as it goes."

She sighed. "So no, you haven't heard anything."

"No. But it could always be worse."

"Any time anybody says that it always does. We really don't need that right now." Ian, to his credit, was smart enough to shut up before saying anything else that might upset his wife. She was quick to change the subject. "Did they bring in the birth certificate for us to fill out?"

He nodded and handed it to her.

As she filled it out she couldn't stop thinking about her baby. How was he? Was anything wrong with him? But the question that haunted her the most was the one she was most afraid to answer: would he make it? She dropped her pen when she finished and reached for her husband's hand.

"He's going to be okay, right?" She asked.

"Statistically babies born at 30 weeks have a ninety five percent chance of living, so the odds are in his favor." Said Spencer.

Lauren smiled. "Thanks."

He nodded.

For a long stretch of time they all talked together in perfect harmony, although Lauren couldn't stop herself from glancing over at the doors, trying to will the doctor to come inside and give them good news. For now, though, she was comfortably cocooned in the bosom of her friends and (almost all of her) family. The remaining gap between them was filled when she could hear someone's footsteps running down the hallway.

When she looked over, there stood Declan, with Louise bringing up the rear.

She opened her arms and he happily came into them.

"Are you okay, Mom?" He asked. She couldn't help but smile at him.

"I'm fine, honey." She promised as she gave Louise a tight hug.

"Where's the newest member of the family?" She asked, smiling. She tried to stop her grin from faltering.

"He's in the NICU."

The saddened look on her friend's face almost made her cry.

Almost.

"I'm sure he's going to be fine." She said, reassuringly. She smiled.

"I really hope you're right."

Louise offered to take Declan to see his new brother and gave Lauren a few minutes to gather her thoughts. The team took her silence as a cue to leave, and she gave them a grateful smile because they always understood what she needed. She turned to Ian, her eyes filled with fright.

"What if he dies?" It was her worst fear. He took both her hands and clasped them in his own.

"Don't think like that. He's going to be okay."

"But what if-" Ian put a finger to her lips to stop her.

"When you do that you're only hurting yourself. Have a little faith."

She flashed back to her abortion and return to church and shuttered involuntarily. He looked at her, concerned.

"Faith isn't exactly my strong point." She murmured.

"Well it's about to get a good work out." He said, sadly.

"That's an understatement." Her cynical tone surprised him.

For a long time they sat there together, hoping and praying that their baby would be okay. Lauren didn't know what else to do. This was her baby. The first child she had ever loved that had grown inside of her. If he was gone, she didn't know what she'd do. When a doctor finally arrived, she felt her throat constrict. She wanted to speak, but no sound would come out.

"Mr. And Mrs. Doyle?" He asked with a thick accent. They nodded.

"He'll have to stay in the NICU for a few days, but you'll be able to take him home. He should be fine."

The second he said those words, Lauren felt such tremendous relief that she nearly fell over. Ian kept her steady and smiled.

"Thank you, doctor."

The doctor nodded. "Anytime."

Five days later, both Lauren and Anthony were discharged from the hospital. As Ian drove them home, She couldn't help but think about the dramatic turn that her life had taken. She had fallen in love with a criminal, and it had led to her having one of the greatest joys of her life. She had her friends, she had her love, and most importantly, she had her family. As they drove up the driveway, Lauren smiled at the sight of her home. The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon, giving the hills a majestic glow about them. As she got out of the car and got her son out of the car seat, she took her husband's hand as they officially started on one of the greatest journeys of their lifetimes: parenthood. Louise opened the front doors for them, and they both grinned.

It was good to be home.

Author's Note: That's all for now, but keep your eyes peeled for a possible sequel in the future! Thanks for reading!