New York, New York

New York, New York (30)

I kept fading in and out.

I didn't even know where I was. Sometimes I saw Levi's face, then it was the doctor, and then white. All white. I couldn't understand what anyone was saying to me. It sounded like I was in a vaccuum.

When I found the strength to open my eyes, everything was still white. I blinked rapidly, and my vision focused, revealing the white hospital room. A steady beeping was making sounds, and I looked around. Levi was sitting in a chair beside me, talking in hushed voices to the doctor.

"Sophie!" Levi cried, realizing I was awake. He held my hand tightly in his, and kissed my forehead.

"Lily?" I managed to croak.

"She's okay," The doctor informed me, I breathed a sigh of relief. "That one is a little fighter."

At the moment, I couldn't say any more, I was tired, and thirsty. I looked around, but didn't see my little girl.

"She's in the nursurey," Levi whispered to me. The doctor checked my vitals then, and left the room.

"What....?"

"You went into premature labor," Levi said, as if he'd heard it a million times, "And they don't know why. But they had to take you into emergency c-section, and you almost.......I almost lost you, Sophie."

I blinked a few times. "Lily."

"I don't know if you can see her right now," Levi said, "Are you feeling up to it?"

"I'll manage," I choked out. "Water?"

Levi handed me a cup which I picked up with shaking hands. I felt as if I had absolutely no strength. Levi noticed this.

"You can't hold her right now Sophie. Give it a day or too, rest up, you lost a lot of blood."

"I need to see her," I whimpered.

"I know. Let me see what I can do," Levi said, getting up and going to the nurse's station. I breathed heavy trying not to cry. Where in the world were all these emotions coming from?

"Look who we have!" A nurse chirped happily, wheeling in a plastic container with a small little mattress inside. On that little mattress was a bundle of white blanket with a pink hat poking out above.

The nurse brought her as close as possible, and I reached out my hand to her. Lily squirmed a little and began to cry. To me, it was the most beautiful song in the world, the sound of my baby alive and well, breathing, and screeching her little lungs out. Tears sprung into my eyes, and I held my arms out.

"Let me hold her," I ordered. The nurse gave me a look, but handed her to me. Once Lily was in my arms, she quieted. She felt so heavy in my arms, but it was a good weight. I smiled at Levi. He took out his camera and snapped a picture of the two of us.

"Her middle name is Angelina," Levi said, "I didn't think you'd mind, but after she helped us so much....."

"No, it's perfect," I nodded.

Levi took her from me then. I wish I'd had a picture of that moment. His face broke into an excited grin as he looked down at the face of his new daughter. It seemed impossible. Levi and I were a little less than a month from our first anniversary. A year and a few months ago we were attending our high school prom. And before that we were sneaking into clubs for his shows. He looked at me, grinning from ear to ear like a child.

After a few days, my strength returned, the doctor came into to speak with Levi and I. I held Lily in my arms, gazing down at her.

"How is the Carro bunch today?"