FORTY

"What are you doing?"

This is it, she has to make a decision. It's either flight or help. Her hands are shaking, her heart beating fast, the sound of Cara in pain is not helping her think.

Why can't she actually walk away?

Growing up, people around Liza were scared of her and what she is capable of, including her mum who since Liza was a kid noticed that she didn't have an innocent mind as most kids do. She became more scared of her when Liza, after an argument with her mum, burnt down the house with her in it.

Luckily her mum survived but her mum's assistant suffered burns. She didn't get punished for her actions, Charlie paid for the damages as he always does.

If she is that evil as people think she is, why can't she just turn and leave? It's not like she intentionally tried to hurt Cara physically, she can just say she panicked.

Besides how is it fair for Xander to have a family with someone besides her?  It's not, after all, she has done for him.

Cara can't wait for the lunatic to call. Still, in pain, Cara tries to push herself up, so she can get her phone. She soon realizes getting up is a bad idea when she feels a sharp pain, 10 times as painful as the pain she is going through. She decides to move slowly on the floor until she gets to the couch.

Maybe if she helps then Xander will be thankful to her then they can-. Liza immediately dismissed that thought, knowing it cannot happen.

If she helps now, she is helping them stay together and helping them build a family together. So if she is going to help, it just because it's the right thing to do, not because it will benefit her in any way.

So she does, "I don't think moving is a good idea." Liza comments as she takes out her phone. "I will call for help."

~~~

How did she go from wanting to leave Cara to her fate to pacing in the hospital reception nervously, waiting to hear from the doctors? She is at the reception of the maternity ward and each passing second feels like hours. She probably shouldn't be here when Xander arrives but she can't bring herself to leave.

After a few minutes, Xander comes rushing into the hospital. He looks distressed as he stops at the nurse's desk. "Cara Green, she was brought in not too long ago," Xander says out of breath.

The nurse tries to control her inner fangirling when she set her eyes on him, "Y-yeah, the maternity ward on the third floor. You can wait at the reception for the doctor to give you more information."

Xander barely let her finish before hurriedly heading to the elevator. He presses the button a couple of times, this is when he realizes his hands are shaking. They have been shaking for a while now, his heart beating so fast, it hurts. He doesn't want to gather his thoughts, he doesn't want to think. His thoughts are a scary place to be in right now. He just wants to set his eyes on her, he just wants to see Cara.

The elevator opens on the third floor and the first thing he set his eyes on was Liza. He loses it immediately.

She knew she can't reason with this Alexander the minute they lock eyes. She doesn't know this angry man approaching her with so much hate. It can't be the Alexander that adored her once upon a time, he literarily worshipped the ground she walked on. It can't be the Alexander that bought her expensive gifts and always reminded her how beautiful she is.

It can't be him.

She really took it too far this time. She knows that now.

"A-Alex-" Before she can call his full name, he pins her to the wall with his right hand tight on her slim neck. Her neck is so delicate in his hands, it feels like he can snap it at any time.

He aimed for her neck because he wants her to choke on her explanation. He is tired of the lies that come out of her mouth. Quite frankly, he is tired of her and everything she stands for.

She struggles out of his grasp by hitting his arm repeatedly but that doesn't seem to move him. He is looking at her right in the eyes like he wants her to see how much he despises her.

"What did you do?" He says through grit teeth.

There was no need for explaining, she can see that no matter what she says, she is the bad guy.

"Alex!" A voice comes after they hear the elevator ding. A voice that Liza can't believe she will say she is grateful for hearing.

It's Xavier approaching them hurriedly. He grabs his brother from behind and drags him away from Liza.

Xander had almost forgotten he came with people. He had literarily jumped out of the car when they got to the hospital.  Xavier and Cassie were calling out to him but he didn't hear. He couldn't. Their voices faded out.

Liza puts her hand to feel her neck, imagining it having a bruise. She coughs out repeatedly, loudly, and dramatically.

Xavier has Xander pinned on the wall, calmly saying, "She will be fine." repeatedly to calm Xander down.

It turns out Xander is not the only one he needs to calm down. Turning around, he sees Cassie dragging Liza's hair. There is a lot of pulling, kicking, slapping, pushing, and cussing going on.

The kids sitting waiting for their mother who is in labor look at the scene in complete awe.

Xander doesn't even bother with the two women as Xavier releases him to separate the fight. Xavier carries Cassie like a weightless doll and drops her on his shoulders.

"It's high time someone gives this woman a proper beating!" Cassie yells as she struggles to get down.

"I think you should leave," Xavier says to Liza as she adjusts her clothes and hair.

No one had to tell her twice, she is in a hostile environment and she knew she needed to be anywhere but here.

Before she leaves, Xander grabs her arm and whispers in her ear, "If anything happens to Cara or the twins, I promise, I will do everything in my power to make your life a living hell."

His words so cold, it sends shivers down her spine. He meant every word, that's what makes his words heavy, it weighs on her chest. The threat lingers in the air for a few seconds before Liza drags her arm out of his hands and rushes down the hall to the elevator.

She presses the elevator button in panic like she is living in a horror story and if the elevator doesn't open in time, she will be eaten alive.

Xander sits on the couch of the reception as his legs become weak to carry his sad self.

~~~

It is his entire fault. This is the reason he doesn't want to gather his thoughts or think because he will have to come to the realization that he is at fault.

Countless times Cara complained about Liza and countless of times he had made her seem like a drama queen. He will die if anything happened to them, so there's no other option than everything being okay as Xavier his muttering every second to ease everyone's worries.

It's has been less than 15 minutes but it feels like years they have been waiting. The narrow hallway feels like it's closing up on Xander. He has been demanding to speak to the doctor, he even used the "Do you know who I am?" Line to get their. All it got him was a private waiting area.

The hospital corridor has an undertone of bleach in the air which mixed with the situation at hand, is making him nauseous.

"Mr. Alexander Black?" The doctor calls out.

Like it's practiced, Xavier and Cassie stand up with Xander like they bear the name mentioned.

It gets the middle-aged doctor confused but then Xander speaks, "How is she? Are they all alright? Can I see her?"

So many questions from the worried man before him, he decides to answer the pressing question. "Yes, they are alright."

A sigh of relief escapes their lips, it's like an heavyweight has been relieved from their chest but Xander is still not settled until he sees Cara. He can confirm she is alright himself.

"What happened?" Xavier asks.

The doctor looks over in Xavier's direction, "Stress, the fact that the due date is drawing near, amongst other things."

"Can I see her?" Xander asks.

"Well, she is sleeping. We gave her something to help reduce the pain and she needed rest. You can see her, but I advise you to let her rest so you have to be quiet."

"I'll go first," Xander announces as he follows the doctor.

~~

"I was so scared," Xavier admits to Cassie as they are alone at the reception.

Even though he was the one trying to keep everyone calm, he was scared shitless.

"Me too but then again it's Cara, that girl is a fucking fighter."

"So are you apparently, you definitely left a scar on Liza," Xavier says amused.

"Well, I was motivated."

The two let out a low laugh then silence follows.

Breaking the silence, "I miss talking to you." Cassie admits.

"Me too," He says as they lock eyes.

"Just because we broke up doesn't mean we have to be enemies, right?" She asks.

"Broke up? We barely even started dating." He teases.

"That's a good thing.  We can still remember what it felt like to be friends."

"Hmm, we were mostly friends with benefits."

Cassie rolls her eyes at him, "Well, I want to be your friend, without the benefits of course."

He pretends to be thinking, "I really don't know, the benefits made it fun."

Cassie nudges his arm, "I am serious."

"How ironic, I am usually the one always trying to have a serious conversation with you."

Cassie glares at him.

"Ok fine, friends." Xavier stretches his hand forth for her to take.

She reluctantly shakes him, the sexual tension in the air as their hands meet. Even though they both know it will be hard, they accept they are better off as friends,

"Good friends," She says with a smile as they release each other's hands.

After this, they both sit awkwardly waiting for their turn to see Cara.

~~~

Xander walks back to the room holding a cup of coffee. He needs to stay awake through the night to keep an eye on her. Entering the room, he notices she is awake which his heart leaps with joy.

Cara, still tired and sleepy turn to the entrance when she hears footsteps, her face breaks out into a smile when she spots Xander.

"You are awake," The declaration his mostly to himself, "A-are you okay? Do you need me to call the doctor?" He says panicky. He becomes restless all of a sudden trying to make sure she is really alright.

"Hey, hey," Cara calls out to him trying to get him in a calm state. "I am fine, we are fine.  The pain has subsided. If anything, I am hungry."

"I can have someone get-"

Cara interrupts him, "No first, come here." She pouts while stretching forth her hand.

Xander walks towards the bed, he drops the coffee on the nightstand before taking her hand. He takes a sit on the bed.

They lock eyes. He doesn't know that he is teary-eyed, he is just so grateful that she okay. They stay like that for a few seconds, just staring at each other.

"This is my entire fault." He mutters, putting his head down.

"Come on," Cara raises his chin up using her hand.

"I promise, I will make her pay for what she did."

Cara never thought she will say this, "She didn't do anything, at least not purposely. She did hesitate before helping, quite a bitch move but at the end of the day, she helped."

It makes Cara feel some type of way. It gets her thinking maybe Liza isn't as bad as she thinks.

"Well, I don't care. I don't want her anywhere near us." Xander mutters. "Maybe I should file a fucking restraining order."

He places a kiss on her hand, "I was so scared." He confesses putting his hand on her baby bump.

While waiting for the doctor earlier, Xander found himself praying silently, he hasn't prayed in a very long time. He didn't even know if he was doing it right, but he knew he had to.

"Me too," Cara mutters. "I want to go home."

"Oh, I-"

She interrupts him, "I want to go home with you. I want to go home."

Xander's face breaks out into a smile, "Yes, of course."

~~~

"You can come in," Cara calls out to Liza who is behind the door. She has noticed her lurking for a while now.

Liza didn't leave when she was thrown out, she couldn't. She only came in back into the hospital when she saw Xander's car leave this morning. He went to get the clothes Cara will wear when they leave the hospital this evening.

Liza walks in slowly, her hands tight on her little bag. "I wanted to know if you are doing well." She nervously says.

Cara can't believe her ears or eyes. She shifts uncomfortably on her bed before replying, "I am okay considering the fact I was almost left in pain by a psychotic bitch."

"I am sorry about that, I don't know what to say, I-"

Cara interrupts her, "You don't have to justify yourself to me, you are the one that knows what you were thinking at that moment."

The room falls silent for a while.

"He hates me." Liza breaks the silence.

"To be honest, I wish he does hate you," Cara mutters

"He does." Liza nods, "The way he looked at me, he was so angry. I have never seen him like that. Even when I cheated, he wasn't as angry as he was yesterday."

Cara pauses before honestly replying, "I don't know what to say."

Liza sighs, "I am going to stop. You guys don't have to worry about me anymore."

How far she could have gone to get Alexander, including hurting innocent unborn kids was an eye-opener for her.  She doesn't claim to be a good person but that was the height.

She intends on taking her dad's jet and flying to her Grand Father's farm in Colorado. She hasn't seen him in a while. The place is quiet and smells of horse shit, it will be perfect.

"Well, that's refreshing but hold up, we are not friends."

"Of course not, I will still like any negative tweet about you," Liza says.

The two women smile at each other.

"Good," Cara mutters.

"Okay," Liza says awkwardly before turning around. "Bye Cara."  She says walking away.

"Bye Liza."

~~~