Abe was under water, everything around him dulled and slowed. He was shaking Anna, trying to get her to answer him.

She wouldn't.... she couldn't.

The Doctor was saying something, but he couldn't understand him. He was frightened. What was going on? He didn't hear the door open, but he did feel arms tugging him back.

It was Sam. Helga had gone to fetch him.

"Abe," urged Sam, trying to get him to look at him.

Abe didn't want to take his eyes off his wife.

"Abe, look at me!"

He finally did, his eyes brimming with tears. "What's goin' on?" he said, his voice choked.

"She's haemorrhaging," said Sam.

Abe immediately turned back to Anna. Her breathing was shallow, the Doctor's hands covered in blood as he tried his best to help her. Where had that come from? He wasn't listening to Sam anymore. He didn't see Maria take Caleb away to her room.

Instead, he fell to his knees, taking her hand in his as he held her face. "Baby," he said again, her eyes heavy and her mouth slightly open.

"Abe she's going into shock," explained Sam, standing beside him as the Doctor tried to explain what was happening in short bursts.

The Doctor shot up, reaching into his bag as he shouted something.

"He thinks he can stop the bleeding, but her body is losing a lot of blood." Sam looked at the Doctor whilst Abe focused on Anna. "We need to get her warm."

Abe nodded, getting to his feet.

"Get blankets!" called Sam to the corridor.

Abe rubbed her arm to keep her warm as he whispered in her ear. "I'm here with you baby, all right! Please, you gotta stay with me."

The Doctor began examining Anna closer.

Abe's eyes filled with alarm. "Why is he prodding her like that?!"

Sam asked him, the Doctor finally answering as he rooted around in his bag again. "She's severely torn... he thinks a blood vessel burst when the placenta came out. He's trying to lessen the bleeding so that he can stitch her up."

From outside, Hollywood ran in, bringing a huge pile of blankets. Sam took one and put it over Anna, Abe wrapping it around her to lock in the heat. He looked up at the doorway. Hans was standing there, his face filled with horror. Their gaze locked. Abe could see it in his eyes; he was holding him accountable. He tried to ignore him and focused instead on Anna.

But Hollywood saw.

He stormed out, shoving Hans back and slamming the door behind him.

Hans was taken aback, but then stood firm, sizing up his opponent. "Get out of my god damned way," growled Hans.

"This don't fucking concern you!" snapped Hollywood.

"Anything to do with Anna concerns me!" returned Hans, Klara now trying to pull him back.

"Easy to say now, ain't it?" spat Hollywood, shoving his face into Hans'. "Now she ain't a prisoner no more."

"Gentlemen, please," said Daniel, trying to step between them, but they ignored him.

"Get out of my way," warned Hans.

"Make me!" shouted Hollywood.

Before he knew what had happened, Hans jabbed Hollywood straight in the gut, then uppercut him to the jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor. He made to step over him, but Daniel was tugging him back, Charles now running out from down the corridor.

"Stop this!" asked Charles. "This won't help anything!"

Helga was helping Hollywood to sit up, Freda watching from the side lines, totally unsure of what to do.

Charles looked up at her. "Frauline Werner, I'm sure Maria needs some help with baby Caleb. Why don't you go and give her a hand?" Freda nodded, running down the hall.

Hans looked up at her retreating figure, now almost suspended in disbelief. "It's a boy," whispered Hans, Klara rubbing his arm comfortingly.

Hollywood wavered to his feet, spitting blood on the floor, Daniel making sure he didn't lunge at Hans.

"A perfectly healthy baby boy," reiterated Charles. "Maria says that Anna is bleeding too heavily..."

"She's haemorrhaging," explained Hollywood, all of them looking at him.

A quiet fell over them, all of them listening to the chaos in the birthing room. They could make out the three men speaking to each other, but not what was being said.

Daniel didn't know what was going on but sighed heavily. "We must all remain civil if we are to stay here..."

Hollywood scoffed. "You three ain't nothing to do with Anna. The rest of us have a place here, you do not."

Hans glared at him, Hollywood returning it. Daniel looked to Klara who sighed heavily.

"Hans," she whispered, "perhaps it is better that we go..."

"I'm not leaving her side ever again," said Hans firmly.

"Let him stay," piped up Helga.

Hollywood implored her. "Frau Von Hart...."

Helga shook her head. "He's done many things, but he cares for her. Just leave him be..." Then she narrowed her eyes at Hans. "But you must behave accordingly."

"Fine," grumbled Hans, now taking a seat again. Helga squeezed Hollywood's arm, pulling him to sit beside her. Charles sighed and returned to help his wife and Freda. Daniel chose to leave, Klara to stay with her brother.

They all sat in silence for a long time, listening as best they could to what was going on in the birthing room. None of them could speak. They were all too frightened.

Eventually, after a good half hour, Sam emerged from the room, everyone shooting to their feet.

"Is she all right?" asked Hans, Hollywood holding his frustrated tongue.

"The Doctor has managed to stop the bleeding," he said, all of them breathing a sigh of relief. "But she has lost a lot of blood. She's stable for now, but she'll need to be monitored overnight. I'm giving the Doctor my room, so he can stay nearby. Can I bunk with you, Hollywood?"

"Of course," replied Hollywood.

"Is she still in danger?" pressed Hans.

"Yes," managed Sam, Hans looking like he was going to be sick. "They managed to stop her going into full shock, but if she slips into it in the night, it could take her."

"I have to see her," said Hans throatily, going to open the door but Sam stopped him gently. "Please," said Hans, "you don't understand..."

"This isn't about any of us," murmured Sam. "This is about the two of them. Right now, Abe is calling the shots. And he's not ready for anyone but me or Hollywood."

Hans's head hung low as he tried to hold himself together. He felt so utterly helpless. "Hollywood," continued Sam, "why don't you take the first shift in there with Abe. I'm going to show the Doctor to his room, then try and get a little kip."

Hollywood simply nodded, going into the room and pushing past the despondent Hans. Klara took his arm, gently guiding him away from the door. "We all need to strap in," sighed Sam. "It's going to be a very long night."

***

Hours had now passed, and still, Abe would not leave his vigil.

The Doctor was asleep, and Hollywood having had his, had now taken over from Sam. Soon it would be time for Caleb's next feed. The Doctor had discussed with Helga what she would need to do. As a mother, she was the best person to help Anna whilst she slept. Maria and Helga had left briefly to freshen up but had soon returned to take over looking after Caleb. Maria was completely exhausted, and Charles had insisted she needed to sleep. Abe had agreed, promising Maria that he would get her if anything changed. He didn't have to ask where Hans was; he knew he'd still be sitting out in the corridor.

Hollywood had informed him that Klara had left hours ago, but Hans seemed to be behaving himself now. Abe was completely exhausted. He knew he needed to sleep. But how could he leave Anna? She couldn't be left, not even for the smallest of moments.

As the hours ticked over to bring them to tomorrow, Helga ventured in with Freda, who was holding Caleb, his boy letting out tiny, irritable cries. Freda's eyes were wide at the sight of Anna. Abe could tell she regretted her reaction a few days ago... the poor girl must be horribly mixed up.

"We're here for his feed," said Helga, Abe letting out a long sigh.

"Y'all best make yourself scarce," he mumbled to Hollywood, who looked up at Helga. Her eyes flicked to Abe with a worried expression. He needed a break.

"Why don't you come with me, big fella?" ventured Hollywood. "You need some food, and perhaps a stiff drink?"

"I ain't hungry."

"You're always hungry," said Hollywood, Abe's gaze not moving from Anna. "Abe, she's not going anywhere. Doctor is right down the hall, and you don't need to be here whilst they get her feedin'." Abe let out a long, frustrated breath. "Come on, even just to stretch your legs."

"Fine," relented Abe, getting to his feet and stretching. Then he looked at his son in Freda's arms. He walked over to her, managing a smile. "May I?" he asked, holding his arms out.

She nodded quickly, placing Caleb in his grasp. Caleb settled for a moment, Abe stroking his head with his thumb. He'd never thought it possible to love someone else as instantly as he had fallen for Anna and Elli, but Caleb had already stolen his heart. He kissed his head gently, breathing in his smell. It was intoxicating.

"Take good care of him for me," he said to Freda, passing him back. "My wife too. I will be back soon."

"I will," she promised.

Abe nodded gratefully before he and Hollywood ventured into the corridor. Hans looked up at them both, his eyes red from exhaustion. Abe stared at him, Hollywood watching them both to make sure neither of them started something. Without a word, Abe stormed downstairs, Hollywood in hot pursuit.

Hans leant back against the corridor wall, his eyes closing for a moment. Anna had to be stable if Abe had left her. He had to take it as a good sign. He let himself drift off for a moment, content for the first time in hours, that everything was calm. But when he heard the door open, his eyes shot open. Freda stepped out, a wailing Caleb in her arms.

"Is everything all right Freda?" he asked.

"He's just not settling," she said, her voice throaty. "He fed fine, and has been burped, but I think he wants his mother." Both of them looked at one another grimly. "I'm going to take him to Sam's room," Freda explained. "We're still trying to get Anna cleaned up, and it needs two of us."

"Shall I take him?" offered Hans. Freda seemed apprehensive. "I promise, I'll just take him to Sam's room. Sam can go and get Abe then. Caleb might just need his father if he can't have his mother." Freda nodded, passing the screaming child over.

"Thank you," she said, then disappeared in the room again, Hans not even catching a glimpse of Anna. Torn, he wandered down the corridor to Sam's room, trying his best to quieten Caleb. Sam had already tugged open the door by the time Hans got there, clearly surprised to see Hans standing there.

"Can I settle him in here whilst you get Abe?" asked Hans.

"Um, of course," said Sam, watching as Hans pushed passed him and rocked Caleb. "I'm not sure Abe's going to like you having him," ventured Sam. "Might be best to set him down."

"Fine," said Hans.

Sam nodded, then darted off to get Abe.

Hans continued in his efforts to calm Caleb, but he seemed completely unsatisfied. Freda was right, he wanted his mother.

Hans swallowed the lump in his throat, his eyes pouring over the tiny child. He wondered if he looked like Reina. Not that Reina ever got to cry. Would she have been content here in his arms? His head fell back a little as if to stop any tears escaping. He couldn't dwell on that now. Slowly, he placed Caleb down on the bed, stroking his head in another bid to soothe him.

Abe soon came into the room, staring at Hans who's gaze was fixed on Caleb. He seemed completely transfixed by the griping child, not noticing his arrival at all. Abe hated to see his hands on his son. He hated him still being here. Abe cleared his throat loudly, Hans looking around. Their eyes locked, both of them unsure of what to say.

Finally Abe spoke. "I need to get to my son," he said quietly.

Hans stepped aside, watching as Abe stood in front of the bed. He hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Abe was aware that Hans' eyes were on him, and he took in a long, deep breath to calm himself. "What do you want?"

"Have you ever lifted a child before?" Hans asked.

"Not really," replied Abe, his voice teetering on shame and anger. "I know I need to cradle his head, but I ain't certain how to lift him."

"One hand under his head and neck," said Hans gently, trying not to patronise him, "and the other supporting his lower half. Then you can move him further up your arm."

Abe took a deep breath, then lifted him, Hans aware how nervous he was. Abe sat on the bed, holding the wriggling child with terror in his eyes.

"He'll squirm, but that's all right," assured Hans. "Just move him so his head is in the crook of your arm."

Abe adjusted himself, looking for Hans' approval. Hans nodded encouragingly, Abe giving him a faint flicker of a smile.

"You can always lie him on your chest too," said Hans. "He'll like the vibration it makes when you speak."

"Just like his Mama," whispered Abe, then he looked down, mesmerized by his son. Hans didn't respond to the comment, hurt that that was an intimacy that she only shared with Abe. Caleb squirmed a little longer, then seemed content in his father's embrace.

"He clearly like's being with his father," mumbled Hans.

"Thanks," Abe murmured. "And again, for the help, I guess."

"It's all right," sighed Hans, now sitting in the chair opposite the bed. "I was the same when I first did it." There was an awkward silence, Hans aware that Abe knew he had no children of his own. "I tried to help with my nephew as much as I could," he explained.

"I always thought I'd have my Momma there to teach me," admitted Abe. "Or even Anna... she always gets it right first time."

Hans nodded slowly, his eyes latched on Caleb, so he didn't have to look at Abe glancing at him. "How is she?"

"As long as she makes it through the night, she'll be all right. I told the Doc she's strong so..." Abe trailed off. He couldn't say with any certainty that she would make it, but he couldn't say it looked bad either. "Doctor seems positive."

"Very good," agreed Hans.

They sat in silence for a while, both of them watching Caleb sleep.

"I'm gonna take him in with me," said Abe finally, nodding towards Anna's room. "You wanna come too?"

Shocked, Hans just managed a nod, following him down the corridor.

The two of them stepped into Anna's room, Helga and Freda glancing up at them both with wide eyes.

"Thank you," said Abe, "we will sit here now. You can sleep."

"Are you sure?" questioned Helga, her eyes darting to Hans.

"Very sure," promised Abe. "Thank you for your help." Helga got to her feet, patting Abe's arm before she stroked Caleb's head ever so gently.

Freda gave Abe the armchair, watching him as he sat down. She went to Anna, taking her hand and whispering goodbye. Then she stared at Caleb.

"Did you want to say goodnight to him too?" he asked her.

Freda nodded, Abe moving Caleb so that Freda could bend down and kiss him lightly on his head. She smiled at the little boy, stroking his head with her thumb.

"She loves you, you know," said Abe, Freda looking up at him. "You and your brothers. She told me so much about you."

Freda smiled gratefully, tears welling in her eyes. "I love her too," admitted Freda. "You're very lucky to have her."

"I know," promised Abe. She smiled again, then left, without even looking at Hans.

As the door closed quietly, a hush fell over the room. Hans took the seat on the other side of Anna's bed, so he could also see Abe.

Abe couldn't get over how strange this situation was. He'd never imagined that it would happen; he was supposed to be dead. Yet, even if he could have, he would never have believed that either of them would remain so calm. Abe had always held such contempt for the man that had abandoned Anna. He still did. Hans was clearly a possessive, arrogant man. Abe couldn't understand how his Anna, who lived for her freedom, would be taken in by someone like him.

Yet, Abe could also see how much he loved her. He could tell how anguished Hans was at seeing her this way, or in the arms of another man. Good. He deserved it. He could tell that Hans was stopping himself from sitting closer to Anna, or from reaching out and touching her. He wasn't going to allow him to.

That was a step too far.

After a while, Hans cleared his throat. "How is Elli?" he asked, Abe cocking his head to the side.

"Fine," he replied. "Nice and settled now."

"I'm surprised Anna left without her."

"She's safe with my Momma," returned Abe, a little indignant. "I gotta be honest, I'm surprised you're askin' after her."

Hans' back straightened defensively, the two men staring each other down. "Why wouldn't I?" asked Hans.

Abe said nothing.

Hans let out a sharp breath. "That was a long time ago now..."

"It still gets to both of 'em," said Abe in a low voice, Hans almost wincing. "Anna most. She has nightmares about the day you left."

"She does?"

"Not so much nowadays... but back in the beginnin' it was constant." Another pause. "Hearin' her cry out for you killed me. She was in so much pain..."

"Please stop."

"You need to hear it," reiterated Abe, keeping his voice low as to not wake his son. "She might have forgiven you, but I ain't."

"I do not need your forgiveness," spat Hans. "All I want is the best for her."

"Really?" scoffed Abe. "Is that why you said I weren't good enough for her?"

Hans' eyes narrowed. "Yes," he said simply.

Abe forced himself to take a deep, calming breath.

Hans stared up at him. "No one is good enough for her." Silence fell again. "I can see how much you love one another," admitted Hans, "but the life you're providing is not the one that she wanted."

"Just because she ain't the curator of that Cairo museum, don't mean she ain't happy."

Hans' eyes widened a little. "S-she told you about that?"

"Of course she told me! We don't hide shit from one another." Another pause. "Look, I get what you mean. Wanna know the honest truth? I ain't ever felt like I'm good enough for her." He glanced down at Anna, reaching out and letting his thumb stroke her forehead. "But fact is, she chose me. She knows her own mind; you gotta trust her judgement."

Hans stared at her too, his expression filled with longing.

"Why do you find it so hard to believe that she's happy?"

"I think it's more that I don't want to," sighed Hans.

Abe was surprised by his honesty. "Do you still miss her?" asked Abe, now shifting Caleb so that he lay on his chest.

"Of course," returned Hans. "I was beginning to get used to life without her... but now I've seen her again, it's all come flooding back."

"Which is why you asked for another chance."

"I'd give anything to have her back," Hans admitted. "I know it won't happen. But to not try felt like a betrayal of what we mean to one another." He sniffed, blinking away the tears welling in his eyes. "Did she ever talk about me?"

"Yeah," said Abe, rubbing Caleb's back soothingly as he stirred.

"What did she say?"

"That she missed you, but she was still real angry." There was a long silence. "She never spoke about you in the same way as the other fuckers though, if that's what you're asking."

"You mean, Ernst and Keller?" Abe nodded. "Did you really beat Keller?"

"Yeah," replied Abe. "But it weren't me that shot him."

"Why not?"

"Ain't what Anna wanted... I mean, she was happy he was dead and all... but she wouldn't want me to make that decision for her."

"Did you make sure it hurt him at least?"

"Hell yeah... that fucker was a piece of work. Still gets me angry just thinkin' about the things he said and did."

"Then how did you restrain yourself?"

"Well, I didn't really, did I? I only meant to talk to him, but he was such an ass..." He paused a moment. "But in the end, I figured I'd do anythin' to keep her in my life. Even if that meant goin' against how I normally am. She makes me better."

Hans wished he could have been that way with her. He wished he had been as open minded and as big hearted as the man sitting before him. "Have you considered what you'll do if she's not all right now?"

Abe's brow furrowed. "What d'ya mean?"

"If she doesn't make it? What will you do with Elli?"

Abe was in disbelief, blinking rapidly as he stared at Hans. "Now I don't know why I was ever worried she'd go back to you."

"Excuse me?"

"How could you ask me a question like that?" he said. "Elli is my kid, my own. As much a part of me as this little fella here. You think that without Anna I wouldn't want her?" Hans made to answer but Abe cut across. "Well of course you would... you've never cared about Elli, let alone loved her."

"I would have done it for Anna," Hans retaliated.

"But you didn't!" spat Abe. "And it ain't good enough anyhow! Elli needs, and more to the point deserves, to be loved in her own right. I love both of 'em. Always have. And it can be tough. I went straight in as a parent to her. I've never got to have Anna to myself like you did... I bet that was bliss."

Hans nodded in agreement.

"But Elli is worth all of it, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Hans looked away.

"I just don't get how you could look at that little girl and not love her."

Hans tried to search for an answer but couldn't conjure one.

"What was goin' through your head when you found her?" asked Abe, Hans taken aback by the question.

"You mean Elli?" he said, Abe nodding. Hans tried to recall. He'd never said it out loud... not really. "At first, when Karl admitted what he was doing, my heart went out to Anna. I was so certain the little girl would be gone. I suppose, that's why I agreed to look for her. I didn't think I'd find her." He was silent for a moment, his shame baring down on him. "Then, when I did, I was so shocked. She was so little, so frail."

Abe's heart pounded in his chest. That's how Elli had looked when he had found her... when Anna was the most frightened he had ever seen her.

"I spoke to her... asked her things about herself. She was so like Anna... bright and bold." He smiled a little at the memory, then his eyes again clouded over with sadness. "I think it was meeting Elli that made me realise how I felt about Anna," continued Hans, his voice hushed. "All I could think about was how it would all affect her... how much danger she would be in. She was just starting to settle into her new life with me and Karl. She was safe, and happy. The idea that something would jeopardise that tore me apart." Hans buried his face in his hands, Abe feeling the guilt radiate from him. "I looked at a little girl and saw a threat..." he managed. "And even after that, I was still scared to give into my feelings for Anna because she was so strident..."

"Sharin' Anna's love is better than not havin' it at all," continued Abe. "You're a fuckin' idiot."

"I'm fully aware of that!" snapped Hans. "What do you think this is like for me? Have you any idea how much I would give to wind the clock back and make a different decision? Perhaps then, I'd be the one with my daughter sleeping happily on my chest, instead of sitting beside the woman I love, unable to even touch her."

A horrible silence followed. Abe's head was swirling; from anger or exhaustion, he had no idea. "Is that why you were lookin' at Caleb?" he asked. "'Cause of Reina?"

Hans nodded, staring only at Anna. "I just wondered what she looked like... who she would have grown into." Hans' chest heaved heavily, trying his best to quell the tears that were brewing. "I can't bear to think about them most of the time. A family with Anna was the thing I wanted more than anything else in the world. It still is. But I was always so afraid. I could never predict what she was going to do."

"Love ain't about predictions," chimed Abe. "I take each day as it comes, and its perfect. I'd always thought married life would be borin'. But then I met Anna. Ain't ever known someone so fuckin' fearless in my life. She holds her own against everyone, especially me."

Hans looked straight at Abe, confused by the smile spread on his face. "And you like that? The arguments, the reckless abandonment for her own safety..."

"It can be infuriatin', for sure," sighed Abe. "But she's taught me to be better... I see things differently now, and I love it. Honestly, I just trust her. She listens to me the same way I listen to her. And she's better at puttin' herself first nowadays. My Momma near enough had her under house arrest through this pregnancy, and she was so graceful 'bout it, even if she hated every fuckin' minute."

"This pregnancy?"

Abe sighed heavily. Anna was right; he was so astute. "Caleb ain't our first," he explained, Hans' eyes wide. "We've lost two. And of course, she lost Reina. That fucker did some serious damage to her. Its why we're all here. She was determined to send him down."

Hans stared at Anna, his heart pounding again. His poor, darling Anna.

"You sure are a complicated man, ain't you?" sighed Abe, settling further down into the chair.

"You're not the first person to say this," mumbled Hans.

There was a pause.

"I'm gonna try and get a few hours," said Abe, Hans' brow furrowed. "My head is fuckin' spinnin'. Can you watch her for me?"

"You haven't trusted anyone else to watch her for more than a few minutes," Hans pointed out.

Abe looked at him sleepily. "You're the only other person here who cares about her as much as I do. If anyone is gonna do a good job, it's you."

"Thank you," whispered Hans. Abe rubbed his eyes before Hans spoke again. "Do you think she'll pull through?"

Abe let out a very long breath. "It's Anna," he said simply. "There ain't nothin' that life has thrown at her that she ain't overcome. I've gotta believe she's gonna beat this too."

"But..."

"You know," cut across Abe, "Anna always talked about you with a certain level of fondness. Even when she was mad. But she always said you were too serious. And she should know because she is herself." His head rolled to the side, lolling in his tired state. "But Anna let's other people lift her up. She learns from 'em because she knows damn sure she ain't got everything figured out." Abe stared at Hans a final time before he shut his eyes. "Let life lift you up, not bury you so low."

"Wise words," mumbled Hans, Abe letting out a huffy laugh.

"That's my folksy wisdom shinin' through." He yawned. "Look after my wife for me, Hans Lange."

"I will," Hans promised, the room falling silent as Hans sat at his vigil, his eyes fixed on the only sunshine he had ever found in his dreary world.