Strength Of The World

Zack was at the studio bullshitting around with Jimmy and Brian when his phone started ringing. “What’s up short shit?” He answered, knowing it was Johnny on the line. “Zack man. You’ve got to get to the hospital.” The younger man said, his voice cracking. “Johnny? What’s going on? Are you crying?” Zack asked, drawing his other friends’ attention. “Peyton was in an accident. She flipped the Jeep. I found her and called 911, the paramedics are pulling up now. I’ll call you when we head to the hospital.” Johnny ended the call and Zack stood there, phone against his ear not moving. “Zee, what’s going on?” Jimmy asked, walking toward him. He still wasn’t moving, so Brian walked up to him and shook his shoulders, effectively snapping him out of it. “Zack! What’s wrong man?” “Peyton.” Zack whispered. “She flipped her Jeep. I gotta get to the fucking hospital.” He said, heading for the door. Once Zack reached his car he fumbled with getting his keys out of his pocket but Brian grabbed him by the arm and pulled him toward the passenger side of his own vehicle. “Get in. I’m driving.” The three men climbed into Brian’s car and they headed for the hospital. Jimmy was tasked with calling Peyton’ s parents and Matt while Brian called his dad and Michelle. Zack called his parents and everyone was meeting at the hospital.

Once they arrived, they went straight to the emergency room and found Johnny sitting in a chair with his head in his hands. “Johnny, what’s going on?” Zack asked as soon as he saw him. The bassist quickly stood up and looked at him with tears in his eyes, “They took her back as soon as we got here to check her out and I haven’t heard anything since.” Before Zack got a chance to respond, the rest of their friends and their families came rushing into the waiting room. “Zack, what’s going on?” Becky sobbed. “Is the baby okay?” “I don’t know, Becks. They took her back as soon as they got here and I haven’t heard anything yet.” “They’re going to be just fine, sweetheart. I know it.” Zack’s mom said, pulling her youngest son into a hug. “Just have a little faith.”

About an hour later, a doctor came into the waiting area. “Peyton Smith’s family?” He asked. Zack immediately stood up and rushed over to him. “She’s my fiancée. Is she okay?” Both of their parents stood behind him as the doctor spoke. “She has a concussion and has been in and out of consciousness, her right knee is sprained, and has quite a bit of cuts on her arms and face from her window shattering, but she’s going to be just fine.“ Zack sighed in relief. “What about the baby?” “We’re sending her up to a room in the maternity ward for an ultrasound and observation. You can join her up there now. I’m pretty confident that with the minor injuries she sustained, the baby is going to be okay. Your fiancée was very lucky today.” Zack nodded and thanked the doctor before making his way to the maternity ward. He had to see Peyton for himself to make sure she was okay.

When Peyton woke up, her head was pounding. The hospital lights were harsh and she could hear the steady beat of her heart. She looked around the room and noticed Zack sitting beside her. “Hey.” She croaked. Zack leaned up in his chair and kissed her on the forehead. “Hey speed racer. You feeling okay? You scared the shit out of me.” He said quietly. “My head is pounding. Is everything okay with me?” “Well, you’ve got a concussion and a sprained knee, hence the brace.” He said, gesturing to her leg, “And you’ve got some gnarly cuts and a few stitches on your face and arms from the window shattering, but the doc says you’re gonna be fine.” “What about the baby?” She asked, her voice barely a whisper. “Well, they sent you up here for an ultrasound and observation. The doctor said he’s confident that the baby is fine.” Zack explained, grabbing her hand. “It’s gonna be okay, baby.” Peyton nodded her head but couldn’t speak. “What happened on the road today, Peyton?” She was about to open her mouth and tell him what happened when the ultrasound technician entered the room. “Hey guys, I’m here to do a check on your little one. I heard you are in a pretty bad accident today mom?” “Yeah, it was pretty scary.” Peyton sighed. “How far along are you? Have you felt the baby move or anything since you’ve been here?” She asked Peyton, who put a hand on her small bump and shook her head. “I’m almost 18 weeks. And no, but I’ve been in and out of consciousness. So I really couldn’t remember honestly.” “Okay, well let’s see what’s going on then.” The woman had Peyton lift her gown and squirted the cool gel onto her stomach. Peyton grabbed Zack’s hand and closed her eyes. She was terrified of the news she was going to receive. The ultrasound technician sat there for what seemed like forever, silently looking at the baby. “Okay,” the woman sighed, “You guys ready for the news?” “No” Peyton whispered, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. The ultrasound technician looked at Peyton and Zack with a smile. “Your little one is just fine, Mama. I’ll let you hear it for yourself.” She clicked a few times and moved the probe around until he baby’s heartbeat filled the room. Peyton couldn’t stop the tears from falling down her face, and Zack was grinning from ear to ear. “Want to know a secret?” She asked them with a smile. “Sure.” Zack shrugged. The woman moved the probe around a little more, and stopped before turning the screen toward the couple. “You know what that is?” She asked Peyton, pointing to the screen. “Oh my god.” She whispered. She looked over at Zack who had tears in his own eyes. “Is that-?” He asked the woman, who nodded enthusiastically. “It is. Congratulations you two!” She stared cleaning up her machine and gave Peyton some cloths to clean the gel off her stomach with when she began talking again. “The doctor will be in shortly to give you the results, but I can tell you that everything looks great. Fluid levels are good, heart rate is good, and baby is growing right on track.” “Thank you so much.” Peyton smiled. “No problem. Congratulations again, hopefully I won’t see you back in here until it’s time for you to deliver.” She smiled as she left the room. Peyton and Zack looked at each other with huge smiles on their faces.

Shortly after the technician left, their parents came in. “Oh baby thank god you’re okay!” Her mom gushed, running to Peyton’s side and hugging her. “Everything okay with the baby?” Zack’s dad asked with concern. “Everything is great.” Zack explained. “The technician said he is growing right on track.” All four of their parents heads jerked toward Zack, “Wait a second, you said he.” Maria Baker pointed out. “Yup.” Zack said with a grin. “It’s a boy?” Maria and Becky asked at the same time.” “YEP!” Peyton shouted excitedly. The room erupted into cheers. “My first geandson! How about that.” Daniel Smith said in amazement. “Now we can go shopping, Becky!” Maria said excitedly, while James groaned. One by one, each of the parents congratulated Zack and Peyton. They were sitting around talking when the doctor came in. “Hey everyone. Peyton, how are you feeling sweetheart?” She asked. “I’m okay. My head is pounding. And I’m a little hungry.” She chuckled, “Well I’ll have the nurse bring you some tylenol for the headache and I’ll definitely make sure they bring you some lunch. Okay so your ultrasound looks really good. Baby Baker is looking great. I just want to keep you here overnight, just to be sure you don’t have any contractions or anything, Okay?” She explained. “And once you get home I’d like to have you on bed rest for a few weeks. Just as a precaution. Think you can do that?” “Oh she’ll do it.” Zack told the doctor. “I’ll be sure of it.” Peyton rolled her eyes playfully at her fiancée, but agreed with him.

After the doctor left the room their parents stayed for a while longer, but left soon after Peyton’s lunch arrived. Once she pretty much scarfed down the food Zack brought up the accident again. “Okay babe. What happened?” Peyton sat her fork down and sighed, “I was almost to the studio, going around that sharp S curve on Martin rd, when another car came from the opposite direction. I was doing the speed limit, but the other car seemed to speed up once the driver saw me. They drove in my lane, so I had no choice but to jerk the wheel to avoid hitting them. I didn’t even have time to react before I was flipping. I can remember the driver rolled down the window and smiled at me, before rolling the window up and taking off. I’m not sure how long I sat there before Johnny found me, but I’m so glad he did.” She explained. “Well what kind of car was it? Did you know the driver?” Zack questioned. “Babe.” Peyton said, grabbing his hand, “it was Gena.”

Notes