The Shock
Nova's scream tore through the quiet of the dorm like glass shattering. "Hope!" Her voice cracked, sharp with terror. Hope was at her side in a blink, her heart stopping at the sight of blood streaking down Nova's leg.
The world tunneled. All Hope could see was Nova's pale face, her trembling hands clutching her stomach. "No, no, no," Hope whispered, panic flaring as she pressed her hand to Nova's side. "Not yet—it's too soon."
Her voice broke into a shout, raw and frantic: "Help! We need to get her to the hospital, now!"
The hallway erupted. Footsteps pounded closer—Freya and Hayley first, their eyes wide with alarm. Klaus's roar followed, shaking the walls as he forced his way through the door. Lizzie, Josie, and Penelope crowded in behind them, their faces stricken. Derek, Stiles, and Lydia came rushing from the other end of the hall, eyes wide, every protective instinct sparking alive.
Nova whimpered, tears streaking down her cheeks as another pain ripped through her body. "Hope... it's too early... they're not ready," she gasped, clutching at Hope's shirt.
Hope gathered Nova into her arms, cradling her as if sheer will could hold everything together. "Shh, I've got you. You hear me? I've got you. You and the babies—we'll get through this. Just stay with me, love." Her voice shook, but she refused to let go, her arms strong and desperate around her trembling girlfriend.
Rebekah swept into the room, her hands already steadying Hope's shoulder as she took in the scene. "We have to move. Now."
Hayley's wolf instincts flared; she pressed forward, calm but commanding. "Hope, stay with her. Klaus—we need to get her to the hospital now."
Hope nodded fiercely, her eyes never leaving Nova's pale face. "I'm not letting go."
Klaus crouched low, his jaw tight. "Give her to me. I can move faster."
But Nova clung tighter to Hope's neck, her voice breaking. "No—I need you. Don't let go. It hurts, Hope... it hurts so much."
Hope tightened her grip, kissing the top of Nova's damp hair. Hearing Nova's cry of pain made panic claw up her throat, but she forced her voice to stay steady. "I know it hurts, baby. I'm right here. Breathe with me—we'll do this together."
The room was chaos—people shouting, magic sparking, wolves pacing restlessly—but in the center of it all was Hope, holding Nova close as if the strength of her arms alone could defy fate.
Klaus stepped nearer, his tone firm but reasoning, "Hope, let me take her ahead. I can get Nova to the hospital faster than anyone. You can follow and meet us there, and you'll be by her side the moment we arrive."
Hope's throat tightened, torn between clinging to Nova and knowing Klaus was right. Every instinct screamed not to let go, but Nova's safety came first. She pressed her forehead against Nova's, whispering, "I'll be right behind you. I swear it." Her hands lingered on Nova's until the very last second, before reluctantly easing her into Klaus's arms.
---
The Race to the Hospital
In a blur of speed, Klaus cradled Nova against his chest and vanished into the night, every stride devouring the distance to Mystic Falls Hospital. Nova clung to him, her face pale, lips trembling. Between labored breaths she whispered, "Klaus... promise me... if it comes down to me or the babies... save them. I'll be in transition if I die anyway. Please." Her eyes filled with desperate tears, terror mixing with determination.
Klaus's jaw clenched, his hybrid instincts warring with his loyalty. He looked down at her, voice low and solemn. "You have my word, little wolf. But you will not die on my watch."
Nova managed a weak nod, gripping his shirt until her knuckles whitened. Fear and love mingled in her chest, her body wracked with pain.
By the time Klaus burst through the hospital doors, doctors and nurses rushed forward, startled by the sight of him carrying the bleeding, pregnant girl. He laid Nova gently on a gurney, his voice like thunder. "She's thirty weeks—twins—get her into care, now!"
Nova tried to call out for Hope, but her voice broke into a sob as the staff wheeled her away. Klaus followed close behind, his presence like a storm in the sterile halls. The doctors shouted orders, preparing blood, monitors, and a neonatal team. As they moved, Klaus's eyes narrowed and he caught one of the staff with a piercing stare. Compulsion laced his voice: "She gets a private room, now. No one but family enters." The nurse nodded hastily, rushing to obey. Nova's hand reached weakly toward Klaus, desperate for the promise he had given her to hold. He brushed his knuckles against hers, his eyes flashing with determination even as she was rushed into a delivery suite. Once she disappeared behind the doors, Klaus pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Hope: We've arrived. She's being cared for.
Back at the school, Hope was already tearing through the halls, racing to her car with Hayley and Rebekah at her side. Her heart hammered, her wolf snarling in panic.
The Pack and the Super Squad hurried after them, trying to calm Hope down with reassurances that Nova was strong, that Klaus would get her to the hospital in time.
Hope forced herself to grab the pregnancy bags they had packed weeks ago—clothes, blankets, baby essentials—her hands trembling as she clutched them. The simple act of remembering their careful preparation gave her a sliver of calm amidst the storm.
In the parking lot, everyone split up into multiple cars, piling in quickly, headlights flashing to life as engines roared. They would all converge on Mystic Falls Hospital as fast as they could.
As Hope slid into the passenger seat beside Hayley, her phone buzzed in her shaking hands. She looked down and saw Klaus's message flash across the screen: We've arrived. She's being cared for. Relief and fear clashed in her chest, tears springing to her eyes. She read the text aloud to everyone in the car, her voice trembling but steadier than before. "They made it—she's there."
Hayley reached over, squeezing her shoulder. "Good. Then breathe, baby girl. We'll be there in minutes."
Lizzie and Lydia's car sped ahead, headlights cutting through the dark. Stiles's Jeep followed behind, Malia leaning forward in the passenger seat, already on edge. The others drove in tense silence, every mile stretching like eternity.
Hope pressed the phone to her heart, whispering, "Hold on, Nova. I'm coming."
She had no idea of the bargain Nova had just begged from Klaus—she only knew she had to reach her mate and their children before it was too late.
The Hospital Arrival
The moment Hope and the others burst through the hospital doors, the sterile scent of antiseptic hit her like a wall. She barely registered the nurses at the front desk before Klaus appeared from down the hall, his shirt stained with Nova's blood, his expression grim.
"Klaus!" Hope's voice cracked as she ran to him, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst.
"She's in full labor," Klaus said quickly, his tone clipped but controlled. "They're trying to keep the babies stable, but it's too early—thirty weeks. They had no choice but to move forward." His eyes softened as he looked at his daughter. "She asked for you."
Hope's stomach dropped. Her vision blurred with tears as she nodded and handed the pregnancy bag to Rebekah without looking. "Where is she?"
"Down the hall, third door on the left," Klaus replied, resting a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Go."
Hope didn't wait another second. She sprinted down the hall, Lydia right behind her, the rhythmic sound of their shoes echoing against the tile. Every heartbeat felt like thunder in her ears.
When she reached the room, Hope froze for half a breath before rushing inside.
Nova lay on the hospital bed, her hair plastered to her forehead, sweat gleaming on her skin. Her hands clenched the sheets, a scream ripping through her as another contraction hit. The machines beeped frantically beside her, nurses barking orders. "She's crowning!" one shouted.
Hope rushed to her side, grabbing Nova's hand. "I'm here, I'm here," she whispered, her voice breaking. Nova turned her tear-streaked face toward her, sobbing with relief.
"Hope—it hurts," she gasped, shaking as she tried to push. "They said the babies—they're coming—"
Hope squeezed her hand tighter, forcing her voice to stay calm even as panic clawed at her. "You're doing so good, Nova. You're so strong. Just breathe with me, okay? I've got you."
Behind them, Lydia hovered near the door, tears streaming down her cheeks as she whispered to herself, "Come on, Nova. You can do this."
The chaos in the room seemed to fade for Hope, all sound narrowing to the rasp of Nova's breathing and the pounding of her own heart as she held onto her mate, praying for both of their children to survive.