“I’m - ” My words got caught in my throat when a sharp pain shot through my stomach. I bent forward, and cried out.

“Jade.” Ashley was at my side before I could blink. “What’s wrong?”

Another pain hit me, and sent me crumbling to the floor. Ashley caught me, but not quickly enough. We both fell, and I winced.

“Something’s wrong,” I said, trying to breathe through the cramps. “Can you take me to the hospital, please?”

“Sure, let me grab my purse and my keys.”

Ashley slid out from under me, and gathered her things before helping me to my feet. “Will you be able to walk?” She asked, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. Ashley and I had grown distant after she’d gone out with Dane towards the end of last year – long story – but I’d never been more grateful to have her in the apartment. I was terrified, and couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to the baby.

“Yes – Oh God.”

Ashley managed to help me downstairs to her black Lexus, and got me buckled in before running over to the driver’s side. She started the car, and hit the gas, sending asphalt flying behind us.

“Did you eat something strange?” She asked, darting her head back and forth between me and the road ahead.

I shook my head. “I’m pregnant,” I said. “And I think something is happening to the baby.”

I saw Ashley’s eyes widen, but she didn’t say anything as we drove to Dr. Burke’s. By the time she stopped in the lot, the cramps had intensified slightly, and I was starting to really panic.

“Excuse me,” she said to the receptionist when we walked through the door. “We need to see - ” she looked at me.

“Dr. Burke.”

“It’s an emergency,” she continued. The receptionist was on the phone, but didn’t seem too eager to help us. Ashley surprised me by reaching over the front desk, and pulling the telephone cord from the wall. I had to hand it to her, she was fiery.

“Look lady, my friend here is pregnant, and in a lot of pain. I suggest you get someone to help us before I climb over here, and - ”

“Ms. Matthews?”

I looked up and saw the nurse, Sirenda, from my first visit approaching. “Is everything alright?”

“She’s cramping,” replied Ashley. “Please, help her.”

Sirenda took me from Ashley’s grasp, and I smiled weakly at her. “Thanks, Ash.”

“I’ll be here,” she replied.

Sirenda led me to the same room as last time, and helped me onto the bed.

“When did your cramping start?” She asked, squirting the cold gel onto my stomach.

“About forty five minutes ago.” I squeezed my eyes closed, inhaling deeply, and exhaling slowly.

“Let’s see...” She moved the wand around, and when the steady thump-thump of baby’s heartbeat filled the room, I cried out in elation. “Oh thank God.”

“The heartbeat is normal, but I need to see if you’re bleeding.”

My relief was short-lived, and replaced by icy dread.

“Don’t worry.” Sirenda squeezed my hand and handed me a gown. “I’m sure everything is just fine.”

I changed quickly, and Sirenda walked in just as I hopped back up onto the bed. She instructed me to remove my panties, commenting how it was a good sign that they were free of any spotting, and asked me to scoot down lower on the bed with my knees bent. I didn’t even care that another woman was fiddling with my cooch. I just wanted my baby to be healthy.

She snapped her gloves off, and gave me a reassuring smile. “You and your baby are both fine. Have you been under a lot of stress lately?”

I sat up, took my first proper breath in what felt like hours. “Yes,” I replied, without going into much detail. “This week, especially.”

“Sometimes when you’re stressed out, you may experience some abdominal discomfort, and that’s normal, but if you notice any blood, you need to call us immediately, okay? This can be very scary for first time moms, but you’re doing great. Be sure to take it easy for the next forty-eight hours.”

I nodded. “I will, thank you.”

“My pleasure. You can get dressed now, and we’ll see you in three weeks for your check-up.”

Sirenda left, and I slowly started putting my clothes back on. I was exhausted, and ready to put this entire day behind me.

** ** ** ** **

The car ride home was filled with an awkward silence, and I wasn’t sure how to thank Ashley after the past few weeks had been so tense between us. I understood that she’d simply been a pawn in the game Dane played to hurt Kennedy, but I was having a hard time trusting her again.

I shifted in my seat when Ashley brought the car to a stand-still outside our dorm building, and stopped her before she could climb out.

“Thanks for taking me to the doctor, Ash. I’m really grateful you were there.”

She gave me a sad smile, and replied, “That’s what friends are for, right? I’m glad everything’s okay, although I do wish you’d told me about the baby. I want us to go back to how things were before, Jade. I miss you, and I miss Kennedy too.”

Guilt threaded through my chest, and squeezed my ribs. Kennedy had forgiven her months ago, but it was me who had a hard time letting go. Perhaps it was time I tried. I was going to need my friends in the coming months, and after today, I realized Ashley was one of those friends.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a total bitch lately,” I said quietly. Shame colored my cheeks, and I looked out of the car window. “You don’t deserve the way I’ve been treating you.”

Ashley laughed lightly and it surprised me that she could be so understanding when I couldn’t. “It’s okay. I was a bit of a bitch about all of it too. I don’t blame you for being loyal to your friend.”

“You’re my friend too,” I said, clasping her hand.

“C’mon,” she giggled, climbing from the car, “Enough mushy shit. I bet we can convince Kennedy to have a girls’ night in tonight.”

Back in our apartment, it looked as if Kennedy had already started our girls’ night, expect she looked angry rather than excited. We shut the door quietly, and watched her banging pots and pans around the kitchen, completely amused. She was grumbling profanities under her breath, and when she turned to find us smiling at her, she threw a pan into the sink in frustration.

“I would ask if everything’s okay,” said Ashley, “but by the looks of it, I’m guessing you’re ready to kill someone.”

“Ha!” laughed Kennedy, “I do want to kill someone, and his name happens to be Dane fucking Winters.”

“What did lover boy do now?” I asked, leaning against the counter.

“He asked me to move in with him,” she replied indignantly, still banging the pots and pans. What on earth was she doing that for?

Ashley and I traded looks of surprise. It was a little soon for Dane and Kennedy to live together, wasn’t it? They’d only been dating a few months, and they were still working through their family drama.

“What did you say?” I asked carefully.

“What do you think I said?” Kennedy turned, and I could see in by the expression on her face that it was really bothering her.

“Where have you girls been?” Kennedy’s question came so fast I wasn’t sure if it was a diversion tactic or not.

“Ash took me to the Doctor,” I replied. “I started cramping after getting into a fight with Reid.”

“Are you okay?” She rushed out, “I should’ve been here.”

I waved her off. “I’m fine, really. And so is baby.”

“I’m sorry, Jade. I wish I was here when it happened.”

“Ash was here, so don’t worry about it. Now,” – I clapped my hands together – “call Grady and tell him we’re having an ‘I Hate All Men’ night. He’s the only guy allowed to set foot here, unless Dane and Reid want to be junk punched.”

“That sounds perfect,” replied Kennedy. “Then Ash can fill us in on her sexcapades with Chase.”

We both smirked at Ashley, who had the decency to look both stupefied and embarrassed. “You guys know about that?”

“Of course we do,” I snorted. “It’s hard to hide a good post-orgasm face.”