Jade wailed, and I held her head against my chest, fighting tears of my own. I’d been so focused on getting Jade here that I hadn’t had time to process anything.
“Shhh,” – I kissed her forehead – “She’s fine. You’re both fine.”
Jade nodded, but I could see she wasn’t appeased. She was still holding my hand in a death grip, and couldn’t quite get a handle on her emotions. Not that I blamed her for that. I couldn’t imagine what was going through her head, and the more I thought about it the guiltier I felt.
I should have been there, I admonished myself. That psycho shouldn’t have been anywhere Jade.
“Your baby’s heartbeat is a little high,” said Dr. Burke. “But that’s as a result of the trauma, and the stress. Your placenta is still intact, which is a very good sign, and your cervix isn’t dilated.” She rubbed Jade’s arm affectionately. “My only concern is that your membranes have ruptured, which means you can go into preterm labor. I’m going to have to keep you here for observation to make sure you don’t go into labor within the next forty-eight hours, and once you’re out of the danger zone, you’ll be put on bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy, just as a precaution.”
“Will Jade still be able to carry to full term?” I asked.
“Most women who experience a fall during their pregnancy, especially at this stage, go into labor within four weeks of a membrane breakage, but with a little luck we’ll get your little princess to stay in there until your 37th week.”
“And the baby will be fine if she’s born then?”
Dr. Burke nodded. “Absolutely.”
A nurse came in, and gave Jade her hospital gown, and after I helped her change, she was put on an I.V.
“I’ll be back to check on you in a few hours, but if you need anything, you can page me. I’ll be on call until you’re in the clear,” Dr. Burke told Jade.
She left us, and for the first time since we’d arrived we were alone. I wiped the tears from Jade’s face, and sat as close to her as the chair and the bed would allow.
“I was so scared,” she cried. “I thought...I thought...”
“Hey,” – I kissed her trembling hand – “You heard what Dr. Burke said. Baby’s fine for now, and that’s all that matters. You want to tell me what happened?”
While Jade explained to me what had happened, I felt my blood boil, and if I weren’t so determined to stay with her, I would have found Stella myself. She’d gone too far this time.
“She won’t hurt you again,” I told Jade. “Get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
I slipped out for a few minutes to call our parents, and to update our friends. Kennedy was a mess, and once I’d told them everything was going to be okay, she’d hugged me tightly. I held her close, and allowed myself to exhale in relief for the first time since we’d arrived.
“We couldn’t find Stella,” said Grady, his expression a mixture of relief, concern, and contrition.
“We’ll sort it out,” I said. “I’ll talk to my dad when he gets here.” I had to make sure Stella would never be able to harm Jade again. With whatever means necessary.
Our parents showed up a little later, but Jade was still asleep so I’d filled them in. I relayed all of the information Dr. Burke had given us, and told them Jade would have to be put on bed rest until it was safe for her to deliver at 37 weeks.
Her mother had immediately offered to take care of her at our house, and so did my mother, and I was grateful for it. I couldn’t afford to take time off school, but I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to.
Dane, Kennedy, and Grady had gone home, and after promising to call them if I needed anything, I pulled my father aside, and asked him if there was anything we could do to keep Stella from hurting Jade again.
“I’ll make some calls,” he said, going into lawyer mode. “For now, you just take care of Jade.”
“I swear, Dad, if Stella ever comes near Jade again...” I stopped myself, and shook my head. I was starting to crumble under the weight of what could have happened, and was trying to stay composed.
“Let me take care of it,” my father said, concern knitting his brow. “Right now, all that matters is that she didn’t do worse. Jade and the baby are not in danger anymore.”
I simply nodded, and took a few calming breaths before heading back into Jade’s room. Her parents stayed for a short while, on account of visiting hours being over, and when my parents departed soon after, I took my seat next to Jade’s bed. She was asleep and looked so peaceful as the steady beep-beep from the fetal monitor filled the quiet room. I knew I wasn’t going to sleep for shit, but there was no way I was leaving.
Chapter 20
Jade
Siempre, Mi Amor
I gently rubbed my fingers through Reid’s hair, careful not to wake him. He’d been at my bedside all night, and it showed with the dark circles under his eyes. I’d been awake for at least an hour already, but I couldn’t bring myself to wake Reid up just yet.
I turned and looked up at the fetal monitor, watching the screen as it changed with rhythmic beating of our little girl’s heart.
She’s safe, I reminded myself, trying not to get emotional. Again.
Yesterday had been a nightmare, and admittedly I’d been feeling like something bad was going to happen for almost two weeks. I was lucky, and so was my baby, because it could have been so much worse. I rubbed my belly, overwhelmed with gratitude that we didn’t lose her. The thought alone was crippling.
When Dr. Burke told us we were going to be okay, I’d cried harder, only because the relief itself was paralyzing. I could feel Reid’s distress in the rigid way he carried me to the car, and then into the hospital, but if it weren’t for his determination, and steely calm exterior, I’m not sure what I would’ve done. He never left my side, not once, and he was the one holding me together until our daughter’s heartbeat pierced the silence in the room.
Reid stirred under my hand, and I looked at him just as his green eyes opened. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and then took my hand from his head and kissed my palm.
“Hey sleepyhead.” I gave him a soft half-smile.
“Hi,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. “How long have you been up?”
“Not long,” I replied, tracing his unshaven jaw with my fingertips. “I didn’t want to wake you. You must be exhausted.”
He slowly righted himself, stretching his neck this way and that, and stood up. He leaned over, and pressed his lips on mine. It was soft, and gentle, and said I’m so glad you’re okay. My heart rate monitor picked up pace, and my thighs involuntarily rubbed together.
Good Lord, what a time to be turned on!
Reid chuckled, and pulled away, his green eyes so much lighter than they had been the night before. “Someone’s happy to see me.”
“Always.” I grinned.
Just then an older, plumpish maternity nurse with cropped grey hair walked in and cleared her throat. “Mr. Cole,” she admonished. “Could you please excuse us? I need to check Ms. Matthews’ vitals.”
I scowled at her. She’d come in only an hour ago to check on me and when she’d tried to wake Reid up I told her to leave him alone. She wasn’t impressed with me, and quickly left after telling me she would come back.
And here she was.
Oh the fucking joy.
“He can stay,” I told her. “I don’t have anything he hasn’t seen before.”
I could feel Reid laughing next to me – the shit – but didn’t take my eyes off the grumpy nurse. Stupid woman. Reid was intimately familiar with my body, how else did she think I got pregnant?
After another stare off, the nurse simply huffed, and walked over to where the fetal monitor was standing. She checked the papers, made some notes on her clipboard, and then put surgical gloves on her hands.