Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Next, she gets out the blood pressure cuff. I smooth out the fabric of my long-sleeved T-shirt and extend my arm. I yawn again, feeling the dull headache that I’ve had for the last few days to come back. Too much stress does this to me. Dammit. I can’t take anything else for pain for another four hours.
The nurse takes my blood pressure, makes a face, then takes it again. I can tell by her expression something isn’t right. She puts the equipment away, smiles, and says the doc will be right in, just like normal.
But this isn’t normal.
“It’ll be okay, little girl.” I put my hands on my stomach, feeling scared. I wish Noah was here.
Only a minute later the doctor comes in. Yep, this is bad.
“Hi, Lauren,” Dr. Linn says. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay,” I say.
She pulls up my file on the computer. “Your blood pressure is high. Are you having any headaches or blurred vision?”
“I have a headache,” I tell her, nerves on fire. Is Ella okay?
“How long have you had it?”
“Uh, since like Thursday. But it’s been on and off.”
“Have you tried taking anything for it?”
I nod. “Tylenol. It helps for about an hour.”
She moves to me and motions for me to lay back so she can check Ella’s positioning. “Her head is down,” she tells me. “And she’s low. I bet you’re feeling lots of pressure.” She helps me sit up. “I’m going to send you over to the labor and delivery floor for blood work and monitoring, just to make sure baby is doing okay. Your blood pressure has gone up quite a bit since last time.”
I feel like throwing up.
“Are you able to go over there now?”
My head moves up and down. The OB office is attached to the hospital. It’s just a walk away.
“Okay then. I’ll have one of the nurses assist you.” She pats my hand. “We’re gonna take care of you and baby.” She leaves and a minute later a nurse comes in with a wheelchair. I tell her I can walk, but it’s a policy and I have to be pushed.
My heart is hammering as the nurse pushes me down the hall and into an elevator. I pull my phone from my leather purse and bring up my contacts. I need to call Mom and let her know, but I hesitate. There is someone else who deserves to know just as much, and I want him there with me more than anyone else.
I pull up Noah’s last text message and reread what he wrote.
Tears prick the corners of my eyes, heart hurting. I miss Noah so fucking much. What do I even say? I start typing, then delete what I wrote and try again.
Are you busy?
The elevator doors shut and we go up two floors. I stare at my phone, waiting for a reply. Only a minute later, Noah sends me a text.
Noah: I’m not. Are you okay?
Me: I don’t know yet. My blood pressure is high. Doctor is sending me to the hospital for monitoring. Can you meet me here? I’m scared.
Noah: I’m on my way.
I get checked into the labor and delivery floor and hooked up to machines. The nurse, JoAnna, does her initial assessment, then says she’ll be back in a few to check on me. She can read the monitors from the nurses’ station as well.
So now I sit in a hospital bed, belts and monitors around my belly, alone and scared. I grab my phone to call Mom then stop. I should wait until I get some answers before I make her worry and speed over.
The door to the room opens and I look up, expecting to see the nurse come back. But it’s Noah. His sky-blue eyes meet mine and everything comes rushing back.
How good it feels to have his arms around me. His lips crashing into mine. The way he makes me laugh, makes me feel beautiful.
The way he makes me feel loved.
“Lauren.” Noah crosses the room. I push up and he throws his arms around me. I bend my head, pressing my face into his neck, and break down in tears. “It’s okay,” he soothes, gently running his fingers through my hair. “It’ll be okay.”
He pulls back just enough to look at me. I don’t waste any time. My hands fly up, landing on either side of his face, feeling his beard beneath my skin, and bring his face to mine.
“I missed you,” I whisper, tears freely falling down my cheeks. Noah wipes them away.
“I missed you too. So fucking much.” He kisses me again then brings me to him. The belts slide out of position, making an alarm sound. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?” I’ve never seen him so concerned.
“Yeah.” I push the belt back up to where it used to be, but it doesn’t silence the alarm. “It moved.” I motion to the belt. “Thanks for coming.”