Chapter 27 #2
“It’s not bad. Especially because you’ve been under so much stress lately.
Let’s just see what the doctor says. Okay?
” she says softly, but I don’t respond. I can’t think of that right now.
If something is wrong with either myself or the baby, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Even though a part of me wants to do nothing but curl up in our bed and not move an inch until Damien carries me out, I’ve been doing the best I can.
The doctor taps on the door and walks in with a wide smile, like my heart rate hasn’t just gone up a few beats per minute over the concern.
“Good afternoon, everyone. Ser,” Dr. Campbell says a little more sternly to Serena. “Who’s this?” She points to Leanne.
“Oh, I’m her mother-in-law. Pleasure to meet you.” They shake hands, then Dr. Campbell sits down on the stool.
“So, Ashia. I heard that your friend has some concerns with your vitals and your weight?” She looks at me, but I don’t miss Serena’s eyes as she narrows them at my doctor.
“I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about right now.
We knew with your stomach disorder that gaining weight would be difficult, but I think it’s great that you’re maintaining it.
I would be much more concerned if you were still losing it.
So, I’m going to take that as a win for today.
I would like to see you maybe up a pound in the next two weeks.
You could always eat healthy fats like nuts, avocados, and full-fat yogurt. ”
Fucking avocados.
She looks over to Ser, I guess to make sure she’s listening. Damien normally asks for an appointment overview of everything she suggests, so I’m sure his absence is noticed. I observed the curiosity in her eyes when she didn’t see him here, but I’m glad she didn’t ask why.
“As for your blood pressure, I feel that it’s something for us to watch, but I don’t believe it’s concerning as of yet.
Since you and Serena are so close, I would like her to check it for you every other day or so.
That is, if she’s alright with that.” She looks back at Serena with judgmental eyes again, and I start to get the feeling that they really don’t like each other.
“Of course I’m fine with that, Alyssa. Don’t be ridiculous.” Ser rolls her eyes.
“Okay, remind me to come back to that later. Can we continue with the appointment?” I practically beg.
“Yes. I’m so sorry. Go ahead and lie back, then lift your shirt and push your leggings down a little.”
I do what the doctor says and look at the screen.
Ever since the first ultrasound, I always get a little nervous.
For weeks, I was terrified that they would look and there wouldn’t be a heartbeat.
It’s a little better now that I can feel them moving, but the moment they stop, the paranoia comes back at full force.
Obviously, the baby can’t move every second of every day, and I’m just a freaked-out mess, but that’s my own problems coming to the surface.
She presses the wand to my belly, and with a click, the baby pops up on the screen. Leanne grabs my hand and gasps quietly, like it’ll go away if she’s too loud.
“Would you look at that,” she says softly and pats my hand.
Dr. Campbell goes on to talk about some measurements, but I don’t really hear anything past the baby’s heart.
I heard some ‘goods’ and ‘greats’ and that was good enough for me.
I just want the baby to be okay, and anything else doesn’t really matter to me as long as it’s healthy.
“Would you like to know the gender today?” she asks me, and when I go to say no, Ser squeals.
It’s one of those awkward and excited screeches, and she pairs it with tiny stomps—practically a tap dance.
I know she’s excited, and I can see her trying to sneak peeks at the screen to find out herself, but I’m just not ready yet.
“Um, could you put it in an envelope so I can open it with my husband when he gets home?” I hate how pitiful I sound, but the doctor smiles it off and grabs her pen. As she writes on her clipboard, I faintly notice Ser staring down at her. “Serena!” I yell at her.
“What?! I was only barely looking! I didn’t see anything!
” She steps back and throws her hands up.
I can’t help but laugh and flip her my middle finger.
Leanne laughs a little and shakes her head, probably thanking God that she doesn’t have to deal with two of us together too often.
Dr. Campbell hands me the envelope and some prints.
“I would like for you to come back in two weeks, just so we can keep monitoring your vitals. If you develop any of the symptoms on this paper, give my office a call.” She hands me a paper and wipes off my belly before standing to leave. “See you later, Serena,” Dr. Campbell says in an off tone.
Ser crosses her arms over her chest and stares at her as she walks out.
“Why do you have a secret war with my OB?”
“It’s not a war. Let’s just say there’s been a few cases that’s come into the ER, and I didn’t necessarily agree with her diagnosis.
” She bobs her head a little, but my stomach churns.
Is she not good at her job? Is she bad with patients?
Does she make a lot of mistakes? Ser normally works great with everyone here at the hospital.
So, why would she have an issue with Dr. Campbell over a few cases?
How many are a few? Her face morphs into concern, along with mine, and it’s like she reads my thoughts.
“But there’s nothing for you to worry about!
” She holds her hands out like I’m going to burst into tears. “She’s a good doctor.”
“Okay, so we can go now?” I ask softly, and she nods before helping me down. We make our way back to the waiting area, and as soon as I open the door, all four of our guys look at me.
“Well?” Zeke asks, clearly concerned, and I raise a brow.
“Well what?” I ask.
“Is everything alright?” John asks, and Leanne answers.
“Everything is fine, dear. They’re both perfect.” She runs her hand up and down my back before walking over to him. We all make our way out, ignoring all of the stares, and venture through the hospital.
This appointment definitely did not go how I imagined it would.
The first thing is that Serena was here to step toe-to-toe with my doctor.
I didn’t mind Leanne here, but I imagined we’d be able to tell her and the Andersons the baby’s gender in some other cute way.
And lastly, I didn’t expect it to be this quiet.
When I’ve thought about it before today, I’ve imagined Damien telling every stranger that we walked past what the results were.
He would be jumping and yelling, that perfect smile would be so wide that his face would hurt, and I’m not even sure he’d let me walk out of here.
He’d probably sweep me off my feet and carry me out.
I’m so deep in that thought that I almost actually feel weightless, but then I shake off the sensation.
Once we walk out to the parking lot, John grabs my elbow and stops me. The others walk a few steps ahead of us, but they stop once they deem it’s far enough. He turns me in his direction, and that unfamiliar softness bleeds into his usual hardness.
“I know that if Damien were to see you right now, that he would be so proud of you,” he says so surely, and I smile softly. My chest warms at the thought, and my body relaxes a little.
“Thanks, John. I really hope so.”
He actually smiles back at me, and I can feel my eyes start to burn.
“Of course he would, Ashia. I wish I was the type of man that could describe the love a father has for their children. Especially for the woman that brings them into this world. Doing everything you are, all while carrying a child, it’s—”
He’s suddenly cut off, and a warm liquid sprays across my face—making me flinch.
I blink my eyes a few times, wondering what the hell that was, when a blood-curdling scream explodes beside me.
I’m suddenly standing alone, and I don’t know where John went.
In an instant, strong arms wrap around me, and I’m forced to duck down beside a nearby car.
“Everybody down!” Zeke yells next to my head, and I hear another wail a few feet away.
I look back to see Carter practically lying on top of Ser a few feet behind us, and just behind them, Alex is holding Leanne in a death grip as she flails.
My heart slams against my ribs, and I look back to the lot to see John lying in an unnatural position.
His limbs are contorted in lazy poses, and I can’t see anything past his torso from the way his body is bent over.
It hits me suddenly, and I wipe my face to see red liquid coat my hand.
Zeke then pulls my head to his chest, and he turns me just a little.
“Do not fucking look, Ash,” he whispers against my ear and then I feel him pull his head away. “Alex! Get Ezra and the team down here, now!”
“I’m already calling!” Alex yells back. “How close are we to the cars?”
I feel Zeke’s head jerk back and forth, like he’s scanning the area. His grip on me only tightens, and as he turns back to Alex, I can lightly feel his hold adjust.
“Fifteen yards! We need to get them out of here!”
“I’ll stay and wait for Tony to arrive. Get them out of here!”
We start moving, and somehow, he keeps me tucked under his arm as we sprint towards the car.
His entire body is covering me with his death-grip, and everything feels so discombobulated that he might actually be carrying me.
Within a matter of a minute, Serena, Leanne, and I are shoved into the back seat of my car.
Leanne is still screaming, Serena is gripping my leg so harshly that she’ll probably bruise me, and I’m just staring blankly into the back of the driver’s seat.
Zeke and Carter jump into the front, and Zeke pulls off so quickly that the tires squeal.
It’s almost as loud as Leanne’s shrieks, and the feeling of the heat paired with the sway of the car makes everything around me spin.
We can’t just leave him here… I turn my head to look out of the rearview, but we’re already skirting out of the parking lot.
Dread fills my chest, and this ghostly pain spreads throughout it.
It’s almost like it’s not even mine, but I accept it anyway.
The reality of what we just lost comes crashing down.
John Hartley is dead.