Chapter 15
Leo rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the hospital where his wife worked. He picked up the bouquet he purchased in town, along with a package of her favorite crackers and a lemon-lime soda. Usually, the first trimester played hell with her stomach, and he wanted to show her his support.
Entering the building, he headed toward her office.
He knocked on the closed door, thinking it strange she shut it.
She and Kassie adopted an open-door policy to make the employees feel welcome.
He cracked it open and glanced around, not finding his wife.
He placed the flowers on the desk and went around it to write her a note.
He dropped the other items when he saw Catherine’s red hair on the floor.
Dropping down to his knees, he patted her pale cheek as he called out, “Doc, Kassie, somebody help me.”
Kassie burst into the room, and she ran toward the desk when she saw Leo on the floor.
“What happened?” she asked as she took Catherine’s pulse.
“I don’t know. I came in and found her like this,” he said, cradling her head.
Kassie picked up the phone.
“It’s Kassie. I’m in Catherine’s office. Send me a gurney and two aides down here and page Dr. Greene.”
“What’s wrong with her?” he demanded as he stroked the hair from her face.
“I don’t know yet. She’s pregnant, Leo. It can be anything from a dizzy spell to not eating. She’s suffering from morning sickness. Don’t move her until we have a gurney,” Kassie instructed.
Two aides appeared, rolling the gurney into the room.
“Hand me the sheet. Then we can transfer her,” Kassie ordered.
“I have her,” Leo said, gently picking his wife up and laying her on the gurney.
The aides rolled her out and headed to the ER.
Kassie ran ahead, giving orders on the phone while Leo held Kit Kat’s hand.
It felt cold and clammy to the touch. He reluctantly let go as they wheeled her into the bay, and nurses surrounded her, hooking her up to monitors, and Dr. Greene ordered blood tests.
Kit Kat’s head moved, and Leo fought his way to the front to his wife. Kassie set an IV and drew the blood, handing it to a nurse to rush it downstairs to the lab.
“Do you have any pain, Catherine?” Dr. Greene asked as she watched the monitors.
“No,” she responded groggily. “What happened?”
“I found you on the floor,” Leo informed her. “Kassie said you’re having terrible morning sickness. Why didn’t you call me?”
“Leo,” Kassie said, glancing at him and shaking her head. Sending him the message not to stress Catherine.
The staff left one by one, leaving Dr. Greene and Kassie.
“I’ll step out while you talk. Hopefully, the labs will come up shortly,” Kassie said as she set the IV.
“No, Kassie, stay,” Kit Kat pleaded.
“Pleease,” Leo said. “I’ll be telling you everything anyway, or she will.”
Kassie nodded, stepping aside to let Dr. Greene speak with the couple.
“Your blood pressure seems high. Have you experienced any extra stress lately?” Dr. Greene asked.
Leo’s head lowered in guilt. He’s the reason his wife felt anxious.
“Nothing more than morning sickness,” Kit Kat answered.
Bullshit. Leo peered at his wife. When did they become this unconnected?
“Have you experienced any bleeding or spotting?” the doctor asked.
“I spotted a little this morning, but I did last month before I realized I was pregnant,” she replied, her eyes growing wide with fear.
“A little spotting can be normal, but we’ll do an ultrasound for peace of mind,” Dr. Greene said, patting her hand.
“I’ll get it ordered, and we’ll see what the labs tell us and go from there.
Kassie, will you call me when the tests come back?
I’ll come back down as soon as they arrive,” she assured the couple.
“I’ll be back,” Kassie told her. “Avie called down and offered to take the kids home with her tonight.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Kit Kat said, holding her head. “I have a bit of a headache.”
“As soon as we know what’s going on, I’ll bring you something for it,” Kassie said before walking out, leaving them alone.
“Why didn’t you tell me you felt this bad?” he asked quietly.
“Because you’d come in like a tornado and insist on doing things your way. You’ll be leaving soon, and I don’t need any more chaos in the house,” she admitted.
“How did we get here, Kit Kat?” he breathed. “Never mind, I know. It’s my fault.”
“You didn’t cause me to pass out,” she said, chastising him. “Lately, you succeed in driving me nuts.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, desperately hoping she’d forgive him.
Her hand reached up to cup his cheek. “You seem tired.”
“Because I’m worried sick about you, the kids, and nothing I do seems to help,” he said, voicing his frustration. “I’m spinning up soon, and like my men, I don’t want to leave you.”
“We can take care of ourselves,” she sighed. “I’m used to it.”
“You act like I don’t help out at all. If you need me to do more, we need to find a way to communicate it,” Leo said. “I’m not a mind reader, Kit Kat.”
“I do remind you,” she said softly. “Even when I do, you don’t listen. It’s the reason why we’re here.”
Swiping his hand down his face, he bit his tongue. What could he say?
“I want to come home,” he said firmly. “I’ll sleep in the other room, get up with Derek, whatever it takes,” he vowed.
“I’d like that,” she whispered. “I don’t want you inside your head, worried about me, when you’re a million miles away.”
Kassie entered, rolling the ultrasound machine. Catherine lifted her shirt as the ultrasound tech reached for the gel. Her best friend watched as the tech roamed the probe over her stomach.
“Everything’s good. I’ll show these to Dr. Greene for a second opinion.”
Leo let out a relieved sigh as Kassie and Dr. Greene spoke outside the curtain, letting them know the labs came back.
Dr. Greene smiled. “Your hormone levels all returned normal. Your blood pressure concerns me, and your protein came back low. You’re dehydrated and anemic. I think you hit the perfect storm and passed out. How’s your eating?”
Kit Kat grimaced, making Leo growl under his breath.
“I’m suffering more nausea with this one,” she admitted. “I can’t seem to keep anything down. I’m eating small meals, and it’s a crapshoot.”
“We’ll get you hydrated and start an iron IV. Later this afternoon, you can go home. I want you on bed rest for the rest of the week. You have an appointment on Monday, and we’ll redo your tests then,” Dr. Greene informed them.
“I’ll make sure she takes it easy,” Leo said, gazing down at her.
“Avie will bring the kids to my house. Before you say anything, Melody, Emma, Grace, and Tori will keep themselves entertained. Nick volunteered to come over and help. Plus, Sarah loves playing with the babies.”
“Kassie, you have a circus of your own,” Leo protested.
“Three more monkeys won’t make a bit of difference.
Joe, Maddie, Ivan, and Victoria plan to come for dinner tonight.
I’ll call Carol, and I’m sure she’ll join us in handling her grandchildren.
Jake’s staying with Addyson’s dog,” Kassie told them.
“You heard Dr. Greene. Bed rest, fluids, and meals. I’m sure Leo can take care of you. ”
Leo’s gaze drifted to Kassie, knowing she went out of her way to give him and his wife time to talk. She and Kit Kat seemed thick as thieves. Undoubtedly, Kassie knew everything.
“What sounds good for dinner, Kit Kat? Shall we order from Ty’s? He can make some of his special soup for you,” he suggested. “Do you need any groceries? I can make a list and ask Saint to pick it up.”
“Can we do this later? I still have a headache.”
“It’s probably from the dehydration,” Kassie guessed. “I’ll bring you something for it.”
“What can I do for you?” Leo asked, longing to help his wife.
“Hold my hand,” she whispered. “I want to know you’re here.”
“I’m always here,” Leo said. “Even when I fuck up, I’ll never abandon you.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she teased. When Leo didn’t laugh, she said, “Too soon?”
“Yeah,” he said, taking her hand. “I’m sorry I let you down.”
“I didn’t mean it, Leo,” she chastised. “Everything’s fine. Let’s be grateful. We’ll get to the other stuff later.”
“Deal,” he said, kissing her forehead.
Leo held her hand until she drifted off to sleep. He texted his team.
Kit Kat fainted in her office. She’s on bed rest until Monday. I’ll be at home. I need a grocery run, a schedule for the kids, and someone to bring dinner from Ty’s.
A minute later, Taco replied.
Aunt Tess and Uncle Taco will take the kids to the museum on Saturday, and we can have a sleepover.
I’ll pick up dinner from Ty’s. Saint answered.
Send us the list. Ragu ordered.
We’ll take the kids tomorrow. Whiskey volunteered.
Claire and I will provide dinner. Patch texted.
Gabby and I will take Friday. Knight confirmed.
We've got you covered on Sunday. Cole responded for him and Stormy.
Ty will have the soup ready by the time Saint gets there. He’s making extra and packing up some food and snacks for you. Let us know if you need anything else. Sparky informed him.
I’ll bring something on Saturday. Liam typed.
Leo smiled. He built this team from scratch and felt proud of every one of them. They had his six, and Leo knew they’d never let him down.