Chapter 21 #2
She took the glass with both hands, steady but tired. When the nurse called her name, she stood slower this time. I stood with her automatically, and the nurse noticed.
“She your support person?” she asked, glancing between us.
Amanda nodded. “She’s staying with me.”
“Should I call your brother to update him?” My throat ached from the worry and guilt. Nate would want to know this.
“No, there is nothing to report yet. He’ll just worry and he doesn’t need more stress. Once we know something, then sure.”
The nurse waved us both back, past the curtained rooms and into one small triage bay. Amanda was helped onto the exam table, and I sat on the single chair next to her, legs bouncing slightly from the adrenaline still coursing through me.
I wished Nate was with me. He was so steady. Calm.
The nurse, a woman maybe in her fifties with a calm, practiced voice, pulled a rolling monitor toward the bed and gently placed the strap monitor over Amanda’s stomach. “We’ll check fetal movement and heartbeat, then do a quick blood pressure and urine test, okay?”
Amanda nodded. “My back’s still sore. And there’s pressure low in my pelvis.”
“That’s helpful. We’ll monitor contractions too, just to rule anything out.”
While the monitor warmed up, the nurse asked a few more questions.
“When was the last time you felt the baby move?”
“This morning … maybe around six. Nothing since then, but that’s not totally unusual. They’re most active at night.”
“Any change in discharge? Cramping intensity?”
“No change in discharge. Cramping has been on and off—mild, but not gone.”
The nurse finished setting the monitor and smiled at Amanda. “We’ll watch this for about twenty minutes. If baby’s active and things settle, you’re probably fine. If not, we’ll page your OB on call.”
She left the room and I exhaled slowly, not realizing I’d been holding my breath. Amanda shifted slightly and gave me a look. “You’re tense.”
“You’re in a hospital bed and your brother’s on another coast. I’m entitled to be a little tense.”
Amanda rolled her eyes. “Just think, this is all prepping you for when you and Nate have cute little babies.”
I choked on my spit, my face flaming. “Uh, we’re … that’s…”
“I’m totally fucking with you. Too easy. You’re too easy, Cass, and I love it.” Amanda cackled and patted her round belly. “It’s been so nice seeing Nate happy dating again. He’s been so grumpy since he practically raised me.”
“Raised you?”
“I mean, I lived with my parents, but they weren’t the nicest. Sure, I was glad I had a home but there was no warmth. The day I turned 18, they let me live with Nate so they could travel the world. I ruined their life plans coming along.”
“Nate is very protective of you.” I smiled, my heart clenching at keep this secret from her. We had to tell her it was for show. “Look—”
“He gave up so much to help me. What 21 year old would help care for a child instead of partying? He’d come home on weekends in college to care for me. He has a huge heart despite the grumpy attitude. Has he told you about his ex?”
“Uh, I don’t know.”
God, I wanted to know.
“She sold their story online. Sent in photos when he was at his prime winning awards. He hasn’t let anyone in since then. He might try to push you away, but don’t let him. Please. Also, if he hadn’t told you that, pretend you didn’t know.”
“Deal.” I smiled, despite the storm in my chest. “I won’t say a word. I mean, you can spill some more secrets if you want.”
She smiled. “Oh, the things I could tell you.”
“I can’t wait, but I need to call your brother, okay? He’ll want to know you’re here. If he takes care of you as you say, then he’d be really upset to know we kept this from him.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. He’ll overreact but yeah, you’re right.”
I didn’t use this an excuse to call him, but nerves danced up my arms as I stepped out to call him. He answered on the second ring.
“Cassidy?” His voice was rough, urgent. “God, I hoped you’d call.”
I froze, the sound of my name making my chest tighten. He sounded breathless, like I’d caught him mid-thought, mid-longing, mid-everything. I loved hearing that in his voice, but it wasn’t the time.
“I—” I swallowed. “I’m not calling for that.”
His pause was sharp and immediate, like he’d just realized he’d shown too much.
“Oh,” he said, quieter now. “Then is everything okay?”
“It’s Amanda,” I said quickly. “She’s okay, but we’re at Desert Vista hospital. Her OB sent her to triage.”
“What?” His voice snapped back to full force. “Why? What happened? Is she—are they okay?”
“She had cramping this morning. Some pressure. She hadn’t felt the baby move as much today. They’re monitoring her now. Heartbeat’s strong, vitals are good.”
“Jesus Christ,” he muttered. Then again, softer: “Shit.”
“She didn’t want to call you. Said she didn’t want to worry you.”
“She’s being so stubborn and I don’t get it,” he said, voice growing tighter. “And I’m an idiot for not calling sooner. I should’ve checked on her. Fuck, I should be there.”
“You had no way of knowing, so don’t be equally stubborn.
” I cleared my throat, wishing I could reach through the phone and hug him.
He clearly cared for her and I could feel his stress.
“She’s resting,” I said, my voice gentler.
“They’re running a few tests, just to be cautious and I’ll stay with her, Nate. I won’t leave her.”
There was a beat of silence.
“Thank you,” he said finally, voice quieter than I’d ever heard it. “Thank you for being with her. Thank you for calling.”
“I didn’t know if I should,” I admitted.
“No—fuck, no. Always call. You’re the only one I’d want calling me.”
The words made something deep in my chest twist. He wasn’t trying to say more, not right now, but it hung there in the space between us.
“I’ll update you when we know more and when she can go home.”
“Please do.” He swallowed hard, and when he spoke this time, his voice was raspier. “Cassidy, thank you. I owe you for this.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” My eyes prickled again. “I’ll take care of her for you. Trust me.”
“That’s the thing. I do.” He paused, the silence growing with all the unsaid we weren’t ready for. “If it gets worse, let me know and I’ll fly back.”
“It won’t come to that, but I will. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Okay, and Cass?”
“Yeah?” I asked, breathing hitched and my heart in my throat.
“Seven more days.”