Chapter 27 #2
Finally, the director at one of the local community centers and food banks emphasized how much further their budget was able to stretch and how many more members of the community they had been able to serve since the implementation of the free meal program.
She followed this up with data projections on the impact that ending universal free school lunch would have on their center, including internal programs they would have to end to support the influx of food bank clients they would receive.
When they were finished, Adelaide gave me a barely perceptible nod.
That was my cue. I stood, the attention in the room pivoting my way.
“Thank you all for giving us your time and sharing your stories with us today,” I began.
“Esteemed Council members,” I continued, taking a moment to look at each of them in turn, “my staff and I have reviewed all the numbers that Ms. Levy provided, as well as the testimonies of the community members present today. The crown approves the continuation of the free meal program and is willing to donate additional funds for program expansion.” I sat back down, inhaling deeply.
Head Councilwoman Banks nodded. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Your approval will be taken into account. Ms. Levy, do you have any final remarks you would like to share?”
Adelaide rose, wobbling slightly as she did. My eyes narrowed. Perhaps she had simply stood too quickly. I had seen her eat breakfast that morning, though it was not as much as she usually had.
She returned to the podium, her fingers clenching the sides. She cleared her throat before speaking.
“Thank you to King Oliver and the royal family for supporting this cause that is not just near and dear to my heart but critical to our local communities.”
A bead of sweat ran down her temple. What is going on? The room was comfortably warm, but not so hot as to make her sweat like she was.
Adelaide continued, her voice shaking. “And thank you, Council members, for hearing us today. We ask that you consider—”
Time froze, the next several moments passing in slow motion. One second, Adelaide was speaking and the next, she had collapsed onto the ground beside the podium.
“Adelaide!” Birdie screamed, leaping from her seat.
Knox’s voice boomed, “Call emergency services. Now!”
Somewhere in the distance, I heard the head councilwoman call, “Everyone, please remain in your seats! Is there a physician here?”
Without knowing how I had gotten from my seat to Adelaide, I found myself lifting her body into my arms.
“Your Majesty, please lay her on the ground so that I can assess her,” a woman I didn’t recognize said from beside me. Faxon placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, letting me know that whoever this woman was, she was safe.
“I’m Dr. Haas,” the woman continued, lowering herself to her knees beside me. “I’m a pediatrician; my husband is on the Council. May I check her vitals?” Her voice was calm and soothing.
I nodded my assent, trying to speak. I felt as though I was floating outside of my body, watching the scene from above.
My voice cracked as I was finally able to form words. “She’s burning up. Why is she so hot?” I breathed heavily, as though I had just run a marathon. Somewhere in the haze, I was vaguely aware of security working to clear the room.
Dr. Haas checked Adelaide’s pulse. “Your Majesty, does Ms. Levy have any medical conditions?”
I shook my head no before remembering otherwise. “Wait, yes. She has polycystic ovarian syndrome.”
“Has she been complaining of any physical symptoms lately? Cramping, nausea, feeling warm?”
“No.” Adelaide had been, per usual, unflappable. “She didn’t eat much breakfast this morning, but she said it was just nerves.”
Knox approached, squatting down to meet my eyes. “Hey, Ollie. We need to lay her down so the doctor can look at her. Can I help you do that?”
I nodded once more, even though every instinct in my body said to keep her in my arms. If I was holding her, surely I’d be able to keep her safe.
Once Adelaide was on the floor, the doctor went to work. Within moments, Birdie’s voice cut through the fog. “The ambulance is outside. They’re bringing a stretcher in now.”
Minutes or maybe hours later, the paramedics had lifted Adelaide onto the stretcher, and I was vaguely aware of Knox gripping my arms to hold me back.
“I’m not leaving her!”
“No one is asking you to, brother,” he soothed. “They just need some space to get her safe and ready to go. They’re about done and then we’ll follow them in the car.”
One of the medics straightened and announced to her colleagues, “Okay, she’s secure. Let’s move.”
“I’m coming with you,” I said as I grabbed Adelaide’s hand.
“You’re going to need to walk fast and, respectfully, Your Majesty, stay out of our way while we work in the ambulance.”
I jerked my head in agreement.
Camera flashes popped as we left the building and I knew we would have a time with the headlines later, but at that moment I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting my fiancée to the hospital and figuring out what was wrong.
I climbed into the back of the ambulance, realizing that the medic crew was making adjustments to make room for Faxon as well. I tried to feel bad for the imposition but didn’t have room for any emotion other than the fear clawing at my chest.
As we sped through the streets of Altborn, all I could think was that I had just gotten Adelaide back into my life and I hadn’t had enough time with her. I couldn’t let anything take her from me now, not when we were so close to our happily ever after.