Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lucas
The feeling I felt when I walked in and saw that man holding Jenna’s hand was something I’d never felt before.
It was a type of rage different from what I usually experienced.
My first instinct was to rip him away from her and knock him to the ground.
Good thing I didn’t. I was grateful to him for helping Jenna and staying with her, so she wasn’t alone. He was more of a man than I had been.
Seeing Jenna lying in that bed with the cut on her head and hooked up to machines frightened me.
The fear of losing her finally hit me, rattling me to my core.
They took her up to the OB unit so they could monitor her and the baby.
The hospital called her OB/GYN, and she would come to check on Jenna later in the evening.
“Hi, Jenna.” A middle-aged woman with long brown hair walked into the room. “I’m Melissa, and I’ll be taking care of you for the rest of the afternoon and evening,” she said as she wrote her name on the whiteboard on the wall. “And you are?” She glanced at me.
“Lucas. I’m the baby’s father.”
“Nice to meet you, Lucas. I’m going to take your vitals, Jenna. When was the last time you ate?”
“I had breakfast this morning.”
“Well, that’s not gonna do. We need to get some food in your belly for you and the baby.
There’s a menu right over there. Find something that sounds good, pick up the phone, and place your order.
If you want my honest opinion, I’d have this handsome man here go get you something. The food here sucks.”
“I can do that,” I said.
“Vitals look good, and your blood pressure is almost normal.” Melissa smiled. “If you need anything, just push this button right here.”
As soon as Melissa walked out, I pulled my phone from my pocket.
“What do you feel like? I can have it here in a flash.”
“Thai sounds good.”
“Thai it is. There’s a Thai place right down the street. What do you want so I can call it in?”
“Pad Thai with chicken. Make sure it’s mild. Order a couple of spring rolls too.”
After I placed the order, I set my phone down and placed my hand on hers.
“They said about fifteen minutes.”
“Okay. If you don’t mind, I’m just going to close my eyes until the food gets here.”
“Not at all.” I kissed her forehead.
I sat in the chair and watched her as she closed her eyes while the steady sounds of our baby’s heartbeat galloped in the background.
She was almost seven months pregnant, and today was the first time I’d heard it.
The fact that this was the first time hit me like a ton of bricks. What kind of father was I?
My phone started to buzz, and when I picked it up, I saw it was my father calling. Stepping out into the hallway, I answered it.
“Hello, Dad.”
“Son. I just landed and made reservations for us at Daniel for seven o’clock.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tonight. Jenna is in the hospital, and I need to stay with her.”
“What happened?”
“She fainted on the street and cut her head. They’re keeping her overnight to monitor her and the baby.”
“She’s in good hands there. You don’t need to stay.”
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath.
“I do need to stay, and I am, whether you like it or not. Dinner will have to wait for another night. And I won’t be in the office tomorrow either.
I know you can’t understand because you don’t care about anyone besides yourself.
I love her, Dad, and she’s my number one priority right now.
Not you, not the company, just her and my child.
And if you can’t grasp that, I’m sorry. You were wrong all these years.
For once, I let myself feel, and I let myself think, and guess what?
Everything is falling into place, not going to hell. ”
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
“It seems a lot has changed since our last conversation. We’re going to have to discuss that, son.”
“Yes, and we will. I have to go.”
I ended the call just as I saw the delivery guy walking down the hall with our food.
“Is that order for Thorne?” I asked.
“Yep.”
“Thank you.” I pulled some cash from my wallet for a tip and handed it to him.
“Thank you, sir. Have a nice night.”
“Same to you.” I smiled at him.
I walked into the room and saw Jenna’s eyes were open.
“Just in time. The food just got here.”
“Did I hear you talking to someone out in the hallway?”
“Just my father. He already landed.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.” I leaned over and kissed her forehead.
Taking the food from the bag, I set it on her tray and pulled it closer to her while I sat in the chair. We both ate. When we were finished, I had her make me a list of what she needed me to bring her from her apartment.
“I’ll be back in a flash.” I smiled as I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Are you going to be okay while I’m gone?”
“I’ll be fine. In fact, I might sleep for a little bit.”
“Good idea. I’ll be back soon.”
When I arrived at the building, I took the elevator up to her apartment. Sliding the key in the door, I opened it and flipped on the lights. I gasped because nothing had prepared me for what I saw.