12. Bailey
Bailey
Iclose the door and press my back to it. What the fuck just happened? I almost kissed my best friend. I almost let my best friend kiss me.
Why did I run? Isn’t this what I’ve always wanted? To relive that kiss from right before high school, but make it real this time? To see if that kiss was everything my fourteen year old self thought it was?
Aiden and I have never talked about that kiss. It’s like after that night, it just didn’t exist. I sometimes wonder if it was a dream, something my imagination conjured up while I was asleep.
I quickly brush my teeth and use the bathroom before crawling under my covers to sleep for the night. I only manage to get a few hours of choppy sleep, mostly tossing and turning, unable to get my brain to shut off. Working through all the ways I could possibly fix the mess I’ve just made.
When I give up on sleep and go into the kitchen for a much needed cup of coffee, I find Aiden gone. My coffee pod in our coffee maker, and a note saying he will see me after class, I know I’ve made a mistake. I have to fix this, I just don’t know how.
14 weeks pregnant
“Blue, I’m home.” Aiden calls from the entry to the apartment.
I just finished puking…again. They told me that the nausea and vomiting would likely stop when I entered the second trimester, so much for that.
I started my second trimester this week, but the vomiting doesn’t seem to want to stop.
I’m miserable, and I hate being pregnant.
Aiden has been avoiding me for the past week.
He’s been out with the guys or hanging out with his siblings more than he normally would.
He checks in, texts frequently, has food delivered to the door step at random intervals throughout the day, but he just isn’t here.
I’ve been missing him like crazy, and I just want us to go back to normal, back to the way we were before that almost kiss happened.
“In your bathroom.” I call from my spot leaning against the wall hugging my legs, laying my head on my knee.
Bear walks into the bathroom, his face full of pity, “Have you kept anything down today, sweetheart?”
“No, I can’t even keep down water.” Tears are threatening to spill. God, I hate being pregnant!
“You told me you were puking all day yesterday too. When was the last time you kept anything down?” He asks.
“A couple days ago. My blood pressure is all crazy too because I can’t take my medication.”
“I think we should call your doctor. Maybe they will have something more that can help or maybe you should go to the ER or urgent care?”
“Fuck, fine, I’m scared they’re going to send me to the ER. I hate hospitals.” My voice comes out horse, my throat raw from being so sick over the last couple of weeks.
“I know you do, Blue, but you and Little Bear both need to be healthy. Where’s your phone, sweetheart? Let’s just see what the doctor says. They may not even send you.” He takes hold of both my hands to pull me to my feet. I get hit with a wave of dizziness, and grab hold of the wall with one hand.
“It’s on the coffee table. I think I’m done for the moment, I can come in there. I’ll call the doctor.” When we get to the couch, I flop down, reach for my phone and lay down with my head in Bear’s lap. I pull up my doctor’s contact and put it on speaker when I hit the call button.
“Dr. Richard’s office, this is Margo, how can I help you?” I’m happy to hear it’s Margo, she’s my favorite nurse at the office.
“Hey Margo, this is Bailey Michaels.” I’m hit by a wave of nausea and close my eyes to try and clear it.
“Hey Bailey, how are you doing?” She is always so cheery, but I can hear a bit of concern in her tone.
“I’m not feeling super great, honestly. This nausea and vomiting seems to be getting worse instead of better.
I haven’t kept anything, including water or my meds, down in over 48 hours, and I was wondering if there was anything else I could take that would help me or what Dr. Richards would recommend. ”
“Oh sweet girl, I’m so sorry. Dr. Richards just came out of an exam room, give me two minutes and I’ll ask her, but my guess is she is going to want to send you to the ER.
If you haven’t taken in fluids for 48 hours, you’re really dehydrated and you and baby need all the fluids you can get.
Let me put you on hold for a couple minutes. ”
“Thanks Margo.” The other line goes silent and I look up at Aiden. “I hate the hospital.”
He runs his fingers through my hair as he says, “I know Blue, but if it will help you and Little Bear, we have to do it.”
“I know.” I close my eyes and try to relax into the feel of Aiden playing with my hair.
“Bailey?” Margo’s voice comes through my phone breaking the trance Aiden has me under.
“Yea?” I sound pitiful, even to my own ears.
“Dr. Richards wants you to head into the hospital. She wants you to go to the ER at Aspen Memorial Hospital. You for sure need fluids, and we need to find a medication that works for you. You’ll be in the regular Emergency Room, but let them know you’re pregnant.
Doc is on call tonight, so she says she will pop down and talk to your doctor there and see you when she is making her rounds. ”
“Okay, thanks Margo. Aiden and I will head there now.”
“Okay sounds good. I’m so sorry you’re feeling so crappy, I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thanks Margo.”
“No problem.”
We hang up the phone, and Aiden tells me to stay put while he goes and packs a small bag of things for me just in case I stay for longer than a few hours for fluids and checking the baby. When he gets back, he helps me off the couch and we head to his Jeep.
“Will you text the family chat and let them know what’s happening? Maybe ask Maggy to let the others know that they can have game night at their apartment tonight since we probably won’t be home?” He says as he starts his car.
“Yea, that’s a good idea.”
Me: Hey guys, I’m headed into the ER right now with Aiden.
I haven’t kept in anything down in over 48 hours, and the doctor wants me to get fluids and check Little Bear.
Maggy, can you let everyone know the change in game night location?
I don’t think Aiden and I will be home in time, and even if we are I probably won’t be up to having a bunch of people over…
Momma: Oh goodness my sweet girl, please keep us posted on what they’re saying. I’m so sorry you’re having such a rough time.
Pop: Bailey Girl, what do you need? Do you need us to come up there?
Me: No, Pop, I’m okay. Aiden will stay with me the whole time, and if I can’t text, you know he will.
Maggy: I’ll let everyone know to meet at our apartment instead. Don’t worry about it Bee. I got you.
Maddy: Damn Bee, Little Bear is giving you the roughest time. I’ve changed my mind, that baby is a girl. She’s already a pain in the ass, just like her momma and aunties. ?? Let us know if you guys need anything.
Momma: Maddox Ryan Baker, don’t make me come up there…
Maddy: Sorry Momma…??
Momma: Don’t apologize to me, apologize to your sisters. That wasn’t very nice.
Maddy: Sorry sisters. You know I love you guys. I was just kidding.
Maggy: Don’t worry Momma. I smacked him upside his head for that comment.
Charly: Well deserved.
Me: Thanks you guys, we will keep you posted.
Me: Maddy, I will add another hit when I see you next. Don’t worry. Don’t be mean to your future nibling.
Maddy: I LOVE YOU BEE! DON’T BE MAD AT ME!
Charly: He’s such a suck up. Maddy. You get no cookies for the next two months.
Maddy: Charly! Don’t do that to me!!
Bear: Serves you right bro. Shouldn’t be mean to the girls…I thought you learned that a long time ago.
I pop my phone into my pocket as we pull up to the hospital, still feeling the vibration, knowing the chat will continue like that for a while.
Maddox put his foot in his mouth again. Aiden lets me out at the entrance and I wait for him to park his car and come back before I enter the Emergency Room.
“Hey there, how can I help you?” The woman at the welcome desk is wearing light blue scrubs and gives me a warm smile.
“Hey, Dr. Richards, at Alpine OBGYN, sent me here. I’m 14 weeks pregnant, and I haven’t kept anything, water included, down in over 48 hours.”
“Oh goodness. Yea let’s get you in a room, and start on some fluids.
Can you fill this out for me and have a seat over there?
Someone will be right out to get you,” She hands me a clipboard and gestures to a small group of chairs.
Aiden and I take a seat and I fill out the paperwork.
It’s just general questions like name, date of birth and insurance information, those sorts of things.
A few minutes after I finish filling out the paperwork a cute brunette, who introduces herself as Georgie, calls me back. Aiden and I stand up, and Georgie very obviously checks Aiden out. He doesn’t seem to notice, but I do. It’s annoying.
We step into a room that feels bigger than any other ER room I’ve ever been in.
“Alright Bailey, if you could change into this super cute hospital gown and give me a urine sample. I will come back in a few minutes to draw labs and start your I.V. I hear we haven’t kept anything down in a couple days, so we will get you started on fluids, then go from there.”
“Sounds good. Thanks Georgie.” She steps out of the room, and I grab the hospital gown and the urine sample cup and head to the bathroom. I change and do my business in the bathroom, and head back into the room. Aiden is sitting in a chair close to the bed scrolling his phone.
“That is the cutest thing you’ve ever worn.” Aiden says with a wink.
“Shut up Bear. It’s not even close to cute.” I roll my eyes.
There’s a soft knock on the door and it cracks open at the same time Aiden says, “You’re beautiful no matter what you’re wearing.”
I give him a sweet smile as Georgie walks into the room.
“Alright, let’s get going here, do you have an arm you prefer for the I.V.? One that works better for blood draws?” Georgie asks.