Into The Storm

by Melanie Moreland

  “Did Daniel ask you to ‘bump’ into me?” I asked, feeling both slightly annoyed yet grateful.

  Dave nodded. “Joshua, I would never have thought I would see you standing here in the hospital of your own volition. It’s an amazing breakthrough for you.”

  “It’s not that easy, Dave.”

  He regarded me. “No, I don’t imagine it is. But perhaps a great stepping stone to continuing?”

  Suddenly, it was all clear. I turned to Trina. “It would seem a meeting has been orchestrated here.”

  She smiled, her dark eyes flashing with both humour and understanding. “I’m aware. When I heard your story, I really wanted to meet you. I asked Dave to ‘arrange’ an introduction.” She stepped forward. “I knew Maggie O’Donnell well. She was a great doctor and a mentor to me.”

  I regarded her quietly for a minute and made a decision. It was time to try again. “Maybe we should sit down and talk later, get to know one another a little.”

  Her smile was brilliant. Her card appeared in my hand with her private contact information, and after a few more pleasantries, she and Dave walked away.

  I sat down heavily. Today was turning into a long roller coaster ride of emotion and I was starting to feel overwhelmed.

  Beside me, Adam spoke up. “Big day, Joshua.”

  I nodded silently.

  “It’s good to have friends that care enough about us that they are willing to risk our anger to help, isn’t it?” he stated mildly.

  I looked over at him. I had done the same with Rabbit; bringing him in, hoping against hope she would let him help her. And, she had.

  I smiled. “Yeah, Adam. It’s a very good thing.”

  Adam looked down at his phone at an incoming text message and then exploded in sudden anger.

  “Motherfucker! I thought he was smarter than this. Goddamnit! What the fuck is he thinking?” His voice was low and furious as he stood up.

  I looked at him in concern. “What happened?”

  “Brian fucking James. That’s what just happened.”

  I stood up, immediately anxious. “What?”

  “Papers just arrived at the office. Divorce papers.”

  “Wow, that was fast.”

  “Charging Lizzy with adultery.”

  My anger was as instant as his. “Fucker,” I swore. “What is he up to?”

  “I have no idea. But, I’m going to find out. I need to go somewhere private. Excuse me.”

  I watched him walk down the hall and speak to a nurse who pointed to a door further down the hall. Adam disappeared through it, shutting the door loudly.

  I sat down, my mind racing. What was he up to? Charging Lizzy with adultery? Still playing games? I shook my head. Why? To try and make himself look good?

  I was distracted from my thoughts as the nurse who took Rabbit’s blood earlier appeared and went into Daniel’s office. A few minutes later, she came out and hurried away, reappearing shortly with some sort of machine. Not long after, I watched Dr. Woods enter the office. I stood up, growing concerned. Had there been problems with removing the chip? Was Rabbit okay? My anxiety grew to another level as I saw yet another doctor enter the office. I could feel my panic growing. Rabbit had been in there for almost an hour. Daniel had said it could be done very quickly. What was taking so long? Something had to be wrong.

  I began pacing then walked over to the door, trying the handle. It was locked. I could see the swipe card box beside the door, which was how the staff was entering the room, but I had no access. I knocked, but no one came to the door. I walked down the hall, planning on asking someone to call Daniel, but the desk was now empty. Across the hall, I could hear Adam’s muted voice still talking in short angry sentences. I paced a while longer, keeping my eye on Daniel’s door, occasionally pulling on my hair in frustration. I had just about reached my limit and, as I stood unsure what to do next, I heard footsteps and saw Dr. Woods and the other doctor walking down the hall. I hurried towards them. “What’s wrong? Is Rab … Lizzy okay?”

  Dr. Woods put a comforting hand on my arm. “She’s fine, Joshua. Dr. Tate just had a few things to discuss with me and my colleague. He’ll be out to collect you in a minute.” Her fingers found my pulse and she frowned. “I think maybe you need to sit down, Joshua. Your pulse is racing.”

  “Is it out? Is the chip out?” I asked, shrugging off her concern.

  “Ah, almost.”

  I looked at her, stunned. “What’s going on?”

  She took me by the arm and led me back to the waiting area which was still deserted, thankfully.

  “Everything is fine, Joshua. Daniel will be out in a minute. Calm down. Lizzy is fine. I assure you.”

  I searched her eyes, desperately looking for a sign she was lying to me, but her gaze reflected nothing but calm assurance. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding in and my head sank into my hands in relief. For one awful moment I thought something had happened and I had lost Rabbit.

  “You care very deeply for her, don’t you?”

  I lifted my head and nodded. “More than I can express.”

  She smiled. “That is a precious gift. Always treasure it. Ah, here is Daniel.” She stood up. “Take care of her, Joshua.” She went over, speaking quietly to him and then continued down the hallway. I watched Daniel approach. His face was calm but serious. Every instinct was telling me something was wrong, despite what Dr. Woods had said. Why hadn’t the chip been removed yet?

  “Come into my office, Joshua.”

  Wordlessly, I followed him, my heart in my throat. I sat down at his desk, noticing Rabbit wasn’t in the room. “Daniel?”

  “She’s fine, Joshua. She is still in the examination room. You can go see her in a minute.”

  “Why isn’t the chip out?”

  “It is now.” He leaned over and held up a small vial. “I assume her lawyer will want this.”

  I took the vial and placed it in my pocket. “Why the delay then?”

  He leaned back. “There was a … surprise with one of the test results. I had to do some follow-up tests to check on it.”

  “What sort of surprise?”

  He shook his head. “That is private and up to Lizzy to share.” His hand indicated the door. “Go and see her. I’ll be right here.” He smiled at me widely. “I’m sure you’ll have … questions.”

  I looked at him, confused. I needed to see for myself that Rabbit was okay.

  I pushed the door open and went in. Rabbit was seated on the table, wearing a gown, her hair in a messy bun on the top of her head. I could see she had been crying and I went over, immediately wrapping her in my arms. She was trembling slightly. I could see the small bandage on the back of her neck, a bruise already forming on the area. I gritted my teeth together in anger. The fucker had caused yet another mark on her. I pulled away and kissed her. “Are you in pain?” I asked gently.

  She shook her head, but the tears in her eyes were fresh. “What is it, Rabbit?”

  I looked down and saw she was clutching something in her hands. Reaching down, I tugged on the small piece of paper, but she refused to relinquish it. I couldn’t tell what it was but I knew it had something to do with why she was upset. I looked in her eyes and was confused at her expression. She wasn’t upset as much as almost hopeful and yet nervous looking. “Rabbit?”

  Her voice was shaking. “Joshua … I’m pregnant.”

  My entire body locked down. The room faded away as I struggled to remain calm.

  Rabbit was pregnant.

  Visions and thoughts flew through my head.

  So thin. She had been so thin when I found her. She couldn’t have been pregnant then. Could she?

  That meant she was very newly pregnant.

  My eyes shut as I realized what it meant.

  Brian James had forced himself on her while she was there.

  When I had sent her back to him. He had done this to her. Because of me.

  I felt the bile rise in my throat and
felt my hands clench at my sides. My breath was coming out in small angry gasps. I felt Rabbit’s free hand cup my face and her voice pleading with me. “Joshua, please.”

  Instantly, I was ashamed. She needed me. I needed to be strong for her.

  I opened my eyes and looked into her now frightened gaze. Everything else faded away except for one thing. Rabbit needed me. I loved her. I made a decision.

  “Do you want to keep this baby?” I asked quietly.

  She looked shocked. “Of course I do, Joshua! You don’t understand! I need to tell you …” her voice trailed off as I placed my fingers on her lips silencing her.

  “Then I will love this child like it’s my own,” I vowed.

  Her eyes widened and more tears fell down her cheeks. She pushed my hand away.

  “Joshua, it is yours.” As she spoke she shoved the paper in my hand.

  I looked down, confused. I had no idea what I was looking at. I looked up at her, hating to dash the hope I saw in her eyes, knowing she didn’t want to tell me what had transpired. I shook my head. “I can’t have children, Rabbit.”

  She shook her head right back at me. “Then it’s the second coming, Joshua. I know what you’re thinking. But Brian didn’t touch me while I was there. I swear he didn’t. He hasn’t touched me since the first couple weeks of our marriage. The only person I have been with is you.”

  I stared at her, unable to process what she was saying. He didn’t touch her?

  Her hands came up, cradling my face. “I love you so much knowing you would stand by me and love someone else’s baby, Joshua. But the baby is yours.”

  “How?”

  My thoughts were chaotic and I lifted my hands to her arms, grasping them. I didn’t understand. The baby was mine? How? Was it possible?

  God, I wanted it to be possible.

  Rabbit’s hands stayed on my cheeks, her thumbs constantly stroking in small circles of comfort. She smiled, keeping her tear-filled eyes on mine.

  “Rabbit, I can't ... they told me I can't ...”

  Her eyes were shining and her smile widened as another single tear slipped over her cheek.

  “Yes, Joshua, you can.”

  She took my hand and I watched as she placed it over her belly, holding it there. “You did, Joshua.”

  I felt like all the breath had been knocked from my body, like I'd been hit with a wrecking ball. I couldn't form words or thoughts; all I could do was stare at my shaking fingers as they spread wide over her tiny form, rumpling the thin cotton of the hospital gown.

  “How?”

  I lifted my bewildered eyes to her again. Keeping my gaze, she called out calmly for Daniel. A moment later, I felt his comforting hand on my shoulder.

  “Sit down before you fall down, Joshua. We’ve had enough surprises today.”

  Reluctantly, I moved my hand from Rabbit’s belly and lowered myself shakily onto the examination table beside her. I looked at Daniel.

  “I don’t understand. They said there was too much damage after the attack. That I would probably never father a child,” I recited what I had been told like it was gospel.

  Daniel smiled. “The key word there is probably, Joshua. It was never conclusive. And, you never pursued it did you? Did you have any other tests done?”

  I shook my head. I had been too overwhelmed with everything else that was happening at the time to pursue anything.

  “When we got the blood test results, I had the OB-GYN come and do the transvaginal ultrasound immediately. Lizzy is roughly five weeks pregnant. Doing the math, I would say she was with you at that time.”

  I stared at him, trying to comprehend what he was saying.

  Rabbit was pregnant.

  With my child.

  Our child.

  I was going to be a father.

  I looked at her, staring back at me with nothing but love and joy in her eyes, waiting for me to come to terms with the information I had just been given. I stared down at the photo in my hand. The little blurry blip on the paper was my child. I felt my eyes fill with tears, and ignoring the fact that Daniel was still there, pulled Rabbit into my arms, weeping with joy.

  Laughing and crying, I looked up after a minute as he stood, grinning widely at us.

  “Is everything okay? Are they all right?”

  Daniel smiled. “All looks well, Joshua. I want Lizzy resting and eating more. Her body has been through a lot of emotional and physical trauma so we want to give her a chance to recuperate and get stronger. The OB-GYN as given her a prescription for some vitamins. They’ll do another ultrasound in a few weeks and give you some more definite dates.” He clapped me on the back. “This most definitely explains the exhaustion. You need to take care of her, Joshua.”

  I nodded, burying my head in Rabbit’s neck.

  “I’ll take such good care of both of you, Rabbit,” I promised fervently.

  “I know you will. You already do,” she responded.

  I tightened my arms. I had so many questions. I looked up at Daniel again. He smiled in understanding.

  “I’ll come see you both in a couple of days, and answer all your questions. Take her home. Celebrate this miracle.”

  I nodded and held out my hand. Daniel shook it firmly. “Congratulations, both of you.”

  He left, closing the door behind him. We sat quietly for a moment.

  “I would have told you,” she whispered.

  I pulled away and looked down at her.

  “Rabbit?”

  “If he had done that. I would have told you.”

  I stroked her cheek. “I thought you were trying to protect me.”

  Her voice was soft. “You would have still loved it?”

  I nodded. “The baby would still have been part of you, Rabbit. How could I not?”

  She smiled tenderly, turning to kiss my palm.

  “The baby is a part of us, Joshua.”

  I smiled widely, still overwhelmed with the news and nodded. “Us.”

  I stood up. “Let’s go home. You need to rest and I need to cook you some more steak.”

  Rabbit smiled and then her face turned serious. “I think we have things we need to talk about.”

  I nodded. “We do. But not today. Today is all about you, me, and this little miracle blip I’m already in love with.”

  Rabbit sighed and smiled, her eyes shining. “Then take us home, Joshua.”

  I smiled widely.

  I needed to take my family home.

  My family.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Joshua

  I fumbled around, my hands shaking, trying to help Rabbit get dressed. Smiling, she pushed my incompetent fingers away. “I can get dressed on my own, Joshua. Go sit in Daniel’s office.”

  I leaned forward, grasping her face in my hands and kissing her softly. I had no words at the moment. Her sweet smile was full of understanding as her hand reached up and stroked mine that was resting on her cheek.

  “Go,” she instructed quietly.

  I placed one last lingering kiss on her forehead and I left her to get dressed. I sat down, legs shaking, in a chair in front of Daniel and he looked up at me smiling. “Okay there, Joshua?” he asked, but didn’t seem overly concerned.

  “Are you sure she’s all right, Daniel? That the baby is okay? She’s been through so much,” I asked quietly, my fear evident in my voice.

  Daniel leaned back. “She’s a strong woman, Joshua. Everything looks fine. And now that we know she is pregnant, you can take extra precautions for a while; make sure she gets lots of rest, eats well and takes her vitamins. She needs to try and avoid as much stress as possible. She has certainly had enough of that.”

  I nodded. “What about … what about the drugs he had her on?”

  Daniel shook his head. “Not a trace of them showed in her blood work. Your girl is smart and it would appear she took very few of them. They never got a chance to build-up in her system. The bastard was trying to keep her head fuzzy. He is quite the pie
ce of work.”

  I growled in anger. “Fucker.”

  Daniel leaned forward. “Help her avoid stress, and make sure she gets lots of rest, Joshua. That’s the best advice I can give you right now. Give her and the baby a chance to catch up. Gain some weight. Catch up on sleep. Let her body recover. I suggest some fruit smoothies with protein powder.” He smiled. “And, some rich ice cream added in. Easy for her to digest and full of calories.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Limit the alcohol. An occasional glass of wine is okay. And no hot tub. The heat isn’t good for the baby.”

  I looked at him, panicked. “We’ve been in the hot tub a lot.”

  He laughed. “And she is fine, Joshua. Going forward, either stay out or lower the temperature to bath water.”

  I sighed in relief. That I could do. I shifted in my seat. “What about … um ... what about physical restrictions?”

  He looked at me. “Physical restrictions?”

  I heard a small snort behind me as Rabbit came through the door.

  “Physical restrictions? Seriously, Joshua. Are you asking me if it’s okay to still have sex?” Daniel asked, trying to keep a professional face.

  I nodded, squirming slightly in my chair.

  Was that allowed when someone was pregnant?

  I had no idea.

  Internally, I grinned. I had never gotten anyone pregnant before.

  Daniel chuckled subtly. “Yes. That isn’t an issue. I don’t suggest over-strenuous positions … no acrobatics. But sex is perfectly safe.” He arched an eyebrow at me. “I think it’s safe to assume you can simply continue as you have been.” He grinned and winked.

  Behind me, Rabbit giggled quietly at my discomfort and squeezed my shoulder. My hand drifted up to hold hers, squeezing it gently in return.

  I smiled at Daniel in relief. “Good to know.”

  Adam was waiting for us and we quietly shared our happy news with him. He was pleased for us and understood our need to keep it private for the time being. He informed us that he needed to get back to Toronto immediately, so once we got back to the house, he would get his things and depart. I looked at him, silently beseeching him to keep the latest news of Brian quiet for the time being and his silent nod told me he understood. Wordlessly, I handed him the vial from Daniel, knowing he would take care of what had to be done. Until we knew for sure what was happening, I didn’t want Rabbit stressing.