“I didn’t.” She looked at me with worry in her eyes, her face white. “Lucas made me wake up and come here.”
“Mercy”—Brett Young
“Excuse me?” The expression on his face was one of confused disbelief. Needing some distance to collect my unbelievable thoughts, I stepped out of his arms, turned my back to him, and stared out the large window at the back of the camper. My head began to pound as the mild headache I’d been battling since seeing my house amped up.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I swear he woke me up. I remember I didn’t want to—I was so tired. He was insistent that I get up and then told me I should go check on the waving man—Tom.” I sounded like a nutcase. There was no other reason for me to have woken up when I did, though.
“I don’t think you’re crazy. I’m just a little shaken. I thought I was the only one, and I thought they were just dreams.”
“You thought what were just dreams?” Spinning around to face him caused dizziness to wash over me. Steeling myself for his answer, I hugged my arms tight around my torso.
“When Lucas talks to me.” Closing his eyes, he spoke softly. When what he’d said sunk in, chills raced along my skin and my chest collapsed. There was no way.
“How often do you ‘see’ him?” Breathing became taxing and my hands trembled. The thought of Lucas still being in contact with him, and now me, was too bizarre to be true.
“Nearly every time I sleep.” He bit his bottom lip, and I blinked rapidly to clear the shimmering liquid from my eyes.
“Every time you… Jesus. What the hell does this mean? Do you think we’re really…. I mean, do you think it’s really him? Or do you think it’s in our heads? Seriously, I know it seems insane, but it was so damn real.” They had been twins, after all. A lot of people believed twins had a special connection. Whether that meant his dreams were his mind trying to process the loss or lessen the blow, I couldn’t say. Hell, maybe Lucas really was coming to see him.
“Honestly, I have no idea. Regardless of what the truth is, it saved you. Because of what you dreamed, saw, or hallucinated, you left your house.” Running his hands through his already mussed hair, he blew out a frustrated breath.
“God, Levi, I can’t even begin to process the possibility that Lucas visits us.” Giving my head a quick shake, I took a ragged breath. “I still can’t believe everything is gone. It’s like some awful dream. I mean, I was just there. And oh my God—someone died and was up in….” I swallowed with difficulty before whispering, “They were in a tree—and to think that could have been me.” No matter how hard I tried to hold it back, sobs broke free and my head spun as my chest caved. Strong, warm arms enveloped me as firm hands stroked my back in an attempt to soothe my distress.
“The guys and I are going to head over there to see what we’re dealing with. I’m so damn sorry you lost your home.”
Pain sliced through me at the thought of my house being obliterated. I mean, yeah, I was going to sell it, but there had been some things I’d planned to keep. And regardless, it had been my home.
“Okay. But please be careful. I couldn’t handle it if….” Moistening my suddenly parched lips, I attempted to hold another round of tears at bay. “I don’t want any of you to get hurt.”
“We’ll be careful. I promise. We’ve dealt with worse.” Tipping my head up with his calloused hands, he brushed his lips over mine in a featherlight caress. Pulling his lower lip in with my teeth, I opened my mouth to his searching tongue.
Slowly, we explored and relearned each other. My heart thumped wildly, jumping around in my chest. It was beyond me how a mere kiss from him had my body beginning to unravel. Yearning rushed through me, culminating between my legs. A whimper escaped me as tingles skittered along my skin.
“Ahem. Um, I hate to interrupt, but the rain stopped and it looks like the sun is coming out. You about ready?” We’d been so wrapped up in each other, neither of us had heard the door open. Peeking over Levi’s shoulder, I saw Logan watching us with a smile he was trying to keep hidden. My cheeks flashed with heat and I knew I must be bright red.
“Yeah. I’m ready.” With a final press of his lips to mine, Levi turned to leave. Watching as he pulled his boots on and a shock of his hair fell over into his eyes, my chest fluttered with love. If the look on his face as he stepped out of the door was any indicator, I definitely wasn’t alone in my emotion.
Trying to ignore my splitting headache, I curled up on the couch and tucked a small pillow under my head.
The guys and Tom had been going out into my neighborhood to help with the cleanup for the last week. A bunch of their friends from some motorcycle club in Iowa had joined them the day after they arrived.
It was humbling to know all these men had driven halfway across the country to help people they didn’t even know.
Tom’s property looked like a campground with all the tents pitched around it. Hotels were full all over, so Tom had told them to go to Walmart and buy some tents.
Mom wanted us to stay in John’s condo since they were staying at his house to supervise repairs and cleanup there. I wanted to be close to my neighborhood so I could see Levi throughout the day when he came back to Tom’s for breaks. All the guys were working in my neighborhood and the surrounding ones to help where they were needed. It made more sense for them to stay here in the tents than in the condo and have to drive so far each day.
They had gotten the electricity turned back on today, and Tom’s camper was hooked up to a septic system and water, so everyone used his bathroom and showered with the outdoor shower on the back of the camper. Well, the guys frickin’ peed in the bushes along the back of the property. Rolling my eyes at the thought, I popped a couple more Tylenol for the headache I couldn’t seem to shake.
“Head still hurting?” Aiden was toweling his head dry as he came in and grabbed a cold water from the fridge. Waving my hand in dismissal of his concern, I lay back on the couch to put my feet up, curling my lip in disgust at how fat my feet and legs were. I tossed a throw over them.
“May I?” He’d snuck up to where I lay and was holding the edge of the small blanket. How the hell does that big ox move so quiet? Shrugging, I scooted back and sat up to see what he was looking at.
Quietly, he pressed on my feet and legs with a thumb. Like a blob of Play-Doh, the dents from his thumb stayed in the fat. “Ugh. That’s so gross.”
“That’s called pitting edema. When did this start?” His rough hands felt my feet, my ankles and behind my knees.
“I’m not really sure. Maybe right after the hurricane?” Trying to think back, I remembered noticing I was a little puffy the day Levi flew back to Seattle and I couldn’t fit into my shoes. “Maybe before.” My brow scrunched in contemplation.
“Have you talked to your doctor lately?” Satisfied with whatever he’d done, he covered my legs again and studied my face. Then he pulled a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff out and took my blood pressure.
“Actually they called me to let me know they had to reschedule my appointment because their power was still out or something. I’m supposed to go back in a couple of weeks since I’m still so early and everything has been fine up to this point.” Eyes narrowed, he nodded. Then his expression changed, a smile spread across his bearded face, and he patted my feet and went outside.
Not more than ten minutes later, Levi came in with a frown marring his handsome face, followed by Aiden.
“Babe, we need to call your doctor’s office. Aiden says he’s worried about you.”
I sent a glare his way, and the big beast had the nerve to look abashed. The brat wouldn’t even meet my eyes.
“I’m fine. Just a little swelling, which my book and my doctor told me may happen.”
“True, but with the headaches and the pitting edema, you could be experiencing something serious. Your blood pressure is elevated, which is probably contributing to your headaches. I just think you should have them check you out. I’m not a baby doctor, b
ut I know that those symptoms combined need to be looked at, hon.” The slight drawl slipped out as he spoke to me, then he and Levi had some silent conversation with their eyes and he left.
Crouching next to the couch, Levi leaned in to kiss me. “Humor me and call them?” The sexy man had the nerve to give me puppy-dog eyes. Like he knew I was a sucker for his handsome, damn puppy-dog eyes.
Huffing, I dug Levi’s phone from where it had slipped in between my fat ass and the back of the couch. Rolling my eyes and telling myself I needed to get my phone replaced soon, I dialed the office number, which forwarded to the answering service taking over while the office was out of commission.
“Yes, this is Poppy Pritchard.” After explaining what was going on and the concerns my baby’s father was having, they asked me to hold while they checked with the doctor’s nurse. The elevator music blaring in my ear was annoying as hell to my poor, aching head.
“Ms. Pritchard?” The lady came back on the line.
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Dr. Evans would like you to go to the emergency room at Santa Rosa Medical Center because her clinic is out of commission. She’s calling them to let them know what tests she wants done. Do you have a way to make it there?” She waited for my response.
“Uh, yeah, but what does she think is going on?” Now I was getting a little worried. Nervously, I rolled and unrolled the edge of the blanket repeatedly.
“Oh, she says it may be nothing, but she just wants to play it safe.”
“Okay. Umm, I’ll head over there now.”
“Good deal. Please call back if you have any issues on the way. If you feel they are serious, don’t be afraid to call 911.” By that time, she was beginning to make me really worry. 911?
“Sure. Thanks.” I disconnected the call. Sweat broke out across my brow.
“Well?” Levi waited expectantly for my answer. His gorgeous blue eyes bored into my own. With a sigh, I sat up and dropped my puffy feet to the floor.
“They want me to go to the ER.” Swallowing with difficulty, I looked away from him because I was afraid he would think I was an idiot for arguing with him about getting checked out in the first place.
“Okay. Let’s go. I’m driving you.” The tone of his voice told me his decision wasn’t up for discussion. Standing, he walked the short distance to the door and grabbed my slides. They were the only damn shoes I could fit my fat feet into.
It was embarrassing that he had to help me stand. My big ol’ belly made it hell to get off the low couch in the camper, though. Every day, I swore I waddled more. It was to the point I wasn’t sure I’d be able to go anywhere without someone rolling me by the time I was ready to deliver.
By the time we reached my car and I handed him my keys from my purse, I was damn near worn out. It was like carrying a full-grown person on my back. It was crazy. Not to mention, with each step it was like I had water balloons jiggling on the tops of my feet. That was simply gross. Before I could maneuver myself down into my low riding car, he ran his hand up my arm and cupped the back of my neck.
“Poppy, I love you. So fucking much it hurts. I’m sorry you’re going through all this because of me.” He pressed a kiss to my lips, then pulled back. He looked so guilty.
“Dammit, Levi, this is just as much my fault. It’s not like I told you no. I was on birth control; this baby is a minor miracle in itself. Obviously she has a purpose. Don’t feel bad. So I’m having a rough few days, I’ll be okay. I’m not dying.” I gave him a quick peck again. “Now help your big fat baby mama into this stupid, ridiculously low car.”
The grin on his face was followed by a swat to my ass. “That’s for calling yourself fat. You’re absolutely, beautifully pregnant, not fat.”
“Mmm, don’t tease.” Call me crazy, but I couldn’t resist teasing him. No matter that I was as big as a house already, my libido was in overdrive with this pregnancy.
Groaning, he stepped back and pointed into the car. “Sweet Jesus, woman. You’re killing me here. Get your ass in the car.”
Giggling, I let him assist my descent into the passenger seat of my Camaro. He jogged to the driver side and I couldn’t help but think how incredibly sexy he was. Oh damn, there go those fucking hormones again. He said something and waved to the guys before climbing in.
Before I knew it, we were parking in the ER parking lot and walking in. As soon as I told them who I was and why I was there, they nodded like they were expecting me. We didn’t wait long in the waiting room before they called my name. A nurse got my vital signs and they were taking me to a room down the Urgent Care hall.
It didn’t escape my notice that the nurse took my blood pressure twice—once on each arm. Of course, she had the screen turned away from me so I couldn’t see what it said. We made a stop at the bathroom where she handed me a specimen cup.
“Okay, Ms. Pritchard, I’m going to need a urine specimen. Then when you’re done, come on out and I’ll take you to your room.”
Why couldn’t they just say “I need you to pee in this cup?” Rolling my eyes where she couldn’t see, I followed her directions.
And of course I peed on my damn hand. It was beyond me how women were supposed to reach around their belly and pee in a cup they couldn’t see due to said belly.
Washing my hands extra well, I handed over my still warm, and freshly rinsed and dried, cup to the nurse.
“What was my blood pressure?” I asked her as she helped me up onto the gurney in the room. As she lifted the head of the bed-like contraption, she told me it was elevated, which was what my doctor was afraid of. She hooked me up to a monitor and wrapped the blood-pressure band around my arm before slipping the little alligator thingy on my finger.
“I’m going to draw some labs. They are the ones your doctor was interested in.” Going through her routine, she washed her hands, laid everything out on the metal tray by my bed, stabbed me, and finished before I could even get to my happy place.
“Damn, that was quick. Can I get you to do that every time I have to go have labs drawn?”
Chuckling, she cleaned up her trash and dropped the tubes in a plastic bag.
“Okay, the doctor will be in shortly to see you.” They always said that, too. With a big smile, she left the room.
“Well, you better settle in for a wait,” I grumped. My head was still pounding and they couldn’t give me more Tylenol because I’d just had some. Evidently, Ibuprofen and the likes could increase blood pressure so I couldn’t have that either. It was all nonstop, great freaking news.
Rolling up on one of the little round stools I knew were supposed to be for the doctor, Levi pulled my hand without the alligator clip on it into his. “It doesn’t matter, baby. I don’t have anywhere I’m supposed to be.” His pearly white teeth flashed as he grinned at me.
“Why do you have to be so freaking beautiful? I’m trying to be grumpy, but instead, all that sexiness is distracting me.” Waving my hand with the clip on it to encapsulate all that was him, I pursed my lips.
Shaking his head, he pulled his lips between his teeth to try not to laugh at me. Then he stroked his thumb back and forth across the back of my hand.
Though it felt like forever, it was probably only about thirty minutes before a youngish guy in scrubs came in, used the hand-sanitizer on the wall, and shook both of our hands.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Matthews. So, I looked at your lab results and I’ve notified your doctor like she asked. Generally we wouldn’t diagnose you simply based on a single visit where you present with elevated blood pressure. However, you also are complaining of headaches, and your labs show a slight elevation in your liver enzymes, protein in your urine, and your platelet count is slightly low.” When he paused, my head was spinning with everything he just spit out.
“Okay, Doc, what exactly does that mean in English?” Levi took the words right out of my mouth.
“We believe you have preeclampsia, or at least you’re on the edge of it, which will need to be ma
naged. Dr. Evans told me to tell you she was on her way here for a delivery and she would stop by to go over that with you.” After a few more questions from Levi, the doctor shook our hands again and stepped out of the room.
“Well, damn. Maybe Aiden should have become a doctor. Fuck. Now what?”
Levi chuckled. “Maybe he should have, and now? Now we wait to see what your doctor has to say.”
It wasn’t long before she came in the door.
“Hello, Poppy! Hi, Dad! So it would appear we have a situation, eh?” She looked awfully bright for this to be too serious, so I began to relax a little.
She spelled out her plan for me and I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
It would seem I was obviously too early to deliver my little bundle of joy, and she didn’t want to prescribe me blood pressure meds because they could be dangerous to the peanut. She told us they used to recommend bed rest, but it wasn’t so common anymore, though she did want me to periodically elevate my feet. However, there would be no travel for me until I was able to safely deliver.
Also, I would be on weekly office visits until she deemed it unnecessary. Diet changes, and a nonstress test were also in my future. Yay.
On the way home, I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t sure if it was hormones or what, but I burst into tears.
“Poppy, baby. What’s wrong?” Squeezing my hand, he quickly glanced at me before returning his eyes to the road.
Sniffling and hiccupping, I wailed, “I’m not going to be able to go back with you now!”
Blowing out a big breath, he pulled into Tom’s driveway and parked the car. I noticed the guys all sitting at the picnic table by the camper. They were all eating and I could smell the grill that was still smoking next to them.
Turning toward me, he framed my face with his large hands. “Sweetheart, it will be okay. No, this isn’t what either of us were expecting or wanting to hear. But we’ll figure it out. Let me call our manager and see what I can do. We’ve got this. Now, let me help you inside and I need to call your mom and John. They should be back anytime now.”
Make Music With Me Page 25
