Unexpected Fight

by Kaylee Ryan

  “Call it what you want,” I tell him. “I love her. I love our boys and I’ve never met them. I know that every night for the rest of my life I get to go home to her.”

  “That she’s going to be there when I have a bad day or when I have a great one that I can’t wait to share with her,” Ridge adds

  I look over at Ridge. “You might not want to listen to this next part.” I laugh at his horrified expression but continue. “I know what she likes. She knows what I like. I know that when I climb into bed and pull her into my arms, there is familiarity of her body and mine. I know how to touch her, how to play her body.”

  “Sounds to me like if you needed all that time to learn, you weren’t doing it right.”

  I chuckle. “It’s more than that. There’s this connection. Sure, we might be fucking, but underneath the hot and sweaty is love. No matter if I’m fucking her or not, that’s just actions. It’s always going to be making love between us.”

  “He’s right,” Ridge grumbles reluctantly.

  “We’ll take your word for it,” Kent and Seth say at the same time.

  “What about you?” I ask Mark.

  “No comment.” He walks away to grab a load of lumber.

  “Speaking of my wife.” I glance at my vibrating cell phone that I just pulled out of my pocket. I show them the screen before answering. “Hey, baby,” I greet her. Ridge grumbles and the guys laugh.

  “Ty,” she cries, and I’m immediately on guard.

  “Reagan. What’s wrong?” The guys must hear the concern in my voice as all activity stops around me as they home in on my conversation.

  “I’m bleeding.” Her sobs reach my ears through the phone, and I feel my knees begin to wobble. This isn’t good news.

  “Reagan, where are you?” My voice is soft, and if it were not for the shake, you would think I’m calm. I’m not. My gut is twisting in knots and my heart is hammering against my chest. My legs, although wobbly, are already carrying me to my truck.

  “The shop. I wasn’t doing anything. I swear,” she cries. “I dropped a pen. I bent over to pick it up and I felt something.”

  “It’s okay, baby. I’m about fifteen minutes outside town. How bad?”

  “Not bad, but it’s there. Ty, I’m scared.”

  Fuck! “I know, Reags. I’m on my way. I’m going to call Dr. Hatfield and see if she wants you at the office or the hospital. Don’t move. Stay exactly where you are. Sit down. Put your feet up. I’m coming to you.” I reach for the door of my truck, but Seth beats me to it. He takes the keys from my hands and motions for me to walk around. I don’t argue. I don’t think me getting behind the wheel is a good idea. I race around the truck, and Seth already has it in reverse and is backing out of the drive before I barely have my door shut.

  “Give me your phone,” I tell Seth. He digs into his pocket and hands it to me. “Baby, I’m going to call you from Seth’s phone. Don’t hang up with me until the call beeps in, okay?”

  “Okay.” Her voice is soft and laced with fear.

  It takes me three tries to dial her number. Finally, Seth takes it from me and thumbs through his contacts until he hits her name. “Hello,” she answers as our call goes silent.

  “It’s me, Reags. I want you to stay on the line with me. I’m calling Dr. Hatfield now.”

  “Okay” is again her soft, scared reply.

  My hands shake, but dialing Dr. Hatfield is easier as she’s on my favorites list. It rings twice before the receptionist answers. “My name is Tyler Justice. I need to talk to Dr. Hatfield about my wife, Reagan. It’s an emergency.”

  “Of course, Mr. Justice. Please hold.”

  I’m surprised it was that easy. I was expecting a fight, but perhaps she could hear it in my voice.

  “Tyler,” Dr. Hatfield greets.

  “She’s bleeding.” My voice cracks as emotion clogs my throat. “Sh-She just called me and she’s bleeding. What do we do?”

  “How bad?”

  “Reags?”

  “Yeah?”

  “How bad, baby?”

  “Spotting. A little heavier.”

  I repeat her words to Dr. Hatfield. “Bright red or dull?”

  Fuck! I repeat the question to my wife. “Bright red,” she answers.

  “Tyler,” Dr. Hatfield says calmly, “are you driving?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Take a deep breath.” I do as she says and I can hear Reagan do the same from hearing my inhale and exhale into the phone. “Everything is going to be okay. Go ahead and take her to the hospital. I’ll meet you there. She might need to stay a few days.”

  “Okay.” My voice cracks. “We’ll be there soon. Should we call an ambulance?” At my questions, I hear Reagan’s sobs intensify over the line.

  “No. Have whoever is driving you to bring her. The hospital is just the other side of town. Be safe, stay calm, and I’ll meet you there.”

  “Thank you.” I end the call. “Reags?”

  “I’m here,” she replies, her voice small.

  “Seth and I are almost there. We’re going to take you to the hospital. Dr. Hatfield is going to meet us there.” I wait for her reply, but all I hear are her soft cries flowing through the line to my ears. “I love you, Reagan. You and the boys are going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine,” I tell her, but I’m not sure if I say the words for her or for me. I want to believe them. I have to. They’re my life. My wife and our unborn sons. Nothing can happen to them. The fucked-up part is that I’m helpless. I can’t do a single fucking thing to help them, to keep this from happening. “We’re pulling in,” I tell her. “Don’t move. I’ll come and get you.”

  “Okay.”

  I don’t hang up the phone, not until I lay eyes on her. Jumping out of the truck before it’s fully stopped, I race to the door and sling it open. I scan the room, and Carol points to the back. I run to her, stopping at the entrance of the small breakroom. She’s sitting in a chair. Her elbows are on the table—one hand holds the phone to her ear while the other rests against her forehead.

  “Reagan.” My voice cracks. I end the call and slide Seth’s phone into my pocket, and drop to my knees beside her. Her face is red and blotchy. Tear stains streak down her face, only to be covered by new tears. Her eyes are wide with fear, and if I didn’t know it wasn’t possible, I’d say I can hear my heart crack seeing her like this. “I’m here,” I say, smoothing her hair out of her eyes.

  “I’m scared, Ty. I’m so scared.”

  Another crack. “I’ve got you,” I promise her. Once standing, I bend down and scoop her up in my arms.

  “You can’t carry me.” Her attempt to ward me off is weak.

  “I can and I will.” She settles her head against my shoulder and wraps her arms tightly around my neck. I nod to Carol and Brenda who both look worried, as do the clients they have in their chairs. “I’ll keep you posted,” I tell them. I don’t wait for a nod of approval or to hear anything they might say. I stalk toward the front door that Seth is holding open for me. He races to the truck and pulls open the door. I’m not sure how I manage it, but I climb into the passenger seat, still holding her in my arms.

  “I should buckle up. The babies,” she says, trying to move from my lap.

  “It’s a short drive, Reags. I’ve got you. Seth’s going to make sure we get there safe. Just let me hold you.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she cries.

  “Stop.” My voice is strong and commanding. “You have nothing to be sorry for. This is just something that happens. One of those things. You’re strong and healthy and so are our boys. We’re going to make it through this.”

  “They warned me,” she counters. “They said I might never have babies. I should have been more careful. I did this to them, to us.”

  “I said stop.” My voice booms through the truck and she stiffens in my arms. Her cries growing louder.

  I feel a strong hand on my shoulder. I glance over to see Seth with his eyes on the road,
but his grip is firm. He must feel me watching him. “She’s scared,” he says, his voice quiet. “Take a breath, brother.”

  Fuck! He’s right. I know he is. I’m scared too. I’m scared of losing all three of them. I can’t lose them. They are my life. My heart. My soul.

  “I’m sorry.” I hold her closer and bury my face in her hair. “I didn’t mean to yell and to scare you. I’m scared too, but none of this is your fault. Do you hear me? This is not your fault. Nothing you did made this happen.” She doesn’t reply, and I feel like a dick for yelling at her. I need to get my shit in check. She’s going to need me. The babies need me, and I know I need to be strong for all three of them. I breathe her in, holding her close, and pray like I’ve never prayed before that my family will be okay.

  “We’re here.” Seth pulls up outside the emergency room entrance. “You go on in. I’ll park the truck and be right behind you.” I manage to open the door, and climb out with her in my arms, although I feel as if they could give out at any minute. My legs that are shaking from fear, carry her into the emergency room.

  “Sir, can we help you?” a woman in scrubs asks.

  “My wife.” I look down at Reagan, who’s holding onto me as if her life depends on it. I can feel my wet shirt sticking to my skin from her tears. I swallow hard. “My wife, she’s pregnant.” I take a deep breath. “She’s bleeding.” I force the words that taste like sandpaper past my lips as I lose control of my emotions. A lone tear then slides down my cheek.

  Chapter 19

  Reagan

  * * *

  I hear Ty talking to the nurse, or maybe it’s the doctor. I don’t know. I don’t lift my head from his shoulder. I feel safe in his arms. Safe like nothing can touch me or our babies while he’s holding us. It’s a feeling that is false because I know what I felt, what I saw that my trip to the bathroom confirmed. I’m bleeding. Our babies could be in danger and I don’t want to face it. I want to wake up at home in our bed, and for all of this to have been a really bad dream. A nightmare.

  “Reags, baby, I’m going to put you in the wheelchair so they can take you up to the maternity ward,” Ty explains.

  I hold on tighter. I’m not ready for him to let me go. I don’t want to face this. I want it to be over. Please God, don’t take our babies. “No.” My reply is weak at best.

  “I’ll carry her.” I hear him tell them. They argue that it’s against protocol. “I give zero fucks about your protocol. My wife is scared to death. We both are. She wants me to carry her so that’s what’s going to happen. Tell me where I’m going.” He leaves no room for negotiation.

  “Follow me.” The female voice is resigned.

  “I’ve got you, Reagan. All three of you. Everything is going to be fine,” he whispers, just for me. I tune everything out but the way being in his arms makes me feel. I don’t know how long it takes us, but we finally make it to my room. I know that because he tells me in my ear. He sits on the bed, me still in his arms. “Baby, I need to put you on the bed. We need to get you changed so they can take a look. They need to check on you and the babies.”

  I still don’t move.

  “Reagan.” His voice cracks. “Please, baby. They need to check on the three of you. They can’t help you unless we help them. Fight for me, Reags. Fight through the heartache, push past it to fight for all of us.” He pauses, letting his words take root. “We need you, Reagan. I’m right here. I won’t leave you, but you have to let me put you down.”

  I’m being selfish, and the pain in his voice is what has me lifting my head and facing him. His blue eyes are dark, swimming with fear and pain, but there’s something else too. Determination. I know that if he had the power to do so, he would end this, take it all off me and put it onto him. He’s holding me, begging me to fight for our family, and that’s all I want to do. I’ve had my time to wallow in the fear. Now it’s time to do whatever it takes to keep these boys safe until it’s time to bring them into the world.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, cupping his cheek.

  One tear, then another slides down his face. “Don’t be sorry,” he says, his voice gravelly. “I’m scared too, Reags. I wish I could fix this, but I can’t.”

  “I know you do.” He stands and sets me on the edge of the bed.

  “We need to get you changed.” I nod, lifting my arms over my head, allowing him to pull my shirt off. He reaches behind me and unclasps my bra, setting in on the bed with my shirt. Hospital gown in hand, he holds it open for me to slide my arms in. He reaches behind me to tie it at the neck. “Lie back. I’ll pull your pants off.”

  “Wait.” I place my hand over his. “I-I don’t know if you want to see… that.” I motion toward my abdomen.

  “I’ve seen all of you,” he reminds me.

  “But… I’m bleeding.”

  He nods as understanding takes route. “Okay. Lie back. We’ll let the nurses help you with that.”

  “Thank you.” I’m not embarrassed, but I want to protect him from it all. Shelter him from the horror I found just from bending over. Reaching over my head, he hits the Call button for the nurse.

  “Hello, Mrs. Justice, I’m Corina. I’ll be your nurse today. Can you tell me what’s been going on?”

  With Tyler’s hand gripping mine like a vise, I tell her—sounding so much calmer than I feel—about how I bent over and felt a small rush of something between my legs. “I thought I had an accident. With these two”—I rub my belly affectionately—“sitting on my bladder, I assumed it was bound to happen. I’ve read about it.” She gives me a kind smile and I continue to tell her about how I went to the restroom to decipher the damage and what I expected to be a bladder accident turned into blood. Not a lot, but enough, and bright enough red to scare the hell out of me.

  “All right, let’s get you changed out of these, and Dr. Hatfield will be in to take a look.” I nod and lift my hips, letting her help me remove my pants. “Panties too,” she advises. I nod, and with Tyler’s help, with his eyes locked on mine, we finish discarding my clothing.

  The next few minutes are a blur. The nurse places pads underneath me, and places an IV in my arm, hooking me up to fluids.

  “What is that for?” Tyler asks.

  “Just to keep her hydrated,” Corina replies as if it’s no big deal. It might not be, but to us, everything is a big deal.

  “Reagan, Tyler,” Dr. Hatfield says, entering the room. She takes a seat at the foot of the bed. “So, I’ve read what happened in your chart. Yesterday your condition was getting better, but we’re going to take a look and see if anything has changed. The bleeding is a common result of the condition, one you’ve been lucky not to experience up to this point. Are you having any pain or cramping? Any new symptoms I should know about?”

  “No. Nothing. Just the… spotting.”

  “Okay, let’s have a look.” She pulls over the ultrasound machine and takes her time pressing and taking a look. “I’m trying to avoid a vaginal ultrasound if at all possible. Have you been having intercourse?” she asks.

  “No,” Ty and I answer together.

  She nods and goes back to what she’s doing. “We’re still at 40 percent. I want to keep you at least overnight. You are to remain in bed. You can get up to use the restroom, but it’s right back to bed. I’ll send Corina in to show you how to take the IV with you.” She removes her gloves, and wipes the gel from my belly. “I know you’re scared but we’ll be keeping a close eye on all three of you. The babies’ heartbeats are strong, and the spotting is mild compared to some cases. In the meantime, bedrest. Lots of it.” Her smile is warm as she leaves the room.

  “Once we spring you out of here, you’re going to have to stop working. Rest. On the couch, in the recliner, in the bed, I don’t care, but rest for you and these two little ones,” Tyler says. His blue eyes are holding my stare, daring me to argue with him.

  “I agree.”

  “Baby, you— Wait. What?” he asks, making me laugh.

  “I’m not
going to fight you on this, Ty. Yes, I know I’m strong-willed, and I’m as independent as they come, but these two need me to not be that person right now. Well, in a sense. I admit it won’t be easy, but it’s what’s best for them.”

  His hand cradles my belly affectionally, just under the fetal heartbeat monitors that are wrapped around me. “It will be hard, but you have me. Depend on me. Let me take on whatever it is that you need done, whatever it is that you need. I can’t help you and I hate that.”

  “You love us, Tyler. Fiercely. That’s all we could ask for.”

  “We’re going to be okay. We’re going to get through this.”

  “Of course we are,” I say, with more conviction than I feel. “We’re fighters, all four of us.”

  Corina comes in and explains how to roll the IV pole to the restroom, and to call for help if I need assistance. Tyler assures her that he’ll be here. She reminds us to call regardless and for any reason, and where the call button is. Once she’s gone, I slide over in my bed and pat the spot next to me.

  “You need your rest.”

  “I know, and I do that better when I’m in your arms. Please?”

  His eyes soften and he kicks off his work boots and climbs in bed beside me just as there’s a knock at the door. “You’re going to get us kicked out of here.” He laughs as he yells for whoever it is to come in, and I settle my head against his chest.

  “Hey,” Seth says, his tone unsure. “How are you?”

  “I’m okay. They’re keeping me for at least a day to monitor the babies and the bleeding. I’m confined to this bed during that time.”

  “And after,” Ty chimes in, making Seth laugh. “Thanks for today,” Ty says, his voice now serious.

  “We’re family” is Seth’s reply. “Speaking of, your phone has been blowing up. I answered and told them what I know. I’m sure you’re about to be bombarded.” He hands Tyler his phone.

  “Thanks, man. Now that she’s settled, I’ll return some calls.”

  “I got you covered. I called your parents,” he tells Ty, “and Ridge took care of yours. I just sent them a message”—he holds up his phone—“telling them what you told me, and your room number.”