by Lexy Timms
Was he glad to see her? Her mom? Her sister? None of them had been particularly good to each other over the course of their lives, but here, laying in the hospital, clinging to life, was he happy to have them beside him?
Jamie made herself a promise that no matter what, she was going to start spending more time with her dad. Her mother and sister might be horrid bitches, but her dad was a good man. She needed to have him as a bigger part of her life.
A nurse politely cleared her throat. “I'm going to have to replace a few of these tubes now. I'm not so sure you're going to want to be in here for this part.” The nurse gave her a weak smile.
“Okay. I'll be just outside. Just let me know when I can come back in.” She turned to her dad. “I'll be back. They're going to freshen up some of your stuff.”
He nodded, but his expression never changed.
Jamie leaned in carefully and kissed the side of his cheek before walking out into the hall and closing the door behind her. The sound of him gasping for air left her crushed. She pressed her hands to her mouth and let out a sob as she walked to the bathroom.
Nothing could have been more devastating than seeing him like that. Nothing other than the blood the dotted her panties as she sat on the toilet in the women's room.
“No. What the hell?” She cleaned herself up and got up, walking to the nurses’ station and stopping a younger nurse, who appeared to be friendly.
“Hi. I'm here with my dad, but I'm pregnant and my doctor's labeled it high risk. I'm spotting. Should I go over there to his office, or is there something you guys can do to help me?” She let out a shaky sigh and pursed her lips.
It was nonstop lately. And it didn't seem like it was going to end.
“We can do an ultrasound on you, dear. Let's get you down to the ER and get that going. Do you have someone who can fill out paperwork for you?” She touched Jamie's shoulder.
“I'll call my husband now. He'll be here shortly.” She moved toward the ER with the woman, wishing like hell she had the kind of mother she could lean on or trust to do anything for her, but she just didn't.
She wasn't that lucky.
Chapter 9
“What's going on?” Alex walked into the ER no more than fifteen minutes later.
Jamie was laid on a bed in a gown, and the nurse beside her was preparing her for an ultrasound.
“They're just going to make sure the baby’s okay.” She forced back tears and reached out for him as he gripped her hand tightly and moved in beside her. He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her forehead.
“It's going to be fine.” He kissed her again. “Stress-related?”
“Or us having sex.” She shook her head, unable to hold back her tears.
“It's not sex, usually.” The nurse glanced over as she tugged up the gown Jamie was wearing and pressed a warm cloth to her belly. “We'll figure it out, though. Just nice calm breaths for me. I'll grab Doctor Wang and we'll have him make sure you're all good.”
Jamie nodded. “Thank you.”
The nurse left and Alex moved in to hover over the top of her. He pressed his forehead to hers. “This just isn't going to stop anytime soon, is it, baby?”
She let out a tight sob and closed her eyes as her chest shook. “I don't want to do this anymore. None of it. I'm tired.”
“I know you are.” He kissed her a few times and moved back to wipe at her tears. “The baby is fine, and your dad will be back to normal before we know it.”
“It's not just that. It's the company, and Mark wanting something new, and Paul leaving, and you having chest pains. I don’t know how to fix it.” She reached up and rubbed his chest.
He smiled. “It’s not your job to fix it.” He captured her hand and pressed it to his strong chest. “We'll have this ticker of mine checked out later this week. The rest of it is just part of business. Stop worrying. Your only job right now is to get some rest and take care of you and this little girl.” He brushed his fingers over her tummy. “I hope she's just like you. Beautiful, brilliant, and talks back all the damn time.”
Jamie chuckled and reached up to wipe at her eyes. “You want her to talk back all the time?”
“Yeah. I'm playing good cop, and you're the bad cop.” He smirked and moved down, brushing his lips over her stomach. “Hey, sweet girl. Your daddy's ready for you to come out and play. We're going to build you a Barbie house that you and I can decorate, and your momma’s going to teach you how to do your hair and wear pretty dresses.”
Jamie let another sob leave her as she dropped her head back and listened to Alex share his dreams with their unborn child. If she didn't love him with every ounce of her soul before... she did now. “What if it's a boy?” she whispered through the tightness in her throat. Then the unsaid words, What if something’s wrong.
“Then he’d better not talk back, and you're not allowed to give him dresses.” He smirked and moved back up as the doctor walked in.
“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Reid. Let's make sure everything is going okay with your little one.” He extended his hand to each of them. “I'm Doctor Wang. I've delivered more babies than the number of years you guys have been alive.”
He chuckled and sat down between Jamie's legs, touching her thigh softly. “This is going to be a little uncomfortable, but just hold your husband’s hand, and you both watch the screen. We're going to see a little heartbeat, no doubt.”
Jamie turned to focus on the screen, as the static made it seem like there was nothing to see. She cringed as the exam began and squeezed Alex's hand.
“The nurse mentioned you were worried that intercourse could cause spotting, and you're right, but the chances of it causing a miscarriage are slim. Just make sure you're not being too rough in your lovemaking, but other than that... you should be good.”
“Good.” Alex lifted his eyebrows. “See... we're good with making love.”
“Too good,” she whispered and turned back toward the screen as the picture cleared up a little. A small black circle throbbed on the screen and Jamie reached out, pointing to it. “Is that the heartbeat?”
“Sure is... but... wait a moment.” The doctor squinted. “Have you had an ultrasound yet?”
“We... Um, have we?” All of a sudden Jamie couldn’t remember.
“Well, there isn’t one heartbeat—”
“What?” Alex interrupted.
“I see two.” The doctor laughed and stood up. “Your little ones are fine.”
“Two?” Alex lifted his eyebrows and stood up. “Are you kidding me?”
“Really?” Jamie narrowed her eyes as her heart constricted in her chest. Two babies?
“Really.” The doctor moved up and pointed to the screen. “We have one heartbeat here and one here. Two babies. Twins.”
“Wow,” Alex breathed, and Jamie turned in time to see his eyes fill with unshed tears. “Can you see if they're boys or girls?”
“Not yet. It's a little too early, but you can ask your doctor to check in about six weeks by my calculations, based on the size of their hearts.” The doctor moved back and walked to the door. “Congratulations, and make sure if you start spotting again, you come see us or your OB/GYN. There's no reason to take chances with such precious cargo.”
“Thank you.” Jamie turned back to the freeze-frame picture of the babies. “Twins. Wow, Alex.”
He laughed and leaned over the top of her. “This is one tragedy that I'm happy to have turn out for good. We're going to need another room at the house for the nursery. How exciting.”
“Let's just keep them in the same room until they're a little bigger?” She turned her attention fully on him. His blue eyes were filled with warmth and his smile lit her on fire.
“Yeah, anything you want.” He leaned down. “We're going shopping the minute we find out what they are. I want us to get the nursery ready early so we can use it as a happy place in the house. Things keep going wrong, but this...” He reached down and brushed his fingers over her tummy. “
This is so right.”
“I love you.” She pulled him up for a long kiss.
“I love you more.” He chuckled. “Twins?! Damn!” He hugged her again.
She stared at him and then at her belly. It was going to grow huge. “Twins.” She started giggling, too. “Twins.”
“I know.” Alex gave her a goofy smile.
She shot him one back. “Nothing comes easy for us, does it?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Apparently sex and conceiving do.”
She burst out laughing as he hugged her. “So, you’re okay. You’re having two babies...” He slowly moved back. “This is crazy. It’s crazy awesome.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Her heart bounced with excitement. It was crazy.
“How about we get you dressed and go check on your dad? He might love the news.” Alex turned and picked up her clothes. “Are your mom and sister still up in the ICU?”
“My mom is.” She moved the table and accepted his help in getting down. She stripped out of the hospital gown. He watched her like it was the first time he'd seen her naked. “What?”
“You. That's what.” He moved in and ran his hands down her sides before stealing another quick kiss. “I'm going to have to walk through the hospital with a hard-on. Good times.”
She laughed and grabbed her pants, loving his humor. “I'm sure it's not the first time you've been turned on in public.”
“No, you're right. Since meeting you it seems to be a regularly occurring theme. I’m like freakin’ sixteen all over again.” He opened the door after she finished getting dressed, and they moved out into the hall. “Let's get something to eat together after we see your dad. That Italian place you love is just down the road. We'll grab a table to ourselves and just relax”.”
“I'd love that.” She slid her hand into his and walked with him back up to the ICU. They paused outside the door and listened before walking in. Her mom was nowhere to be found, but she wasn't complaining. Life was peaceful without her mom and sister in it, and yet to have her dad involved meant figuring out a way of dealing with her mom better.
Her dad was asleep when they walked in, and didn't stir.
Alex's eyes grew wide, and he shook his head. He reached up and rubbed his chest as he glanced over at her. “Damn.”
“Right?” She moved up beside her dad and reached out, touching the side of his face. “He's doing really well, but it's going to be a long trek to being fully healthy again.”
“But he'll fully recover?” He moved around to stand behind her. His strong arms wrapped around her and she leaned back, resting against him.
“Yeah. I think he will.” She closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. “Now we just need to get our lives in order so that stress isn't the center of everything.”
“I agree, but I'm stressed out just trying to think through how we're going to make that happen.” He chuckled and kissed the side of her neck. “Let's just get through this stuff with your dad and the situation with Paul leaving, and we'll figure things out from there.”
“I like that idea, but you know what I would like even better?” She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Me? On a platter?” He lifted his eyebrow.
“Yes, but even more than that... some chocolate cake at the restaurant.”
“Even over me?” He gave her a cute look.
“Yes. Even over you.” She winked. “Or on top of you.”
Chapter 10
One Month Later
Paul's transition from the firm went far more smoothly than Jamie thought it would, and though Jamie knew Mark still had the itch to try something new, he laid off talking about it. He seemed more committed to help Alex find some semblance of balance and, with all they'd been through, Jamie couldn’t have been more grateful for his increased involvement at the office. For a guy who loved being outside, he had brains and talent. They both did.
She glanced behind her as the wind picked up and blew her hair about. The sun was shining and it had somehow turned into a lazy Sunday afternoon. Mark and Alex were golfing, and she was at her parents’ house, trying to stay committed to spending more time with her family.
Her dad smiled at her as he walked out the back door, moving slowly. His house robe was tattered; it was the same one he'd been wearing since she was a kid. She made a mental note to get the poor guy a new one for Christmas that year. Or sooner, like the next time she came to visit him.
“It's beautiful out here.” He inhaled deeply, as if trying to take the heat and put it inside of him. He gradually moved toward her.
She started to get up, but he lifted his hand. He had made a full recovery, but the surgery seemed to have taken something out of him. He was moving more sluggishly than she had ever seen him move, but his disposition was good. He would get stronger over time.
“I’m fine.” He sat down beside her, the bench barely shifting from his light weight.
“It is. I love Sundays.” She leaned back on the bench in the middle of her parents’ back yard and closed her eyes. “Maybe when you get back to your full strength, you can join Alex and Mark on the golf course. I remember you used to play a lot when I was a kid.” She glanced over at him as he shifted carefully beside her.
“I'd like that.” He groaned softly before settling back. “I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and feel like my old self, but it just hasn't happened yet.”
“Dad, they had to cut into the center of your heart to fix that valve. The doctor said six months at the earliest for being back to a hundred percent.” Jamie reached out and squeezed his hand. “You look good.”
“I feel good.” He smiled. “I'm just ready to feel great, but enough about me. How are you doing?”
“I'm good.” She rubbed her tummy and smiled down at it. “I'm still in shock about having twins, but I guess we're just going to start a big family this first round.”
He chuckled. “Since when have you gone small on anything?”
“It’s never on purpose”,” she chuckled as she released his hand and lifted hers to the sky, stretching and letting out a soft groan. “I'm going to have to get going before too long. I've had my fill of Mom.”
“Speaking of your mother...” He coughed softly and pressed his hands to his chest as he did.
“What about her?” Jamie turned to face him, not liking at all the way his voice pinched. Was something wrong with her mom now, too? Whereas she didn't like the woman at all, she still very much loved her.
“I'm going to work to get better over the next few weeks, and then I'm leaving.” He glanced down at his hands and shook his head. “I thought I was going to die when I had the pain in my chest in the kitchen.”
“Dad.” Jamie reached out and touched his back as his voice broke a little. She'd never seen her father get emotional except at his own mother's funeral.
“No, listen.” He glanced over at her. “When I was going to the hospital in the ambulance, all I could hear was her bitching at the EMS guy who was working to save my life. I felt horrible for the guy, but as I lay there, I realized that I regretted one thing in my life. Staying with her.”
Jamie was at a loss for words. One on hand, she completely understood her dad's point of view. There was no way in hell she would ever be with someone like her mother, who tore people down without thought of their feelings or the lasting effect she might have on them.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do? You and Mom tried to break up just before Christmas, and you were miserable.” Jamie continued to rub his back.
“Yeah, I'm sure. I think I bought her lies that she could change. That she really did love me.” He shrugged. “She doesn't love anyone. She's just poisoned from the inside out. She told me that she was horrified at the thought of waking up next to a corpse.”
Jamie's eyes filled with tears. “She mentioned that, but I honestly was hoping she was just being melodramatic and didn't actually say that to you.”
“Nope. She sai
d it. In her pretty little crazy way. No pretty or little.” He ran his hands over his face and took a shaky breath. “Don't say anything please. I'm not trying to put you in a hard position, but I didn't want to sit here and feel as if I was lying to you by not saying anything. I just need the strength to go, and then, I'm out.”
“When the time comes, just let me know and we'll come over here and get you. Alex and I can help you, and you can always stay with us until you're ready to find a place.” She pulled her hand back and let out a long sigh. “I'm sorry to hear that nothing has gotten better.”
He chuckled, but the sound fell flat. “It's gotten worse. I have no clue who the woman in that house is. She's not the beautiful girl I fell in love with. She's bitter, power-hungry, and vicious. I guess it's got to be my fault for spending so much time and energy on my career, but I was the only one working.”
“Dad, now isn't the time to beat yourself up. You need to focus on healing.” Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Most likely Alex.
“I know, but with so much time on my hands I can't help but sit here and think through how miserable I've been for the last twenty years. I can't remember too many happy times, and the way she raised you girls was something I should have done something about.” He glanced over at Jamie with his face downcast. “Forgive me?”
“Dad.” Tears dripped over onto Jamie's cheeks as she reached for her dad and wrapped him in a hug. “There's nothing to forgive. It wasn’t always easy, but I’m not a baby. I'm a strong woman now, even though it took a lot to get me here. You've been good to me. You know that. None of what happened is your fault.”
“I just wish I had put my foot down with her being such a bitch over your weight and my food and...” He sighed heavily. “I just didn't want to deal with her.” He smiled, his face tired. “You're a beautiful woman, and you always have been. Inside and out, princess.”
