Broken Together (56 page)

“I’ve
run them… multiple times.” She looked at me. “That’s why I asked to see you twice
this week.”

“I
knew my blood pressure was elevated, but I didn’t realize it could cause all of
those problems,” I admitted shakily.

She
stepped a little closer. “Are you experiencing any headaches?”

“A
few. Nothing too disabling,” I added hastily.

“Vomiting…
pain in your right side?”

I
shook my head. “No vomiting or pain.”

“Is
there a cure, a treatment, or a medication she can take?” Rafael sat next to me
on the exam table. He folded me in his arms.

“The
only cure for preeclampsia is delivery.” Dr. Barriera eyed me worriedly.

My
heart stalled. “No! It’s too soon. The baby will die.”

The
color drained from Rafael’s face. “Can a baby survive at twenty-three weeks?”

“There’s
a ten to twenty percent chance your baby could survive delivery. Your baby only
weighs five hundred grams.” She looked at me. “Approximately one pound.”

One
pound? One. Pound.
I shook my head. Forcefully. “I won’t. I
refuse.”

“You’re
putting your own life at risk if you continue with this pregnancy,” she warned.

My
heart raced. Blood thundered in my ears. “I don’t care. I’d rather die than end
this pregnancy.”

Rafael
sucked in a breath. “This cannot be happening.”

“Please,”
I begged. “I’ll do anything you ask.”

She
tore her eyes from mine. “I’d like to measure the baby again.” She tapped a few
keys on the ultrasound machine.

Rafael
adjusted the pillow while I eased onto my back. His hands shook as he pushed my
shirt out of the way.

Dr.
Barreira squirted gel on my tummy. She studied the baby from a variety of
angles, took some measurements, and printed a couple more pictures. “We can try
to get you to twenty-six weeks. There’s an eighty percent chance your baby will
survive if he’s delivered at twenty-six weeks.”

The
vise around my heart eased a fraction of an inch.

She
wiped the gel from my tummy. “I’m going to order two steroid injections to help
accelerate the baby’s lung development. They hurt like hell, but they’re worth
it. I want you to limit your salt intake and drink lots of water. The water
will help flush toxins from your body. I’m also going to prescribe a blood
pressure medication.” She looked at Rafael. “Purchase a blood pressure cuff
when you pick up the prescription. I want her blood pressure taken four times a
day. Text me the results.” She scribbled her phone number on a prescription
pad.

Rafael
stared at the prescription.

Dr.
Barriera’s expression turned fierce. “You are to remain on complete bed rest.
No physical exertion or stress. We’ll give this a week. If that doesn’t work,
then I’m going to admit you. I want to see you in two days so we can check your
urine and blood again. If you want to have the baby in the United States, you
might want to think about returning within the next few days. This will not be
a full term pregnancy. You won’t make it more than a few weeks.”

I
reached for Rafael.

She
gently cleared her throat. “I want you to continue having sex.”

Rafael
crushed me to his chest. “But you said…”

She
took another deep breath. “I know. No physical exertion. However, preeclampsia
is an immune response. There’s a protein in the sperm, HLA-G, that can help
regulate and suppress Kristine’s immune response to the fetus. Her body is
treating the fetus like foreign tissue. HLA-G can help suppress this response
and reduce the risk for complications. You just… You need to approach this in a
way that minimizes stress and physical exertion for her.”

Rafael
nodded. Once.

I
swiped a rogue tear from my cheek. “I don’t understand. We’ve been having sex.
Lots of sex. Shouldn’t that be suppressing my immune system now?”

“We
lived apart the first five months of this pregnancy,” Rafael reminded me. “We’d
come together for a few days, then separate for weeks.”

Our
decision to live separately so I could finish my degree threatened our child’s
life?
I sighed dejectedly.

“I’m
sorry,” Dr. Barriera whispered. She stepped quietly from the room.

A
wounded sound escaped Rafael’s chest.

I
collapsed in a pool of tears.

*
* * * *

Bosco
tumbled off the pillow. He shook his head before attempting to climb it again.

Rafael
leaned against the doorframe. “How are you feeling?”

“Bored,”
I confessed.

In
three long strides, he joined me on the bed. “The contractor is still working
on the renovations.”

I
cupped the side of his face. He looked so tired, it made my heart ache. “Any
idea when he’ll be done?”

Rafael
helped Bosco up onto the pillow. He kicked his shoes off so he could stretch
out beside me. “A week tops.”

I
curled against his chest. “So we’ll remain another week?”

Bosco
walked a couple of tight circles before settling in to sleep.

Rafael’s
fingers sifted through my hair. “I think the children’s hospitals in DC and
Virginia are better equipped to manage a high risk pregnancy and a premature
baby, but I don’t want you breathing paint fumes or drywall dust. I’m afraid
we’re going to have to wait a few more days.”

I
hugged him a little tighter. “What about Saint-Tropez?”

He
rubbed my back. “Saint-Tropez can wait.”

My
eyes slid closed as the tension eased from my shoulders. “Can you fly back to
Virginia with me?”

“Yes.”
His relief was evident. “I have to return for a preliminary hearing, but that
shouldn’t last more than a few days.”

I
studied his face. “How many people have you arrested so far?”

“Nine.”
He propped himself up with his elbow after easing me onto my back.

I
tried to smooth the worry lines from his face. “Have you captured everyone?”

“We’ve
arrested everyone we have sufficient evidence against. Hopefully, those arrests
will deter the rest.” He grasped my hand. “This conversation is getting off
track. We need to discuss the preeclampsia.”

“Why?
I’m on bedrest. I’m drinking lots of water. I’m taking the medication Dr.
Barriera prescribed…”

“And
you’re not getting any better,” he interjected.

“I’m
not getting any worse,” I countered.

“We
need a plan,” he persisted. “What happens if you have a seizure? What if your
body shuts down and I’m forced to choose between you and the baby?”

“Then
you choose the baby.” I tried to distance myself from him.

Rafael
captured me with his leg, then eased on top of me, effectively pinning me beneath
him. “Kristine, you’re asking me to sign your death certificate. There’s still
a chance the baby could survive if you deliver early. If your organs start
shutting down… there’s no recovering from that. And if your body shuts down, the
baby’s life would be threatened either way.”

“You
could put me on life support.” I struggled to break away.

Rafael
grasped my face. He forced me to look at him. “I’m your husband. I’m supposed
to take care of you. It’s my job to keep you safe and to protect you from harm.
I’ve been trying… for years. You can’t ask me to stop now.”

I
grasped his hands, which remained on either side of my face. “You have to protect
our child.”

Storm
clouds rolled through his eyes. “And if I choose to save you instead? Will you
forgive me if I grant permission for an emergency C-section?”

“I
don’t know,” I whispered.

Rafael’s
forehead fell against mine. “Please don’t ask me to sacrifice your life for
his.”

I
gaped at the dining room. Aside from our garages being linked, this was the
first real change I’d seen since setting foot inside my house. We’d entered
through the garage. My kitchen, family room, and sun room all looked the same,
but the dining room was huge and clearly built to entertain.

My
formal living room was gone. That space had been transformed into a massive foyer
with double mahogany doors. I could see Rafael’s office and the new billiard
room from the dining room. The black, white, and gray color scheme Rafael used
to have was gone. Warm, neutral tones offered continuity throughout the main
floor. The elegantly curved staircases on either side of the foyer were
breathtaking. The design was so perfect, I couldn’t even picture what my
staircase looked like before the renovations.

Rafael
nodded his approval. “Let’s check out the theater room.”

Bosco
squirmed. He was eager to explore his new home.

I
set him on the floor. We crossed through the dining room into what used to be
Rafael’s family room.

Rafael
ushered me through the double wood doors. A large movie screen hung on the wall
to my right. Deep burgundy curtains framed the screen on either side. Three
elevated rows of black leather recliners sat to my left. Thin strips of lights
lit the carpeted stairs leading to the recliners. The tray ceiling glowed along
the edges, and little pinpricks of light shown like stars throughout the rest
of the ceiling.

“How
fun,” I whispered. The theater felt so authentic, it demanded a whisper. I
wondered whether I’d ever bother with a public theater again.

Rafael
sank into one of the chairs. “I can’t wait to hear the speaker system. Maybe we
should watch a movie tonight.”

“Sounds
good,” I agreed. “I want to see the upstairs.”

Rafael
and I peeked inside the billiard room before walking upstairs. “I know Brady is
anxious to see you. I was thinking of ordering pizza and inviting him over for
dinner.”

We
turned around when Bosco barked. I laughed. He was trying to follow us, but he
couldn’t pull his hind legs over the first step.

Rafael
jogged back down the stairs and scooped him up.

I
waited at the top of the stairs. “I’d like to see Kadyn, Shae, Cenia, and the
rest of the gang. Can we invite them too?”

He
set Bosco on the floor. “As long as you rest and let me do all the work.” He
led me into what used to be his bedroom.

“Rafael,”
I gasped. White walls, white linens, white furniture, and white filmy curtains
sent me reeling back to Santorini. Large canvas wrapped photographs of the
Aegean Sea offered brilliant pops of blue against the stark white room.

He
folded me in his arms. “I know you’re scared, and you want to wait on the
nursery. I thought this would make a beautiful room regardless of how we use this
space.”

I
burrowed into his chest. “It’s perfect.” The only thing we had to do was replace
the bed with a crib, but I wasn’t willing to risk that… yet.

He
led me to our bedroom. “I’ll send a text inviting everyone over for dinner and
a movie. You rest. I’ll walk Bosco. We’ll join you just as soon as we can.”

I
nodded gratefully, undressed, and crawled into bed. I felt tired and a little
depressed. I could see everything I’d ever dreamed my life would be, but it was
still dangling just out of reach.

Rafael
brushed my hair aside so he could plant a kiss on my cheek. “Sleep, my love.
I’ll stand guard.”

He
was worried I might have a seizure. Each of us whispered his own prayer when my
eyes slid closed.

*
* * * *

“Rafael
said I could sleep over.” Shae set her bag and her Scrabble game by the stairs.
“This place looks amazing. It’s like it was always meant to be this way.”

I
gave her a hug. “Would you like the grand tour?”

Rafael
pulled her from my arms. “I’ll give her the tour. You’re supposed to be lying
down.”

I
rolled my eyes. “You were in the theater room. Someone had to answer the door.”

Shae
gaped at my tummy. She gave a little yelp when Bosco bolted into the foyer.

I
laughed. “That’s Bosco.”

“Oh
my God. He’s so adorable!” Shae knelt on the floor. Bosco tried to escape, but
she caught him, ruffled his fur, and rolled him on the floor. “Look at all that
fur. I could just eat him up.”

The
doorbell rang.

Rafael
strode toward the door. “Kadyn. Good to see you.” They clasped hands and patted
one another on the back.

Kadyn
set his duffle bag on the floor. His eyes widened when he saw my tummy. “Wow.
That’s impressive.” He hugged me gently before joining Shae on the floor. “So,
this is Bosco.”

I
looked up when Rafael opened the door. Brady and Jase stepped inside. Each of
them carried a suitcase.

Brady
set his bag by the door. “May I?”

I
gave him a hug. “Of course.”

Brady
dropped to his knees so he could hold my belly in his hands. He grinned when
the baby kicked. “That’s awesome.”

Shae
frowned. “I want to feel.”

“Me
too,” Kadyn interjected.

Rafael
frowned. “Can we move into the family room so Kristine can sit down?”

Jase
set his suitcase down. “She should put her feet up.”

Kadyn’s
eyes narrowed. “Kri? What’s going on?”

I
swallowed nervously. “I’d rather wait until everyone arrives. I don’t want to
have to explain twice.”

The
doorbell rang again.

Shae
paled. “Is there something wrong?”

Rafael
greeted Cenia and Roger. Bosco bounded toward them.

Jase
steered me toward the family room before I could give them a hug. “She’s not
supposed to be on her feet. She’s supposed to be on bed rest.”

Kadyn
noticed the dining room. “Two tables?”

I
chuckled. “Rafael likes having you guys around.”

“And
you don’t?” He joined me on the couch. “May I?”

Jase
and I exchanged smiles. “Sure.”

Kadyn
smoothed his hand over my belly.

Shae
sat on the other side of me. Her hand joined Kadyn’s.

The
baby rolled.

Kadyn
smiled.

“That’s
a baby,” Shae breathed.

Cenia
dropped a kiss on my cheek. “I’ve missed you. You look great, Kri.”

Kadyn
moved next to Shae so Cenia and Roger could join us.

Rafael
led Phil, Marie, Ethan, and Dakota into the family room. “We’re just waiting on
Brogan and Aidan now.”

He
turned on his heel when the doorbell rang again. “Scratch that. Everyone’s
here.”

Cenia
eyed my tummy uncertainly. “How do you feel?”

I
grasped her hand and pressed it to my belly. “I feel tired, anxious, excited,
content, and terrified.”

“All
at the same time?” Roger marveled.

I
nodded. “All at the same time.”

His
hand joined Cenia’s. Their eyes met. “I can’t wait to see you like this.”

She
blushed.

“Are
you?” I gasped.

She
smiled. “We’re due in January.”

“Our
circle is growing again.” Tears welled in my eyes.

Cenia
gave me a hug.

Brogan
and Aidan joined us. They held twelve boxes of ZPizza in their arms.

Cenia
and Roger rose. Congratulations sounded all around.

Brogan
and Aidan set the pizza on the counter.

Brady
and Jase served the drinks.

Rafael
joined me on the couch. “I’d like to catch everyone up to speed before we eat.”

Our
friends gathered around.

He
grasped my hand. “Kristine has preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that has
placed her and the baby’s life at risk. Our OB doctor in Lisbon has encouraged
us to deliver the baby.”

“But
you’re only six months along,” Cenia objected.

Rafael
forced an even tone. “Kristine wants to delay the delivery a few more weeks, so
we can increase the baby’s chance of survival.”

“What
kind of odds are you working against?” Phil demanded.

“The
baby has a forty percent chance of survival at twenty-four weeks,” Rafael
answered. “Kristine’s blood pressure keeps inching up despite the blood
pressure medication Dr. Barriera prescribed. Each day she remains pregnant increases
her risk of seizures and multiple organ failure. She could die if she remains
pregnant much longer.”

Shae
shook her head. “No. That can’t be.”

Kadyn
pulled her close when she burst into tears.

“We’re
meeting with Dr. Meinig first thing Monday morning,” Rafael revealed. “We’re
hoping he’ll allow her to remain on bed rest here at home, but he may insist on
admitting her. They can monitor her more closely at the hospital. Kristine
wants to delay delivery for two more weeks. The baby’s chance of survival
increases to eighty percent at twenty six weeks.”

Our
friends stared at us.

“I’m
sorry,” I whispered.

“We
wanted you to be prepared,” Rafael added. “Just in case.”

“In
case Kristine or the baby dies?” Aidan’s hands clenched while he tried to rein
in his frustration.

Rafael
nodded. He kissed my hand and drew me closer.

Kadyn
retrieved a box of tissue for Shae. “Do your parents know?”

I
lifted my head from Rafael’s chest. “Yes. They fly in tomorrow. They won’t
leave until after the baby is born.”

Cenia
squared her shoulders. “What can we do to help?”

Rafael
sighed. “I have to return to Lisbon after the doctor’s appointment so I can
testify at a preliminary hearing in that pedophile case. Kristine’s parents
will be here, but they don’t know their way around. Brady and Jase will be
staying here indefinitely. I don’t want Kristine left alone in case she has a
seizure.”

“We
can cook meals,” Marie offered. Dakota agreed.

“I
can run any errands you might need,” Ethan offered.

“We
haven’t thrown a baby shower.” Cenia frowned. “We need to shop for the baby.”

My
heart clenched.

“We’re
going to hold off on that for now,” Rafael stated. “Once the baby is born and
everyone is stable, we may take you up on that offer. I have a feeling he will
be in the NICU for a while. He only weighs a pound right now.”

Dakota
gasped. “That’s so tiny.”

He
pressed his hand to my tummy. “Prayers, moral support, and some company while
Kristine is on bed rest. That’s what we need more than anything.”

“You
know we’ve got this,” Brogan stated. “You won’t face this alone.” He knelt
before me. “Kristine, I’ll do anything… anything you need.”

Tears
streamed down my face.

Kadyn
cleared his throat. “I think we should pray.” Our friends clasped hands while
forming a tight circle that included us. “Please, Lord, hold Rafael, Kri, and
their unborn child in your loving arms. Protect them, guide them, and keep them
safe from harm. Strengthen their faith and understanding. Ease their fears and
doubts. Allow them to feel your presence. Grant us a miracle. Allow Kri to
carry this baby to term and bless us with a healthy baby. In Jesus’s name we
pray. Amen.”

Rafael
and I stumbled blindly into their arms.

*
* * * *

My
head popped up when I heard the garage door opening below the house.

“Stay
put,” Jase growled. He set a steaming mug of peppermint tea on the end table
next to the couch.

My
heart beat anxiously while I waited for my parents to appear. We’d already
broken the news to them, but I was worried about how my mom would respond once
she saw me. I was praying my father wouldn’t cry.

“Where’s
my baby girl?” Dad bellowed.

Bosco’s
head popped up. He was curled next to me on the couch.

I
rubbed his ears. “It’s okay. They’re supposed to be here.”

Brady
rose from the couch.

My
parents hugged me long and hard.

Bosco
sought cover in Jase’s arms.

I
squeezed my father’s hand. “How was your flight?”

“Good.”
He smiled. “I really like your flight attendant and the pilot Rafael hired.”

Mom
pulled Bosco from Jase’s arms. “He’s even cuter in person. How’s he adjusting
to his new home?”

The
tension eased from my shoulders. “Good. He has yet to clear the stairs,
though.”

Rafael
set their luggage in the foyer. “Brady and Jase will be watching over Kristine
while I’m away.”

“It’s
good to see you again.” Dad shook their hands.