Authors: Vivienne Harris-Scott
Well, there is a first time for everything
, he thinks, as he calls for an attendant
to bring him a drink.
Life is a real bitch! Let just hope the
Fates are done kicking my ass!
He exhausted and just wants to get home.
Vi and Julian
She woke up with a start.
First, her eyes shot open, and the darkness
of the room reminded her it was the middle of the night.
Then, turning her head, she realized
Julian was there, blissfully asleep and unaware.
The third thing that struck her was that
she was feeling damp and warm at the same time.
She touched her nightgown and yes, it was
soaked. She needed to change, the cold sweats episodes were occurring more
often as of late, and it worried her. They had intensified since she moved out
of her place to live with Julian, and Ethan had left five days prior and hadn
’
t returned any of her or Julian
’
s calls since. She couldn
’
t help but be worried about him.
As she was making a move to sit, she felt
it. A sharp, blazing pain on her lower pelvic area.
She turned the bed lamp on as a sense of
déjà-vu was suddenly overwhelming her.
“
Julian,
”
she murmured, trying to keep the scary
edge off her voice.
He didn
’
t respond, but mumbled,
“
Hmm,
”
“
Julian, please,
”
she said louder, more forcefully this
time, as she realized she would need help to actually stand up. The pain was
intensifying.
“
What baby?
”
he asked, opening his eyes.
“
I think something is wrong, you have to
take me to the hospital,
”
she said in a crying voice, as her
temples started to ache.
“
What?
”
he shot up, sitting in the bed and
watching her.
“
Something is wrong, I
…”
she repeated.
“
Don
’
t move,
“
he interrupted her, getting up in a swift
motion and coming around on her side of the bed.
He could see the beads of sweat on her
forehead, and fear gripped his stomach.
“
Can you get up?
”
he asked,
“
Just tell me if you can, don
’
t do it if you can
’
t
…
I need to call an ambulance
…”
“
Julian it
’
s nearly 2 a.m.
…”
she said looking at the bedside clock.
“
I don
’
t want to move you, in case
…”
he said, panic creeping up in his voice.
“
Julian, there is no time to wait for an
ambulance, please just take me to the hospital, it
’
s less than 10 minutes away.
”
He looked at her, different scenarios
passing through his mind, until he said,
“
Please don
’
t move, I
’
m going to get Kevin, and we
’
ll take you to the hospital. Please baby,
do not move until I get back with him
…
Promise me
…”
he pleaded.
She nodded as he bolted for the door and
to across the hall to get her best friend.
Less than two minutes later, one man was
carrying her while the other was opening and closing doors to take her to the
garage, while placing a call for her doctor to meet them at the private
facility.
((~~!~~))
“
I pronounce you husband and wife, you can
kiss the bride!
“
said the celebrant, as he watched the
groom bend over the hospital
’
s bed to kiss his wife.
He quickly and quietly exited the room
with the two witnesses as the newlyweds were engrossed by each other.
“
Thank you.
“
she said softly against his lips.
“
No, thank you. Always full of surprises
you are
…
this isn
’
t what I had planned, but we are married!
That
’
s what counts Mrs McCarty!
”
He replied, giving her a light kiss.
She laughed softly.
“
Mrs McCarty. I
’
ll have to get used to this
…”
she said holding the hand of her husband.
((~~!~~))
Upon arriving at the private hospital, she had been
taken to an examination room where the attending declared her cervix was
dilating, and that was what was causing the pain. Her water hadn
’
t broken yet, but they would if nothing
was done, and she
’
d give birth, but luckily, they were at a
top-notch neonatal facility and they had the tools to prevent it. A course of
light steroids would do the trick to stop further dilation and make the baby
’
s lung growth adequately just in case,
relaxing medication for the uterus would be administered according to needs,
and under strict monitoring, she could and would give birth in a few weeks,
maybe even reach term if they were lucky.
The downside was she
’
d be bed-ridden until then. Complete bed
rest was the price to pay to ensure the delivery of a healthy child, and
avoiding any complications at birth.
When Julian enquired if she could go home
and rest there, she had interrupted him saying,
“
No. I
’
m not taking any chances with this baby. I
’
ll stay for as long as I need to.
”
The doctor had concurred that she needed
to stay for a minimum of 10 days to see how things were progressing with the
steroid injections.
Julian had caved.
For Vi, the scare was vivid, and awoke
deep seeded memories of her last pregnancy and how she barely made it out
alive. She was determined to settle her affairs.
Just in case
.
27 weeks, it always seems to be the time
when her body decided to take control of her life.
As she was installed in a private room
while Kevin had gone back home to get some of her things, she had said to
Julian in a tired but clear voice,
“
Let
’
s get married, in the morning.
”
He had looked at her in sheer surprise,
but as a long silence ensued and he could see the utter fear in her eyes, he
had simply said,
“
Ok, I
’
ll get it done, we
’
ll get married tomorrow.
”
She had sighed with relief, and said,
“
I need my daughter to know her parents
were married just in case
…”
“
Daughter?
”
he had exclaimed.
“
Yes. I
’
m sorry, we
’
re having a girl, and I just
…”
she had started apologetically, tears at
the corners of her eyes.
“
Shushh
,
“
he had said, embracing her, and whispering to her
ear,
“
Nothing is going to happen to you or our
daughter. Not if I have anything to do with it, and I do.
”
He had kissed her, and commanded,
“
You need to rest. Close your eyes. I
’
ll stay with you until you fall asleep.
”
He had settled himself on the bed holding
her, until he heard her breathing fall into a steady pattern, and she was
indeed asleep.
He had then left the room, giving
instructions for a nurse to stay in the room with her at all times until he
returned.
When he reached his penthouse, Kevin was
there. He had a suitcase packed, but was sitting on a sofa, unmoving, tears
falling silently on his cheeks. He didn
’
t even notice, Julian had returned and was
now sitting next to him, until he heard a soft whisper,
“
Kevin?
”
Only then, he turned his head towards
Julian and chocked,
“
Losing her
…”
Julian had said in a voice thick with
emotion,
“
We
’
re not losing anyone. She is fine, and she
will be fine.
”
The two men remained in silence for a
while until Julian said,
“
We
’
re getting married in the morning, so
bring out your best suit, I
’
m going to need a best man, and can
’
t wait for Marcus to cross the ocean
…”
They looked at each other; once again, coming
to a silent understanding, as Kevin said,
“
Let me know if there is anything else you
need. I
’
ll have her things ready, and will collect
the rings before heading to the hospital.
”
They called it a night, each feeling exhausted
by the last few hours, and hoping nothing else would come to derail their
plans.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
((~~!~~))
“
I should have known! Can
’
t leave you alone for a few weeks!
”
Lily chimed in.
“
Well,
bella
, I
’
m sorry you missed the wedding! Deric had
to be my matron of honor!
”
she replied, happy to hear her voice.
“
Well, I
’
m sure he gave the title justice, he must
have looked dandy!
”
she declared in a laugh.
“
Lil
…”
her voice broke.
“
Mami, you
’
re fine
…
under the best care
…
and I
’
m on my way
…”
Lily knew how wary she must have felt.
After all, they all remember the last time.
“
They said full bed rest and depending on
how it goes I can go full term but they can do a
c-section
in 7 or 8 weeks if need be
…”
she stated, repeating what the doctor had told her
the very same morning.
“
See the bright side! That will give you
some time to catch up on your reading, not to mention being taken care of hand
and foot
…
like a queen, not having to lift a finger
for anything
…”
“
Yes Lil. I
’
ll do whatever
…”
she started, not finishing her sentence,
both knowing what she meant.
”
Yes, I know. Look, it
’
s all good! I know it
’
s hard to believe, but it is. Try to enjoy
your new status of a married woman for the time being!
”
her friend said enthusiastically.
“
Fine,
”
she relented, grateful Lily was flying
over. She was scared.
There was a silence between them until her
best friend said,
“
I know I
’
m going to regret even asking
…
but has anyone called Ethan?
”
“
No,
”
she said in a whisper,
“
Ethan left 5 days ago and hasn
’
t returned any of our calls. I never
thought I
’
d say this, but maybe, he finally stopped
caring about me
…”
she said
sadly.
“
As if!
”
Lily exclaimed, but adding,
“
Anyhow, he
’
s probably still reeling after the past
few weeks. I
’
m not surprised he
’
s ignoring you. He
’
ll come around as he always does, and if
he doesn
’
t, I
’
m sure your husband will be glad he
’
s out of your lives
…”
he voice trailed with logic.