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.”