Soulmates

Chapter twenty-six

Kelly and Claire had me take a nap before we left for the hospital. I was falling asleep while eating breakfast and Caroline helped me walk to bed. Claire lays with me, stroking the scar on my chest as I fall asleep.

I woke with Claire asleep on my chest and notice Kelly is cuddled behind Claire with her hand on her stomach. Claire stirs, her eyes fluttering open. I kiss the top of her head and she looks up at me with a light smile. Kelly nuzzles her face in Claire's neck and rubs at Claire's stomach.

Claire hums with content and places her hand over Kelly's. "I want to properly check the triplets before we see the twins," I say quietly and they nod lightly. "I know Bryce said they seemed okay, but I need to know for sure. I'm sorry that I caused you to stress out. I shouldn't have ran off like that."

"You only ran off because Caroline betrayed your trust," Claire says with understanding. "The triplets are calmly moving, I don't think we have anything to worry about, but if you're serious about the ultrasound I'll do it."

"No more rough sex for you until those babies are born," I choke with a light smile and she gives me a kiss.

We get dressed and head down to see the others talking in the living room. I notice Devon among them and I guess Kelly did to because she squeezes my hand hard. "Your mother called me, concerned about Jennifer. She said you've been off with taking your medicine the last two days," she says with concern in her eyes. "I came to check on you when you guys didn't come see the twins."

"I made her sleep, she hasn't been sleeping," Kelly chokes with relief from thinking something was wrong with Peyton.

She nods at her with understanding and looks at me. She holds up a portable machine and asks, "Can I take a look?"

I look between Kelly and Claire and nod lightly. I lead her back upstairs and remove my shirt. She has me lay down and uses the portable ultrasound machine to check my heart and the damaged artery she repaired. "You have a slight murmur, but that's nothing to worry about. Probably due to missing your medicine. See me in two weeks so I can look again and see if it's corrected itself," she says softly and I nod lightly with understanding.

"Be honest with me, while we're sitting here alone. How is Peyton really doing? Don't lie, I ignored my gut feeling the day she was brought in and I'm not going to ignore it now," I choke quietly and she sighs.

"At first when Kennedy was brought it next to her, she was making progress, but this morning her blood oxygen levels were low. I'm hoping seeing her parents will help," she says in sympathy and I nod vigorously.

I walk back out to the others as tears roll down my cheeks. "Jen," Claire asks with concern, the first to notice me walk in the living room.

I force a smile and say, "I'm okay, just excited to see the twins. Let's go."

She looks at me skeptically but doesn't question it. She asked Kelly to drive, wanting me to sit her in the back with her. Caroline rode with us while our parents all rode together in my parents car. Claire lays her head on my shoulder as I rub her stomach as a distraction to what Devon told me.

I must have zoned out because my face is turned to a teary eyed Claire and her face filled with worry. "What has you so zoned out that you couldn't hear us trying to get your attention for over ten minutes," she asks in a choked whisper.

"Peyton, her blood oxygen levels are low and is why Devon is letting us see her. She's giving up," I choke in a distant whisper.

"You go first," Kelly chokes quietly. "She usually perks up for you."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I was hoping I wouldn't have to," I choke quietly and she puts her finger to my lips.

"I know why you didn't, if she sees us vulnerable it will only make it worse for her," Kelly chokes quietly with understanding. "I'll calm down Claire while you go see them. You're better at hiding you're upset."