the various chances

chapter twenty six

Jeremy

I cut the engine and look at my side to see Lizzie dozing off. It was evening by the time we were done with her IV fluids and ultrasound. Emma was eyeing me like I were to be some creepy stalker when I asked her to bring Lizzie's essentials and not to forget the book she'd been currently reading. I didn't give 2 shits about what were people thinking because my mind was wrapped up around Lizzie being unconscious.

Emma also eyed me suspiciously when I announced that I'll be keeping an eye on Lizzie. I was sure Lizzie never mentioned about our shared school history to others so it was very obvious to be suspicious in her eyes. I'd deal with her later. Mom and I were supposed to be out for lunch at her favourite café but somehow the timing was perfect.

After I saw Lizzie rushing out of my cabin to throw up, panic crawled up my nerves. I faintly remember shouting on Emma and someone else. I had called Mom to be urgent so she can check Lizzie for any other signs of medical discomfort. Mom's statement made us rush Lizzie to hospital which was luckily a short ride from the office.

Also, Dr Turner said that it looked like Lizzie wasn't eating much and was throwing up constantly. For the first thing that could come to my mind would the possibility of Lizzie being pregnant in correlation to her vomiting so much but yet I knew better than anyone else that had it been a man in her life, I would've known. There wasn't, thankfully.

But relief washes over me when doctor said she needed ultrasound for a better diagnosis. She said it had to be either her female reproductive organs or some issues with her intestine. Lizzie had a terrible relation with cramps since her school days and I just so happen to know.

And at the end of a chaotic day in hospital we were a few floors away from home. It was merely a metaphor but my penthouse was where I'd plan to keep Lizzie as to truly keep an eye on her while we wait for her reports to roll in. I knew that stubborn little flower would easily slip out under anyone else's hold so someone who could keep her nerves hot was needed and who was better than me at this job, if there were to be someone else than I'd be damned.

I open the car door, pick up her overnight bag and sling it up my shoulder. Lizzie winces. I open the door to her side and lean down, pick her up and by my own surprise manage to close the door and lock the car, making my way towards the elevator. She didn't utter a single protest but looks up in my eyes, "You should put me down."

"No" –I shake my head- "You'll slip and break your pretty face." She chuckles and rests her head on my shoulder.

I watch the elevator numbers. We were still 5 floors before our designated floor. "I am fine, Jeremy. Put me down." It was almost laughable at her voice and the way it was failing to come out like an order. She squirmed under my hold when I ignored her previous statement. I let the hand holding her legs lose, but the hand around her upper back slid down her waist, she sighs when her feet land on the metal floor of the elevator.

She had anchored herself around my side and I was grateful for that. Her head was leaning on my shoulder and one hand holding onto my arm while other one was on her head. I had to give myself some speech that Lizzie was just vomiting and felt weaker but all that felt like a déjà vu. The rush, the panic, not being able to see her and losing her all at once in the same day came back flooding to my mind. It was terrible and it almost felt like I was living that day again.

I shake my head, trying to break out of the horrific recap. I had her here with me, it was fine. I remind my inner self which was freaking the shit out of present me.

The ding of the elevator alerts me. I usher Lizzie out of the elevator, to my door. She was beyond the limits of exhaustion and it was a very obvious guess. Opening the door I let her in and silently ask her to sit on the couch. My suit jacket was long gone, probably missing somewhere but fuck if I cared.