Tricks Of The Game

Chapter 45

*Kelsey's POV*

"Duncan, wake up. Something's wrong," I said through tears. I had woken up to sharp pains in my sides and had a sinking feeling that something was very, very wrong.

"Baby what's wrong?" He jolted awake immediately. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know," I sobbed, "The baby. My sides," I couldn't get the words out, I was crying so hard.

"Okay. Alright, baby doll, I'm gonna take you to the hospital, okay?" He gently rubbed my back, trying to calm me down. I could tell he was just as scared as I was. He let his hands rise to either side of my face, turning my head so we were looking right at each other. "Listen to me sweetheart. Everything is going to be fine, okay?" I tried my best to believe him.

*Duncan's POV*

My mind was going a million miles an hour. I pulled a t-shirt and hoodie on, Kelsey doing the same. I raced to Colton's room, scooping him up in one arm as I dialed Andrew's number as fast as I could. The sudden movement scared Colton awake, and he started crying.

"Shh buddy, it's just Daddy," I soothed as he fell back asleep in my arms.

"Hello?" Andrew groggily answered his phone.

"Andrew, I'm dropping Colton off. Something is wrong with Kelsey and I need to get her to the hospital. Can you watch him?" I silently prayed he would be home and able to take him.

"Yeah, yeah of course. I'll be waiting."

I hung up my phone. God, I was so scared. What if we were losing our baby? Even though he wasn't biologically mine, I wanted this baby so bad.

"Dexter, cage," I yelled out to our puppy. He bounded down the steps, obediently going to his kennel. I locked the door, glad he listened so well.

"C'mon angel, let's go," I leaned down and kissed my girl, trying my hardest to reassure her.

*time skip to hospital check-up*

As the nurse listened for a heartbeat, my own heart began to sink. I knew they should have found his heartbeat by now. Kelsey's grip on my hand tightened as the nurse called for the doctor. Neither of us said anything, just silently hoped they would find his heartbeat and everything would be okay.

When the doctor set the device down, I knew. My second baby boy was gone.

"I'm very sorry, but there is no heartbeat. We'll give you two a minute," he said, confirming my worst fears as he stepped out. Kelsey and I both burst into tears. I pulled her into my arms, knowing she had never been in this much pain before.

"Why did this have to happen to me," she sobbed. My heart broke into a million pieces. She was going to be my wife and I didn't know how I possibly could fix this for her.

"I wish I knew, my love," I said, letting her cry into my shoulder. "But baby girl, this isn't it for us," I said as the tears rolled down my face. "We can try again sweetheart. Whenever you're ready, I am too." She held me close to her, the sobs slowly receding. She smiled sadly at me, gently pushing a lock of hair out of my face.

"I love you, Duncs," she said, then stayed silent for a minute. "Please don't be mad, but I have to call Patrick," she finally said, a few tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I know baby," I kissed her, trying to be as supportive as I could be, even though I didn't want Patrick to see her.

*Kelsey's POV*

As Patrick's phone rang, I dreaded having this conversation. I was terrified that he wouldn't care, but he needed to know.

"Hello?" He had clearly been in a deep sleep.

"Patrick," my voice was already breaking.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

"We lost the baby," the tears I held back spilled over.

"What?" He asked in disbelief, his voice cracking as he undoubtedly began to cry. "Where are you?"

"The hospital," I answered, tears streaming freely down my cheeks.

"I'll be there in 10 minutes. I am so sorry," he hung up.

*Patrick's POV*

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. My baby was gone. I was overcome with grief as I realized this was all my fault. If I would have just stayed, taken responsibility for my child, the mother of my baby wouldn't have been under so much stress and wouldn't have had any complications. I hit the steering wheel, furious with myself. This never should have happened. I whipped into the hospital parking lot, getting to the entrance as fast as I could. Once I hit the doors, however, I stopped. I saw the two of them in the waiting room. His arms were wrapped around her, both of them crying. That's when it dawned on me. Duncan loved her. He could take care of her, give her everything she ever wanted. I was foolish to think I could ever provide her with that. I turned around, got in my truck, and silently drove home. As I laid in my empty bed, she was the last thing I thought about as I fell asleep. Let her go, Patrick. Let her go.