My breath is shaky as I force myself to take small steps clinging onto Noah digging my nails into him with each small step I take but he doesn't seem to mind.
I'm too stubborn to let him carry me in.
"Almost there Mar." Noah reassures as the automatic doors open with a whoosh, the smell of lemon floor cleaner and antiseptic assaulting me instantly. The lights are too bright, too white and the hum of chatter presses in from every direction.
My body stiffens as I feel another sharp stab at my lower back and I out let out a hiss as the pain ripples through me. I grip at Noah's hoodie sleeve trying to compose myself, again he doesn't flinch. Instead his arm tightens around my waist, steady and sure reminding me that I can lean onto him.
"I've got you baby girl. You're okay." Noah reminds me scanning around the room looking for help and a nurse at the desk notices us and urgently starts making her towards our direction.
"Hi hon, what brings you in tonight?" She asks kindly, eyes scanning me taking in the way I'm already uncomfortably stood infront of her.
"It's my back. I keep having these sharp bursts of pain, they've been going on and off throughout the day." I manage biting on my lower lip feeling like an inconvenience.
"She's pregnant too." Noah adds the worry in his voice apparent and the nurse gaze shifts down to my stomach where there's now a neat little bump, unmistakable underneath my hoodie.
"Okay, how far along are you?" She asks calmly.
"Seventeen weeks." I answer feeling the lump in my throat forming and I swallow hard trying to get it to disappear.
"Alright." She nods her expression unwavering. "Have you experienced any bleeding? Loss of fluid?" She quizzes and I can see Noah pale at her questions.
"No, nothing like that. Just a lot of pain." I reply honestly, my voice small.
Relief floods Noah's face, the tension rolls off of him in waves. His shoulders drop letting out a breath I didn't realise he was holding.
"Hey are you okay?" I mumble and he nods automatically.
"Of course." He replies without hesitation giving my hip a quick squeeze.
"Okay hon, let's get you checked in and sat down." She smiles kindly but the thought of sitting down again fills me with dread and Noah senses it.
"Hey Mar, I've got you. I promise." Noah whispers and I shake my head in protest but I know deep down it's for the best.
"We've got the wheelchair right here sweetheart. We just need to be settled, for you and baby." She adds and I finally nod weakly, desperate for the pain to stop.
Moments later a wheelchair is headed towards us, the squeak of the wheels cutting through the chatter.
Noah gives me a sympathetic smile, warm and understanding - knowing that I don't want this but I need it, he presses a kiss to my temple.
"I'm right here." He whispers into my hair and I loosen my grip on his hoodie lowering myself into the chair feeling it dip slightly under my weight.
The chair clicks against the vinyl floor as I try to settle. A sharp jolt ricochet's up my spine and I can't help but whimper at the pain. I scrunch my eyes shut, my vision blurring at the edges. I suck in a shaky breath, fingers curling around the arm rest waiting for it to pass.
"Mar, it's okay." Noah's voice breaks through the haze. "Look at me, baby."
I slowly peel open my eyes and see Noah crouching infront of me. He places one hand on my knee and brushes the fallen strands of hair behind my ear with the other.
YOU ARE READING
Just Pretend
FanfictionMargo Brown, twenty five year old writer is desperate to pave her own path and to get out of her small town. A month before she is due to put down new roots in a new city her best friend Cassidy invites her along to a concert playing it off as Marg...
