Like That

Chapter 29 - Right by Your Side

Author's Note: After writing this chapter, I decided Emily's POV was needed, and was added to the end, and repeats part of Cooper's POV. Thank you.

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Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own. - Robert A. Heinlein

29 - Right by Your Side

Cooper's POV:

I did not know such a little lady could have such a tight grip, but right now Emily is almost cutting off the circulation to my hand. Between the waves of nausea, throwing up, and the pain, she is wiped out. But, she must be using all of the strength she has left on her grip.

The ultra sound tech leaves the room, but left her cart behind. I move closer to Emily, kissing her lightly on her temple. She looks as helpless as I feel. I smooth her hair, she still feels warm. "How are you feeling?" Her eyes roll back in her head a little and she closes her eyes. "Just rest." I place my lips on her forehead and pray.

The tech returns, "The doctor wants a different view," she said as she came around to the machine again. Emily's eyes are leaking, but she is too tired to really cry. I watch the tech, and notice this set of scans are going to be a little more intrusive.

"Are you are comfortable with me in here for this?" She grasps my hand even harder.

"Don't leave, don't leave me." The tech puts a condom over the probe, and begins prepping Emily. To give her as much privacy as possible, and I turn around and move my whole body closer to her face.

"I'm not going anywhere. You've got me...I'm yours." I reassure her that I'm here for her and the baby. I stroke her cheek and I talk to her, making her focus on my face and words not on what's going on. She looks like a scared little girl. Emily turns to watch the monitor again, and small whimpering sounds escape her lips.

"Can you see it better this time?" she asks.

"Yes, this is a much better view." After a few pictures were printed, the tech wheels out the cart and machine, and I wait for Emily to talk.

"I'm really scared."

I put my head on her shoulder to comfort her. Her abdominal pain makes it difficult for any other position. "I know, baby. I'm really scared, too." I put my hand over Emily's heart to feel it beating. "Do you want to talk about this?"

"No, not yet. It would only be speculation until the doctor comes back in, and I don't want to play 'what if' right now." I rub my thumb across her cheek, and nod.

"Ok, but just know that I'm here with you, and right now I feel completely useless." She told me to call and check on the kids. Make arrangement for her boys to sleep over at her brother's house, since her parents dropped them off with Keira earlier.

"What do you want me to tell them?" Say the words, tell me that you're pregnant I want to scream.

She shook her head, "Tell them I have a stomach bug or something. We don't have answers, and they will only worry." I agree that when they come to draw blood, I would step out to call. Until then, she was stuck with me.

"I guess this isn't the most romantic setting for me to tell you I love you."

I chuckle, "No, this is a little dramatic. You don't normally have a flare for that." She laughs and then grimaces, and that breaks my heart. I wish I could take her pain away. "Take it easy, you're in a lot of pain."

As if the doctor had heard my words, a nurse comes in carrying an IV bag and a syringe on a small tray. "The doctor ordered this to help take the edge off the pain." She explained the medicine and that it wouldn't knock her out...just make her more comfortable. She started an IV and gave her a shot through the port, and then left.