The Sweetest Drug (On Hold..... maybe)

Page 46

It's the early hours of their last morning at the bungalow and Nina whimpers in her sleep, Jared stirs from his slumber and pulls her close  assuming she's having a bad dream. He dozes off again only to be woken up an hour later, Nina's whimpers have turned into moans. He shakes the veil of sleep from his eyes and tries to comfort her "Nina..... sweetheart are you ok?" he feels his son or daughter moving against him and drops his hand to her belly, it begins to tighten underneath his hand. He shutters in shock not sure of what to do, Nina moans again as her belly tightens even more, Jared caresses her cheek as he tries to gently stir her from her slumber "Nina, baby ..... what's wrong?" she cries out in pain "Uuuhhh.......Jare..... aaahhh" she grabs her belly" Jared's jaw drops slightly and his eyes open wide as he realizes she's in early labor Oh God what do I do J:"I'm right here baby, I'm right here just breathe" he helps her through the contraction then looks at his watch so he can start timing them N:"It's too soon I don't understand" J:"Maybe it's false labor, Dr. Connolly  said it could happen" N:"I know darling but what if it isn't? I'm scared Jared" he smiles at her weakly and pulls her close "I know baby so am I, just try and relax and I'll time the contractions if they don't taper off we'll go to the hospital" he holds her close and rubs her belly trying to soothe the contractions away.

He's almost dozed off when Nina cries out in pain she grabs onto him and squeezes tight. He feels moisture on his thigh, he pulls back the blankets and sees a bloody watery liquid soaking through her neglige "Oh God.... SHANNON!!!! ..... It's ok baby you're gonna be ok" She's covered in a thin veil of sweat and all but passed out from the pain "SHANNON!!! please help!!!!!" He runs into the bedroom with Julia not far behind. S:"Jared what's wrong what happened?" J:"She's in labor, somethings wrong she's bleeding" Shannon looks at Jared's  hand, his fingers covered with the liquid staining Nina's neglige and possibly the bed sheet. The color leaves his face but he keeps his composure and turns to Julia "Darling I need you to get dressed grab the blankets from our bed and place them in the back seat of the car, get the car started and wait for me there" J:"Ok Darling" she walks over to Jared and gives Nina's shoulder a re-assuring squeeze "You're going to be ok Doll you'll see...." she turns her attention to Jared and touches his cheek "....they both will" Jared nods weakly and watches her leave. Shannon kneels before them and places a reassuring hand on Jared's neck and pulls him close she's gonna be ok Jay I promise, I need you to get her ready to go and take her out to the car, I'll meet you there" J:"Where are you going?" Shannon smiles sweetly at his little brother S:"To get dressed for one, I can't drive you to the hospital half naked" they both giggle at that but Nina quickly winces in pain "..... Nina I promise, you and the baby will be ok" she smiles weakly and nods.

When he rented the Bungalow he took the precaution of asking Travis for the local hospital in case of an emergency not that he thought they wouldn't need it but being the cautious man he is, he thought it was better to be safe than sorry. He goes to the desk in the living room and picks up the black journal in the cubby just behind the phone and quickly locates the number to the Medical facility. He picks up the receiver and places a call, the receptionist instructs Shannon to bring Nina in directly into the Maternity Ward and that she would advice them that they we're coming, he thanks her for her help and returns the receiver to its cradle picks up his keys and jacket and heads out the door.

They reach the hospital in less than ten minutes Jared is sure Shannon ran a couple of lights but he's not gonna question him now, he's just happy to be at the hospital where Nina can be seen. Her contractions are now 15 minutes apart and the pain is unbearable after a thorough examination the Doctor gives Jared and update. Dr:"Mr. Leto it's a pleasure to meet you I'm Dr. Raines I'll be delivering your baby" The color drains out of Jared's face at the word delivering "Delivering? but he isn't due for another month!!!" Dr:"I understand Mr. Leto but I'm afraid we have no choice her placenta has partially detached, that's why she's bleeding. Normally we can stabilize her and put her on bed rest till it's safe to deliver but...her water broke a few minutes ago, Mr. Leto, I'm afraid we no longer have a choice" Jared is stunned and scared for his son or daughter "So.... what happens now?" Dr."She's being prepped for an emergency C-section as we speak" Jared gasps as his eyes tear up "Can I see her ..... please" Dr:" Normally we don't allow expectant fathers in the Delivery Room but for you I'll make an exception" Shannon turns Jared to face him "Look it me Jay they're gonna be fine, I promise you, I promise you, they be fine" he pulls Jared into his embrace his body shutters in Shannon's arms and tears leave his eyes. Julia wipes away his tears and tries to reassure him "I know things didn't go exactly as planned honey and I know you're scared but you have to be strong for Nina's sake, she's scared too, she needs you Jay" He gives them a weak nod and a smile then wipes his tears Dr:"Are you ready Mr. Leto?" J:"Yes .... please" Dr:"Right this way" he gives Shannon and Julia one last look and follows the Doctor to Nina's room. Shannon pulls Julia into his arms and breathes deeply shuttering as he exhales. Julia presses her lips to his chest and holds him close "She's gonna be ok sweetheart, you'll see" S:"I know Baby, it's just I've never seen Jared so scared and there's nothing I can do to ease his fears but make a promise I'm not even sure I can keep" J:"Oh Shannon..... but you did Darling maybe not the way you would've wanted but you did" S"My voice of reason, what would I ever do without you?" J:"That's one thing you'll never have to find out" she takes his lips and holds him close.