His Miracle

Wrong Decision?

I'm standing outside the hospital waiting for Tobias to arrive. My eyes feel heavy and all I want is to crawl into bed so I can sleep for a week. The exhaustion that comes with a difficult pregnancy is on another level. I hear a car roll to a slow stop in front of me before Tobias steps out. He silently walks over before taking my bag from my shoulder. His arm wraps around me and he pulls me into his chest for a quick hug.

"Hey, sweetheart. Are you doing okay?"

I mumble a response into the fabric of his shirt. Since the doctor told me the news, I feel like a piece of me has died inside. It's not knowing whether me or my baby will survive this pregnancy that is beginning to drive me insane. It's a constant thought in my head, despite how much I want to push it aside. Tobias guides me over to the passenger seat before helping me inside. His car is immaculately clean, with the scent of pine and his aftershave intertwined. He reaches over me before clicking a button and I feel the seat beginning to heat up underneath me. Once he's sitting in the driver's seat, he turns to look at me with a frown on his face.

"Where the hell is Jake? He should be here with you."

I can't help feeling disappointed. I shrug my shoulders before staring out of the window.

"He needed to get some air. I don't think he's taking my decision to keep the baby very well," I mumble.

I begin twisting the beads on the bracelet Tobias bought for me. He releases a deep sigh before turning on his car.

"For what it's worth, I respect your decision. It's a pretty brave thing to do," Tobias says before pulling out of his parking spot.

Despite how terrible I feel, Tobias' words bring a smile to my face.

*

I feel my shoulder shaking gently and I groan in protest. I don't want to move. The seat is warm underneath me, Tobias' car smells great and I'm exhausted.

"Go away," I mumble quietly before nestling further into the seat.

Tobias leans down before gently shaking my leg.

"Come on, Em. You can't sleep in here all night. Let's get you inside."

"Uhh," I groan dramatically before opening one eye.

Tobias leans against the passenger door while watching me with amusement. I unfasten the seat belt before shuffling to climb out of the car. The simple movement causes my stiff body to scream out with pain. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Why does it suddenly feel like I'm back to recovering from Jones' gunshot wound all over again? It was a dark time in my life... I'd rather not revisit it.

"Do you need a hand?" Tobias asks me before stepping forward.

I nod my head in agreement. It's going to take some getting used to giving up my independence, but I have to do everything I can to keep this baby safe.

Tobias helps me out of the car before wrapping an arm around my waist. When I struggle to walk a few feet, he looks down at me with concern in his eyes.

"Should you have been discharged from the hospital?"

"Yes. I hate hospitals. If I never have to see white walls again, I'll be the happiest person alive."

"It's a shame you're pregnant because you're going to be seeing white walls very regularly," Tobias grins down at me before opening the door with his free hand.

The house is silent and I hesitate before walking inside. Tobias senses my hesitation and he pauses to give me a moment.

"Does everyone hate me?" I whisper quietly.