Married To Fire

Chapter 38: Waiting Game

Once arriving back in Chicago and retrieving his phone from the locker, Luke floors it to the hospital. Dropping off Braden, he runs inside, Luke parking. Walking out off the elevator he sees Elle outside the room on her phone, pacing back and forth.

"Hey how is she?"

"She's fine. Really. Just tired and very out of it."

"Is the baby okay?"

"They are both fine. Go in and see her."

"Thank you," he nods kissing her cheek and walking in. Shelby laying on her side, a blanket over her. He notices her eyes are shut, hooked up to some machines. A smaller machine sitting behind her monitoring the baby's heart beat. Pulling a chair up beside her bed, sliding his hand on her side.

"The father I assume?" he sees a nurse walk in.

"Ugh yeah I'm the husband too," he stands.

"I figured with that fancy rock on her hand," she smiles. "She might not be up for a bit. The doctor gave her something to sleep."

"Have you guys figured out what was going on?" he asks the nurse, watching her check the monitor.

"No and we knew it would take her a while in labor because she's so small, but not this long."

"Thank you," he nods, the nurse walking out, Elle walking in.

"Hey," she smiles. "The doctor wants to know if you want her to have a c-section instead of waiting."

"I have to decide that?"

"Not right this second but maybe soon if nothing is working."

"Don't you think Shelby should make that decision? It's her body."

"That's true, but she might not be in that mindset when she wakes up. Just think about it."

***************

A few hours later, Shelby rolls over seeing Braden asleep on the couch. Smiling, she reaches over and runs her thumb down his jawline.

"Mm hey," he smiles.

"Hey."

"Are you feeling any better?"

" I feel okay."

"They are thinking about doing a c-section if things don't speed up."

"Okay."

"I know that's not what you want," Braden sighs.

"That's okay."

"I think you'll look pretty bad ass with a scar," Braden winks.

"Thanks, but I doubt that. They are huge scars. They would probably run from one hip to the other on me."

"And you'll still look sexy."

"No more bikinis...sexy dresses...low jeans."

"Yeah right," Braden laughs.

"Not a chance I'm wearing anything revealing with that giant scar."

"Babe you'll look beautiful anyways."

"Hardly," Shelby smiles right as a contraction rips through her body, squeezing his hand hard.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," she nods. "They are supposed to get closer, but they seem to still be forever apart."

"And no medicine is working?"

"Not yet anyways..."

"Do you want me to get you anything?" Braden asks kissing her forehead.

"Water."

"Sure thing," he nods, getting up and walking out to get some water.

"Mr. Evans?"

"Yes?" Braden turns.

"Nice to meet you," he smiles shaking Braden's hand. "I'm Dr. Laskin. I'm here in place of your doctor. Shelby went into labor early and she won't be back from a conference until next week. We aren't sure what's happening, but we're trying everything we can."

"Yeah well can we try little harder she's freaking out in there."

"We are. We're running some tests. Does anything run in you or her family?"

"No, we're all healthy."

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he nods walking off.

Closing his eyes, he runs his hands over his eyes--taking a deep breath. Once he gets the water he walks in, setting it down. Shelby fast asleep.