✔Vengeful Valentine

Four: Everly

Nothing hurt more than being told the heartbeat stopped. Not even the dreadful cramping.

I never got the chance to hold our baby or see his sweet smile. I never even got to tell him goodbye. It was too early to determine the gender, but I'll always hold on to my hunch that he was a boy. We didn't even have the chance to come up with names. Adam had just learned he'd be a father. We were so happy...

Why did this happen? Who wanted me dead?

My tears wouldn't stop falling. Emmett had to be tired of me crying, but I was glad he stayed by my bedside. I didn't want to be alone. If only they'd allow Adam to stay longer. At least he'd be able to visit later. I missed him so much. I just wanted to go home and lie in my own bed, curled up beside Adam.

I hardly slept a wink last night. Every time I drifted off, scary demon-like creatures hunted me like prey in my dreams. They seemed so real. Emmett woke me once when I started shaking and muttering weird stuff when I swore something tried to sink its claws into my stomach, tearing deep through my flesh. I couldn't help but check on my own bandaged gunshot wound, almost expecting to find demon scratches. Thank goodness I didn't.

The wind roared outside the hospital room. Gray storm clouds covered the sky and raindrops raced down the windowpane.

"Ms. Larson?" A soft knock came at the door before my doctor walked in. Farah Khan was so pretty; she wore a blue headscarf and white lab coat. A stethoscope hung around her neck. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Better than last night. But it still hurts a little," I admitted.

She gave me a sad, sympathetic smile.

I hated complaining about the pain. It made me feel pathetic and broken. Discussing the nitty-gritty details of how I felt got a little uncomfortable. I wasn't used to such invasive questions. I rarely fell ill as a child, so I didn't visit the doctor often. Whenever I did, I always had my mom by my side. I wished she could've been sitting beside me, telling the doctor everything instead. Making Emmett do that would be too weird. Mom would be at the hospital soon though, and I'd be so relieved.

Shifting slightly on the hospital bed, I noticed a speck of red on the white sheet. Not again. I knew the doctor saw it too before I hid the stain with the cover. I'd always had heavier periods, but never anything like this. I was so grateful Emmett sent Kaz to my house to grab me a backpack full of clean clothes to wear last night, but I couldn't help wondering if something was wrong with me.

"Am I supposed to... bleed so much?" I cringed just asking out loud.

"It's normal to have bleeding after a miscarriage, and the amount is different for everyone. But if you bleed through a thick pad in an hour for over two hours, let me know right away. That could be sign of infection."

I nodded. "All right."

Dr. Khan explained the medications she prescribed me and why I needed them. Like the IV antibiotic cefotetan and morphine. Emmett's ears perked when she mentioned the morphine. If she noticed the excited glint in my brother's bloodshot eyes like I did, then she didn't mention it.

"Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me?"

My heart thumped in my chest. Ever since learning I miscarried, there was one question I couldn't get out of my head. I almost felt guilty considering it, and I wasn't sure if I wanted the answer. But I trusted her to be honest and kind with her response. I was grateful to get such an amazing doctor to care for me.

"Will I be able to have a baby again?" My voice cracked. "And how soon could we start trying if I can?"

"Your body just went through something very traumatic. Gunshot wounds take up to two months to heal. While you physically can get pregnant again, you should consider how you feel emotionally about conceiving. You mentioned to me last night that this hadn't been a planned pregnancy, right? There's no need to rush things now. Let your body heal and rest first."