A Falice Story

32. Home

FP's POV

I sit next to her hospital bed, stroking her hair with one hand while my other hand was still intertwined with hers.

"Everything's going to be okay, Al."

She cringes, tears rolling down her cheeks. I hate seeing her in this much pain. I look down at her baby bump, silently praying that everything would be okay. I change from stroking her hair to rubbing her belly gently. 

"Do you think she's okay?" Alice asks quietly, her other hand meeting mine on her belly.

"Yeah, Al. She's tough like her mama."

She smiles a little at that. Even though I'm scared shitless, I can't let Alice see that. "She'll be fine," I keep telling myself over and over again. She sighs as the pain has subsided and reaches out to touch my face.

"I'm so sorry."

"Babe, what for?"

"You know--what I said earlier. I don't really think that. I was just caught up in the emotion and I wasn't thinking straight. I know you'd never do that to me," she sniffles.

I kiss her forehead, "It's okay, Ali. What's important now is that you and the little peanut are okay."

She nods a little bit, wiping away some tears. "I'm so scared, FP." 

I run my thumb along her cheekbone, "Don't be, babe. I know everything is going to be alright."

"How can you be so sure?"

I smile, "I just know it. Okay? Let's think positively."

She pats the space next to her, signaling for me to sit with her. With extreme caution not to accidentally hurt her, I carefully get in the bed, her body immediately curling into me, resting her head on my chest.

Alice's POV

The pain is finally starting to subside and being held by FP makes me feel a whole lot better. The doctor opens the door and FP and I both jump a little, nervous about the news to come.

"Hi, Alice. Is the pain starting to go away?"

I nod, "Yeah, it is."

He smiles, "That's great. I have good news and bad news for you."

FP and I look at each other wide eyed, "What's the good news?" he asks quickly.

"The good news is that you aren't going into preterm labor."

Both FP and I sigh in relief. "What's the bad news?" I ask nervously.

"The bad news is that you have gestational hypertension--also known as high blood pressure. This ups your risk of going into labor early and developing preeclampsia. Therefore, we advise  you to be on bed rest as much as possible, to decrease your chances of either of those things happening."

I nod slowly. I'm so glad the baby is okay, but I don't like the idea of having to be on bed rest. FP already knows this and wraps his arm back around me, rubbing my shoulder, "I'll make sure she sticks to that, Doc."