She'd been awake for a while. Something wasn't right, but she wanted to be sure before she frightened Lindsey. She waited, every inch of her in pain. She had no idea how long it had been, but she knew she needed to go get looked at. She finally dragged herself out of bed to find him. He'd never been able to sleep as late as she could, and she was sure he'd been up for hours. Guitar picking echoed through the hall, and she followed it to the studio. There, she found him sprawled on the floor, his eyes closed as he picked. Some things hadn't changed at all. For a minute, she just watched him. Listening to him play had always been one of her great joys. Something about the passion he invoked was contagious, and the familiarity of his humming along with the guitar calmed her. Eventually, he realized that she had entered the room and jumped to his feet.
"Hi! You're up! Want some breakfast?"
"Not right now. Honey, something isn't right."
"What do you mean?" His brow furrowed and he froze, panicking slightly.
"I'm not sure. I... I hurt a lot."
"Let's go."
"Let me put some clothes on at least," she said, taking his hand. He fell silent, leading her to the bedroom and quickly helping her out of her nightgown. He paused for a minute, staring at her belly, resting his hand on her belly. "Lindsey?"
"Hmm?"
"Why don't you call Dr. Hunter while I get dressed?" He nodded and disappeared into the hallway. She threw some clothes on and took a deep breath before heading out to the living room. She almost collided with Lindsey, who had already called the doctor and was rushing back to her. "Ready?" He just nodded and put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her out the door.
"Lindsey, you haven't said a word."
"I'm trying to stay calm right now. It isn't easy."
"I know. But everything is probably going to be fine."
"How are you not freaking out?"
"I am." She squeezed his hand so tight it hurt, wincing in pain. He didn't flinch, stepping harder on the gas. "Honey, don't kill us. We'll get there," she said, her voice tight.
They were brought right back when they arrived, and he helped her into the obligatory gown. The doctor fired a thousand questions at them as she slid the jelly across her Stevie's abdomen, frowning as she studied the screen.
"Well, now we know what it isn't... but I think it's an abruption."
"A what?" Lindsey had his hand on her shoulder and he gave it a squeeze, more for himself than her.
"The placenta is tearing away from my uterus," Stevie said flatly. The emptiness in her voice terrified him.
"Mama knows her stuff. That's exactly right. I'm going to keep you here, because there isn't much we can do to treat it. You're only 23 weeks, so we obviously can't deliver yet. We'll need to monitor you for a while, okay?"
She nodded slowly, staring at the wall. Lindsey spoke to the doctor again, but she had no idea what they even said. She knew the baby was in trouble. She could feel it, despite the reassuring tone her doctor tried to take. They medicated her and wheeled her into another room.
She sat silently there while they hooked up the IV and monitors. He waited for tears, for yelling, for something from her, but she wouldn't even speak. He knew by the look on her face that she knew something was very wrong. All he knew to do was sit there and hold her hand. Her meds kicked in quickly and she leaned back and closed her eyes, resting her hand on her belly as she drifted off. As she relaxed into sleep, the lines disappeared from her face and she looked beautifully calm.
He called his brother. They'd waited so long to tell anyone, and still kept it pretty much under wraps, but her family and his brother had been necessary. He let Jeff calm him down, still stroking her hand and watching her. She would want to be the one to tell her parents, though. He'd wait until she woke up.
The sun started to set, and he started out at the sunset over the water. At least they'd gotten a good room. He had no idea how long they were going to be there, but he knew he'd better settle in. She'd been asleep for a long time.
A nurse entered and started busying herself with updating the chart. "She's been asleep a while."
"I don't think she slept last night."
"I've got to wake her to draw some blood," she said apologetically.
"Here, let me," he said, moving to the edge of her bed and perching on the edge. He brushed her hair from her face and said her name. Nothing. "Baby, they've got to draw some blood, okay?" Her eyes fluttered open and she scanned the room, obviously unsure of where she was. "How do you feel?"
"Like hell," she said, closing her eyes again and putting her hand on her forehead.
"She needs to get some blood from you, and you need to get some food in you."
She nodded feebly and extended her left arm, not flinching as the needles entered her veins. The nurse chatted away and they were polite, both wishing she'd hurry and finish. When they were alone again, she curled onto her side, reaching over to grab his hand. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I know this is scary."
"Stop worrying about me. And don't you ever apologize for this again," he said, his tone gentle.
"Do people know I'm here?"
"Just Jeff. I think we've kept the media quiet."
"They're still talking about how fat I am," she said, hurt seeping into her voice. She'd made a public appearance a few weeks prior and, since they avoided telling people about the baby, they'd made the assumption she'd gained weight. The tabloids had covered it relentlessly, and he knew that it wounded her deeply.
"They have no idea."
"They're going to find out I'm here, aren't they?"
"Maybe. But the staff has been great about privacy. You need to call your parents, though."
"I will. Not now. Baby, you should go shower and get some food. And since I'll be here a while, I could use some things from the house."
"I don't want to leave you."
"I'm okay. Really," she said, smiling and rubbing his hand. "I want real food, anyway. Don't make me eat this hospital stuff."
"Okay. I'll go," he said hesitantly. "Promise you'll call if anything at all happens?"
"Honey the house is 10 minutes away. You won't be gone long. If you could bring me my journal and some pens and my hotel bag that would be wonderful. And a change of clothes." Her hotel bag was a bag she traveled with that was full of scarves and candles and things that she liked to surround herself with when she traveled. It made her feel like she was home, she said.
"You got it," he said, standing. He leaned over to kiss her head. "I love you."
"Love you, too. Oh! Lindsey?" He turned from the door and raised an eyebrow at her. "Could you bring your guitar?"
"My guitar?"
"I want you to play for me." He smiled a little and nodded as he left, lingering outside the door for a minute. He jammed his hands into his pockets and dropped his head, hoping no one would notice him as he rushed to the car. Finally alone, he leaned against the steering wheel and let a few tears fall, exhaling heavily. All there was to do now was to take care of her so she could rest.
