"Mom, you can go! Really."
"You don't want me here?"
"Of course I do. But you've been here all week. I'm pretty sure you haven't left my room in 3 days."
"I don't have anywhere else to be!"
"Mom. Let Christopher take you to the house so you can eat and shower and relax for a while. Lindsey's here. I promise I'll be okay."
"I guess I could use a shower."
"Come on, mom," said Chris, kissing his sister on the cheek before he ushered their mom toward the door.
"Now, you call if anything happens," she insisted.
"I'll call immediately, Barb. Go relax with Jess for a while," said Lindsey, kissing her goodbye.
"I don't want to be here anymore, Lindsey," she said sadly, running her hands through her hair anxiously.
"I know, baby," he said, sitting beside her on the bed. He wrapped her in his arms and hugged her, wishing he could fix it. "But it looks like you're here for the duration."
"Knock knock!" The doctor entered cheerfully, chart in hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Restless. Can I take a shower today?"
"I think that's okay. As long as you've got someone to give you a hand. Any pain?"
"No worse than yesterday. Dull ache."
"Okay. Your blood hasn't shown signs of infection today, so that's good. A few more uneventful days and we'll send you home on bed rest."
She nodded her acknowledgement, but didn't say anything. "Can I help her shower now?" Lindsey asked.
"Sure, that should be fine. Just use the seat - she should be off her feet as much as possible."
"Okay. Thank you."
"I'll come check on you before I leave for the day," she said as she exited.
"Come on, baby. You'll feel better after you shower," he said, helping her off the bed. She shuffled across the room to the dim hospital bathroom, holding onto his arm for balance. The combination of being bedridden for a week and the baby she was carrying made her pretty wobbly. He started the shower, then untied the gown, letting it fall to her feet. He smiled a little and put his hands on either side of her belly, leaning down to kiss her.
"I need to sit."
"Okay. He pulled the shower curtain back and helped her in, handing her some of her things. He sat on edge of the sink and waited for her, watching carefully.
"Come help me with my hair?"
"Of course." He took off his shirt and drew the curtain back, taking the shampoo bottle from her. Her thick, blonde hair was down past her waist when it was wet, and he washed it thoroughly, enjoying how relaxed she finally seemed. Finally, he reached over and turned the water off, wrapping her in a towel. "You ready to stand?"
"No. Lindsey, call someone."
"What?
"Call someone. NOW!" He didn't ask again but ran into the hallway and pulled the nearest nurse he could find. When he returned, he saw blood starting to pool on the shower floor and got sick to his stomach. The nurses helped her onto the bed, and there was suddenly a flurry of activity. The doctor rushed in and started filling out some papers.
"We have to deliver."
"She's only 24 weeks, she can't..."
"We don't have a choice. If we don't do this now we lose both of them." He froze. They handed him some scrubs and told him he could be in the room. He changed quickly and followed their instructions, finding himself standing at her bedside, the curtain draped across her so he couldn't see them opening her up. She was unconscious at this point, and he held her hand tightly. A nurse had notified her family. They'd be here shortly.
