Emily, Please Don't Go Away

Sixteen

 "Gee?" I cried out. "Something's happening!" A sharp pain ripped through my abdomen. I took several deep breaths to calm myself, but I cried out in pain as another wave hit.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he rushed into the room. "Babe, what happened?" His eyes grew wide as he looked down. I felt a sudden warmth between my legs. "Is that blood?" I felt the wet spot, and when I looked at my hand, I saw the red.

"I... I need to go to the hospital," I stammered as I felt myself collapse.

"Emily!" I saw him rushing towards me, but before he could get to me, everything went black.

* * * * *

When I came to, I was in a white room. Immediately, I noticed the beeping machines and the harsh white light, and I could only assume that I was in a hospital. I struggled to sit up, but a hand gently pushed me back down.

"Don't. Just be still." His voice was low and raspy.

"Gee? What happened? Why am I-" He shook his head. "Gee?"

"I'll be back in a minute. Don't move," he commanded, and without another word, he left the room. I sat in an uncomfortable silence, listening to the sounds coming from the machines. After a few minutes, there was a light tap on the door before a man in a white overcoat came in, followed closely by Gerard.

"Mrs. Way, I'm Doctor Olivos," the man introduced himself.

"What happened? Why am I here?" I asked, stuttering as the panic built in my chest.

"Your husband brought you in. You had fainted, most likely from the blood loss. Mrs. Way, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you've suffered a miscarriage. You were only at about eleven weeks, so unless there are complications, a D and C probably won't be necessary," he explained. I could see the sympathy on his face as he spoke.

"So, what do I do now?" I asked as I wiped a tear away.

"Basically, it's going to be much like a regular period for a couple of days. You may experience some heavier bleeding and cramping that is worse than normal. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to come back and see us. It's always better to be safe than sorry," he said kindly as he patted the edge of the bed.

"When can we leave?" Gerard asked. He seemed to be going to great lengths to avoid looking at me.

"I will send in a nurse with the discharge paperwork. It shouldn't be very long," he replied as he patted his shoulder. After he left, Gerard walked over to the window and leaned against the sill.

"Gee, I-"

"Not now, Emily," he dismissed.

"I just-"

"I said not now," he growled. He turned his attention back to the window. I sat back uncomfortably and waited for the nurse. After she came and filled out all the paperwork, Gerard went to get the car, and she insisted on taking me out in a wheelchair. She rolled me down to the front of the hospital, where Gerard had pulled up to.

"Come on, dear," he muttered harshly. He grabbed my arm and aggressively helped me into the car. He waved to the nurse before getting into the car. I didn't say anything, because I wasn't sure what there was to say. For the entire drive home, there was a thick, tense silence.

Once we got home, he got out of the car and went inside. I followed behind, moving significantly slower than him. As I entered the house, I shut the door behind me. He was leaning against the wall, his head resting on his forearm.

"Gee..." I said quietly. Without warning, he spun around and slapped me. I held my hand over my cheek as my eyes grew with shock.

"This is your fault!" He roared. I felt the tears burn behind my eyes. "If you would have listened to me and took it easy, this wouldn't have happened! But, no. You said I was just being too protective."

"I'm sor-"

"No. You know what? I just don't give a fuck. My opinions weren't good enough for you, and your stupidity cost us our child. Maybe now you'll learn to listen," he spat. I felt rage erupt in my chest.

"My stupidity? Fuck you, Gerard," I hissed as I turned to walk away. He grabbed a handful of my hair and jerked my head backwards. His other hand gripped my face forcefully. I felt my teeth cut into my cheeks, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

"You ungrateful bitch. After all I've done for you, and you're going to treat me with disrespect? I don't think so. You'll learn one way or another." He let go suddenly, tossing me to the floor. "You'll learn."

* * * * *

I was curled up in a fetal position on the bed when there was a faint tap on the door. It creaked open, and Gerard stepped inside. He held a bouquet of carnations in his hands. Three purple, two white, three yellow, and one pink. He walked over and sat next to me.

"Em..." He reached out to touch me, but I shrank away. He set the flowers on the nightstand. "Emily, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened, but there's no excuse. I should never have hurt you." He tried to touch me again.

"Don't," I muttered as I turned away from him. I heard him sigh.

"I deserve that. I'm so sorry. I don't know how to make it better. I need help. I can't control my emotions, and I see now how big of a problem that is. I made an appointment with the mental health place," he said quietly. "I'm going to see them on Thursday."

"Good," I whispered. I felt him curl up at my feet. I knew he was crying. I could hear the tiny, shallow breaths as he tried to hide it from me. My heart hurt for him. I knew he was trying his hardest to make it right.

"I'm so sorry," he choked. "I'm so... I'm so sorry..." I sighed and shifted so that he could lay down next to me. He slowly moved towards me, watching my reactions carefully. When he realized that I was waiting on him, he quickly moved next to me, curling up to my chest.

"I know you are," I said softly as I ran my hand through his hair. "We're going to get you some help. We're going to get through this."