"What is it? What's wrong?" Kiara reached for Oscar's hand as the doctor finished her thorough examination.
The panic had set in when he heard her rushing from the bed to the bathroom. At first, he thought she was going to be sick, but when he reached her, she was sitting on the toilet, her underwear at her ankles. That's when he had seen the blood.
Panic had turned to fear, that had paralyzed him for a few seconds before the adrenalin had him moving into action. He had called the doctor first and then grabbing a robe, had bundled her in, before rushing out the door.
The good thing about leaving at two in the morning was that the traffic was light and allowed him to get to the private clinic in record time.
"Spotting is usual at this time in the pregnancy." Dr. Greene said smoothly.
"Why are you frowning?"
"Am I losing my babies?" Kiara gripped his hand, rubbing bone against bone. He did not feel it.
"No. Their heartbeats are strong." She sent a reassuring smile their way as she continued to view the grainy monitor. "But your blood pressure is elevated, and your iron level is low. You're anemic."
"I've been eating--"
"It has nothing to do with your eating habits. Carrying multiples can and will do that to you. It can be draining."
"What can we do?"
The doctor threw him an appreciative smile at the word 'we'.
"Rest. Three days is my recommendation. No TV, no work, no stress. Just some light reading and stay in bed, mostly. You can take walks, short distances only but keep the stress at a minimum."
"Anything else?" Oscar demanded tersely.
"I will print out a nutrition sheet for you to follow and prescribe some iron tablets. You should be fine in a couple of days."
"Thanks."
With a nod acknowledging him, the woman rose. "I'll leave you to get dressed."
He waited until the woman had left and closed the door before bringing their joined hands to his lips.
"I'm sorry."
Surprise touched her face. That was the last thing she expected him to say.
"For what?"
"Putting you through this." His expression was grim. "If I'd known--"
"You would have done what exactly? You're pissing me off here and you know the doc wants me to be perfectly calm and serene."
He eyed her for a few seconds. "No regrets?"
"None. I've grown quite attached to these brats growing inside me. Fat ankles, sickness all the damn day and the insane cravings and all. I do believe I will miss all of it."
He gave her a skeptical look. "Really?"
"Hell no." She smiled and patted his cheek. "Help me get dressed. I'm starving."
His relief was palpable. "Aren't you always?" he asked equably.
"Watch it pal. No stress, remember?"
"I see you're going to be milking that for all it's worth." His hands were gentle as he helped her on with her robe.
