We seem to wait forever, and I must have fallen asleep to the calming sensation of Dax rubbing my forehead. I hear the door open and startle at the physician that comes through.
“Hi, I am Dr. Rose. I think we have worked together before, right, Liv?”
I nod and swallow hard at the anxiety rising in my throat at his mention of him remembering me. Dr. Rose must take notice.
“Don’t worry, Liv, anything we discuss here is confidential. You know that little thing called a HIPAA violation and all, right? I had ordered some preliminary labs based on your symptoms before I came in. Is it okay to talk in front of this gentleman here?”
I look over at Dax and smile. “Yes, that’s fine.”
Dax gives him his hand and introduces himself as my boyfriend, a surgeon here at the hospital. Dr. Rose nods in acknowledgment and continues. “Why don’t you tell me when this started and anything else that I should know?”
I tell him about my symptoms, and I feel Dax suddenly tense beside me. I don’t want to look at him for fear that I won’t see the response I would like on his face.
“Well, Liv, we think we know what may be contributing to this, but we will run a few more tests just to be sure. Either way, I wanted to give you the news that you are pregnant. Early stages, but your HCG levels returned on your blood work, letting us know it is a positive pregnancy result.”
Dax squeezes my hand. I feel like I had the wind knocked out of me. Even though I might have expected it, it’s another thing entirely having it confirmed.
“I’ll be back when everything else comes back from the lab. Do you have an obstetrician, or would you like some recommendations for one?”
I look at Dax.
“We’ll take a recommendation if you can provide us with that,” replies Dax quickly. “I want to ensure that she is seen immediately, especially if she continues with nausea and dizziness.”
“Sure thing, and let me know if you need anything else. The nurse should be back to reassess you after the IV fluids.”
I was so desperately trying to contain my last bit of emotions. At that, Dr. Rose left the room, and with that departure, I placed my head in the trash can and vomited the remainder of my stomach contents.
ChapterThirty-One
Dax
I finishedmy case close to midnight and am just writing orders to admit my patient to the floor. I see an unknown number flashing on my screen. I don’t know if I should answer it, but it could be important if it’s this late at night. I answer the phone to hear a familiar voice. There is music in the background, and then I hear a door close, muffling the sound.
“Hello,” I repeat my previous greeting when I answered the phone.
“Dax, It is Eduardo.”
I immediately straighten in a tense form as my back goes ramrod straight. “Is Liv okay?” Those are the first words that come out of my mouth.
Eduardo is yelling at someone in the background. He returns to the phone. “Yes, but she is dizzy, and Emma said she vomited earlier.”
“Where is she?”
“She is here in my office. Emma is with her, and I have security with her in case she needs anything more.”
“I’m on my way.” I quickly disconnected the call and left the hospital quickly without changing. I need to get Liv.
Seeing her lying on the sofa in Eduardo’s office made me freak out. She looked so pale,and to hear she had been sick without me knowing about it all day made me furious. She is such a strong woman, working, going to school, spending time with me, and managing to maintain her friendship with Brodie. It has been too much for her. I think she needs to slow down and take some time for herself. If she moved in with me, it would undoubtedly help with seeing each other, and she wouldn’t have to work since I won’t let her pay for anything. The need to take care of her should make me worry because it hasn’t even been a year since we have been together, but I can’t see a future for myself without her. I am drawn out of my thoughts when she moves her hand out of mine and rubs her temples. Luckily, I got us into a room in the ER despite how busy it was. The nurse continues to ask her general questions about the events that lead to her coming here.
”When did the symptoms start? When was your last menstrual cycle?”
Liv begins to tell the nurse about her symptoms, and my eyes shoot up at the next question waiting to hear her answer. “Umm, I had a period recently, but it was short and only spotty.”
She brings her hands together in a twisting motion, not looking at me. Does she think she’s pregnant? So many thoughts go through my mind. We have sex a lot and bareback at that because she is on the pill. I can't even begin to believe she has been feeling this way and still tried going out tonight. What was she thinking? Dr. Rose comes in and asks more leading questions.
I stiffen at her response and look at her. I mean, really, look at her. She must notice my tension and rigid posture because she tries to pull her hand away, but I just give her a reassuring squeeze to let her know I support her. That's when I heard Dr. Rose confirm my suspicions.
“I want to provide you with the news that you are pregnant. Early stages, but your HCG levels returned elevated in your blood work, letting us know it’s a positive pregnancy result.”
