I’m asked a ton of questions as my blood pressure is once again taken. It’s still high, a little higher than it was in the office if I’m being honest. The medicine I’ve been given more often than not through my pregnancy is taken and then I’m finally left alone with my dad in the hospital room. Man, I hate being here for the few hours it takes on a regular basis. Now, I’m here for a week without being able to go home to my own bed and space.
“What happened, Sheridan?” my dad asks, the second the door is closed behind the nurse and other staff.
“Mom called when I was leaving school. She made her usual demands about money saying I need to respect her and one way or another she’ll get my money. Even threatened my son. I don’t know how she found out I’m pregnant, Dad. I haven’t seen her in months and I know you and Shelly wouldn’t have told her anything about me. Does she have someone following me?” I question, the thought just coming to mind as my dad hands over my phone and I set it in my lap without looking at the screen.
“That fucking bitch!” my dad explodes, anger pouring off him in thick waves. “Sheridan, I promise you nothing is going to happen to your son or you. If I have to give my life to protect the two of you, I will. Though, I have a feeling there’s one person who would be better equipped to protect the two of you.”
“Dad,” I begin, trailing off because I don’t know how to respond to that in any way that would make sense with the situation we’re currently in.
“I know things are weird between the two of you right now, Sheridan. I’m not dumb or blind to Tease being upset with you because of a misunderstanding. However, I also know that he’d do everything in his power to protect his son and you. If you won’t talk to him about what’s going on, then I will. This is about more than your pride or any other excuse you can come up with,” he says, his voice soft and gentle as he reaches out and rests his hand on my arm.
“I’ll think about it, Dad. Promise,” I assure him, my voice almost a whisper as tears fill my eyes and I try to hold them back.
Looking at my phone, I see a ton of messages from Tease. A small smile appears on my face as I unlock my phone and open our conversation thread.
Axel: Have you gotten to the office yet? Has Dr. Matthews seen you?
Axel: What’s going on, Sheridan? You’re starting to scare me.
Axel: I really need you to get a hold of me, Sheridan. I’ve already contacted my parents and they’re on their way to find you. I know your dad is with you, but I haven’t heard from you since you let me know you were heading to see Dr. Matthews.
Axel: Sheridan, what the fuck is going on?
My intention wasn’t to scare Axel and I do feel bad about it. However, there was nothing I could do about it when I was surrounded by people and being asked a ton of questions. Right now, the only thing I want is peace and quiet with my dad at my side.
Me: I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get back in touch with you. I’ve been admitted to the hospital for the next week at least. My blood pressure is higher than Dr. Matthews is comfortable with and wants me monitored for the next week. I have a feeling I know why it’s high, but we’ll see what the numbers say over the next seven days. They have me on a monitor for the baby too. They’ll know if he’s ever in distress and we’ll take the necessary precautions if anything happens. Your parents are more than welcome to come see me for themselves so they can let you know I’m not lying.
Axel: Finally! I’ll try to get home before you’re discharged. I’m not comfortable being so far away from you while you’re in the hospital. I know my mom and dad will bethere every day to see you if that’s okay. Knuckles and his ol’ lady Janessa might also stop by to see you.
Me: I’m not sure who Knuckles or Janessa are. If they show up with your parents the first time, I’ll be more than happy to let them in for a visit. I just can’t afford to allow anyone I don’t know in my room right now.
Axel: We’ll be discussing that when I see you next. Please keep me updated and I’ll try to call you later so I can hear what’s going on.
Again, I’m stunned by him wanting to suddenly call me when he never wanted to since he learned I was pregnant. I don’t bother responding because there’s really nothing to say and I’m hungry. I’m also exhausted. Dad and I talk and watch TV until he has to leave when visiting hours are over. Axel’s parents were here for about two hours with us and I truly enjoyed spending time with them because it’s been so long. Axel’s mom is excited to become a grandma and has all sorts of plans for a baby shower and helping me get everything ready for our boy to be delivered. When my dad finally leaves shortly after Axel’s parents do, I close my eyes and sleep claims me almost immediately as I use extra pillows to help me get comfortable. My dreams are filled with Axel and his sudden change. He wasn’t able to call me, but he did message me to let me know he would try tomorrow.
Chapter Nine
Tease
SHERIDAN’S BEEN IN the hospital for almost a full week and I’m just getting back to town after being on a run. I was trying to get back to town but it wasn’t possible because Omen and I were the only two members with a Prospect. Omen didn’t care if I left to be with Sheridan, but I couldn’t leave him alone. If someone else could have ridden out to meet him to grab the parts and conduct the other meetings we had to have, I would have left without hesitation. Unfortunately, everyone is busy as hell and we can’t just switch out on a whim. My parents and Knuckles have kept me updated every single day and I’ve been spending more time messaging Sheridan. Things are still extremely strained between the two of us and we need to have a conversation, but I can’t do that over the phone. It needs to be done in person.
Sheridan’s blood pressure really hasn’t gone down since she was admitted to the hospital and I know something major is going on, but no one has been able to get the truth out of her. My dad has let me know he’s walked in her hospital room and she’s been talking to her dad only for them to abruptly stop talking when the door opens. They don’t resume the conversation while any of my family is in the room with them. That tells me Sheridan is trying to keep something from everyone but her dad. If anyone knows every detail of her life, it would be her dad. They're really close and she tells him everything. Shelly wouldalso know, but she’s not in town. Shelly called me once this past week to find out why I wasn’t with her and sent my family to be with her instead. I tried to pry information out of her about the situation Sheridan’s in, but she wouldn’t tell me a damn thing. Shelly is loyal if nothing else.
I’m finally back in town and today Sheridan has another appointment with Dr. Matthews. I barely have time to stop at the clubhouse to shower and change from being on the road all day long before I have to meet her there. Her dad is still with her in the hospital and Dr. Matthews is meeting her in the room she has there. It’s the first time my parents or Knuckles haven’t been there since I called them. They don’t want to intrude on her appointment and said they’d go visit her later today despite me being home.
Janessa has gone to visit Sheridan a few times without Knuckles or my parents. She told me Sheridan talked to her but if anything got too personal, she’d clam up and not say a word. I’m not sure what Janessa was trying to find out, but it really doesn’t surprise me. Sheridan doesn’t easily let people in her world and share information with them. Janessa is going to have to work for her friendship with Sheridan and she’s cool with it. My cousin’s woman completely understood the situation when I explained it to her. Janessa was honestly a little hurt at first because she’s been nothing but nice to Sheridan. When I told her this is nothing personal but simply who Sheridan is, she stopped feeling hurt and vowed to work harder to bring her into our small circle. One of the many reasons Janessa is so good for Knuckles and the club.
After showering and changing at the clubhouse, I quickly make my way to the hospital and head straight for the maternity ward. They didn’t want Sheridan in a regular room because she needed to be hooked up to the monitors for the baby. Thankfully,our son is strong and hasn’t shown any signs of distress over the last week. His heartbeat has remained steady and strong and the ultrasound has shown him moving around like normal. At least that’s what Sheridan told me during our one conversation when I was able to call her. My mom stayed in the room with her and got to see our son while everyone else left them so Sheridan wouldn’t feel completely overwhelmed during the ultrasound. They’ve done everything they can think of to help make her comfortable.
Walking into Sheridan’s room, I see what my dad was talking about. Sheridan’s been crying based on her eyes shining bright, being swollen, and so red they look painful. She was talking to her dad until I opened the door. Their conversation ends immediately and Sheridan looks at the door. She tries to smile at me as if everything is okay, but it’s her fake smile. The one she shows the world that doesn’t reach her eyes. I don’t like getting this smile from her. I want the genuine one very few people are lucky enough to get. When Sheridan truly smiles at you, her eyes light up and her nose crinkles slightly. There’s a lightness to her that’s not normally there and it makes me feel as if she’s my light in complete darkness. Today, I don’t get that and it hurts to know I’m the reason why.
Taking a good look at Sheridan, I find her normally pale skin even paler than normal. Her hair has been brushed and thrown in a messy bun, but there are more strands than usual hanging down around her face. While her eyes are red-rimmed and swollen, they’re also not full of life. There’s a dullness to them I’m not used to seeing from Sheridan. The hospital gown is rumpled as it covers her body and she’s got a hundred blankets on the bed. I can guarantee she’s still cold because these blankets are thin and don’t do much to keep the patients warm. I’m surprised she didn’t ask for one of her thick blankets to bebrought from home to cover her. Sheridan is a mess and yet she’s never looked more beautiful than in this moment.
“How are you feeling?” I ask her, walking up to the bed and taking in the machines next to her as they beep and papers print out.
“I’m exhausted,” she answers honestly as I turn my attention to her. “The baby has been moving like crazy today and doesn’t like all the people wandering in and out of here. I can’t get enough rest because someone is always coming in to check on one thing or another.”
I go to open my mouth to respond, knowing I need to ask her what’s wrong, when the door opens again and I turn to find Dr. Matthews entering the room.
