It’s goingto take an actual miracle for me to pull off another secret OBGYN appointment without Kieran finding out, but it’s too late to back out now. Even if I do manage to sneak away from the bistro without my protection team realizing, that’s only the first hurdle I will face today. The other is that my baby may no longer have a heartbeat.
Even just thinking it has my eyes stinging with tears.
“Get it together,” I mutter as I quickly run my fingers through my hair. “Go to your happy place, Riley.”
I’m not even sure what my happy placeisanymore. The world around me is nothing but a dumpster fire, and some days, it’s hard to find the positives among the wreckage.
As I head down the stairs, I find Ciara waiting for me at the bottom.
She’s leaning against the banister with one hand curved protectively over the swell of her belly and the other holding a mug of tea.
I arch a brow. “You’re supposed to be in bed.”
She waves me off. “I needed to stretch my legs. Besides, I’m hoping a little movement will convince these stubborn children to finally make their grand entrance.”
I laugh softly, but before I can reply, Elena appears from the kitchen, carrying a neatly folded pile of freshly washed baby clothes.
Ciara sighs, rolling her eyes. “Don’t bother with the lecture. I’m heading back to bed.”
Elena gives Ciara a pointed look. “Don’t make me call your husband.”
I smile. “If you’re carrying twins, does that mean it’s three against two?”
“Depends what team you’re on.” Elena flashes me a wink.
“Be careful how you answer that, Riley,” Ciara warns.
I hold my hands up. “Uh, you know what, I think I’m Switzerland here. I’m on neither team.”
Ciara narrows her eyes at me. “Traitor.”
Elena chuckles as she heads up the stairs, though she makes sure to give my shoulder a squeeze as she passes me.
Ciara takes a sip of tea. “I swear, that woman has a sixth sense. She doesn’t need to say a word, and she makes me feel guilty for putting my feet on the floor.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing. You should be resting.”
“And maybe I’m tired of everyone telling me to rest. I know Ronan and Elena mean well, but it’s like they’ve forgotten I’m still a person. I don’t just stop existing because I’m pregnant.”
There’s a heaviness beneath her words that I recognize, the same helpless frustration I’ve been wrestling with these past few days.
“I get it. It’s hard, feeling like you’re stuck in limbo.”
She nods, her hand absently stroking the side of her bump. “Exactly. It gives you too much time to think… Anyway, it’s a big day today, huh?”
“Yeah. Big day.”
She reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Remember, whatever happens today, you’re not alone. You caneven call me during the appointment and have me on speaker phone if you need me.”
The words hit deeper than I expect.
It’s such a simple gesture, but it’s enough to steady some of the nervous butterflies that are swirling around in my stomach.
“Thanks, Ciara. I’ll text you as soon as it’s done.”
“You better.” She offers me a small smile.
I walk toward the front door.
