Chapter 45
Gabriella
I sank into Chandler’s embrace, feeling overwhelming relief that he was here with me. I choked on my sobs as I clung to him, breathing in his familiar and comforting smell. Feeling his soothing touch as he gently rubbed my back, rocking me back and forth against his chest. It felt like I was home.
It didn’t seem real. None of this did. I couldn’t believe I was in this hospital bed hooked up to an IV with all these monitors beeping around me, their blinking lights like little stars in the dim, cold room. I watched them over Chandler’s shoulder as he continued holding me and murmuring over and over, “I’m here.” His voice was soothing and warm, but I could hear the panic behind it. I was sure he was as scared as I was in that moment.
I lifted my head from my chest and tried to sit up in the hospital bed to get a better look at him, to confirm that this was real and not all in my head. But there he was, on his knees in one of my favorite suits, his green eyes looking me over in quiet desperation. I placed my hand on his cheek, the stubble prickling against my palm, trying to soothe his fears.
“How did you—” I shook my head in disbelief. “Whatare you doing here?” I asked, my voice catching in my throat.
“Your friend, Juliet called…”
I nodded. Of course she did.
“She told me what happened. Are you okay?” he asked, reaching for my hand and gently giving it a squeeze.
“I-I think so…I don’t know.” My voice shook. It felt like I had been lying here forever, waiting for answers. My only real question being if the baby was okay. I didn’t know what I would do if it wasn’t. I couldn’t even think about it, especially not when Chandler was here staring back at me, painting a picture of what our future could be if we made it out of here.
Everything else seemed to fade away as I looked at him, hoping we could build the life we had talked about. I didn’t care about anything else anymore. It was like being in this hospital put everything into perspective. All I could see was him. Ilovedhim. I think I knew it before, but now I knew for sure.
Just then, there was a knock at the door and a doctor in pale green scrubs walked in. He looked at Chandler and me, clearing his throat as if knowing he had interrupted something. Chandler rocked back on his heels and stood up, not letting go of my hand.
“Hello,” said the doctor, almost as a question as he looked at Chandler.
“Doctor.” Chandler nodded. “I’m the baby’s father, Chandler. Chandler White.” He held out his hand and shook the doctor’s hand firmly.
The doctor nodded in understanding before looking down at me.
“It looks like you’ve had quite the scare,” he said softly, giving me a warm smile.
“What happened?” I asked nervously.
“Your blood pressure spiked, making you nearly faint,” he said.
“Is the…is the baby okay?” I was almost too scared to ask.
“Baby is fine, but we do need to keep you overnight for observation.”
“But the baby will be okay?” I asked, needing confirmation.
“Please don’t worry,” he said, looking from me to Chandler. “It’s just routine that we keep you here overnight to run some more tests. We want to make sure this isn’t preeclampsia.”
I had only read a little about it, but I shuddered at the thought. I didn’t want anything complicating my pregnancy, big or small.
“Now, can I ask you some questions?”
“Okay,” I answered nervously.
“Have you been experiencing a high amount of stress lately?”
I looked up at Chandler, who was already looking at me with a face that could only be read as regret. I felt the same inside. I had been so stressed about work and about us, that I hadn’t been taking care of myself like I should. The guilt overwhelmed me.
“Yes,” I said softly. “Work has been really crazy lately and…just life.”
“Well, I suggest you find some ways to eliminate that stress.”
“I keep trying to, but it keeps coming back for me,” I said, looking at Chandler and smiling.
