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She eyes the door I just came out of and sits down beside me. “Miss Richards is—”
“The woman I love. She’s my whole world, and I’m so fucking scared I’m going to lose her.”
She reaches out and pats me on the shoulder in motherly fashion. “I know it’s scary, but it’s a routine operation, and it really is the best thing for both mother and baby.”
I swallow. She misunderstood what I was saying, but I don’t correct her, needing to know what the fuck she’s talking about. “Can you tell me what to expect?” I hedge, my mouth dry.
“I’ll do my best. The doctor has already seen her and explained that an emergency C-section is the best option now for her and the baby. Both are at risk if she refuses.”
“Risk?”
“Pre-eclampsia can be fatal if not taken seriously. This way, mum can heal up, and though the baby will spend a little time in the NICU, each of his needs will be met. We can’t guarantee that if he isn’t delivered.”
It’s a miracle I manage to keep the vomit down. Here I’ve been throwing myself a fucking pity party, and my woman and kid are fighting for their fucking lives.
She pats the back of my hand before standing up. “I know it’s scary, but this time tomorrow, you’ll be able to meet your baby for the first time.”
I freeze, my whole frame going solid as what she’s saying finally penetrates. “Wh…what time is her surgery?”
“I don’t know. But when I do, I can call you if you want to leave me your number.” I rattle off my number as I try to formulate a plan moving forward. “It will likely be a couple of hours yet, mostly because of how busy it is. But Miss Richards is in the best possible hands.”
“I want to be there. I can be there, right?”
“If that’s what Miss Richard wants, of course.”
“Does she need anything?”
She frowns, looking confused. “She has her hospital bag with her, but perhaps she would like something else to wear, particularly something comfortable to wear home after surgery. Oh, and the baby bag too. I don’t know if you had time to pack one before everything happened. If not, a quick Google search will tell you what you need. Do not stress about it. The baby will be in the NICU for a while, like I said, so you don’t need to find everything today.” I nod as someone calls her name. “I have to get back to work, but I’ll call you the second I have a timeframe.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
She walks away, leaving me to work through everything she just said. I get to my feet and pull out my phone, hitting dial before I even make it to the lift.
“Dad? Yeah, I need your help.”
Icall Stacey and fill her in. I manage to get her to give me Emma’s daughter’s number after finding out the two had reconciled, only to learn that Sophie is five hours away on a team-building exercise.
“Shit, I should have said no. I should have stayed home. I didn’t want to risk losing my new job when they’ve been so good to me, and she’s so early,” Sophie says, speed talking on the other end of the phone. I can hear the worry in her voice.
“I’ll be right here with her. She won’t be alone, I promise.”
“Where were you when she needed you before?” she hisses.
“Making myself strong so I was worthy of her. I’m not there yet, not by a long shot, but I’m working on it.”
“Ugh. It’s tricky to stay mad at you. This does not bode well for our future relationship.”
I grin despite myself.
“Tell her I love her, and I’ll get there as soon as I can. I’ll keep trying to reach Danny, but his boss is a knob. He doesn’t let them have their phones during working hours, so he won’t check in until he’s on a break or done for the day.”
“Like I said, I’ll be here. When you do reach him, tell him I’ve got her, okay?”
“Okay, Lick,” she says softly, sounding so much like her mother it makes my breath catch in my chest.
“I’ve gotta go. I’ll keep you posted though,” I tell her gruffly before hanging up. I place a couple more calls and fire off a dozen more texts before I get the phone call I’ve been waiting for.
