by K. S. Ruff
“Mrs. Garcia,” Rafael growled. “If Dr. Meinig isn’t available, I’m taking her to the hospital.”
She jumped up and led us to an exam room. “He’ll be in shortly.”
Mom followed us into the room. Dad hung back in the lobby with Jase.
Rafael turned the light off before setting me on the exam table.
“How’s your head?” Mom asked.
I groaned my response.
Dr. Meinig stepped inside the room. “Mrs. Garcia?”
“Hi, Dr. Meinig. I’m sorry we barged in early. I’m not feeling very well, and my husband is… worried.” I wanted to say “crazy,” but I figured the joke would be lost on Rafael.
Dr. Meinig shook Rafael’s hand. “Mr. Garcia. Have you wrapped up the investigation in Lisbon?”
“Yes, but I have to return for a preliminary hearing, which is being held over the next few days. This is Kristine’s mother, Anne Stone. She’ll be taking care of Kristine while I’m gone.”
“Mrs. Stone.” Dr. Meinig shook her hand before shifting his attention to me. “What’s going on?”
“Our OB doctor in Lisbon diagnosed me with preeclampsia ten days ago,” I explained miserably. “The blood pressure medication she prescribed doesn’t appear to be working. I’ve been fighting a headache for four days, and I started vomiting this morning.”
Rafael handed Dr. Meinig the medical file Dr. Barriera copied for us. “Kristine’s blood pressure was one-fifty-eight over ninety-five last night. I didn’t get a chance to check it this morning. As you can see, she’s still in her pajamas.”
Dr. Meinig flipped through the chart before reaching for the blood pressure cuff. “Dr. Barriera encouraged you to deliver the baby?”
I nodded. “I want to wait until twenty six weeks.”
He checked my blood pressure. “One-sixty-two over ninety eight.” He checked my pulse, then peered into my eyes. “Let’s see how the baby is doing.”
Rafael eased me back against the table. He lifted my camisole.
Dr. Meinig squirted gel on my tummy.
Mom inched closer.
Dr. Meinig pressed the Doppler against my belly. The baby’s heartbeat galloped through the room.
Rafael looked relieved.
“His heartbeat is a little fast, but that’s common at this stage of development. Let’s take a closer look.” Dr. Meinig retrieved the ultrasound machine from another room. He squished a little more gel on my tummy before spreading it around with the hand held device.
Mom grasped my hand.
Dr. Meinig studied the baby. He clicked a few keys on the ultrasound machine. “Your child is measuring eleven and a half inches and weighs a little over a pound.” He wiped my tummy with a towel before digging his fingers into my shins. “Your kidneys are struggling. I need a urine sample so I can check your protein levels.”
“I’ll help her to the bathroom,” Mom offered.
Rafael helped me off the exam table before releasing me to my mother.
She wrapped her arm around me. “How’s your head?”
I stretched my arm out, afraid I might fall. “Awful. This has got to be the worst migraine I’ve ever had.”
We shuffled into the bathroom. Mom wrote my name on a plastic cup. “I’m going to see if the nurse has some soda crackers and Tylenol. Don’t try to stand until I return.” She closed the door behind her.
My eyes slid closed. I was so thankful I didn’t have to pee in front of Rafael. I set my urine sample on the counter.
The door creaked open. “It’s me.” She held four packages of soda crackers, a bag of ice, a bottled water, and two white tablets in her hand. “We’re going to kick this headache.” She helped me up and stood so that her leg touched mine while I washed my hands. We dropped the sample by the lab on our way back to the exam room.
Rafael and Dr. Meinig were talking in hushed tones when we stepped inside the room.
Mom tucked me into the chair closest to the door, twisted the lid off the water bottle, and handed me a cracker.
Dr. Meinig rolled the stool directly in front of me and plopped onto the seat. “You need to deliver this baby.”
I tried to force the soda cracker around the lump in my throat.
“The baby is okay, but you’re not.” He looked up when the nurse entered the room.
She handed him a slip of paper.
He glanced at the lab results. “I want a CBC and a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel STAT.”
She hurried from the room.
Dr. Meinig braced his hands against the arm rests on my chair. “Your kidneys aren’t functioning properly. The baby’s head is near your cervix. If you deliver now we can induce labor and deliver naturally. If you wait, odds are high we’ll have to do an emergency C-section.”
“He’s only a pound,” I whispered fearfully.
His eyes held mine. “I’ve delivered a baby this size before. She spent some time in the NICU, but she survived.”
“One more week,” I pleaded. “Please.”
The nurse returned. She was carrying a caddy filled with needles and vials.
Dr. Meinig rolled out of the way. He added a couple of notes to my chart while she drew my blood.
Rafael knelt in front of me. “Please, Kristine. It’s time.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “A few more days. Please. Let’s try to get to twenty-five weeks. The baby has a fifty to seventy percent chance of survival at twenty-five weeks.” I’d done my research. I knew every statistic.
Dr. Meinig set my chart on the exam table. “You will remain here until I see the results of your kidney and liver panel. We should have those results within the hour.” He strode out of the room.
Mom shoved another cracker at me. “You need to eat so you can take the Tylenol. I’m going to catch your father and Jase up to speed.” She handed Rafael the water, crackers, and tablets before leaving the room.
Rafael’s eyes met mine. “Eat so you can lie down.”
I forced two more soda crackers down my throat before downing the water and Tylenol. “Rafael…”
He shook his head. A somber expression marred his handsome face. “I can’t lose you, Kristine. After everything we’ve been through… I refuse. I will not stand by and watch you die. Please. Have faith. Our child will survive.”
Tears splashed against my hands. I wasn’t sure whether they were his or mine. “I can do this, Rafael. Just a few more days. We’ll be twenty-five weeks along on Friday.”
“You should lie down.” He grabbed the bag of ice my mother left on the counter and helped me onto the exam table. He tucked the ice against the base of my skull before draping a towel over my eyes. “Please, baby, try to relax. Just… breathe.”
A chair scraped across the floor as he settled in next to me. He curled one arm around my tummy and one around the top of my head. “Rest,” he whispered softly.
I tried to focus on my breathing. Large blobs of light pulsed behind my eyes.
Rafael whispered a lengthy prayer.
A warm blanket settled over me… or maybe it was peace. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep.
Hushed voices woke me. My wrist struck Rafael’s face when I reached for the towel covering my eyes.
Mom squeezed my hand encouragingly. “How do you feel?”
“Tired,” I replied.
Dr. Meinig stepped closer. “I’m going to change your blood pressure medication. I’m also going to prescribe Prednisone, which should temper your immune response.”
Rafael helped me sit up.
Jase handed me a warm cup from Starbucks. “Dr. Meinig approved this.”
I gaped at Dr. Meinig. “You prescribed coffee?”
He shrugged. “One cup of coffee won’t hurt the baby, and the caffeine will ease your migraine.”
My eyes narrowed. “Is this supposed to soften the blow? Are you going to force me to go to the hospital?”
He exchanged some unspoken communication with Rafael. “You may return home for now, but I want to see
you tomorrow. This new blood pressure medication and the Prednisone should help buy us a few more days.”
I exhaled softly.
Dr. Meinig frowned. “If your blood pressure rises above one hundred and seventy, if the headache persists, if the vomiting resumes, if you experience any bleeding, difficulty breathing, or feel pain in your right side; we are admitting you so we can deliver this child.”
He locked eyes with my parents. “Preeclampsia can lead to multiple organ failure, stroke, seizures, permanent brain damage, and coma. I want her monitored twenty-four seven.”
My father paled.
He looked pointedly at me. “I want you to promise me that you’ll be completely honest about how you’re feeling. No more hiding symptoms.”
I nodded guiltily.
“Begin these medications immediately. I’ll see you in the morning.” He glanced at Rafael. “Make sure they have my cell number.” He nodded toward my parents.
Rafael gathered me in his arms.
I pushed against his chest. “I want to walk.”
He shot me a look that would have leveled the Empire State Building.
My lips slammed shut.
* * * * *
“Stubborn has two ‘b’s’,” I objected.
Jase grinned. “I know. I couldn’t resist.”
Shae rolled her eyes. “People in glass houses…”
Kadyn laughed.
I removed Jase’s tiles from the board. “Like any of us have room to talk.” We were sprawled out on my bed playing Scrabble while my parents walked Bosco.
My phone chimed with an incoming text. “Rafael.” I read the message, dialed his number, and put him on speaker phone. “Hi, baby.”
“How are you feeling?”
Jase and I exchanged smiles. “Good.”
“How’s your blood pressure?”
“One-forty-nine over eighty-nine,” Jase replied.
“At least it’s heading in the right direction.” His relief was evident.
“Dr. Meinig said the Prednisone and the new blood pressure medication are working. I see him again on Thursday, but I get to stay home indefinitely.”
“You sound perky,” Rafael noted suspiciously.
Shae laughed. “That’s the Prednisone talking.”
“What are you guys doing?” he inquired curiously.
“We’re playing Scrabble,” Kadyn answered.
“She’s supposed to be in bed,” Rafael grumbled.
I bit my bottom lip. “I am in bed.”
Silence.
“You’re playing Scrabble in bed?”
I giggled. “Yes.”
“All four of you are lying in my bed?”
“Hurry home,” I said.
“Kristine,” he growled.
Everyone burst out laughing.
“You should expect a spanking when I return home.”
That conjured up a whole lot of images it shouldn’t have. “You wouldn’t.”
“I promise you. I will,” he replied evenly.
Shae started fanning herself with the Scrabble rule book.
A wicked smile tugged at my lips.
My friends waited with baited breath.
“Husband,” I replied, “I look forward to seeing you on Friday.”
* * * * *
Cenia marched into the kitchen with a casserole dish. “I made lasagna.”
Jase’s stomach growled.
I helped Bosco climb onto the couch. “Sounds good. Will you be joining us?”
“Yes. Roger’s parking the car.” Cenia set the lasagna on the counter. She gave my parents a hug. “It’s good to see you again.” She scooped Bosco up before sitting next to me on the couch. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.” I smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Nauseous and tired,” she admitted.
I updated my parents. “Cenia’s due in January.”
Dad grinned while Mom gave her another hug. “Congratulations!”
Bosco barked again.
“I got it!” Brady shouted.
Roger sauntered in with a grocery bag. “Salad, dessert, and wine for those of us who aren’t pregnant.”
Dad clasped his hand. “I understand congratulations are in order.”
Roger set the bag on the counter. “Thanks. Are you sure you don’t want to move here? We’re going to need babysitters.” He kissed me on the cheek. “What did the doctor have to say?”
“He’s pleased with how I’m responding to the blood pressure medication. He’s tapering me off the Prednisone now. I have another appointment on Wednesday so he can see how my body responds.”
“You’re still pretty swollen,” Cenia noted. She joined Roger in the kitchen.
“That’s the Prednisone,” I explained. “My kidneys are improving.”
My parents set the table.
Cenia tossed the salad. “Is Rafael still flying in tomorrow?”
“He flies in late tomorrow night.” I sighed. “The judge scheduled another hearing for next week, so Rafael has to return Sunday night.”
Mom shook her head. “That poor man. He must be losing his mind.”
I threw Bosco’s squeaky toy. “Our timing sucks, as usual.”
Roger pulled the cork from the wine bottle. “Does he have to testify at trial?”
“Yes, but those trials won’t begin for a few months. Most of the defendants will seek a plea agreement. They don’t expect very many defendants to go to trial.”
Jase helped me from the couch. “You and the baby should be strong enough to travel by then.”
We joined my parents at the table. “I really want to go back for Christmas. Eva is expecting her first child in December. I’d like to be there for that.”
“You have to return before January twenty-fourth,” Cenia warned. She slid a piece of lasagna onto my plate. Strings of cheese stretched between the spatula and my plate.
“I’ll be back long before then,” I assured her.
“Maybe we should join them in Lisbon for Christmas,” Dad murmured.
Mom scooped salad onto my plate. “I’m not missing my grandchild’s first Christmas.”
I grinned, thoroughly excited by the idea. “You’re going to love Lisbon at Christmas.”
* * * * *
A growl sounded low in Bosco’s throat.
My eyes flew open.
Brady glanced at his cell phone. “Rafael’s home.” He pushed off the chair and walked downstairs.
I sat up. My heart raced for reasons I couldn’t explain.
Bosco whined.
Rafael and Brady’s voices echoed through the foyer.
I set Bosco on the floor.
Bosco trotted out into the hallway. He peeked through the balcony, sat back on his haunches, and wagged his tail.
Brady scooped him up as soon as he reached the top step. “Come on, little guy, you’re sleeping with me tonight.”
I swallowed nervously.
The seconds ticked by.
I touched my toe to the floor, tiptoed into the hallway, and peered over the balcony.
Rafael cleared his throat. “Looking for something?”
I yelped as I spun around.
Rafael stood, with his arms folded, at the top of the other staircase. “Where are you supposed to be?”
I took a few steps back.
In three long strides, he obliterated the distance between us. “Anxious for that spanking?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I whispered.
His eyes darkened.
I felt for the doorway. “My parents are sleeping in the other room.”
He stepped forward, forcing me inside the bedroom. “Then you should keep your voice down.”
“Rafael, I…” My eyes widened when he shut the door. I risked another step back.
He tugged the black cotton t-shirt over his head. “How’s your blood pressure?”
My eyes snagged on his chest. “Good.”
His smile widened.
“Good.” He tugged at his belt.
I shook my head while backing away.
Rafael lunged.
My head spun from the speed at which he secured me. I tried to get away.
He popped me on the bottom.
I was so surprised he followed through on the threat, I didn’t know what to say.
In one fluid motion, he pinned me against the bed. “That’s for sneaking out of bed.” He tugged the camisole over my head.
I knew he was playing. Still, I struggled to get away.
He rolled me over and popped me on the bottom again. “That’s for inviting other men into my bed.”
“Rafael,” I objected. That one smarted a little bit.
His eyes heated. He tugged my sleep shorts off and popped me on the bottom again. “That’s for being stubborn.”
I tried crawling out from beneath him.
He tugged my panties down and swatted my bare bottom. “That’s for keeping secrets from me.”
A switch flipped as pleasure pulsed between my legs. “You can’t punish me for that. You keep secrets too.”
Rafael rolled me over. He eyed my breasts while pinning my wrists above my head. “I don’t keep secrets.”
A single eyebrow arched against my forehead. “The Templar don’t keep secrets?”
He frowned. “The secrecy required for criminal investigations and for the protection of others doesn’t count.”
“Obidos… Santorini… Bosco?” I persisted.
He smiled that panty dropping smile of his. “Those weren’t secrets. They were surprises.”
“My headache was a surprise.”
His eyes widened. He swatted me on the bottom again.
My hands clenched. “Ow! Why did you do that?”
“Because I can.” He pulled me onto my knees before popping me on the bottom again. “That’s for scaring the crap out of me.” He grasped my shoulder and thrust without warning.
“Rafael,” I gasped.
He caressed my back, pulled back, and thrust again. “That’s for being everything I ever needed.”
My heart stalled. There was something in his tone.
“Kristine,” Rafael pleaded.
Suddenly, everything changed.
I choked back a sob as understanding dawned.
Rafael wasn’t playing. With all of the risk and uncertainty surrounding this pregnancy, Rafael was seeking control. He was afraid of losing the baby, scared I might die, worried he might not be there, and frustrated that we were still being torn apart.