Broken Together

by K. S. Ruff

  My heart ached. I wanted to offer some assurance, comfort him in some small way. I couldn’t offer any guarantees with this pregnancy. The only thing I could offer him was me.

  Rafael pulled me against his chest. His bristly cheek tickled my neck while his chest warmed my back. He remained anchored deep within me. The soothing scents of cedar and cloves enfolded us. His arms tightened until I could no longer discern where his body ended and mine began. He held me captive… suspended… possessed.

  A soft moan escaped my lips.

  I heard every promise he’d ever whispered.

  Rafael kissed my shoulder… behind my ear… across my neck.

  My eyes closed. I ran my fingers through his hair while his hands grasped my breasts. My body arched against his.

  Time stood still.

  I savored… everything.

  How his breath felt against my ear.

  How his strength surrounded me.

  How his palms felt against my swollen breasts.

  How, with a single pinch, his fingers beckoned the most exquisite pleasure.

  How he stoked my need; stretched and filled every part of me.

  Slowly, Rafael began to move.

  I relinquished all control.

  His hands moved in concert with every stroke.

  I stewed in my desire… basked in his need… luxuriated in the pleasure he wrung from me. Still, I sought one last thing. I curled my hand behind his neck, urging him forward until our lips met in a deep, drugging kiss.

  I prayed it would never end.

  * * * * *

  “I hate this,” I whispered. My arms tightened around Rafael’s neck.

  His rock hard abs pressed against an equally hard baby. “Me too.”

  My eyes sought his. “Are you coming back on Wednesday or Thursday?”

  “Wednesday night.” He sighed. “Please. I’m just asking for three days. Three days to get through this hearing. Promise me you will remain healthy. Listen to Dr. Meinig. Stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”

  “I’ll try.” I rolled onto my tiptoes so I could kiss his pouty lips.

  He backed me toward the couch. Thankfully, everyone had cleared out so we could say our goodbyes. “Speaking of trouble. Have you heard from Maxim?”

  My eyes lit with excitement. “Yes. The pipeline is up and running.”

  “Congratulations.” He eyed me admiringly. “Did you ask him about the wedding?”

  I frowned. “I swear this pregnancy brain is getting the best of me. After hearing about the pipeline, I totally forgot.”

  We sat on the couch. Rafael’s hand slid across my tummy, then froze. “What’s that?”

  I grasped my belly. “I’m not sure.”

  We watched my tummy bounce every three seconds or so.

  “Are you having contractions?” he inquired worriedly.

  I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I don’t feel any cramping or pain.”

  Mom paled when she saw us. “Is something wrong?”

  I waved her over. “Come feel this.”

  She sat next to me on the couch. Warily, she placed her hand on my belly. After three little bounces, she smiled. “The baby has hiccups.”

  Rafael’s eyes widened. “How is that even possible?”

  I laughed. “You know, we really should buy a pregnancy book.”

  My mother looked stunned. “Kristine! You’re twenty five weeks along and you still don’t have a book?”

  “The last three months have been a little crazy,” I argued weakly.

  She stood. “Your father and I will remedy that first thing tomorrow morning.”

  * * * * *

  Brady dropped onto the couch. He leaned back and stretched his legs. “What are you working on?”

  My grip tightened around the pen. “Letters for Rafael and the baby.”

  Jase set his coffee cup on the counter. “Why are you writing letters?”

  I bit my bottom lip, hesitant to respond.

  Brady studied me a bit more closely.

  Jase plucked one of the letters from the end table. Quietly, he read the first few lines. “You don’t think you’re going to make it.”

  I gathered the stack of letters, including the one from Jase’s hand. “I’m just erring on the side of caution.”

  He eased next to me on the couch. “How long are you planning to delay the delivery? Truthfully?”

  My arms curled around the baby. “As long as I can.”

  “Dr. Meinig is planning to deliver the baby on Friday. Rafael believes you’re delivering his child then. When were you planning to tell them?” Jase demanded.

  The baby elbowed me.

  I stared at my tummy. “I was hoping Dr. Meinig would delay the delivery if I was feeling better.”

  “Are you?” Brady leaned forward while bracing his elbows against his knees.

  I frowned. My thoughts had drifted toward the baby. “Am I what?”

  “Feeling better,” Jase nearly growled.

  I took a deep breath and blew it out. “I’ve been feeling a little off, but I think that’s because Dr. Meinig tapered me off the Prednisone.”

  “Your blood pressure is creeping up again. Do you have a headache?” Brady persisted.

  I shook my head.

  Jase’s eyes pierced mine. “Then what’s off?”

  “I feel edgy and tired, which could be the Prednisone. I feel anxious about the pregnancy, like there’s another shoe about to drop. I also feel depressed, but that’s because Rafael is gone.”

  They exchanged glances.

  “I was going to ask Dr. Meinig about delaying another week when I see him on Wednesday.” I tucked the letters inside my padfolio. “Why would we deliver the baby early when I’m feeling okay?”

  “You know that could change on a dime,” Jase replied. “That Prednisone was meant to buy you a little time. You can’t take it indefinitely.”

  Brady scooted a little closer. “Is there anything we can do to help you cope with your anxieties?”

  “You could watch Phantom of the Opera with me,” I suggested hopefully.

  Jase frowned. “I thought Oni was coming over to watch that with you.”

  “She asked for a rain check.” Oni flew back to Ukraine over summer break so she could spend time with her family. She returned late last night, but she was exhausted from the flight.

  “Why Phantom?” Brady grumbled. “Wouldn’t you rather see Clash of the Titans or Iron Man Two?”

  I eyed the two men. “Have you guys ever seen Phantom?”

  They shook their heads.

  I smiled as I pushed off the couch. “Good. Who’s popping the popcorn?”

  * * * * *

  “How’s Bosco?”

  “Good.” I set my laptop on the nightstand. “He climbed the stairs for the first time last night. He’s still too scared to walk down, though.”

  “Is he still chewing on stuff?”

  “Oh, yeah. He chewed Jase’s Keens yesterday. I ordered him another pair. I also ordered a bench for the foyer that has storage under the seat so people can hide their shoes in there.”

  Rafael laughed. “Poor Jase. That’s the third pair of shoes he’s lost to that dog.”

  I grinned. “He must have the best smelling feet in the house.”

  “Or the worst,” Rafael mused.

  I pulled Bosco closer so I could rub his ears. “How’s Eva feeling?”

  “Nauseous and tired,” Rafael answered. “Benjamim is taking good care of her, though.”

  I sank against the pillows. “I wish I could be there with you.”

  “Me too. How are you feeling?”

  “A little headachy, but nothing like the other day. I see Dr. Meinig tomorrow, so we’ll see what he has to say.”

  “What time is the appointment?” Rafael asked.

  I gave Brady a thumbs up when he peeked in to check on me. “Three o’clock.”

  “I was hoping to participate by phone, but I’ll be flyin
g over the Atlantic then.”

  I curled around Bosco. “What time will you be home?”

  “The hearing ends at five, which is noon your time. Barring any traffic or airport delays, I should be home by nine o’clock.”

  My eyes slid closed. “This is it, right?”

  Rafael sighed. “Chief D’Souza spoke with the judge. He won’t schedule any more hearings until after the baby is born.”

  I yawned as sleep tried to claim me. “Will you bring natas?”

  “Of course.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Will you bring some for Jase too? He’s as addicted to those things as I am. Actually, if you could bring two or three dozen. My parents like them too.”

  Rafael chuckled. “Your wish is my command.”

  * * * * *

  Bosco licked my face.

  Gently, I pushed him away.

  He nudged my chin with his nose. He whimpered, then pawed at my hand.

  “Sorry,” I groaned. I lowered him onto the floor. “Go find Jase. He’ll walk you.”

  Bosco sat and quirked his head. He whimpered again.

  I pulled Rafael’s pillow against my ear.

  Bosco trotted toward the door. He parked his bottom on the floor and groaned.

  I closed my eyes and prayed. “Please, God, make him stop.”

  Bosco ran back to the bed and barked.

  “No,” I groaned.

  He ran to the door, whimpered, and barked again.

  “Hey, Bosco. Do you need to go outside?” Brady leaned over to pick him up.

  Bosco jumped through Brady’s arms. He bolted toward the bed. This time he tried to jump up.

  Brady tried picking him up again. “Hey, little guy. Your mommy is trying to sleep.”

  Bosco leapt over Brady’s hand, ran a circle around him and lunged for the bed. He barked, then barked again.

  “Make him stop,” I choked on a sob.

  Brady froze.

  Bosco growled and tugged at the duvet.

  “What’s going on?” Jase demanded.

  “I don’t know,” Brady answered. “I thought he needed to go outside, but he keeps running back to Kristine.”

  Jase pulled the pillow from my head. “Are you okay?”

  “No.” Tears streamed down my face.

  “Get the blood pressure cuff.” His voice was low and lethal enough to raise the hair on the back of my neck.

  Brady ran downstairs.

  Jase softened his tone as he knelt beside me. “What’s wrong?”

  “My head hurts so bad, I can’t sit up. Please, Jase, make it stop.”

  Brady ran into the room with the blood pressure cuff. He was breathing hard.

  Jase sat next to me on the bed. He wrapped the cuff around my arm, shoved the stethoscope in his ears, and pumped. His eyes widened. He released the air and pumped again. “Get the SUV.”

  “What is it?” Brady eyed me anxiously.

  “One-eighty-two over one-eleven,” Jase gritted through clenched teeth.

  “Oh, crap.” Brady ran from the room.

  “I’m going to pick you up. I’m sorry if this hurts.” Jase tucked the duvet around me and lifted me from the bed.

  Mom met us at the bottom of the stairs. “Krissy?”

  “Mom, I...”

  Bosco barked from the top of the stairs.

  “I’ll get him,” Dad said. “You guys go. I’ll walk Bosco and catch a cab or you can send Brady back for me.”

  The Lincoln Navigator was idling outside. Brady jumped out and opened the back door. “Gentle. Watch her head,” he warned.

  Jase leveled him with a look. Carefully, he set me inside, fastened the seatbelt, and lowered the seat back as far as it would go.

  Mom climbed in on the other side. “How long has your head been hurting?” She tucked a bag of frozen peas beneath my head.

  “A few hours,” I answered miserably. “I thought I could sleep it off.”

  Jase climbed into the front passenger seat. “Did you call Dr. Meinig?”

  Brady nodded. “He’s going to meet us at Fairfax Hospital. He’s calling ahead to alert the Emergency Room. They’ll admit her through the ER.” He pulled away from the garage.

  My heart sank. “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”

  Mom squeezed my arm. “Honey, you’ve done all that you can. You’re two days shy of twenty-six weeks. The baby has close to an eighty percent chance of survival. You’ve taken the steroid shots. He’s going to be okay.”

  “Please,” I begged. “We haven’t even settled on a name. We… we need to wait for Rafael.”

  Brady ignored the stop sign. “What time is it, in Lisbon?”

  “A quarter after two,” Jase gritted.

  Brady accelerated well beyond the speed limit. “Rafael is still in court. Text him. If he’s done testifying, he may be able to leave early.”

  Jase’s thumbs flew over his phone. “He’ll go insane. He’s facing a seven and a half hour flight.”

  “I know,” Brady acknowledged grimly.

  Jase looked at my mom. “What happens if Kristine is unable to make decisions? Will the hospital allow you to make decisions for her?”

  She frowned. “I’m not sure.”

  I grasped her hand. “I want the baby baptized right away. Please, Mom, just to be safe.”

  “Have you chosen godparents?” Worry lines carved her face.

  “We were going to ask Kadyn and Shae.” I choked on a sob. “Tell Rafael I’m sorry. If anything happens to the baby… tell him I understand.”

  Jase eyed me worriedly. “Understand what?”

  “If he wants to leave me. Please, make sure Rafael gets the letters. They’re in the office on the desk.”

  “Rafael will never leave you.” That low, lethal tone was back.

  Brady ran the light. He merged onto I-395.

  I shook my head. I dared to believe that once, but I knew better now. Nothing destroys a relationship more quickly than the loss of a child. “My chest hurts,” I whispered.

  “Her breathing is shallow, like she’s not getting enough air.” My mother sounded stressed.

  “Try to focus on your breathing… deep, calming breaths,” Jase encouraged.

  “Shit!” Brady yelled. “Rush hour should be over by now.”

  “Turn your hazard lights on and take the shoulder. I’ll dial 911.” Jase’s phone rang. “It’s Rafael.”

  My head swam when I tried to sit up. “What is that awful smell?” I could smell something burning. The smell reminded me of the smoldering vehicle outside San Fernando, Mexico. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  “Kristine!” Rafael’s voice was pure anguish.

  How I longed to pull him through the Bluetooth.

  A low hum pulsed through my bones before the world fell dark.

  * * * * *

  “Kristine?”

  “Rafael?”

  “No, Mrs. Garcia, it’s Dr. Meinig. How are you feeling?”

  I sifted through sluggish thoughts. “Dizzy and tired.” My hand flew to my stomach as understanding dawned. Panic seized my heart. “Is the baby okay?”

  “The baby is fine. We have you hooked up to a fetal monitor.” He turned the volume up so the baby’s heartbeat entwined with mine.

  I breathed a small sigh of relief while tears crept from my eyes. “What happened?”

  “You suffered a grand mal seizure on the way to the hospital. We’re treating you with magnesium sulfate and Zofran to help with the nausea. We’re waiting for a delivery room to open up so we can deliver your baby.”

  The room spun when I tried to sit up. “Are you sure the baby’s okay? Is he in danger if we wait?”

  He glanced at the monitor. “No. The baby is fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”

  I reached for his hand and missed. I blinked. Twice. I still couldn’t see straight. “If he’s okay, can we wait until Rafael arrives?”

  Mom sat next to me on the bed. “Rafael is st
ill seven hours away.”

  The vise on my heart tightened. “Please,” I begged. “Don’t make me face this without him.”

  She pulled me into her arms. “Shhh. Krissy, you need to stay calm.” She plucked a few tissues from the tissue box and gently dabbed my face.

  Dr. Meinig turned toward the monitor when an alarm sounded. “Please, you need to lie down.” He helped me roll onto my left side. “If you lie on your left side, we can increase blood flow to the baby.” He looked at my mom. “What time is Mr. Garcia due to arrive?”

  She glanced at her watch. “He should be here by six o’clock.”

  He took a deep breath and blew it out.

  Mom tucked a pillow inside my arms. “Rafael left as soon as he heard, honey. Thank God he was done testifying.”

  Dr. Meinig adjusted the fetal monitor belt. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to delay a few more hours. We’ll see how your body responds to the magnesium sulfate.” He turned the volume down on the monitors, studied them briefly, and jotted a few notes in my chart. “I’ll check back in a half hour. I have another patient who is in labor right now. You’re not allowed out of bed. The magnesium sulfate compromises your vision and stability. Please use the call button if you need anything. No food or water for the rest of the day.”

  I tried to relax. “Thank you, Dr. Meinig.”

  Mom rose from the bed. “Do you mind if I invite your father, Brady, and Jase in? I’m sure they’re sick with worry.”

  “No. That’s fine.” I was too tired to maintain any sort of conversation, but I knew I’d find their presence comforting.

  Dad strode in first. “How are you feeling?”

  “Just ducky.” My head hurt but no longer to the extreme where I’d welcome death.

  “I can tell,” he joked. “What kind of fashion statement is this?” He mussed my hair.

  I tried to smooth the tangled mess. “I fried it during the seizure.”

  Dad laughed. He dropped a kiss on my cheek before claiming the chair next to the bed.

  Mom pulled a comb from the tub of supplies lying on the nightstand next to the bed. She started working through the knots. “Wow. I can’t even remember the last time I combed your hair.”

  Jase squeezed my foot. “I’m demanding hazard pay. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Brady came this close to rolling the car on the exit ramp.” He held two fingers up about an inch apart.