“The blood pressure is high. Dr. May is on her way.” The nurse says and leaves.
“What about the baby?”
“If there was anything wrong, they would have said something. I need you to breathe honey.” Reagan starts to rub my arm. I want to reach over and punch her. It seems like it’s been forever since we’ve been here and all I know is that I have nurses poking me, prodding me and sticking me with needles to get fluids in me. Where the hell is Dr. May?
“The baby is doing great from these reports.” Dr. May says as she walks in the room with a smile on her face. She always seems to make me feel at ease. “Now where is the pain?”
I try to point for her but every movement hurts. Reagan shows her where the pain is on my left side from right below my breast to half way down. Dr. May starts to poke and asks for an ultrasound machine, “Relax honey, I think I know what it is but I want to confirm it. And it's completely normal for a pregnant woman.” Dr. May squeezes my hand.
“Did Jensen, call you?” She nods. “I’m sorry. We were talking on the phone when I got this pain.”
“He was quite worried about you. I was already here at the hospital so it’s not like I had to drive anywhere., here we go.” They plug the machine in and turn it on. Dr. May starts humming “Silent Night,” and I can’t help but smile. She is looking at the screen at the baby and smiles. “Little one is active tonight. So, active that she decided that she wants to be in the comfort of your rib cage.” Dr. May moves the screen so I can see her legs kicking my rib cage.
“She is already pissing mommy off.” We all laugh. “What can I do?”
“Bed rest. You will need to do some stretching exercise, hot shower on the back but not too hot. Also, comfy pillows for when you are laying down. Imagine being surrounded by a million teddy bears or on a cloud. I can’t give you anything for the pain but alternate hot and cold on that side. She will move but not sure when. Do we have an appointment next week?”
“No, it’s January something.”
“Okay, here is my cell number. If the pain isn’t gone in two weeks, call me. I'll make a house call. Bed rest except for doctor’s appointments. Now you can walk around your apartment, sit in the living room but within moderation. Your blood pressure worries me.”
“Okay. I’ll listen.” We say good bye and I’m discharged from the hospital. Reagan stops at burger place to get some comfort food and heads home.
“Are you okay?” Reagan looks at me.
“I’m scared. What am I going to do? I can’t go to the stores to buy the things I need for work. I can’t go out anywhere, I’m stuck inside. I’m scared that I’m going to do something that will hurt her. I can’t lose her.” I start sobbing into my hands; really sobbing. My whole body is shaking and I finally said the fear out loud. What if I lose her? “What did I do to put her life in danger?”
“Aunt Sarah, is the baby in danger?” Jonathan’s voice is shaky.
“No, she is fine and will be here in a couple of months. Sarah, look at me.” I turn to look at Reagan through the tears in my eyes that make her look blurry. She hands me a napkin so I can clean up my face. “This baby is in good health.” Reagan rubs my belly and I can’t help but smile, “You are good too. She is going to test our patience before she is even gets here but you know what? You are going to be okay. This is a bump in the road and we are there to help you get over that bump. So, let’s go up, put in a chick flick, eat all those burgers and fries and relax.”
“You always know what to say.” We stop at the video store and I tell Max what movies I want, and he and Jonathan head inside. Reagan and I rest our heads on the headrest listening to Christmas music on the radio.
Max carries me up the steps like we are newlyweds which; makes me laugh and in turn makes my ribs hurt. “Can I sit in the recliner for a while?” We do just what Reagan suggested, we pigged out and watch movies. Jonathan fussed over me all night and I sent a text to Jensen to thank him and that I’ll talk to him tomorrow.
When I heard Sarah scream, my stomach literally ached that I called May up and now I’m pacing waiting for an answer on how she is doing.
Sarah:
I’m okay. This baby decided she wanted her feet in my rib cage. Lol
Thank you for calling the hospital and Dr. May ahead of time.
I’m on bed rest until I see Dr. May in January.
Me:
I’m glad that you are okay.
Sarah:
There might be a delay on the bedrooms until after the baby is born unless I can maneuver something.
Me:
My parents love having the kids here.
Your health is more important than curtains.
Sarah:
Thank you
Good night
Me:
Sweet dreams
I smile as I put my phone away and climb underneath the covers. I fall asleep to the same dreams of the mystery blonde but this time I imagine she talks and its Sarah’s voice that I am enjoying.
“Jensen.” Sarah moans. “Harder. Faster. Right there.” Sarah cries out in pleasure. We are enjoying our time together but I take a whiff of the air and it smells like rotting garbage.
I’m startled awake and I see Bennett’s feet near my nose. I push his feet away from face, “Odor eaters for Christmas.” I mumble as I try to maneuver my way out of bed. I don’t know when both of my kids came into my room to sleep. I see that it’s 5:30 in the morning and I really should to get up, but I decide to spend a few more minutes enjoying this moment because they are few and far between.
I must have fallen back to sleep because my mom knocks on my door waking me up, “Jensen, I can’t find the kids.” She laughs at the sight before her as Bennett’s feet are on the pillow and his head and left arm dangling off the bed. Jana is laying at the foot of the bed strung across my feet. “When did this happen?”
“I don’t know but I like it.” She smiles and leaves the room. “Bennett, Jana; it’s time to get up.” They don’t budge and I know one sure fire way to get them up. “Pancakes.” Jana sits up and smiles rubbing her eyes.
“Hi daddy.” I move to get out of bed and kiss the top of her head.
“Someone say pancakes?” Bennett yawns.
“Let me get a shower then I’ll be down to make breakfast.” The kids bolt from my room and I head into the shower. I spend the morning with my kids making breakfast and cleaning up then going out to shoot some hoops. We are waiting for my grandmother to get here before heading out for lunch. We are having fun when I see my parents pulling up in front of the house. Out steps my grandmother, looking like a celebrity. She stands at 5’5” with her permed gray hair and tries to copy Jackie O’s style with her suit dresses. I always laugh because she has her bright red lipstick with her at all time. We try to dodge the kisses from her but she is still fast and gets us.
“Gram Gram!” Jana runs toward her.
“Hello my loves.” My grandmother hugs the two kids. “Come here my favorite boy in the entire world.”
“Hi. Gram Gram,” I lean in to give her a kiss. “How are you feeling?”
“I look like a $5,000 hooker but feel like $2.00 whore.” She laughs.
“Gram Gram, don’t sell yourself short, you look at least $10,000.” I wink at her as she swats at me and laughs. Bennett and I help carry her bags into the house while my dad helps her into the house. “Jensen, I’m sleeping in the office because I can’t handle the steps most days. Your father wants your help moving things out of the room to rearrange it for my stuff.” Gram Gram, turns her head from me. My dad motions for me to follow him and Bennett helps her into the living room.
“Dad,” I close the door to the office to see boxes, “What the hell is going on?”
“Jensen, your grandmother is 85 years old. She’s broke. Every weekend your mom and I have been packing stuff for her and bringing them over a little at a time so Uncle Charlie didn’t notice.” I open my mouth to say something but words fail me
. My grandparents are or rather were billionaires. My grandfather started a design school here in Florida and big-name designers came here to work with my grandfather. The design school is still in the family. My mother and uncle both own a third along with my grandmother.
“What do you mean she is broke?”
“Charlie and his wife took advantage of her age and mental state. They had her signing checks to them and she doesn’t remember any of it. Charlie’s wife Tammy; is a compulsive gambler, and Charlie has been spending all of his money to keep her safe.” I sigh.
“Mom needs to be power of attorney to stop this.” My dad sighs as he sits at the edge of the seat.
“Charlie already got it. We are fighting it so I need you to get in touch with some doctors. I want a full work up and I’ll have her primary fax you all of her records. We are going to try to prove that she wasn’t in her right mind when she signed it over to that jackass. I can’t even access her accounts to see the damage done by Charlie.”
“I will make sure that I’m there with her as well. So, she is moving in here?” My dad nods. “I can call Max to see about doing some work to put in a functioning bathroom for her.” I’m staying calm and I pray that Uncle Charlie doesn’t come here for Christmas. “When is her bed coming?” Gram Gram, has a special mattress for her ailments so she is very particular about what bed she sleeps on.
“We are taking her to the store to buy a new one, I want her comfortable so I think a new mattress would be a nice treat for her. I believe her stuff is staying there for now. She brought the most important belongings with her and what she doesn't have, we’ll buy for her.”
We spend the rest of the day moving things out of the office and going out to buy a new bed for my grandmother. The six of us are enjoying time around the television watching Christmas movies eating popcorn. My cell vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see Sarah’s name flashing on my screen. I get up off the couch and head into the kitchen.
“Hello” I smile.
“Hi there. How is your day? I figured that I would call since we usually start texting around this time.”
“My day has been good. My grandmother came in for the holidays, did some shopping and watching movies. How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling good. Reagan and Abby have been spending all day fussing over me and rotating the beached whale.” Sarah laughs and I smile.
“I’m sure you are not a beached whale.”
“I feel like I am.”
“You do know what they say about pregnant women right?”
“That they are big fat houses?” I laugh and tell her no.
“Pregnant women are the most beautiful women in the world. They have this glow about them and knowing that they are carrying another human being in them is probably the sexiest thing a woman could do.” Sarah coughs.
“You know we glow because it’s our skin stretching so there are no wrinkles, or age spots. No need for Botox.” We laugh. We talk a few more minutes before I let her know that I will text her when I head to bed since we’re watching movies. I walk into the room with a smile on my face as I lay back down on the love seat that I was on before Sarah called.
“Well, well, does Jensen have a lady friend?” My grandmother asks in a singsong cheery voice.
“No.” I say with a smile on my face.
“Daddy, are you dating someone?” Jana asks after she pauses the movie and now everyone is watching me.
“No, I am not.” My parents know that I gave up dating after the emotional toll that my divorce took on me.
“Then why the smile when Gram Gram, asked you?” My mom smiles. I give her a dirty look. I feel myself blush and I try to get up but Jana sits on me.
“Daddy, spill the beans!” Ever since Jana learned about how much twisting nipples on a guy hurts, thanks to her wrestling her brother, she threatens it with me and she is not worried about being grounded because she will get an answer out of me.
“Okay, okay.” I hold my hands up then hurry up and cover my chest. “I just got off the phone with my designer for the house.”
“Sarah?” Bennett asks.
“Yes, Sarah. We’ve been talking for a week now and since you kids are usually in bed by this time, she called me.”
“I knew you would be perfect for Sarah. I called it.” Jana dances around on my stomach. HMPPH. Jana slides off and high fives Bennett.
“Wait; are you two okay with me dating?” I never had this conversation with them and since I usually kept the women I saw only on times when the kids were out at a friend’s house or my parents were babysitting. Jana and Bennett never met anyone so for them to act like this has me wondering if I did a good thing or a bad. Jana and Bennett nod their heads. “Why didn’t you ever talk to me about this?”
“Dad, we don’t want to talk to you about dating and sex because that is just gross.” Bennett rolls his eyes as he shoves a handful of popcorn.
“Sex; who is having sex?” My grandmother speaks up as if she was sleeping and heard only part of the comment. We all laugh at her and enjoy her telling a story about how my grandfather and her first met. My kids and I love when she tells us these stories. Jana snuggles into me listening. My thoughts go to Sarah instead of the blonde blue eye beauty from the on-call room.
I hang up the phone with Jensen. I have gotten so used to hearing his voice or texting with him and it was almost 9:00 p.m. so I figured that I would call him. I felt bad that he was doing a family thing but happy that he took my call even if it was for ten minutes.
Since I have been stuck in bed almost three weeks now, everyone decided that we should a family game night. Cash, Abby, baby Ethan, Max, Reagan and Jonathan are here. Shawn is watching Nicarra’s kids since she is working tonight. I waddle out to the kitchen carrying my pillow so I can sit at the table. Jonathan has been dying to play this new game ‘Speak Out’ so we gave in because he has been sacrificing himself to baby sit me when Reagan and Max had to work. Jonathan is serving everyone pizza and soda for dinner. Once we get over the pleasantries of how our week has been; we decide to clean up and get the game going.
We played for two hours and never stopped laughing. We have these mouthpieces in our mouths so it looks like we are smiling horses because all you see teeth and gums. Max’s turn comes up to do the saying on his card to Reagan. Max looks nervous but he starts to ask Reagan the question.
“Will you marry me?” Max asks in a garbled voice.
“What?” Reagan asks as she looks to us and we shrug and move in closer to hear him.
“Will you marry me?”
“Bill bury me?” Reagan says confused.
“No. Will you,” Reagan repeats, “do the honor,” Reagan repeats again, “by becoming my wife?” Max says again.
“By becoming my wife.” Reagan repeats. Max nod. “Wait, what?” Reagan cries and Max stands up takes the mouth piece out and pulls out of his pocket a box and hands it to Jonathan. Max is one knee, “Reagan, you came into my life when I didn’t know I needed you. I want to be with you and Jonathan every day for the rest of my life. I want you as my wife, so Jonathan and Reagan, will you have me?” Max watches Reagan and Jonathan who are looking at each other doing this silent conversation thing where they talk with only their facial expressions. One minute they are serious, then a smile and then tears. Jonathan looks to Max and hugs his neck. Reagan gets down on her knees to be facing him. “To quote my favorite movie, Yes; a thousand times yes.” Abby, Reagan and I have been watching Pride and Prejudice a lot lately since I can’t leave the house these days. We all cheer. Abby and I are crying. Cash is trying to get to hug Reagan. Max and Reagan are in make out central right now. They break apart so Max can slide the single solitaire diamond ring on her finger.
We drink sparkling cider that I had been saving for mine and Jonathan’s New Year’s Eve party since I’m not allowed to go out.
“Oh my God, when do you want to get married? Where are you going to get married?” Abby rattles off witho
ut breathing.
“I don’t know sis why don’t you let us be engaged for a couple of hours before we decide.” Max chuckles at his sister’s excitement.
“I’m really happy for you guys.” I tell squeezing Max’s hand.
“Thanks Sarah. I’m glad that you are here with us. I couldn't imagine you not being here for a very important time in my life.”
“Stop being so mushy. Go back to the asshole please. I don’t think I like this Max.” I laugh as I’m swatting him away from me as he gets up to hug me.
We start talking about things and I feel more alone right now. I rub my belly and I fake a yawn. “I think I’m going to go to bed.” I get up and head to my room. Abby follows me.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, the baby and I are just tired.” I lie to my best friend and make sure that I’m not looking at her. Abby always knows when I lie by my facial expression.
“Look at me.” I turn to face her and smile at her.
“Abby, I’m tired. It’s been a long night of me sitting.” I tell her that truth because my body is starting to hurt. I know Abby doesn’t believe me but she lets it slide. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Are you going to stay here after the baby is born?”
“Why wouldn’t I? Reagan and Max both want us here.” I question her.
“Well it’s different now that they are getting married, don’t you think?” Abby snaps.
“Nothing has changed, Abby.” Max is standing in the doorway. He’s frowning and nostrils are flaring.
“Max.” Abby looks surprised. “Sarah and I were just talking.”
“Sounds like you were trying to make her move out. I want her here with me, with us. She isn’t going anywhere.”
“Okay Max, I get it.” Abby hugs me and leaves.
“Sarah, what's going on?” Max closes my door and helps me get onto my side with all the pillows. I start crying.
As Long As You Love Me (Love Me Series Book 4) Page 9