“Is this your first ultrasound Nicole?” The woman asked with concern.
“Yes. Why? Is something wrong?” The panic was clear in Nicole’s voice.
I went and stood right next to Nicole head. I picked up her hand of her chest and held it in mine.
“I just need to get a consult. I will be right back.” The woman walked over to the wall and called a doctor for a consult.
I looked down at Nicole, and she had a tear rolling down her cheek. I pulled the chair from behind me right to the side of the bed and sat down. I wiped the tear off her cheek, and whispered in her ear “whatever it is Nicole, it will be okay.”
Nicole only nodded.
The women came in a few minutes later with a doctor in tow. The doctor announced he was an OBGYN, and his name was Doctor Marcus. He picked up the small device and ran it over Nicole stomach once again. Pausing to press a button while the other women wrote things down on a piece of paper.
“Nicole my dear……. First ultrasound I am told.” Doctor Marcus asked.
“Yes doctor. Look is something wrong with my baby?” Nicole stuttered.
“Your babies are fine…. If you look here…..” Did he just say babies??
I looked up at the screen and saw baby A and baby B written on the screen. My heart beat picked up, and I think I squealed out loud. Twins. I looked at Nicole, and she was shaking her head, but a small smile played on her lips.
“I’m having twins.” Nicole asked a little high pitched.
The doctor shook his head with a smile and moved the device a little to the left……. Baby C…………
“TRIPLETS” we both yelled at the same time.
Chapter 11
Nicole looked pale, like seriously white……..
I grabbed her hand in mine and squeezed until she looked at me. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, her bottom lip was trembling. She was scared.
“Was this a planned pregnancy?” Dr Marcus asked, whilst continuing labelling body parts on the large screen.
“No, ”. Nicole answered with barely a whisper.
“These babies look healthy and are at the right size for their age. You will have to have close monitoring. I will be seeing you every fortnight for the next three months than we will go to weekly visits. At the moment, you are eleven weeks and six days.” The doctor said before handing Nicole some tissues.
Nicole just nodded.
The doctor looked from me to Nicole and then at the radiologist. He excused himself and left the room, leaving the room silent, the only noises were small sobs coming from Nicole. I had no idea what to do, but I knew Nicole wouldn’t be able to do this alone. Her family would want to help, but I wondered if she would accept their help.
“Here take this sweetheart,” the radiologist said handing Nicole a few tissues to wipe to gel off her stomach. “And here are your photos.” She hands the photos to Nicole.
“Thank you.” Nicole took the tissues and wiped. Her eyes flicked to mine, she has a blank expression on her face. I have no idea what she is thinking, and it scares me.
“I will go see Stephen and then we are going home.” I said offering a small smile.
“You don’t have to do that Savannah. I will get Derek to take me home.”
“No. I will take you Nic. I want to be there for you.” I grabbed Nicole’s hand to help her up off the bed.
I offered to wait in the waiting room while she got dressed, but she told me to meet her at Stephens room. She would be along soon, something about making appointments with the OBGYN. I agreed, but I offered her a hug for reassurance because right now, that’s all I could do.
Derek and Stephen were having a heated discussion when I walked into the room, but stopped abruptly when I stopped at the end of the bed.
“What is going on here?” I said looking between the two men.
Neither of them said anything, they just looked in different directions. The tail end of the conversation consisted of, someone coming to get payback, and someone wasn’t going to stick around for it.
“Answer me.” I directed at Stephen.
“I don’t want you to freak out.” Stephen said whilst picking at his blanket.
“I……” I trailed off as carter walked in.
“Good morning. I have some good news.” Carter interrupted, but I was anxious to hear what he had to say.
“You are being released on good behaviour. But you have some serious work to do Stephen, stay out of trouble. You need to complete a thousand hours community service, anger management program and drug rehab.” Carter’s face turned serious.
Stephen and I looked between each other……. My brother was coming home. I started laughing as I ran to Carter throwing my arms around his body and hugging him tightly. He rubbed my back while I repeated my thanks and how grateful I was to have him do everything he had.
“Let him go Sav, I want to shake his hand.” Stephen said interrupting.
I pulled away and wiped the stray tears away. Stephen extended his hand to carter, and they shook hands. Stephen hated Carter when he first met him, but I know how grateful he is now for his hard work he has put in. It’s written all over his smug face. Nicole walked had walked in the room at some point because she was standing with Derek, both looking directly at me.
“So when can I get out of here?”
“When the Doctor lets you go. Which is in a few days from what I was told this morning.” Carter states.
“You will be keeping out of trouble Stephen, mark my words.” I say in a stern voice. Of course, he laughs it off. Whom am I kidding?
I sit on the bed next to Stephen, and we all engage in varies conversations. Of course, Derek and Stephen are planning an epic party, I shut the idea down straight away. Those two are like wild train wrecks when it comes to parties, someone is bound to derail and end up in trouble. I have to keep my brother out of trouble. I message Damon and tell him the good news.
Stephen will be home soon. Can't wait xo
A few minutes later
Great news beautiful. I miss you
I smile reading those words before me. We have come alone way in a short amount of time when I think about it. I can see him in my future, and that’s right where I want him. He brings out someone different within me…. Someone I didn’t know that was there. My feeling for him grew more and more every day.
I miss you too. Are you busy?
Was just leaving for lunch. How did Nicole go today?
Long story will tell you later. Any chance you could take me and Nicole home?
Be there in ten.
I must have this ridiculous look on my face because when I come out of my little zone, everybody’s eyes are looking at me. I look at each of them, they all have massive grins, expect for Carter. He has a frown on his face. My smile fades……..
“Are you able to give me a ride home Sav?” Nicole says coming to stand beside me.
“Yeah, Damon is on his way. I forgot he gave me a lift this morning,” I turn to Stephen. “I will be back to see you later this afternoon okay?”
“I will be here. Hey Nicole, how did the scan go?” He leans to the side to get a better view of Nicole who is hiding behind me.
“It was superb.” Nicole mumbles to whoever has super hearing skills.
“Is everything okay Nicole.” Carter asks, he genuinely looks concerned.
“Ah, yeah.” Nicole looked every were else, but at us.
Silence fills the room, and suddenly everyone is looking at me. I shrug, I don’t want to tell anyone her news.
“I will meet you outside.” And she’s gone.
We talk with the boys for a few more minutes before saying my goodbyes. Derek told me he would be over tonight for dinner, so I had to cook him something good while Stephen bitches that hospital food is crap, and he can't wait to come home to a home cooked meal.
As I walk down the corridor, Carter catches up with me.
“Thank you again for everything Carter.” I say
with a smile.
“Stephen has had good behaviour in prison, and this incident is a safety issue. He will have to work hard to stay out of trouble though.”
“I will make sure he stays out of trouble. I would like to think he learnt his lesson,” I stop just outside the door and turn to Carter. “I won't let him go back to that place, he will keep straight, even if it’s the last thing I do Carter.”
“Well, I have to go. But I will be in contact with you.. Carter offers me his hand, and I take it. Shaking hands with him feels strange, but I do it anyway. Carter is attractive, his casual attire today has me steaming a little from the collar. His dark denim jeans with his black t-shirt.
I hear Nicole clear her throat and turn to see her and Damon standing by the Aston. I snatch my hand out of carters and offer him a small smile. What has gotten into me lately?
Damon briefly meets eyes with carter, there is a lot of hate between those two, I can feel it. Something unpleasant must have happened, I mean they grew up together and were practically “brothers” from what I was told. I shove the thought aside because Damon asked me not to talk about it and I don’t want to cause any tension in our relationship or whatever is it. Carter walked past Damon and Nicole acknowledging them both with mutual goodbyes, but nothing meets the edges.
“You ready to go beautiful.” Damon walks towards me.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt your work day.” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck and running my fingers through his messy hair. His arms snake around my waist, at the same time he brings my body flush against his.
“Not at all.” Than his lips finds mine. His scent is intoxicating. The kiss is short, but oh so sweet. We pull apart due to Nicole being inpatient. The clearing of her throat….loudly Does that.
We decided to drop by a small cafe and grab some coffees and salad rolls for lunch, we got them to take away as Nicole didn’t want to be in public right now. I made her a promise that I was going to be there for her and support her. And I plan too. As soon as Stephen gets home we are going through the house plans, and I am going to build a cottage off the house for her. It will come in handy if Nicole moves out one day, so it's, not like it’ll go to waste if she moves out. I will talk to her about it when we get some time alone.
Damon got a phone call when we were a few blocks from home, he has to return to work for an “emergency” situation. When we pull up outside my house, Nicole thanks Damon and heads inside. Me and Damon sit in silence for a moment both watching Nicole enter the house.
“Thank you for the lift.” I turn to him and smile.
“You’re welcome. I can come by tonight when I finish at the function if you like?” He says with a smirk. I know exactly what he is thinking about because I am totally thinking the same thing.
“Will you be in a suit?” I ask, reaching my hand out to grab his chin between my fingers.
“I will be in whatever you want me to be in, Savannah.” He states with a seductive tone.
“Well…….. In that case….. I want you in your suit.” I lean over and trace his bottom lip with my tongue. I decided to leave him wanting, I gave him a brief kiss then pulled away with a smile.
“You are lucky I have to go.” He threatens.
I giggle as I get out of the car and head inside. The screeching of tires comes from behind me….. Tonight is going to be interesting, I can't wait. He is a craving, and I crave him more and more. And I think he likes that……..
When I walk inside Nicole is already sitting at the table eating her salad roll. I walk over and take a seat across from her.
“Nowhere in these books does it say how to cope with the news of multiple babies.” Nicole states, flicking through a book.
“I don’t think a book can tell you how to do anything. It will come naturally Nic.”
Obviously what I said was funny because Nicole is laughing……like genuinely laughing. I stare blank faced as she snorts and laughs. I reach my hand out and place it on hers. Nicole's eyes meet mine, and she is now crying.
“I can't do this Savannah, one baby fine….. Two, that’s a challenge, but three,” She wipes the tears on the back of her hand. “I am a single mother, I have no idea where Stan is, and he hasn’t returned my phone calls. My parents aren’t going to help me. You know what they are like.”
While Nicole’s parents were supportive, I don’t know how they would feel about the situation now. Her parents wanted her to run off and marry Stan no questions asked.
“I am here, you’re not doing this alone. I am going to be one hell of an Aunty.” I offered reassurance.
“I don’t want to intrude in your life Savannah, and with Stephen coming home, he won't want a whole bunch of kids here.”
“This is your house too. I am not kicking you out. I am going to help you, you are not alone. Don’t ever think you are,” I said gripping her hand tighter. “I am going to build you a flat off the side of the house when we do the renovations, and I don’t want you to fight me on this Nicole.” I sipped my coffee, willing her to drop it.
“Savannah no…….”
“Yes Nicole. Your family, we will work through this. Together.”
“I would be lost without you, you know that right.” Nicole said with a smile.
“Probably would be, but you are never going to find that out. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you,” I'd had enough emotion for one day, I blow her a kiss over the table and stand. “I’m going to get online and look for some jobs.”
“Good luck. I am going to ring my mum,” I raised my brow. “I know, and I don’t want to hear it.” Nicole throws her rubbish at me and walks away. Pregnant women.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For hours, I sat and surf the net looking for some kind of income. There is remarkably little in the way of decent jobs that I am qualified for. I am happy with my decision to postpone my law degree, but I did apply for a few jobs doing reception work for small firms. I think I more than qualified for jobs like these. I have more than enough money in my inheritance, but I have plans for some of it, and I don’t want to reply solely on it, I need to make my own money. I am secretly hoping my brother will go see his old boss and get his job back there. Keeping him busy is my plan. I finish filling out my last application and email it.
It's almost four when I finish. I decide to ring Derek to see if he wants a lift to the hospital before I go.
“Hey Sav.” Derek answers on the first ring.
“Hey. Do you want a lift to the hospital?”
“I am just jumping into my car now, do you want me to pick you up on the way? And after we can get some dinner and head to my place if you want.” I hear him start his hummer whilst he’s talking.
“Sounds like a plan. But we will come back here and watch movies yeah?”
“Alright, I am literally five seconds away.” Than he hangs up.
As soon as I put the phone down, I hear the horn. I laugh to myself as I walk downstairs and into Nicole room. She is sitting on her bed reading.
“I'm off to the hospital now. Derek and I are grabbing some dinner on the way home. Any preferences?” I pray she doesn’t say sushi because I hate sushi.
“Anything is acceptable sav.” She says after a minute or two.
“Okay, see you in a few hours.” I lean down and kiss her head before essentially running out the door. Derek is so impatient; I am barely in the car before he pulls away from the house.
“Could you slow down.” I said to Derek holding on tight to my seat.
“Oh come on Sav, you have been in faster cars than this and not complained.” Derek laughed.
“Your driving scares me. I trust no one but me when it comes to driving.” I said looking at Derek.
“You get in the car with Damon, do you trust his driving”. Derek said seriously.
“I do.” I smiled at the thought of Damon. I was looking forward to seeing him tonight.
“You two are getting serious by the looks. Do you love
him?” I looked away and thought about the question. I trust him, I missed him when we weren’t together, I thought about him more times than not. He makes me feel things that I never thought I would feel again And he gives me hope.
“Close.” I responded with a smile.
I turned to Derek, and he nodded and smiled. “Its so good to see you happy again Savannah. I like Damon, I think he is good for you. The real you, the spunky, fun, outgoing girl who I grew up with is coming back, and it is so good to see. I missed her. When Stephen gets out, all your worries will be gone savannah. You can’t change the past, but you can look forward to the future. And I see Damon as that….. Your future.”
His words hit me. Everything I have wanted is coming together.
Stephen was sitting on his bed watching television when we arrived. The guards were sitting inside the room watching it with him. The two male guards offered me and Derek a wave and greeting. The nurse walked in behind us and administered more IV medication and pain relief. Stephen refused the pain relief, but the nurse insisted that once the current pain relief wore off he would need more, and it was best to keep on top of the pain. Derek and I agreed with the nurse.
“We will be outside.” The tall prison guard said as he offered me a chair.
Stephen waved them off, and I sat down on the chair. There was some comedy show on the television, and hours later we are all in stitches with laughter. Take away the hospital setting, and it was just like old times. The three of us would either be out running wild in the Dodge or at home watching movies. Once the show was over we started reminiscing about the “good old days”. Stories we shared were impossible to forget.
Everything in my memory contained Stephen, Derek and my parents. I missed them heaps and suddenly wished they were here to meet Damon. I think my dad would be happy with my choices and my mum would swoon over him no doubt. Who wouldn’t, he was gorgeous. I think of him, and me and things just don’t fully add up. I mean, I'm not unpleasant looking. I'm actually exceptionally attractive, but I'm not in his league in my eyes. But he sees that differently, so I have to think positive about that.
Judged By You (Judge Me Series) Page 20