Anxious in Atlanta: At the Altar Book 12 (A Magnolias and Moonshine Novella 11)

by Kirsten Osbourne

  “SoHo?” he asked.

  “It was the first artsy place that came to mind. If I was going to be a writer, I’d do what Thoreau did instead. I’d head to a pond or lake in the middle of nowhere and ignore everyone and everything. Blissful solitude.”

  “You’d take me though, right? Because you have realized that you can’t live without me.”

  She chewed her bite of the ham and cheese quiche slowly as she thought about her answer. “I guess I would. I would need someone to carry my suitcase after all.”

  He shook his head, laughing at her. She had changed a lot as she’d slowly emerged from her shell. He liked her more every day.

  Chapter Six

  Less than three weeks later, Jean left work early. She’d caught a stomach bug and couldn’t stop vomiting. She had to pull over on her way home, too weak to continue. She breathed deeply, wondering what on earth had caused it to hit so hard. Several other people at the office had it, and they’d been able to at least make it home.

  She called Dillon, unsure of what else to do. She was never sick, so this caught her by surprise. When he answered, he sounded distracted. “Hello?”

  “Is this a bad time?” she asked, her voice sounding weak to her ears.

  “Sort of. What’s up?”

  “I just wanted you to know that I’m sick and coming home early. That’s all.”

  That obviously caught his attention. “You’re sick? What’s wrong?”

  “Stomach bug. I’m sure it’s not a big deal. Other people in the office have had it, and it finally caught me.”

  “Can you make it home? Or do you need me to come get you?” Dillon sounded concerned.

  “I think I can make it. I pulled over for a minute, but I think I can do it.” She couldn’t though. She didn’t want to inconvenience him, but if he couldn’t drive her, she’d call Uber and get a ride from them.

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  “I pulled off on a residential street.” She looked up at the sign in front of her. “Sign says Forest Lake Dr. Northwest.”

  “Where are you on the street?” he asked.

  “No idea.” She was feeling worse by the moment.

  “I’m on my way. Stay there, okay? I’ll find you.”

  “Uh huh.” She dropped the phone and leaned back her seat. She felt so bad. She didn’t remember ever being quite this sick.

  Dillon dropped his paintbrush and snapped the lid onto the paint can. He washed his hands and rushed for the door. Jean didn’t sound right. He had to get to her.

  Rushing to his car, he put the street name she’d given him into his GPS. He couldn’t believe how panicked he felt. She was just the woman Dr. Lachele had hooked him up with so he wouldn’t lose his inheritance, wasn’t she?

  The street was long, and he drove along it slowly, looking for a car pulled off to the side. Finally he spotted her, and pulled up behind her, going to the driver’s side door and knocking on the window. She was slumped to one side, her seat reclined as far back as it would go.

  She didn’t respond to his knock, so he tried again. When there was still no response, he reached for the door handle, but it was locked. He frowned, starting to panic more than a little. She’d given him her key, but he hadn’t thought he’d need it. Thankfully, she’d had the foresight to make sure he had it.

  Unlocking her door, he felt her face, finding it cold and clammy. He pulled out his phone and called his doctor. He didn’t even know if she had one. He got a recording saying if it was an emergency, he should hang up and dial nine-one-one. He groaned, and hung up, instead calling a college friend who had gone on to medical school.

  “Hey, Dillon! Long time no talk. Heard you got married!” Jeff’s voice was animated, and Dillon wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him.

  “Something’s wrong, and I’m not sure what to do. Jean called on her way home from work and told me she was really sick. She’d pulled over to the side of the road. I just got to her, and she’s unresponsive.”

  “Is she diabetic? Or epileptic?”

  “Not to my knowledge. She’d have told me that, right?”

  “Most likely. She doesn’t take medicine or give herself shots?”

  Dillon shook his head. “No, never.”

  “Call nine-one-one, man. I can’t diagnose her over the phone. I’m at Piedmont. Have them bring her to emergency here, and I’ll meet you there.”

  “I don’t want to pull you away from your work.”

  “I’m working emergency starting in thirty minutes. Drop my name, and I’ll come right out.”

  Dillon frowned. “I’ll get her there.”

  “Don’t drive. You’re upset. Call nine-one-one. Please.”

  “Yeah, okay. Calling now.” Dillon ended the call and dialed nine-one-one. He’d never had to make an emergency call before. Even when his uncle was at his sickest, nothing like this had ever happened.

  An ambulance was there ten minutes later, and Jean was strapped onto a gurney and put into the back. “Can I come too?”

  “Follow us there. We’ll take good care of her.” The paramedic that answered was a mid-thirties female.

  He nodded, locking up her car and hurrying to his. He followed the ambulance the short distance to the Piedmont Hospital and after parking, rushed in.

  He saw Jeff talking to someone in pink scrubs. He raised a hand to get his attention.

  Jeff nodded toward him, but hurriedly finished up his discussion before walking to him. “Where is she?”

  “No clue. The ambulance had me follow them. I don’t know where they put her.”

  “Wait here.” Jeff walked to the reception desk and asked a question, gesturing for Dillon to follow him. “Let’s go.”

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Do you want me to examine her? Or just hold your hand while someone else does?”

  Dillon rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t care who examines her. I just need to know she’s going to be okay!” He followed Jeff into a curtained-off area where Jean was just waking up. “Are you okay?”

  Jean struggled to sit up, but Jeff put his hand on her shoulder, keeping her down. “I’m Dr. Jordan. I went to school with Dillon. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Jean breathed deeply, feeling the nausea rising up again. “There have been a bunch of people at my office with that stomach bug that’s going around, but I didn’t think I’d get it. I’m never sick.” She rubbed her hand over her face. “I’ve been feeling nauseated for a few days now, but today has been the worst. I didn’t throw up before today, and that’s all I’ve done all day. It started when someone made popcorn in the break room. I can’t even keep water down. I started feeling really weak, so I decided to leave work early. Halfway home, I realized I couldn’t make it there, so I called Dillon.”

  “What happened after we talked?” Dillon asked, taking her hand from the other side of the bed. “When I got to you, I couldn’t wake you up.”

  She shrugged. “I remember talking to you, and then I remember leaning my seat back. Next thing I knew, I was here.” She swallowed hard, moving her hand to her stomach. “This bug is terrible.”

  Dr. Jordan leaned over her, checking her pulse and touching her skin. “She’s badly dehydrated. I’m going to get a nurse in here to start an IV so we can get some fluids in her. I want to run a couple of tests, so we’re going to draw a bit of blood to see what we can find.”

  “You don’t think it’s just a bug?” Dillon asked, not taking his eyes off Jean.

  “I’m not sure, and I can’t be without blood tests. So we’re going to do them, and I’ll have an answer for you soon, I hope.” Dr. Jordan patted Jean’s hand. “Hang in there. I’m going to have them shoot something into your IV for the nausea.”

  Jean nodded, her eyes drooping again. She struggled to stay awake, not wanting Dillon to worry. “I don’t know why I’m so tired.”

  “You’re sick. You just need to lie back and sleep. I’ll be here when you
wake up.” He squeezed her hand.

  The nurse came in ten minutes later, asking all the usual questions. Jean had never really been sick, even as a child, so there wasn’t much to tell her. The nurse started the IV as she questioned her. “What was the first date of your last menstrual cycle?”

  Jean struggled to think about it. “I’m not sure. Mid-March?”

  “Are you usually regular?”

  “Not always. This isn’t so late that I was worried or anything.” The nurse started the IV and removed several vials of blood through it. Jean was too tired to care.

  The nurse hooked the IV up to her arm and left the room, taking the rolling computer cart with her.

  Jean didn’t know how long she was there after the nurse left, because she dozed in and out constantly. When she became aware of where she was again, Dillon was sitting beside the bed, doing something on his phone. “You can go. I’ll call you when I’m done. I know this is cutting into your day.”

  He stared at her with a shocked expression. “Are you kidding me?” He shook his head. “I’m not leaving you here.”

  “It’s not like I’m going to get into trouble. I think whatever they put in my IV is helping. I’m not feeling nearly as nauseated.”

  “I’m worried about you, and I want to know what’s going on. I’m not leaving you.” He frowned down at her. “You’re still looking extremely pale. Are you sure you feel better?”

  She nodded. “I almost feel like I could have a sip of water and not vomit. That would be really exciting.”

  “Nothing unless the doctor says it’s okay.” Dillon looked toward the door as his friend came back. “What do you know, Jeff?”

  “She doesn’t have a stomach bug.”

  Dillon frowned. “Then why is she vomiting? What’s wrong with her?”

  “She has something called hyperemesis gravidarum, which translates to severe morning sickness. She’s pregnant.” Dr. Jordan smiled as he gave them the news.

  “What? Pregnant? Already? What are we going to do? If she keeps vomiting like that, she’s going to starve to death and so will the baby. How long will it last?” Dillon was floored at the idea of being a father, but most importantly, he was concerned for his wife. At the moment, the baby was an abstract idea. Jean was becoming more important to him every day.

  “We’re going to keep her for a couple of days and get her hydrated. We will try different medications and hopefully get her to where she can eat. She’s already very thin. I’ll worry about this baby if she loses much weight.” Dr. Jordan looked at Jean. “How are you doing with the meds we put in your IV? Any better?”

  “Lots better,” she said. “Are you sure? There’s not some mistake?” She hadn’t expected to get pregnant so quickly. How was she going to be able to work if the morning sickness continued to be this bad?

  “I’m sure. I’m referring you to an obstetrician, who will see you once we get you in a room. Do you already have an OB/GYN?”

  Jean shook her head. “I don’t. I just see a family doctor once a year for a physical.”

  “Well, then I’ll get you set up with a good obstetrician right away. She’ll be able to give you advice on the best things to eat and what to avoid. Hopefully we can get the vomiting mostly regulated with medicine, but she’ll be able to help you more than I can.” He patted her hand. “We’re waiting on a room to be readied for you. It’ll probably be another hour or so.”

  As soon as he left, Jean looked at Dillon. “We’re going to have a baby. Already. Why did I think these things took longer?”

  Dillon squeezed her hand. “I have no idea. I guess I wasn’t expecting you to get pregnant on day one either, but I can’t say I’m disappointed. Do you want a boy or a girl?”

  She blinked at him. “At the moment, I want a child who is healthy and doesn’t make me vomit every five minutes. Other than that, I don’t care.” She smiled. “Erin keeps telling her husband Al if they have a girl, she’s going to name her Sally and call her Sal, and if they have a boy, she’s going to name him Darren. Just to annoy him.”

  He shook his head. “Why does that annoy him?”

  “His sister’s name is Misti, and she named her twins Kristi and Tristi. He thinks rhyming names are silly.” She covered her mouth as she yawned. “I think I’m falling asleep again. I’ve never been this tired. I’ve slept more than I’ve been awake.”

  “You’re sleeping for two…”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m not buying that…”

  A couple of hours later, Jean was settled in her hospital room. She’d only been there for a few minutes when her obstetrician stopped by. “You must be Jean. I’m Dr. Foster. How are you feeling?”

  “Whatever they put in the IV is really helping. Is it safe for the baby?”

  Dr. Foster nodded, smiling. “Dr. Jordan suspected you were pregnant after hearing your symptoms, so he made sure he gave you something that would be fine for the baby.”

  “Oh, good.” Jean was shocked she hadn’t thought of that before, but she was glad she’d asked now.

  “It looks like you’re about six weeks pregnant, which will have you due around the fifth of January. I’m going to have my staff call you to make an appointment as soon as you leave here. With your acute morning sickness, we’re considering you high risk, and we’ll watch you extra close. For now, we’re only worried about settling your stomach and getting you hydrated. Hopefully you won’t be here for more than three or four days.”

  “That long? Will I be able to go back to work as soon as I get out?”

  Dr. Foster frowned. “I can’t say for sure, but I think you’ll have to take the rest of your pregnancy off. I haven’t seen such an acute case of hyperemesis gravidarum before. You’re going to have to treat yourself like an invalid if you want that baby to make it.”

  After the doctor left, Jean looked over at Dillon. “I’m not going to be able to work.”

  He shrugged. “You hate your job. It sounds like a good time for you to start taking care of yourself.”

  “I guess I have no choice.” She smiled slightly. “I like the idea of sleeping. A lot of sleep sounds really good.” Her eyes were drifting shut again.

  He grinned. “I’m going to go have someone drive your car home. You sleep, and I’ll be back first thing in the morning. If you need anything, give me a call.”

  She forced her eyes open. “Bring my toothbrush and a nightgown. I feel strange with my ventilated backside. And I want some slippers.”

  “All right. I can do all that.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Take care of my baby.”

  Jean’s hand went to her flat stomach, finding it hard to believe there was a baby there. “Be safe.”

  Chapter Seven

  Dillon felt strange going home to an empty house. He had a friend meet him at Jean’s car and follow him home, and then he drove him back to his car. When he walked into the house afterward, it seemed overwhelmingly silent. He was often there without Jean, but it was different knowing she was in the hospital.

  He put together a hospital bag for her. He thought about adding her Kindle, because he knew she’d be happy to have it. Spending the night with nothing to do would drive her crazy. If she could stay awake that was. He was very worried about her and how little she ate, especially now that she was pregnant.

  He walked around, thinking about how lonely it felt without her. Had he gotten that used to her in such a short time? She’d only been home in the evenings for the past three weeks. How on earth could he already miss her?

  After he’d put her Kindle in her bag, he realized that he should let Erin know what was happening. Nothing would cheer Jean up like hearing from her friend. He took it back out, tapped it, and brought up the Skype app. Erin was the first contact, so he tapped her number.

  Erin’s face came on the screen. “Dillon?”

  “Hey, Erin. I wanted to let you know that Jean’s in the hospital. She has this long, complicated word wrong with her, but it basi
cally means she has severe morning sickness.”

  Erin frowned. “Jean’s never sick!”

  “That’s what she keeps saying. Doctor said she’s due January fifth.”

  “Congratulations. I guess she doesn’t have her Kindle at the hospital with her.”

  Dillon shook his head. “No, I have that at home. I’m planning on taking it to her when I go see her tomorrow morning.”

  “Tell her I love her, and she should call me. I won’t stop worrying if I don’t see her beautiful face, and that’s not good for my baby. And tell her I’m so glad my baby will have two cousins so close in age.”

  Dillon smiled. “She’ll like hearing all that. I’ll tell her.”

  “Good. Thanks for letting me know. You’re a good husband, no matter what Jean says about you.”

  “Wait. She says bad things about me?” Dillon was surprised. Jean didn’t seem like the type to complain about anything.

  “I’ll never tell.” Erin made a face. “See ya!”

  Dillon shook his head as he put the Kindle back in her bag. Erin was trying to drive him crazy, and unfortunately, it was working well.

  When Jean woke the following morning, she immediately realized where she was, feeling the pain in the back of her hand from the IV. There were several marks on the backs of her hands where they’d missed the vein, blaming it on how dehydrated she was.

  Then it all came rushing back. She was carrying Dillon’s baby. She was going to have a child of her own. Someone to love openly and freely. Someone who would love her in return. A child. It was what she’d always wanted, but so much more than she’d expected. She was having a baby with the man she loved. With her husband.

  As soon as the word “love” flew into her mind, she wondered at it. Was she really in love with him? Did she know him well enough to love him? Whether or not she knew him well enough, she knew the feeling inside her was love. When he wasn’t with her, she felt like a part of her was missing. She craved his company.