Page 25 of Jaded Red

“Help me, please, Doc.” I plead with tears in my eyes.

“I’m going to need you all to leave for a few minutes, please.” Doc Emma demands.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Matt bellows.

“Please, Matt. Just wait outside the door.” I plead with him while gritting my teeth.

“Red, what I’m going to do will be invasive and I don’t want you or anyone else to see it. I’d appreciate it if you’d wait outside for a moment.” Doc Emma demands.

“Fine.” Matt kisses me on the forehead. “I will be right outside the door. You scream and I will barge in.”

I nod through the pain, hoping and praying everything is ok. That my baby is going to be ok.

Chapter Twelve

Red

Waiting fucking sucks. This helpless feeling in the pit of my stomach is making me sick. What if Nadia is in there losing our baby and I’m out here pacing like a stuck pig? What if I lose both of them? Is God playing a cruel joke on me? I’d never forgive myself if something happened to either Nadia or our unborn child. I will burn every corner of every state to find Lattimer if something happens to either of them. My cold, dead heart finally started beating again and now there is a chance I will lose the two people who make me feel alive. I don’t want to be numb anymore. I want to live. I want to feel. I want to love.

“Red,” Kensi asks quietly from the comfort of Aftermath’s arms. “What is going on with Nadia? Why was she in so much pain?”

I stop pacing and turn to look at my best friend’s Ol’ Lady. She has tears welling up in her hypnotic eyes and I release a deep sigh. “We need to wait for the Doc to tell us what’s going on.” It’s not my place to tell Kensi about the baby. If Nadia does lose it, the last thing she’ll need is pity. This will be her choice to tell Kensi or not.

Exleigh and Syvannah are next to the door, holding onto each other and crying. I owe these two my life for protecting Nadia and the baby for the last few months. I bend down so I’m level with them when Exleigh looks up at me. My throat clogs and I can’t find the words I want to say to these two. She offers me a small, timid smile and a nod of her head. I rest my hand on her shoulder and Exleigh doesn’t flinch. Syvannah stops crying long enough to look at the two of us through red-rimmed eyes. She grabs my hand and gives me a gentle squeeze. I hug them both, telling them with my actions how much their sacrifice means to me.

Watching these two, I swear by everything I am, I will protect them with my life. Not only did they save my woman and baby, but they also saved me in the process. For that, they will always have my protection and the protection of the Royal Bastards.

“Exleigh and Syvannah, I want to tell you thank you. With everything the two of you have done, you will always have my protection and the protection of the Royal Bastards. Whatever the two of you need, just ask and it’s yours.” I clear my throat to hold back the tears.

“Thank you, Red.” Exleigh acknowledges. Syvannah nods her head while tears stream down her face.

I stand up and continue to pace, waiting for someone to tell me what is going on. I haven’t heard any screams or sobs. Nothing is coming from the other side of the door and that worries me.

Capone and Danyella come down the hallway a little while later followed by Dagger, Torch, Daisy, Blayze, Monica, Derange and Jezebelle. It’s like a Royal Bastard reunion here and this hallway isn’t big enough for all of us. I’ve lost track of how long it’s been but I hope Capone doesn’t tell me he needs me to take a walk. Each time I did, something bad has happened and I’ll be damned if I do it again.

“Anything yet?” Capone asks.

I shake my head and lean against the wall. “Nothing yet, Prez. This waiting is killing me.” I prop a boot behind me and hang my head. “I just got her back, Capone. I can’t lose her.”

Capone rests his hand on my shoulder. “Doc Emma is the best at what she does. Keep the faith that everything will be OK. Are you claiming her?”

“Fuck yeah, I am,” I answer with no hesitation. Nadia is my Ol’ Lady. My forever.

Dagger pushes his way through everyone and rests his hand on my shoulder, “Pray with me.” Everyone bows their heads while he leads us in prayer. “Heavenly Father, we are asking you today to look upon Nadia. Please heal her, help her and guide her. Give her strength in you and through you during this time and every time in the future. Also, please give your strength to Exleigh and Syvannah and help them heal. In Jesus Christ we name. Amen.”

“Amen.” We all answer in unison. I dry my eyes and stare at the door to my bedroom. They should have come out here already. What is taking so long?

I start counting the what ifs and putting the blame back on me when the door opens. Emma sticks her head out, not letting me see past her. “She’s going to be fine. Red, if you will please?”

I push off the hallway and follow Emma into my room. Nadia is lying in the middle of my bed. No, our bed. There is a big band around her belly and a machine set up to the left of her that is printing out something like waves. Another machine with a screen, a weird wand of some sort and another flat looking thing is placed in front of Doc Emma and she is typing away. Nadia looks so small compared to all the machines in here. She lifts her tired eyes and smiles when she spots me standing at the door.

“What’s going on?” I quietly ask.

Nadia holds her slender hand out and I hurry to her side and take it. Her fingers are ice cold in my grasp. “Everything is going to be fine. I must have overdone it earlier today and with not eating as much, my body didn’t want to cooperate.”

I release a harsh breath, “So you and the baby are going to be ok?” I look from Nadia to Doc Emma.

“Yes, they both are healthy and thriving. But Nadia does need to take it easy for the next few weeks. Her body has been under so much pressure and stress, that it’s still in fight mode.” Doc Emma informs me.

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