Page 71 of Pieces into Place
“Lex,” Blake’s voice quivered and Alexis instantly pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I know, baby. I’m scared too. But it’s going to be okay. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or our baby.”
“I’m so scared.”
“I’ve got you.” Alexis firmly nodded. “Now, let’s go.”
They didn’t grab anything as they left the bedroom. Not their phones, not the hospital bag they’d packed weeks ago. Nothing. Blake was trying to follow Alexis’s lead of being calm in front of Archer and Reese until Ellie came running over. It was a blessing she wasn’t in school or working and could watch the kids for them. She helped Blake get into the van before Alexis sped through every stop sign to get to the hospital.
The entire time, they held tightly onto each other’s hands as Blake tried to remain as calm as she could.
It’s going to be okay,Blake kept repeating to herself until Alexis pulled up to the emergency room entrance. Isla and Vera were already there waiting with Dr. Jacobs and Melanie. All four of them had worried looks on their faces which didn’t help ease Blake’s worries at all. Melanie had a wheelchair ready as Vera and Dr. Jacobs helped Blake into it.
Blake felt like she was on a television drama with how quickly everything happened. She was wheeling up to labor and delivery, bypassing the emergency room at Dr. Jacobs’s call. Dr. Jacobs immediately asked for a urine sample, which Alexis had to help Blake with. Outside the door, Blake could hear the flurry of commotion going on in the room as everything was getting ready. Her anxiety skyrocketed as Melanie helped her out of her comfy clothes and into a sterile hospital gown before helping her into the bed. Melanie and Vera were quickly working to put more monitors on Blake than she could count as another nurse took her blood. Alexis held tightly onto her hand as Isla stood by her bed, gently stroking her hair. The tears were filling her eyes, but Isla hadn’t let them fall yet.
“Mom,” Blake tried not to sob as she looked up at Isla, “what’s happening? I’m so scared.”
“I know, baby.” Isla leaned down and held Blake tightly. “It’s going to be okay. We all have you, Blake. It’s going to be okay.”
“Okay,” Dr. Jacobs cleaned her throat, taking control of the room, “so, all the tests we have back so far are indicating preeclampsia. We still have a few more tests we’re waiting on, but I’m very confident that’s the path we’re on. Since you’re full term, I’m strongly recommending that we induce you today. We’ll treat your symptoms through the induction process, but I feel right now the best bet for you and baby is to get her out today.”
Blake’s head began to spin as she tried to pick a spot in the room to focus on.
Preeclampsia? I’ve never known anyone that has that. And have the baby? Today? But we don’t have any of our stuff here. And this hospital gown is so scratchy. I want my own gown. I’m so scared.
Suddenly, her eyes locked with Vera’s.
“Mama,” Blake sobbed as she held her hand out to Vera. Vera quickly walked over to it, taking hold of Blake’s hand as if her life depended on it. “What do you think?”
“Dr. Jacobs is right.” She nodded firmly. “I think induction is the best bet for you and the baby.”
Blake turned her head to Alexis. “Lex?”
“I agree with whatever keeps you and our baby girl safe.” Leaning down, Alexis kissed Blake’s forehead. “You’ve got this, Blake. We’re going to get through this together.”
Despite her fears, Blake chose to believe Alexis.
The induction process happened just as quickly as the intake process had. Melanie hooked up Blake’s IV to a bag that contained Pitocin, which was to help induce contractions. She rattled off other medicines they were giving Blake, but all Blake could focus on was Dr. Jacobs inserting a Foley bulb into her cervix. It was the most uncomfortable pain Blake had ever felt. Thankfully, Vera must have noticed the pained look on Blake’s face as she stepped to the side of her bed and put a hand on her arm.
“I know this part sucks, but it’s the best way to get your cervix dilated. It works by putting pressure on your cervix to help thin it out.”
Although Dr. Jacobs had already explained the process, it had a more clinical feel to it than Vera’s explanation.
“And you’re already two centimeters, and this usually helps get you to three or four.” Dr. Jacobs chimed in from between Blake’s legs. “So, hopefully, this and the Pitocin will work quickly to get your dilation going.”
Quicklyhad turned out not to be in the cards for Blake. After an insanely hectic intake and induction process, the wait for her contractions to start seemed to takeforever.Blake tried to rest before they started, but the uncomfortable hospital bed and gown were making it impossible.
Thankfully, Mason arrived after they had been there for a couple of hours with Blake’s hospital bag and their phones. All of which they’d forgotten at home. As Alexis caught up on all the texts and calls they’d missed, Mason and Isla helped Blake into her birthing gown. After hearing Emily’s rave reviews, Blake had purchased two of them. One for labor and one for postpartum. She didn’t care about anyone seeing her without any clothes on as Isla carefully held her arms as Mason adjusted the gown on her body.
“How does that feel?”
“Good,” Blake nodded. “Thanks, Mace.”
“You’re welcome.” Mason smiled at her. “So, Chase called Charlie and Delaney and they’re going to pick up Harper from school, then spend the night at your house with the kids. Ellie said if you think about anything that you need from home to let her know and she’ll bring it. But otherwise, just focus on yourself and this baby. We got you, sis.”
For the first time all day, Blake felt herself relax at Mason’s words. Although Blake knew the next few hours were going to be long and hard, she could feel her bodystarting to relax, knowing that her kids were being taken care of. They hadn’t told them where they were going, only that Mama had an appointment at the hospital. Blake tried not to think about how worried Harper would be when she found out Blake was in the hospital after school.
An hour later, Melanie came into the room with a chipper smile and peanut-shaped ball under her arm. She sat the ball on the bed as she motioned to the hallway with her thumb.
