Page 86 of This Love
“I’m here to help you, Ava. We are all here to help.”
She peered up at me, tears coursing down her face. “It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.”
“Ava, we need to go to the hospital. You’re having the baby.”
She simply whimpered in her corner.
This was bad. I kept trying. “Ava? Do you know who I am?”
She shook her head.
My stomach clenched. A seizure had wiped her. The huffing caused it. Or something. I know she took her meds. We double and triple checked every morning.
The woman behind me said, “Can you get her out?”
“I’ll try. Ava, my name is Tucker. I’m your husband. A man who loves you. Who lives with you.”
Ava ignored me, her breath huffing. God, she could have another one if this kept up. It could keep happening and happening.
“Ava, I’m here to help you. So are they.” I pointed behind me.
She peered up at them. “Who are those people?”
“They’re from the hospital.”
“The dog doesn’t like them.”
“She’s trained to protect you. It’s okay.”
She nodded. “I’m scared. I’m really scared.”
“I’m scared, too. Can you come out? We will help make the hurt go away.”
The tall EMT stepped forward, making Rosie growl.
“Stay back,” I told him. “I can only handle one problem at a time.”
“Is she special needs?” the man asked.
I ignored him. “Ava, tell your dog Rosie you’re okay so she’ll stop guarding you.”
Her eyes moved to the golden retriever. “Rosie, I’m okay.” Her voice was shaking. “Rosie, move back.”
Rosie shifted out of the way as I took Ava’s hand and helped her crawl from the space.
I drew her against me. “I’m right here. It’s okay. I’ll help you. I love you.”
She seemed to calm down, pressing her head against my shoulder. At least she was willing to be near me. Feeling her body melt into mine gave me hope that this time wouldn’t be so bad.
I let her be for a moment, reveling in this quiet moment. It might be our last one for a long while.
She whimpered. “I don’t want the hurt to come back. But it keeps coming back.”
“We need to go to the hospital.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to.”
“It’s okay, Ava. We’ll get through this. We’ve done it before, and we will do it again.”
