Page 126 of Good as Gold
“It’s been a stressful couple of weeks,” I supply.
She shakes her head and launches into an explanation of several scary things that could happen if my blood pressure goes haywire. “We’re going to do a blood draw, a urine test, and give you a blood-pressure drug. And admit you for observation.”
“I need to call my brother,” I realize. “He’s waiting for me.”
“Let me handle it,” Matteo says soothingly. “You just relax.”
He kisses my cheekbone, and I grip his hand tightly. “You’re not leaving, right?”
“Not a chance,” he whispers. “The farthest I’m going is the parking lot. Give me your phone and let me call Nash. You just rest.”
* * *
They find me a room on the labor and delivery ward and hook me up to an IV and a fetal monitor.
“Just sit tight, honey,” the nurse says to me, checking my wrist and then tucking my hand back under the blanket. “Try to relax, maybe close your eyes. I’ll be in and out to check on you.”
“Thank you.”
She hurries out of the room, and I’m left alone for a moment. Matteo is walking his sister back to my Jeep, so she can go back to work.
I’m still not sure why Matteo is suddenly back in Vermont, but I’m not going to question it. The nurse said that if they can’t get my blood pressure down, then I’m going to have to deliver early.
That’s terrifying. I’m trying not to panic.
Except I’m totally panicked. I’m not mentally ready for the birth. The fetal monitor beside me is showing a wavy line of my baby’s heartbeat. I can’t tell if it’s normal or not. The doctor had used a lot of scary words, like “C-section” and “possible signs of preeclampsia.”
I’m scared.
A head suddenly pops around the door frame, and I jump. Another monitor—the one that measures my blood pressure—beeps loudly.
But then I realize that head belongs to Nash. “Is it okay?” he asks. “Can I come in?”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry I stood you up.”
He strides into the room and leans over to hug me. I grip him like a drowning woman grips a life preserver. “Leila, buddy?” he asks softly. “What mess have you gotten us into this time? I thought the baby was supposed to stay put a little longer.”
“It still might. And that would be helpful.”
He releases me with a smirk. “Just promise me you won’t have the baby while I’m standing here, okay? Blood is not my jam, and I don’t want to accidentally see something gross.”
“Nash!” I swat him, and he laughs.
“Honestly, this wasn’t in my temporary contract,” Nash says, eyeing all the monitors I’m hooked up to. “I’m gonna need to renegotiate.”
“Aren’t you hilarious,” I grumble, holding the halves of my hospital robe together with both hands. But I’m happy Nash is here and joking around with me. I’m completely unnerved.
“How are you feeling now?” my brother wants to know. “Matteo said you fainted.”
Terrified. “A little more stable.”
“Are you still dizzy?”
“It’s less, but I’m sitting down now.”
“Matteo, huh?” He glances toward the hallway. “I did wonder about you two.”
I sigh. “It’s complicated. Mostly because I made it that way.”
