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“I have a headache,” I said. “And then there’s the stress. I just don’t feel my best.” I rubbed my temples as the sharp pain persisted.
“Anything else?”
I shrugged. “I’ve been nauseous and a little dizzy, but that’s pretty normal, right?” I rubbed at the tightness in my chest, and her eyes narrowed.
“Have you checked your blood pressure recently?”
“Blood pressure? No, I haven't thought about that.” I frowned, considering the possibility. I’d just chalked up how I was feeling to pregnancy and stress, but maybe that wasn’t the whole story.
“I’ll be right back.” Abi got up and went into a supply closet at the end of the hall, returning with a small blood pressure monitor from the cupboard. She wrapped the cuff around my arm and pressed the button to start the reading.
When the machine beeped, Abi's mouth tightened. “Mariah, your blood pressure is quite high. I think you should see a doctor.”
“A doctor?” I blinked. I hadn’t expected that. I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, suddenly feeling scared for the baby. “You think it's that serious?”
“Better safe than sorry. Especially with a baby on the way.”
“Okay.” I set down my tea. “I need to tell Evan.”
Now I really was concerned. I tried to keep myself calm, focusing on steady breaths as I made my way up to Evan’s office. He was leaning over schematics and documents related to the security measures he’d taken.
“Hey,” I murmured, stopping at the doorway. “I need to talk to you.”
He must have sensed something either in my tone or coming directly from me. His head jerked up as he rose from the desk. “What's wrong?”
“Abi just checked my blood pressure, and it's pretty high. She suggested I see a doctor.” I tried to sound casual, but I could hear the tiny tremor in my voice.
Evan rounded his desk and strode toward me, the papers on his desk forgotten. “We'll go right now.”
I should have known his protectiveness would kick in. In record time, we were in the car and hurrying to town, with Evan muttering the whole time about how I was only three months along. It certainly wasn’t comforting, but I felt the same way. I’d never done this before. I didn’t know what to expect. What if all my anxiety had put the baby at risk?
We arrived at the clinic, and Evan speedily rushed me through the glass doors.
“We need to see Dr. Patel,” Evan said urgently, striding to the front desk. “Right away.”
The young woman looked up, her eyes wide as she glanced between the two of us. She knew who we were, of course. I could only imagine what she thought about the panic that was surely on my face. “I’m so sorry, but Dr. Patel isn’t here today. I can get you in with another doctor, though.”
“Another doctor?” I snapped, feeling the anger rapidly rising, and my dragon pressing against my chest. “I don’t want to see some random doctor. I want to see my doctor. Maybe you should call him and tell him to get his ass here.”
“Mariah,” Evan muttered, his fingers fighting on my hand in an attempt to soothe me.
I barely spared him a glance, but I got his point. I sighed, fighting back my frustration and fear. “Look, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t take it out on you. I know you can’t help it that he’s not in today. But this is about my baby. I want to see someone who knows my situation.”
“Of course, Ms. Bailey. I understand completely.” It was a credit to her professionalism that she seemed totally unfazed by my outburst. “I can promise you that you’ll be in excellent hands with Dr. Simmons.”
Evan rubbed circles on the back of my hand and gave me a nod. Maybe I was being unreasonable, but Dr. Patel had been so reassuring when we were here before.
The receptionist picked up the phone and made a quick call, then she stood and led us toward the door behind her. A nurse was already walking out to meet us.
“Natasha will take you to your room and triage you there.” She gave me a smile and dropped her head in deference to Evan. “Ms. Bailey. Alpha.”
Well, that was new. I stared at her until Evan tugged on my hand to follow behind Natasha. The sterile white walls did little to calm my nerves as I settled onto the exam table.
Natasha gave me a friendly smile as she wrapped a blood pressure cuff around my upper arm and took the reading. “Your blood pressure is higher than it should be.” She took my pulse, then listened to my heart. “I’ll let Dr. Simmons know your vitals and she’ll be right in.”
They must have known not to keep their alpha’s mate waiting because Dr. Simmons rushed right in.
“Hi, Mariah. I’ve been updated on your condition, and it looks like your blood pressure isn’t within a healthy range for the baby,” she said. “It's extremely important that we keep a close eye on this, especially during pregnancy. There's a risk of developing preeclampsia if this goes unmanaged, which can be dangerous for both of you.”
