Hanging up, I find Casey, and then we leave. My mind never stops racing the whole way over, each thought worse than the last. Logically, I know Casey is right. It’s most likely going to be okay, whatever it is, but that doesn’t stop me from going full throttle to worst-case scenario. By the time I get checked in, Graham arrives with a very sleepy Ellie Mae on his hip. She’s in her pajamas, and given the time, I’m sure she was already in bed.
When he hugs me, his scent—but also, the smell of Ellie Mae’s lavender baby shampoo—surrounds me, both doing wonders at calming my nerves. Graham presses a kiss on my forehead before sitting in the chair beside the bed.
“Any news?”
“I just got here too.” I shake my head, lifting my arm that has a blood pressure cuff wrapped around it. “They strapped this on me, but I haven’t talked to anyone since.”
Ellie Mae holds her arms out toward me and mumbles something that I can’t make out with the binkie in her mouth.
“You wanna come sit with me, pretty girl?” I ask as I reach for her. She practically leaps out of her dad’s arms and into mine, and my heart skips a beat as she settles on my lap and restsher head on my chest. “Sorry you had to get her out of bed,” I murmur, flicking my gaze over to Graham.
“You don’t have to apologize, Sunny.” He rubs my arm, and the reassuring touch sends a buzz through my veins. It’s been a little over a month since we decided to explore things between us, and it’s been incredible. I’m still cautious, with the concern that we’ll ruin the friendship we’ve built during this pregnancy still at front and center in my mind, but I’ve been taking things day by day, trying not to overthink it all. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel okay, really. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
The nurse comes in and checks my vitals, asking me a variety of questions, and by the time Dr. Mitchell comes in, Ellie Mae is fast asleep on my chest.
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” I say.
Dr. Mitchell smiles warmly. “Just so happen to be on call tonight.” Her eyes drop to the sweet, snoring little girl on my lap, then to Graham. “She’s gotten so big! Her second birthday is coming up, if I’m not mistaken, right?”
Graham nods, the grin on his face infectious. “Yes, ma’am, next month.”
“Wow, I can’t believe it.” Admiring Ellie Mae for a moment longer, her gaze meets mine. “Alright, Charley, back to you and the reason for your visit tonight.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask in a hurry, the worry in my voice evident.
“I’ve reviewed your blood pressure readings, and they’re a little bit elevated,” she starts, her voice gentle. “Not dangerously high, but definitely something to keep an eye on. It’s not to the point where we need to consider medication or bedrest, but I would like you to start monitoring it more closely at home.”
“Should I be worried?” Tears burn the backs of my eyes. I can’t look at Graham or else I’ll cry.
“Not worried, necessarily, just aware,” she says. “Pregnancy can cause fluctuations in blood pressure, so we just want to make sure it doesn’t trend upward. Elevated blood pressure can lead to complications if it persists, and close monitoring allows us to catch any changes if they come up.”
“What do you recommend us doing?” Graham asks.
I finally chance a look in his direction and immediately wish I hadn’t. His jaw is tight and his brows are cinched together. He’s worried, and I hate knowing it’s because of me.
“I’d like you to check your blood pressure at home twice a day, morning and evening, and write down the readings each time,” she instructs. “And please bring them to your next appointment for me to review, but if you notice any sudden spikes, readings consistently over 140/90, or you start experiencing pain in your upper abdomen, or headaches, vision changes, or swelling in your hands or face, like you did today, call me right away or come in to be seen again.”
I swallow harshly, trying to bring moisture back to my mouth as I nod. “Okay, I can do that. But the baby’s okay?”
“Baby is okay,” she reassures me. I let out the breath I’d been holding, hearing that releasing some of the tension in my chest. “Your vitals and baby’s vitals look good, but I’d like to keep you here for a little while to continue monitoring your blood pressure before I send you home.”
Dr. Mitchell leaves the room a moment later, and neither Graham nor I say anything for a minute. The air is tense, and I know it’s because we’re both worried, but I don’t know what to say. It’s Graham that breaks the silence.
“I’ll run to the pharmacy first thing in the morning and pick up a monitor,” he offers, his voice rough.
I turn my head and meet his gaze. “Thank you. I can also monitor it at work, if need be.”
He rolls his lips together, and I can tell he wants to say something.
“Say it,” I gently push. “Whatever’s on your mind, say it. Communication, remember?”
Heaving a sigh, he sits forward and slips his hand into mine. “I’m just thinking… Maybe we should consider having you not work for the remainder of the pregnancy.”
My stomach sours, and for some reason, my knee-jerk reaction is to be on the defense. I know Graham’s only trying to think of what’s best for me and the baby, but I hate that idea. Every part of me hates it. Swallowing down the bitter taste in the back of my mouth, I take a breath before calmly saying, “I don’t think that’s necessary. Dr. Mitchell said I can continue living my day-to-day life, so that’s what I want to do. Besides, I’m only thirty weeks, and Ijuststarted this job not that long ago; I can’t take ten whole weeks off, plus maternity leave. I’ll monitor it every day like she told me to do. I’m fine, Graham. I promise.”
He chews on the inside of his cheek, looking like he wants to press the issue, but eventually, he nods. “Okay, but I’m going to make sure you’re doing it twice a day,everyday.”
