The security door unlocks, and it slowly opens. If the officer wasn’t sizing me up, I’d consider making a dash for it, but if I get arrested, it’ll be even longer until I see Harper.
“Luca!” Nova’s voice carries through the hall as she comes out from the emergency room. “Harper’s being seen right now. Come on,” Nova says and gestures for me to come through the door.
“Thanks for all your help,” I snarl sarcastically at the receptionist as I hurry for the door.
Nova hits the button, making sure it stays open extra-long while I head back and have half a mind to toss my middle finger up at the officer for taking her side.
“Thanks,” I say, grateful Nova went with Harper to the hospital. “What’s going on?”
She walks at a fast clip and I’m right alongside of her, keeping up with her strides. “She’s just down this hallway,” Nova says. “She started having cramping and bleeding.”
My breath catches and I nod weakly. “The baby?”
“I don’t know yet.” Nova leads me through the maze of hallways and to the room where Harper is being kept. She pulls back the curtain. “Look who I found.”
Harper’s cheeks are red, her face splotchy from crying, and the moment she latches onto my hand and meets my stare, her dark eyes begin to water.
It makes my chest ache.
“Hey, I’m right here,” I say, offering a forced smile, trying to cheer her up. “How are you feeling?”
“The pain is better. But there was blood.” She glances away, biting her bottom lip to keep the tears from falling. “Where’s Zeke?” Harper sniffles, and Nova hands her a tissue.
“He’s at home with Sophia and Bristol. They’re playing babysitter tonight.” I squeeze her hand. “He’s fine. Have you seen the doctor yet?”
“Just the nurse,” Nova says.
Within half an hour, the doctor comes in, examines Harper, and orders a plethora of tests, including an ultrasound, bloodwork, among other things that I’m unfamiliar with. Nova grabs me a chair so that I can sit with Harper while she takes the accompanying chair. There’s not a lot of space in the emergency room, but I’m just glad to be with her.
Nova’s phone buzzes and she glances at the text. I imagine it’s Ashton, asking what happened.
“Did you guys win the game?” Harper asks after the doctor leaves and we’re waiting for the tech to come in and perform an ultrasound.
“Don’t know, I left as soon as I heard you were taken to the hospital.”
“You left the game?” Harper moves to sit up, and I gently touch her shoulder, gesturing for her to stay put.
“You’re more important to me than hockey.”
After the tests, exams, and listening to our baby’s heartbeat, we’re informed that everything is fine with the baby. The doctor explains in thorough detail the reason for her bleeding, but my brain is a million miles away.
Our baby is healthy.
I inhale sharply, feel the first sting of tears, and swallow it back down before they have time to surface.
Harper emits a quiet sob, and I offer her a hug, my hands gently grazing over her shoulder, trying to reassure her that she’s okay.
As soon as the doctor leaves, she wipes the tears away.
I can’t read her expression, as the overwhelming emotions pour out of her. “I thought I lost it,” she whispers, rubbing at the tears, swiping them away as they fall faster down her cheek.
Nova offers another tissue, and I’m right at Harper’s side, silent, listening, doing what I can to offer comfort.
“I didn’t know how much I wanted this baby,” she rests a hand on her abdomen, “until I thought I lost it.”
I inhale sharply, the air sucked out of my lungs.
Is she saying what I think she’s saying?
