Page 10 of Omega’s Oath

Omega didn’t hang around. He drove like a maniac, his heart in his throat as he went over every bad scenario he could and cursing himself for not spotting she was unwell. He’d noticed her ankles were swollen on Saturday but hadn’t wanted to upset her and had kept his mouth shut. He knew her symptoms were classic signs of pre-eclampsia and she needed to be seen by a doctor.

He pulled into the drive like a race car driver and was out of the car in a heartbeat. She met him at the door, and he could see she looked unwell, her cheeks pink but her skin was pale, her eyes wide. He pulled her to him, holding her for just a second as she let him take her weight, burrowing into him.

He kissed her hair, the silk familiar against his lips as he looked at her, cupping her face in his hands. “Let’s get you to the hospital and they can run some tests and see what’s going on.”

He didn’t want to frighten her and knew he had to be her strength right now. Rose nodded and allowed him to lead her to the car. He helped her inside and grabbed her bag from the entry way and locked up behind them.

Hopping into the cab, he backed the truck out and reached for her hand, twining his fingers with hers trying to offer comfort. “When did this start, Rose?”

“Yesterday after lunch with Harlan. I thought it was stress, so I went to bed to try and sleep it off.”

Omega’s ears pricked up at that. Why was she stressed? What had that prick done to her to make her stressed? He bit his tongue, not wanting to exacerbate her stress and make things worse. “It’s gonna be fine, Rose. Just try and relax. We’ll be there soon.”

She looked at him through worried eyes and tilted her head to acknowledge his words. He felt utterly useless to help her, so he decided on a distraction. “Hey, did you hear Hawk took Fee to Venice?”

Rose glanced at him and he saw a small smile curve her lips, a dimple making his stomach clench with emotion. “Yes, Mickie told me. I’m so jealous. I would love to go to Europe again.”

Omega felt his eyes bug, but tucked the piece of information away for another time. He’d love to hear about her trips to Europe. “Yeah, he kept that quiet.”

“He wanted it to be a surprise for her, I guess.”

“I think it worked from what I hear.”

He closed his eyes for a split second in relief as he saw the hospital come into view. He parked as close as he could, daring anyone to make him move and jumped out of the truck. Rose was a little unsteady on her feet as he led her toward the entrance, and they followed the signs for the maternity unit.

In the elevator, she leaned into him and he wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders, supporting her weight. At the reception area he gave the lady Rose’s name and the name of her doctor.

“What are your symptoms, ma’am?” The nurse directed her question at Rose.

“Headache, dizzy, blurred vision.”

“All right, sweetheart, take a seat and I’ll get a doctor to you right away.”

Before they had even sat down a man walked out of a nearby office.

“Rose?”

“Hi, Dr. Ferris.”

Omega watched as he walked closer and crouched down on his heels.

“What’s going on, Rose?”

Omega watched as she explained, and the doctor nodded. He seemed to know Rose well, although he wasn’t her doctor.

Dr. Ferris stood and offered Rose his hand, indicating she come with him. “Let’s take a look at you. Doctor Ryder will be along soon. She’s just finishing up with a patient.”

Omega hesitated, not knowing if he should follow or stay where he was. He wanted to give Rose her privacy, but he was loathe to let her out of his sight.

Rose glanced back at him. “Will you come with me?”

He could see the fear in her eyes and the vulnerability she was feeling and nodded, not trusting himself to speak and followed her into the room. There was a desk and chairs as well as an exam table with monitors and machines.

“Take a seat on the bed, Rose. I want to run a few tests.”

Omega gripped her arm as he helped her wiggle back on to the exam bed. The doctor looped a blood pressure cuff over her arm and took some readings he noted down on a sheet.

“I’ll need to do a urinalysis for protein and some blood work to check your platelets and a few other things. But let’s get a look at baby, shall we.”