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“You heard right. Liz has a stalker,” I repeat.
I give Jessica a rundown of the situation, and we start making plans. The first step is to hire a private investigator. Dax has already sent out a message to the investigator he knows, and we’re not-so-patiently waiting for her reply.
We also reach out to some security firms. I’ve decided to hire private security for the public areas of my building. I don’t care if the other residents agree or not. Since I’m paying for it, I figure they shouldn’t have much to say. That same security firm is going to install motion detectors and additional cameras in my apartment.
Liz stays mostly silent during this time. I dart, sneaking glances her way just to make sure she’s okay. After a while, she leans her head back and closes her eyes.
I’m concerned that today has been too much for her. “Dax, Jessica, I think we are going to call it a night. It’s almost eleven o’clock, and Liz needs her rest.”
At the mention of her name, Liz raises her head. “I’m okay, really.”
But Jessica and Dax jump up anyway. “We’ll come back tomorrow once you’ve had time to rest and think about everything. Right, Jessica?” Dax asks.
“Of course! We’ll be back tomorrow.”
We all say our goodbyes, and Jessica and Dax head out.
When all is quiet, I go back to Liz and sit beside her. She has her head leaning on the couch cushion again.
A few seconds later, her face scrunches up like she’s in pain. “Liz? Are you feeling okay?”
She doesn’t speak but nods in response.
I continue looking at her, unsure what to do. But then, she grabs my hand. “I’ve been having some pains for the last several hours. I thought they were Braxton-Hicks because, honestly, it didn’t hurt that bad. But it’s getting worse. A lot worse.”
She suddenly inhales, and her face tightens. She holds her breath for several seconds.
“I think you might be in labor.” I remain calm. We have plenty of time.
“I don’t know. I’m not due for a few weeks. This is probably false labor. I read all about it.”
She draws in another breath and then slowly exhales. “Ouch, ouch, ouch.” She winces.
Not only is she in labor, but it sounds like she’s getting closer.
“Let’s get you to the hospital.”
Chapter 10
Liz
My hospital stay was a long one. Baby Matthew and I were stuck there for almost two weeks. I was hit with high blood pressure, and he had jaundice and respiratory issues. But at least I don’t have to worry about gestational diabetes anymore.
That’s all behind us now.
Maybe there are only good things from now on? While at the hospital, I had a chance to meet Ethan’s parents. And he was right. His mom was so excited about the baby. She brought gobs of gifts and insisted we call her to babysit whenever I was ready to get out of the house. That brought me some comfort.
Coming home from the hospital was not as I envisioned it. I was supposed to go back to my apartment. I was supposed to have set up the baby’s nursery. I was supposed to be prepared for this baby.
I’ve completely and utterly failed.
Not only is this baby not going to have a nursery to come home to, we don’t even have a home to go back to.
Although I haven’t received any more creepy notes, Ethan insists that it’s not safe for me to return to my apartment. I want to go home, but I also understand that keeping the baby safe is the most important thing. I just wonder if we’re overreacting. Was there ever really any sign of danger?
Ethan opens his front door for us, casually lugging a car seat in one hand and a diaper bag in the other. I wonder if he knows he’s the perfect picture of fatherhood.
“Do you want to carry Matthew into my room? I will just have him sleep there. I’ll figure something out until we can get a bassinet,” I announce.
