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Right before Easter with the house on Seacrest almost complete, with only a few items left to address, Bridget went into preterm labor. The squad was out on an early morning call, a gunshot victim in the middle of town, and she was there with Devon Lyon and Tony’s brother Mike. Law enforcement was in full force and had secured the site so the team could come in and administer first aid and get the victim to the hospital.
That morning, she had felt a little sick to her stomach, but blew it off as indigestion, which she’d been getting regularly throughout the pregnancy. When she got to work, she’d stayed outside while Tony raised the flag. After they paused to show respect like they always did, they walked in together, his arm around her shoulder, no longer caring what Uncle Charlie thought about their PDAs.
“You look a little pale to me,” he said, holding her at arm’s length. “You doing okay?”
“I feel like barfing, but what else is new? I’ll live.” Her standard answer.
“Take it easy today. If you don’t feel better, you need to call the doctor.”
“I will.” The alarm went off, the familiar, disembodied voice echoing throughout the garage.
“County Dispatch, EMS crew to scene of gunshot wound, 200 block of Juniper. Male subject, according to witness shot twice, unknown condition. Escondido police en route.”
“Off I go. Give me a kiss.”
“Be careful,” he said, worried more than usual, watching as the wagon rolled out of the garage less than a minute later.
She wasn’t a woman who appreciated her boyfriend telling her what to do, but he was making suggestions he hoped she would take. Their jobs were so dangerous, and since the call, he freaked out a little bit. It was his baby, too. He might have to take a stand.
On the ride to the hospital, Bridget felt the first twinge and a worrisome sensation, like she’d wet her pants. Once the patient was transferred to the care of the ER staff, she excused herself and ran to the bathroom. She was bleeding. For a moment, she wondered if she shouldn’t stay there at the hospital. Out in the hallway, Devon was still involved with giving a report to the nursing staff. Bridget called her doctor, but it was still early and the answering service answered. “Stay on the line and we’ll get the doctor for you.”
The doctor was on her way in to the hospital for a delivery. “Stay put, Bridget, I’ll see you in ten minutes.”
After ending the call, her heart pounding in her throat, Bridget joined Mike and Devon in the vehicle. “Guys, I’m sorry. I’m going to stay here. I have a problem, and my doctor is going to see me as soon as she gets in.”
Mike grabbed her hand. “What’s wrong?”
Bridget lowered her head and began to weep. He’d never seen her show any emotion, even during the worst times—the news about the baby, after the house fire, nothing. Arms around her, he patted her back.
“I’m bleeding. I need to tell Tony. He’s going to be so upset.”
“I’ll walk back inside the ER with you,” Mike said.
“Stay with her, Mike,” Devon said. “We can take calls from here until Tony arrives.”
The doctor was there in ten minutes, as she said, and Mike left as soon as Tony got there, flushed and frantic, even in this frightening situation. When he walked through the door in his uniform, looking larger than life, Bridget calmed right down and smiled.
“Here’s Tony,” she mumbled to the doctor.
“Hubba-hubba,” the doctor said, and they giggled.
“Are you okay?” Tony cried, grabbing her to hug. “I’m so worried.”
“We’ll know in a minute,” the doctor said. “Let’s do an ultrasound and blood work.”
Tony stayed with Bridget through everything, helping her get out of her uniform and into the hospital gown, saw the blood on her panties, and it brought a fresh torrent of tears. Were they losing the baby?
But the baby was doing great. Before the ultrasound, they hooked Bridget up to a fetal monitor, and everything was normal. “Look at her moving. She’s fine. She just might be coming a little early. That’s not uncommon in a baby with Down syndrome, just so you know. We’ll look at your blood work, but I’m willing to bet it’s okay. I’d like to admit you so we can keep an eye on you. Tony, can you arrange for childcare for Flynn?”
Secretly, the doctor was concerned about stress on Bridget, and she knew she’d be freaking out about her other child if she had to stay in the hospital.
“Yes, my mother and Bridget’s family will come through for us. I’m off work for the next four days, and if need be, I’ll take vacation time.”
Bridget had to admit, for being a control freak, she was happy to relinquish everything to Tony. There was nothing she could do from the hospital.
Tony left work early to spend every minute with her at the hospital. But by nine, she was exhausted and wanted him to leave. “If you stay the night, I’ll just worry about you. Go home so Flynn can see you. He’s probably freaking out.”
So Tony left, and in the dark hospital room, Bridget finally had time to think. With her hand on her belly, she lay awake and wondered about what the future would bring. What would the baby’s cognitive abilities be? Would she be able to live independently, work, and maybe even get married someday? Or would she always need care and guidance? Closing her eyes, the unanswered questions would make her crazy if she didn’t let go. No one knew what the future held for their children. All they could do was provide every opportunity for them.
