Page 112 of Tiers of Joy

She’s already taking orders and starting to make coffees. She hands me a list of cake orders so I head downstairs to the kitchen to grab them and bring them up.

I do this for a while to help Dawn.

Being the clumsy nightmare I am I somehow manage to trip halfway down the stairs. Plates go flying and smash to the ground. I land on my back and tumble down the last few stairs.

Amy comes running over to me.

“Shit! Esme! I’m calling an ambulance.” She panics.

My back and stomach hurt.

“The baby.” I shout. I start panicking.

I hear Gaige come into the shop.

“What the hell happened here?”

“Esme fell. She’s at the bottom of the stairs.” I hear Amy tell him.

Gaige comes running to me with worry in his eyes.

“Gaige.” I sob.

“Shhhh, it’s okay. I’m going to take you to the hospital.” He states, bending down and picking me up.

“Amy cancel the ambulance. I’m taking her myself, it’ll be quicker.” He yells as we leave.

“The baby. Gaige.” I sob as he seats me in his truck.

“It will be okay.” He soothes and kisses my head before quickly shutting the door.

He drives fast, honking his horn and swerving around cars. My stomach keeps hurting and my back is throbbing. I bite my lip to cope with the pain.

He pulls up right outside and grabs a wheelchair. He runs, pushing me into the hospital.

“Help please! She’s fallen down the stairs and she’s pregnant.” He yells.

Nurses come rushing over and wheel me off towards maternity. I grip hold of Gaige’s hand the entire time.

I’m put on my back as they scan over my stomach. I see the baby come on the screen and the little blob that is his is heart pumping away.

“Oh thank god.” I sob.

Gaige takes my hand and kisses my palm.

“Let’s just have a listen of baby’s heartbeat.” She says and the room fills with the most glorious sound: a strong healthy heartbeat.

“Baby appears to be fine. It looks like the fall did cause some early contractions. Judging by what we’ve checked it’s not enough to do anything and the machine is showing that they have stopped. We will allow you to go home but under strict instructions of bed rest for two weeks and you must only do mild exercise after that until baby is born I’m afraid. No stress or over doing it. I don’t want anything to trigger early labour. You can take some paracetamol for the aches you’ll probably feel but that’s it. Rest is the key.” She orders.

“Yes I promise. Um, can I ask, as I was due for my scan in three days is there any chance we can find out the sex of the baby?” I ask.

She smiles and nods and moves the wand over my stomach.

“I’m sorry, baby is playing hard ball. A real wriggler. I can’t get a clear enough view.” She apologises.

“Oh bugger.” I blurt.

“I guess we will have to wait until I give birth.” I mumble disappointed.

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