Page 90 of The Way We Score

“Let’s see.” She takes a stethoscope fromaround her neck and moves it over my chest. “Your heart rate has come down, which is a good thing.”

“Is… is the baby…” I can’t finish, and Garrett’s hand tightens over mine.

“The ultrasound showed a good, strong heartbeat and all of your vitals are good.” She sits back, crossing her arms. “We’ve been watching the monitors over the past few hours, and I don’t see any cause for alarm.”

“I wish you’d told me that.” My voice is quiet.

Dr. Pierce smiles, tilting her head. “Your stress levels all dropped when your husband got here. You were sleeping, and truthfully, sleep is the best thing for this.”

Stealing a glance at Garrett, I think about what she said about my stress levels. “So why am I bleeding?”

“Spotting at this early stage can be caused by all sorts of things, from dehydration to cervical changes to sex.” We both start to correct her, but she continues. “The baby is healthy. You’re healthy. We really only worry if it’s heavy bleeding or bleeding with cramping or pain or dizziness.”

Embarrassment pricks my cheeks. “I didn’t know.”

The doctor reaches out to put her hand on my arm. “You’ve never done this before. It’s normal to be afraid when you see blood, but you’re going to be fine. I’ll schedule a follow-up in a week, and we’ll give you the all-clear to resume your usual activities.”

She gives us a knowing wink, and my eyes drop to my hands.

“Thanks, Doc.” Garrett seems to be taking it all in stride.

I want to die.

When we’re finally alone, I drop my head into my hands. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I panicked. You flew all the way down here?—”

“Hell, Liv, I panicked.” Garrett sits on the edge of the bed, pulling me into a hug. “It’s like the doctor said. We’ve never done this before, and blood is fucking scary.”

Nodding my head against his chest, a frown tugs at thesides of my mouth. “I think… I still don’t believe it’s happening.” Sitting back, I meet his eyes. “It still feels like at any moment, it could be taken away.”

I already love this baby too much, and in my experience, loving something too much has always led to loss and pain. For whatever reason, I can’t seem to hold onto the things I love. My chest squeezes, and I inhale a shaky breath.

We’re sitting on the bed, facing each other. The soft beep of the monitors surrounds us, and my eyes fall to our hands clasped together. Garrett dropped everything and flew here for me. I want so much to believe that changes things. It proves my past doesn’t have to be my future.

“I’m not going back to New York.” Garrett’s tone is final. “I mean, I’ll go back to pack up my clothes and my truck, but I’m not going to stay. Next time something happens, I’ll be here. You won’t have to deal with shit like this all alone ever again.”

I don’t want to argue. I want what he’s saying. “Mom was with me, and she was really great?—”

“Next time, I won’t be flying across the country dying inside.” His blue eyes hold mine, and I know he was as scared as I was.

I know he wants this baby as much as I do, even if it was a huge surprise that changed both our lives. We want it so much, and maybe that’s the difference. I’m not the only one this time.

Nodding, I can’t help a little smile. “I’ll like having you here. The whole time, I really wanted you with me.”

“I promised you wouldn’t do this alone, Cherry. It’s a promise I’ll keep.”

Sorry, for the wait. I was kind of panicking.

After we left the hospital,Garrett drove us to Mom’s and stayed. It was after midnight, and without even discussing it, we climbed into my queen-sized bed together. It’s a little small, butit didn’t matter. He turned my back to his chest and wrapped me in his arms, holding me close.

One large hand covered my stomach, and the other held mine. As I drifted to sleep, warm lips pressed against the top of my shoulder, sending a flood of warmth through my body. My eyes closed, and I slept soundly through the night.

Now we’re lying beside each other. He’s still asleep, and I’m replying to the million messages in the girls’ chat.

Dylan

Please tell me my baby niece or nephew is okay.

All good. Doc said lots of reasons for spotting, but apple baby is okay.

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