Page 40 of Be With Me
Chapter 20
Frowning at the mirror, Debbie pulled at the bodice of her gown. There was no way that she’d put on that much weight since buying the dress. Granted, they had gone to Luny’s family for Thanksgiving a week ago and she hadn’t been as diligent as she should have with what she ate but not enough for her breasts to be spilling over the top.
She turned sideways and what the hell? There was a little bump near her waist. Crap, she pushed on her belly and felt a bit queasy. Great, just great. She’d gained weight and now felt like she’d caught something at work. Debbie’d been a good nurse and got her flu shot back in October. Maybe it was just a bug? Or nerves. This was only her second military ball. She’d grab some Sprite or ginger ale when they went downstairs and see how that sat.
“Absolutely stunning.” Luny walked up behind her and kissed her bare shoulder. “Let me say you make this dress look amazing.”
“You don’t think it’s a bit revealing?” Debbie motioned to her chest area. She didn’t want to be seen dressing inappropriately.
Luny looked at her in the mirror and pursed his lips. “Now that you mention it, the dress does make it look like you’ve got… umm, a lot up top?” Debbie smiled at her husband trying to be politically correct.
“Too much?” Debbie wasn’t sure what she could do to change the dress at this point, but she had to ask.
“I think you’ll be just fine. I know there were several last time that were showing off their assets to put it nicely. Now are you ready to head down?” Luny put out his arm to her, that’s when she noticed he was completely dressed and ready.
Debbie smiled and slid her hand around his biceps, allowing him to escort her from the room.
§ § §
Mooney kept an eye on Debbie during dinner. She seemed to be distracted and didn’t eat a lot of her meal. She was talking with the new first sergeant’s wife to her left. Mooney wasn’t really listening to their conversation. He reached over and placed his hand on her thigh. Just casually touching her and she dropped her hand to hold his. He tuned into Blake and Thomas’ conversation about the new rotation that they were going to be implementing the first of the year when Debbie squeezed the crap out of his hand and gasped.
“Debs? What’s wrong?” he asked, placing his other hand against her cheek and turning her to face him.
“Can we leave now?” she begged between gritted teeth.
“Top, please excuse us,” he said, standing and leading Debbie from the table.
When they got out of the ballroom, Debbie stumbled and bent in half.
“Debbie, what do you need?” Give him a traffic accident, he knew what to do. Patrol in Iraq, not a problem. He’d trained for those, but he’d never trained on what to do for his wife being sick.
“I’ve got sharp pain in my abdomen that isn’t normal. I’m not due for my cycle for another week. And—” that was all she got out before she vomited.
“Shit! Let’s get you to the room,” he suggested. As they got close to the elevator, she threw up in the trash can and doubled over. “Skipping the room, I’m taking you to the ER.”
“Luny! I don’t need the—” she threw up again. Yeah, she wasn’t getting a choice in this one. Sue him if she thought he was overreacting.
§ § §
Debbie opened her eyes and noticed the IV pole next to her. She looked around and she was in a cubicle at the Cape Fear ER.How did I get here?Last thing she remembered was embarrassing herself and Luny by throwing up outside the ballroom, several times.Where was Luny?
Just as she reached for the call button, he walked through the curtain. When he noticed she was awake, Luny rushed over to the bed.
“How are you feeling?” he asked before placing a kiss on her forehead and sitting down.
“Why am I here? How did I get here?” She looked down and noticed she was in a hospital gown. “Where’s my dress? Where’s your uniform? What’s going on?”
Luny reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Shh, relax, you’re going to be fine. So’s the baby.”
“I know I’m— the what?” He couldn’t have said baby. She wasn’t pregnant. Debbie looked at her husband who appeared to be fighting a smile.
“When I got you to the car, you passed out. After breaking a few traffic laws, I pulled up and your friend Mark rushed out with a gurney when I yelled through the doors. I told them what had happened and then they pushed me out of the cubicle to the waiting room. They suggested I call someone to sit with me. Mackey and Danny must’ve set land records getting here when I called them. They brought me clothes and kept me from tearing things up when it took forever for them to come talk with me.”
“Luny, focus. You’re rambling and need to get back to baby?” Debbie tried not to lose her temper but she needed her husband to get to the point.
“Mark finally came out and pulled me into a family room. Christ, he needs to work on his bedside manner, I was terrified at what he was telling me. I swear deployment was easier than those few hours. So—”
“Luny, if you don’t tell me what Mark said I will have the boys kick your ass for me,” she threatened.
