Page 17 of Deadly Rescue
Sophie arched a dark eyebrow. “I’m not this fat because there’s only one baby in there, Dr. Garand. Don’t worry, the twins aren’t due for a few more weeks and my doctor said we should be fine as long as I rest a lot.” Her hand moved over her stomach, then drifted to her low back. “A good theory, but when your back is killing you, even bedrest gets uncomfortable.”
Leo carefully took Sophie’s arm, steering her toward the bed. “I think it would be wise to listen to your doctor. All of the excitement today could raise your blood pressure and send you into labor.”
Celina, Polly, and Cooper exchanged glances, unquestionably thinking the same thing.Oh shit.
The thought had crossed Celina’s mind earlier, but hearing Leo say it out loud made it seem all the more real.
Another laugh from Sophie, but devoid of humor. “That’s ridiculous. I’m not going into labor. We still have plenty of time before—Owww!” Her face scrunched in pain as she bent forward, arms wrapping around her mid-section.
Celina dove to support her on the opposite side of Leo. “Sophie?”
“Breathe,” Leo said. “I know it’s painful, but try to breathe.”
A moment later, the pain passed and she straightened, looking a bit pale. She waved them off, but the motion was weak. “I’m fine. False contractions is all.”
“Can I get you some water?” Polly asked, unstrapping the first aid kit. She set it and her tablet on the nearby table. “Herbal tea, maybe?”
Sophie rubbed her extended belly and let Leo and Celina guide her to the bed. She was slightly out of breath and Cooper helped lift her feet up on the mattress. “No thanks. I’ve had such bad indigestion today, I better not. Just the thought of food or drink makes me nauseous.”
Leo gently took her wrist and began checking her pulse. Celina went in the bathroom to get a wet washcloth.
“Are there lots of casualties?” Sophie asked.
Cooper shrugged. “No idea yet.”
Celina returned with the cool, wet washcloth and laid it on Sophie’s forehead. “Don’t worry about that right now. Nelson is alive and well, and will be with you as soon as he can get away. Meanwhile, we’re here to take care of you.”
Without warning, Sophie let out a soft cry and nearly rose off the bed. Leo and Celina caught her arms and once again supported her through what was obviously a contraction.
“Oh shit,” she huffed softly when she could speak again. “This can’t be happening. Not now. Not in the middle of this…it has to be false labor. Braxton Hicks. Not the real thing.”
Celina tried not to chuckle at her friend’s pep talk.
Over Sophie’s back, she exchanged a look with Cooper. He looked a little pale too, realizing what was about to happen. Yep, this was going to be a day for the books.
“How long has your back been hurting?” Leo asked, once Sophie was breathing somewhat normally again. Celina saw him eyeing the first aid kit as if mentally tallying the supplies.
“A few days or so.” Sophie slumped back against the mountain of pillows Celina had stuffed behind her. “It’s been really bad today.”
“Back pain can be a sign of labor,” Leo’s face was serious, and Sophie sucked in a sharp breath, reaching for Celina’s hand.
“But I’m not ready.We’renot ready.” Sophie’s voice quivered, and a tear slid down her cheek.
“Ready or not, I think the babies might be coming,” the doctor said gently.
Celina smoothed a hand over Sophie’s forehead, giving her hand a comforting squeeze.
Sophie shook her head adamantly. “Oh God, not yet. No, no, no. Not here! I want to be home, and go the hospital like a normal woman, and…and…” She gripped Celina’s hand so tight, Celina nearly yelped. “Nelson has to be with me.”
Celina understood and dropped down to sit on the bed next to her. She didn’t want Sophie to panic and needed to reassure her as best as she could. “You know, maybe you’re right. Maybe itisfalse labor. Even if it isn’t, this is your first delivery, and those usually take a while, right, doctor?”
“Right,” Leo agreed heartily. “You’ll be out of here shortly and off to the hospital, just like you want.”
Good man.
“The elevators are out and we can’t get down the staircase to an ambulance,” Cooper said.
Celina sent him a damning glare.
