“But that was this morning!” she screamed. She was overacting, and it was greatly irritating me.
“Can you please calm down, and let’s talk about it like adults?” I said, trying to remain calm.
Her face turned red and she looked as if she was about to blow up. She stood up and pushed me on the chest. “What are you saying?! Huh? Huh?! That I’m being childish and can’t talk like an adult?!”
“Wait, Kayla…”
“You’re just using my pregnancy to take all the credit for this case! You’re so mean!” she yelled.
I was about to yell a retort when I saw bright red fluid dripping down the inner side of her leg beneath her skirt.
“Kayla!” I said in alarm, pointing it out.
She looked down, and the color drained from her face. “Oh, my god…” she whispered in fright.
Acting impulsively, I carried her in my arms and hurried down the building. I rushed her to the hospital, my heart racing with agitation and fear.
They put her on a stretcher, and she was pushed down a hallway and taken inside a restricted area. I wasn’t allowed inside, so I had to wait — which was one of the worst when someone you care for is in danger.
I was in jitters. So many things were running through my mind all at the same time. A feeling of guilt was gnawing at my insides, telling me it would be my fault if something bad happened to the baby.
Oh, God. Please keep our baby safe.
After a while, a middle-aged woman came out. “Hi. Are you Kayla Brown’s husband?” she asked.
The question stopped me, but I was too concerned to think more about her condition. “No, but I’m her baby’s father,” I answered. “How are they?”
“I’m Dr. Perez,” she introduced herself. “Don’t worry. They’re both fine. We just have to prescribe some medication and ensure she rests for the next few weeks. Would you like to see them now?”
“Yes, please.”
I felt so relieved. And when I saw Kayla on the bed, her eyes red from crying, my heart went out to her. I rushed to embrace her, and she started tearing up again.
“I was so scared,” she whispered, holding back her sobs.
“Hey, it’s fine,” I assured her, rubbing her back and kissing her forehead. “Everything is okay. I’m so sorry, Kayla. I’m sorry…”
“No, I’m sorry…” she said, pulling back and looking into my eyes. “I’ve never been so scared in my entire life, thinking that I might lose this baby and that it would have been my fault!”
“Hey… sshh… you didn’t do anything wrong…” I said, trying to comfort her.
After a few minutes, the doctor talked to us to explain what had happened. Apparently, vaginal bleeding is normal and usually harmless during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, stress and anxiety can alleviate the likelihood of bleeding or spotting.
“I think it’s best that you try to relax now and be grateful that the baby is perfectly fine,” Dr. Perez told Kayla in a soothing voice. He or she seems to be healthy…”
She then prepared the ultrasound machine and applied gel to Kayla’s abdomen. We watched earnestly as the doctor used a small wand to move across Kayla’s still tiny baby bump.
The moment I heard the beating of the baby’s heart, my own heart seemed to stop. I listened with mixed emotions, entranced by the sound of the miracle we had created.
Chapter 15
KAYLA
ThemomentIheardthe heartbeat, my emotions overwhelmed me. The sound was like a symphony, filling every inch of my being with pure joy and love. Tears streamed down my face as I realized the magnitude of what I was experiencing - the precious life growing inside me, with a steady heartbeat that would soon bring tiny fingers and toes, soft cries, and endless snuggles. At that moment, I was filled with gratitude and awe, feeling more alive than ever before.
“Look…” the doctor then said, pointing toward the screen.
I gasped when I saw the shape of the fetus on the screen.