stomach, and I send up a silent plea to God, his angels, and anyone else up there who’ll listen. Please don’t take away my baby. Please keep her safe.
And then my mind drifts to Harrison.
To the man I love.
To the one who’s going to be a father and doesn’t even know it yet.
My world fades to black.
My eyes open just as I’m rushed through sliding doors. A man stands on one side and a woman on the other as I’m guided into what appears to be the emergency room. “What have we got?” I hear a man ask just before his face comes into focus.
I listen as the paramedic reports to the doctor about the car accident, my vitals, which are strong, and a slight bump on the side of my head. The doctor orders a CT scan to check for bleeding on the brain, and that’s when the panic sets in. “I’m pregnant,” I state, causing everyone around me to stop and glance down.
The doctor gives me a smile. “Okay. How far along are you?”
“Just a few weeks. Well, I think I’m pregnant. I was on my way to the store to get a test.”
“Well, start with a pregnancy test then,” he says with another polite smile. “Just hang tight, okay?” he adds, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. That small gesture goes a long way to help settle my fears, even though I’m terrified right now.
Everything after that happens quickly. I’m taken to a room and stripped down to a gown, where my blood is drawn and a few small wounds are tended to. The nurse is very pleasant as she applies an ointment to the burn on my arm caused by the airbag and puts on bandages.
“Well, Mrs. Drake, you’re very lucky. They say your car was impacted at the driver’s side front tire and not the door. You have a few superficial burns and lacerations from the airbag, and a mild concussion from the bump to the head, but no other signs or symptoms of anything more severe,” he says, reading from my chart. “Oh, and your blood test came back positive. Congratulations, you’re pregnant.”
You’re pregnant.
Those two words have the biggest impact on me, changing the course of my future forever. A baby. I’m having a baby.
“We do want to take a look at the baby, however. You have a bit of spotting, but that can be completely normal. There’s an ultrasound technician outside, who’ll come in and take a look at the baby. Hang tight, and she’ll be right in. Once that’s complete, we’ll take you to a room for observation. Between the bump to the head and the spotting, I’d like to keep you for the night and make sure everything is okay,” he says, turning to leave.
“Thank you,” I reply in disbelief and fear.
“Oh, and the nurse called the emergency contact in your phone. He’s on his way.”
He.
Apparently, I say the word aloud.
The ER doctor gives me another smile. “Yes, your husband. It’s good that you have someone listed in there for emergency situations. Not many think to include one for times like these,” he says before turning and walking out the door.
Harrison.
He’s coming.
And there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
Chapter 5
Harrison
A lonely Saturday night at home. Not just any Saturday night, today is Winnie’s birthday. The big three-oh and I’m not there to celebrate it with her. I sent her a text earlier, but it’s still radio silence on her end. That’s okay because at least she knows that I’m thinking about her. That I’m always thinking about her. I’ve called or sent her a text every day since the divorce was final. I guess you could say I’m having a hard time accepting it. My phone rings in my hand, and I silence the call. This is the second time Chase has called, and I’ve ignored him. I don’t want to go out tonight.
Not without Winnie.
It rings again, and I know that persistent fucker won’t stop. He’s like a gnat that keeps swarming around your head you keep swatting at, but it never goes away. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great guy, my best friend since college, but he’s really starting to grate on my nerves with all this, go out and find someone new bullshit. Snatching my phone from the couch cushion beside me, I swipe the screen. “What?” I ask, annoyed.
He laughs. “I knew I would wear you down eventually. Let’s go grab some drinks.”
“Nah,