Mason (Carter Brothers #2) - Lisa Helen Gray Page 0,42

paramedic showed me.

As soon as it eases off the doctor resumes his examination on my lower stomach.

“I just want to do a quick scan, and then I’m going to put sensors across your belly. They’ll track your baby’s heartbeat and it will show us the strength of the contractions. Are you happy with that so far?’’

I nod my head yes, the panic not easing any since the pains started. He nods his head to the nurse to come closer.

“The nurse is going to put an IV in your arm to get some fluids inside you. I’ll also be doing an internal examination to make sure your cervix hasn’t dilated. Am I okay to do it or would you prefer a female doctor?’’

At this point a monk could do it and I wouldn’t care, just as long as they knew how to help my baby.

“I don’t mind,’’ I assure him, then spend the next twenty minutes or so being poked and prodded in the most intimate places.

After leaving us for half an hour the nurse and doctor walk back in. The doctor walks straight up to the heart machine monitoring the baby’s heartbeat, and pulls out the sheet of paper that’s been printing the progress since they attached me up to it. The contractions have gone and I haven’t had a pain in almost fifteen minutes.

“After an internal examination and from what I can see here, the stress you endured tonight has caused you to experience Braxton Hicks; which is your body’s way of preparing itself for birth. However, Braxton Hicks contractions aren’t usually that painful, the contractions can be closer together, but usually they are just mild pains. After monitoring you it’s safe to say you aren’t going into labour. I’d advise you to go home and get lots of rest for a few days. Do you have any questions?’’ he finishes.

“So, Denny is going to be okay? And so is the baby?’’ Mason breathes, relieved.

“Yes. It happens in most pregnancy’s, especially at this stage in the pregnancy. It just so happened that the stress from tonight brought them on.’’

Mason slumps back in his seat, his hands running over his face. When he looks back up his eyes are glassed over when he looks at me.

“Can I go home?’’ I ask, not turning my eyes away from Mason. Something in the look he’s giving me is so powerful it’s choking me. I’ve never needed anyone in the way I’ve needed him tonight. I hate depending on people.

“Yes. I’ll get you your discharge papers ready and then you are free to go,’’ he tells me before leaving the room.

I wait for the door to close behind him before turning my attention back to the nurse.

“I need to remove the IV from your arm,’’ she says softly, setting up the stuff she needs beside me.

“Are you okay?’’ I ask turning my attention back to Mason, keeping my mind off the nurse removing the IV.

He laughs, but there’s no emotion in it. “Am I okay? Denny, I’m far from okay, but the bigger question is, are you okay?’’

“Still shaken up, and glad everything with the baby is okay. Have the police said anything?’’ I ask, mentioning the break-in for the first time. I can’t remember if Mason has left the room or not since we arrived, my attention has been emotionally and physically on the safety of my little girl.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t spoken to anyone. I know my brothers, Harlow, Granddad and Joan are outside waiting.’’

“Go see them. Tell them to get home,’’ I gasp, horrified that they’ve been waiting out there this whole time. We’ve been here for three hours. It’s four in the morning now, so they must be tired as hell just like me.

“I’ll go out and let them know what’s going on. I don’t think they’re going to leave until they’ve seen you’re okay for themselves. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you,’’ he tells me on a whisper, his voice hoarse.

“None of this was your fault Mason.’’

“I should have been there to protect you. I hope you know you’re not getting out of moving in with me now,’’ he warns.

“Don’t start Mason, I’m not moving in with you.’’

“Yes you are.’’

“No I’m not,’’ I snap, ignoring his ‘we’ll see’ look as he leaves to tell the others that I’m okay.

Chapter Nine

My legs are really sore when I wake up from the long day I had yesterday gathering the rest of my belongings from my parent’s house.