The drive home was difficult, the nausea getting the best of me. I call into the daycare to pick Willow up early.

As I pull into the daycare, a dizzy spell hits me. I walk into the building, catching a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. All of the color in my face is gone. I look like a ghost.

Willow comes out to me and looks at me concerned. "Mommy, are you okay?" he asks.

"Yes sweetie. I just have a tummy ache." I lie.

"Oh, want me to make it better?" he asks smiling.

"No sweetie, it's okay. You can't make it better."

"Why?"

"Mommy will tell you later."

"Okay."

We get back to the house and I have to run to the bathroom. Willow's footsteps follow behind me. I get sick and begin to feel light-headed as if I'd pass out.

Willow stands by the door watching me like a hawk.

I try to tell him everything's okay, before passing out.

I come to and Shannon is standing over me. "Jeff, can you hear me?" he says calmly. I hear Willow crying in the hallway as someone else comes up the hall.

I try to answer Shannon but fail to form words.

Before I know it, I'm being loaded into an ambulance. My mind starts to race. What's going on, where are they taking me?

The paramedic looks at me and smiles. "You'll be okay." She says softly. I nod weakly and start to lose consciousness.

I wake in a hospital room. Willow sits in the chair beside me, holding my hand. His little cheeks are red and puffy like he'd been crying. He looks at me. "Mommy?" he sniffles.

"Willow…" I whisper.

He smiles a little as tears fall down his face.

"Don't cry… I'm okay…" I whisper.

He climbs in bed beside me and smiles cuddling close. I rub his back.

"Mommy, are you okay?" he whispers putting his head on my chest.

"I think so. You were so brave, you did the right thing."

He smiles a little. "I didn't do nuffin…"

"Yeah you did…"

"No I didn't… uncle Shannon called the ambulance."

I smile and look down at him. "And who called uncle Shannon?"

He smiles bigger. "Me."

I smile kissing his head. "I love you. My brave little boy."

He looks at me. "Mommy am I a big brother?" he asks quietly.

"Yes. I was going to tell you after supper." I say.

He nods. "the doctor said you and the baby were dehydrated."

I nod as he snuggles closer.

"Can I feel the baby?" he asks.

"Yes." I smile putting his hand on my belly. He smiles big. "It moved."

"Babies do that. You moved a lot when you were in my belly." I smile.

His little eyes light up with excitement as he smiles. "What are you having?"

"I don't know yet. The baby isn't big enough to tell yet."

He smiles.

Shannon walks in with Julie.

"Well I guess the cat is out of the bag now." I laugh softly. They nod smiling.

"It's okay Jeff. We've got your back."

"Thanks, again."

"No problem." Shannon smiles. I smile looking out the window, watching the sun set.

"How long have I been out?" I ask.

"All night." Julie says.

"How long do they want to keep me for?"

"Until you and the baby are no longer dehydrated."

"I feel a lot better now. Maybe I can go home soon."

"Maybe, I'll have Shannon go see." She says.

I nod and hold willow close.

The nurse comes in to discharge me. Willow looks at her smiling. "Can I help?" he says in his squeaky little voice. "Yes you can. See that little thing on his finger, take it off."

He takes the sensor off my finger. "Thank you bud." I smile.

Once they're through, I get up and Shannon helps me to the car.

Julie smiles. "I'll cook you guys dinner when we get home."

I nod and lean my head against the window trying to get some sleep.