The next couple of weeks became very busy. Vanessa had been trying to get things ready for when the baby came even though she was only seven months pregnant. Zac had been trying to get his work schedule set for the next year and some time off so he could come home. The couple was starting to get really excited for the baby to come. One day, Zac was in his office when he heard a crash. Zac got up quickly and jogged out of the office.
"Babe?" Zac called.
Zac heard a groan coming from upstairs. He ran upstairs and saw Vanessa in Chris' room with her hand on her bump.
"What happened?" Zac asked.
"I was putting something away and I just felt a pain in my stomach. I don't know what it was" Vanessa said.
Zac put his hand on Vanessa's stomach.
"Is the pain still there?" Zac asked.
Vanessa nodded.
"Alright, I'm going to get my keys" Zac said.
"Why are you going to get your keys?" Vanessa asked.
"I need to take you to the hospital just to be sure there is nothing wrong" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded. Zac left the room and picked up his keys. He then walked back to Chris' room.
"Are you ready to go?" Zac asked.
Vanessa nodded. Zac took her hand in his and the couple walked downstairs and left the house. Zac started driving and occasionally would look at Vanessa.
"I'm scared" Vanessa whispered.
Zac looked at Vanessa.
"I know you are baby. But we need to make sure everything is okay with you and him" Zac said.
Vanessa sighed and rubbed her bump in soothing circles. Zac pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and nurses rushed to the car and helped Vanessa sit in a wheelchair. The nurse wheeled Vanessa into the hospital and escorted the couple to a hospital room.
"Please change into this gown and Dr. Todd will be in as soon as she can" the nurse said.
"Thank you" Zac said.
The nurse left the room.
"Baby do you need some help?" Zac asked.
Vanessa nodded. Zac helped Vanessa change into the gown and helped her get into the hospital bed.
"Is the pain worse?" Zac asked.
Vanessa cried and nodded. Zac's face softened.
"Baby, take a deep breaths. It will help with the pain" Zac said.
Vanessa took a deep shaky breath and released it.
"I didn't do anything wrong" Vanessa cried.
"I know you didn't honey. Let's just see what this thing is and we will take it from there. Just relax" Zac said smoothing her hair back.
There was a knock on the door and Dr. Todd came into the room.
"Vanessa. I wasn't supposed to see you until next week. What's going on?" Dr. Todd said.
"So much pain" Vanessa managed to get out.
"Where is the pain?" Dr. Todd asked.
Vanessa pointed to her stomach.
"Alright, let me take a look and we will take it from there" Dr. Todd said.
Dr. Todd did an ultra sound, internal exam, and blood work.
"I will go drop these tests off at the lab and come back with the results in a little bit" Dr. Todd said.
Dr. Todd left the room. Zac looked at his girlfriend.
"Everything is going to be okay, Van. I promise" Zac said.
Vanessa sniffled and wiped her eyes.
"What if I had a miscarriage?" Vanessa asked.
"Hey, we are going to be positive okay? Let's just see what's going on" Zac said.
An hour later, there was a knock on the door. Dr. Todd came into the room and sat down on the edge of the hospital bed.
"So, I got your labs back and your blood pressure is very high, higher than we would like it to be. With that said, I am diagnosing you with pre-eclampsia" Dr. Todd said.
"So what do we do?" Vanessa asked.
"Well, I could give you a medication that can lower the blood pressure but it has risks and if it gets worse, we have to deliver the baby early" Dr. Todd said.
"He will be premature then" Vanessa said.
Zac took Vanessa's hand and entwined their fingers together.
"When would she have to deliver?" Zac asked.
"Within the next month" Dr. Todd said.
Vanessa had tears running down her face. Zac looked at Vanessa.
"Okay" Vanessa said.
"Alright, I want to keep you in the hospital as well until you deliver just so we can keep an eye on everything" Dr. Todd said.
Vanessa squeezed her eyes shut and choked back a sob.
"Baby, calm down" Zac said.
"I know this is hard Vanessa but it is what's best for you and for him" Dr. Todd said.
Vanessa nodded. Dr. Todd left the room. Zac looked at Vanessa.
"Sweetheart, everything is going to be okay" Zac said.
"I don't want to talk about it" Vanessa said.
Zac sighed. Vanessa was shutting him out.
"I am going to go call our parents and tell them what's going on and I will be back" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded.
"I love you" Zac said.
"I love you too" Vanessa whispered.
"Why don't you take a nap? You need to get some rest" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded. Zac left the room and sighed. He took out his phone and called his and Vanessa's parents. They all wanted to come to the hospital to see Vanessa but Zac told them not to because he didn't want Vanessa to get upset. Twenty minutes later, Zac came back into the hospital room and saw Vanessa sleeping. He sat down in the chair that was next to the hospital bed. Vanessa turned over so that her body was facing Zac. She opened her eyes slowly.
"Hey sleepyhead, how are you feeling?" Zac asked.
"Sad" Vanessa said.
Zac smiled sadly.
"I know you are honey. I am too" Zac said.
"What did our parents say?" Vanessa asked.
"They are concerned but I told them that Dr. Todd has everything under control" Zac said.
"I feel bad that I am putting everyone through this. I'm sorry for putting you through this" Vanessa said quietly.
"Hey, listen to me. Things happen Van. Could you have prevented it? Yeah, but this is what's happening now and there isn't anything that we can do sweetheart" Zac said.
Vanessa put her hand on her bump.
"It just sucks" Vanessa said.
"I know it does babe" Zac said.
"I wish this never happened" Vanessa said.
Zac looked down at his hands.
"Van, you don't mean that. I know you are upset. If you had not gotten pregnant, we wouldn't have worked everything out and I wouldn't be sitting here with you" Zac said.
Vanessa started to cry. Zac's face softened. He knew what he said was a little harsh but it was the truth.
"So the only reason we got back together is for the baby?" Vanessa asked angrily.
"No Van. Just forget it" Zac said.
There was a knock at the door and a nurse with dark long haired poked her head into the room.
"Zac, there is someone that wants to see you" the nurse said.
Zac looked at the nurse and shook his head and looked back at Vanessa.
"No fans. This is a private matter" Zac said.
"It's your brother" the nurse said.
Zac looked at the nurse and then at Vanessa.
"I'll be right back" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded and put her hand on her bump. Zac left the room and went to the waiting room and Dylan stood up. Zac walked over to Dylan and the brothers hugged. They then sat down and looked at each other.
"How is she?" Dylan asked.
"She's not doing well. She said she wishes that she never got pregnant" Zac said.
"Zac, she says stuff like that when she's mad. You know that she doesn't mean it" Dylan said.
"I told her that if she never got pregnant then we wouldn't have worked out our problems and gotten back together" Zac said.
Dylan sighed.
"You shouldn't have told her that" Dylan said.
"I know but I'm just frustrated. I'm scared and I don't know what to do, Dyl" Zac said putting his head in his hands.
Dylan put his hand on his brother's back.
"Zac, there isn't anything you can do. This just happened. We just need to be there for Van and give her all the support that we can" Dylan said.
Zac nodded and took a deep breath.
"Come on, let's go see if Van is awake" Dylan said.
The two brothers got up and walked to Vanessa's hospital room. Zac opened the door and they walked into the room. Vanessa turned over and looked at Zac and Dylan.
"Hey beautiful, how are you feeling?" Dylan asked sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Stressed and upset" Vanessa said.
"You need to relax and stay calm. That is what got you in here Van. Whatever the problem is, don't even think about. What you and Zac are going through, don't think about it. You need to be completely calm. If you don't do that, then there will be problems that may harm you and the baby. Your doctor doesn't want you or the baby to be in any harm" Dylan said.
Zac looked at Dylan, stunned of what he was saying to Vanessa. He looked at Vanessa, who was listening to her "little brother".
"I am only saying this because I love you and I don't want anything to happen to you or my nephew" Dylan said.
Vanessa nodded.
"I'll try" Vanessa said.
"No, you can't try Van. You have to do it" Dylan said.
"Okay" Vanessa said.
Vanessa looked at Zac.
"I'm sorry for freaking out on you earlier" Vanessa said.
Zac smiled and walked over to the hospital bed and kissed Vanessa's cheek.
"I love you. I am just trying to keep you and the baby safe. I'm sorry for saying what I said about us getting back together. It was out of line and I shouldn't have said it" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded.
"I love you too" Vanessa said wrapping her arms around Zac's neck.
Zac wrapped his arms around Vanessa and kissed her head softly. Dylan smiled.
"That's the couple I know and I love" Dylan said.
Zac and Vanessa smiled.
"Thanks Dylan, for telling me like it is" Vanessa said.
"Hey, I only speak the truth" Dylan said holding his hands up.
Vanessa giggled. The couple and Dylan talked for a little while longer until Dylan needed to leave. Zac walked his brother out of the hospital and came back to Vanessa's hospital room. He walked in and smiled at Vanessa.
"How are you feeling?" Zac asked.
"Better" Vanessa said.
Zac smiled.
"Good" Zac said sitting in the chair that was next to the hospital bed.
Zac put his hand on Vanessa's bump and felt his son kick his hand. He moved Vanessa's gown up, so that her bare stomach was showing. Zac kissed Vanessa's bump softly.
"Hey buddy, give mommy a little break okay?" Zac said.
Vanessa smiled.
"He's been beating me up all day" Vanessa said.
Zac smiled and kissed her bump.
"What do you think Chris will look like?" Vanessa asked.
"I think he will look like me but with your brown hair and personality" Zac said.
Vanessa smiled. She looked around the hospital room and her breathing sped up. Zac looked at Vanessa.
"Are you okay baby?" Zac asked.
"I just realized that this room is probably where I will give birth and it's starting to freak me out" Vanessa said.
"Hey, calm down. Just take a deep breath and let it out" Zac said.
Vanessa took a deep breath and released it.
"I'm scared to push him out" Vanessa said.
"I know you are. But everything is going to be okay, like I have told you before. I'm not leaving your side when it happens" Zac said putting his hand on Vanessa's stomach.
Vanessa nodded. Zac leaned over and kissed Vanessa's lips.
"I love you" Vanessa said.
"I love you too honey" Zac said.
That night, Zac had gone home to bring some things for him and Vanessa. He knocked on the door and walked into the hospital room.
"I brought you a bunch of stuff because I didn't know what you wanted and didn't want" Zac said.
"Okay, thank you honey" Vanessa said.
"No problem" Zac said.
Later that night, Zac was on his laptop and Vanessa was trying to fall asleep. Vanessa felt the same pain that she had felt earlier.
"Zac?" Vanessa called.
Zac looked up and put his computer down and got up and walked over to the bed.
"What's wrong?" Zac asked.
"I feel the pain again" Vanessa said putting her hand on her bump.
Zac put his hand on Vanessa's bump.
"Just take deep breaths. Everything is okay. Just relax" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded and took a deep breath and released it.
"You are probably stressed out about being in the hospital" Zac said.
Vanessa took another deep breath and released it.
"Better?" Zac asked.
Vanessa nodded.
"Thank you" Vanessa said.
"Don't thank me. It's my job" Zac said as he kissed Vanessa's forehead.
"I think I am going to try to go to sleep" Vanessa said.
"Go for it Van. If you need anything, I will be right here" Zac said.
Vanessa smiled.
"I love you" Vanessa said.
"I love you too sweetheart. Get some sleep" Zac said.
Zac walked back to the couch that he was previously sitting on and watched Vanessa fall asleep. A couple minutes later, Zac felt sleep take over him and fell asleep. The next morning, Zac woke up to hearing machines beeping. He looked around and remembered that he was in the hospital with Vanessa. Zac looked at the hospital bed and saw Vanessa sound asleep. He smiled. Vanessa needed to sleep more than anything. An hour later, Vanessa started to stir and she opened her eyes and looked at her boyfriend.
"How are you feeling today sweetheart?" Zac asked.
"Fine, just really tired" Vanessa said.
Zac smiled.
"Maybe your body is telling you that you need to relax" Zac suggested.
Vanessa shrugged. Zac's phone started ringing. He looked at the caller ID.
"It's Stella. I am going to talk to her in the hallway and come back" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded. Zac walked out of the hospital room and answered the phone.
"Hi Stell" Zac said.
"Zaccy, what's going on?" Stella asked.
"Van's in the hospital. Her blood pressure is really high and the doctor wants to keep her here. She also wants Van to be induced" Zac said.
"Is she okay?" Stella asked.
"She's a little emotional but other than that, she's okay" Zac said.
"Alright. Is she up for any visitors? I'm really worried about her" Stella said.
Zac smiled.
"I know you are worried Stella. I am too. I have been telling everyone not to come over here because I want her to be as stress-free as possible" Zac said.
"So I shouldn't come?" Stella asked.
"Let me talk to Van and see how she is feeling and I will let you know okay? Don't worry Stella, she's in good hands. I promise" Zac said.
"Okay. I love you Zac. Tell Van I love her please" Stella said.
"I love you too and I will" Zac said.
Stella and Zac hung up. Zac walked back into Vanessa's hospital room and looked at his girlfriend.
"How's Stella?" Vanessa asked.
"She's fine. She wants to come and see you. But I told her that I wanted to see how you were first before I gave her an answer" Zac said.
"I feel fine" Vanessa said.
"Baby, this is serious. You can't work yourself up when Stella is here okay?" Zac said.
"Okay" Vanessa said.
"I will tell her that she can come, but you have to promise me that you won't stress yourself out" Zac said.
"I promise" Vanessa said.
"Alright. Let me call Stella and see what the plan is" Zac said.
"Okay" Vanessa said.
Zac walked out of the room and called Stella. Ten minutes later, Zac came back into the room.
"She's on her way" Zac said.
"Okay" Vanessa said.
An hour later, there was a knock at the door. Zac walked to the door and opened it and smiled when he saw Stella.
"Hey" Stella said.
"Hey, come on in" Zac said.
Stella walked into the hospital room slowly and looked at her sister.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Stella asked.
"Tired. I've calmed down a lot" Vanessa said.
"That's good, Van. What did the doctor say?" Stella asked.
"She said that she wants to induce me because of my blood pressure" Vanessa said.
"Did she tell you when?" Stella asked.
"Not yet. She wants to keep an eye on me for a little while and then she will decide" Vanessa said.
"If you guys need anything, let me know. I will bring stuff from the house if you need it" Stella said.
"Thank you" Vanessa and Zac both said.
"Are you allowed to walk around?" Stella asked.
"I don't know. I think I am but I'm not sure" Vanessa said.
"Oh. Did you tell mom?" Stella asked.
"Yeah. She's worried" Vanessa said taking a deep breath.
Stella looked at Zac. Zac looked at Stella.
"Are you okay Van?" Zac asked.
"Yeah, I just have a lot of anxiety right now" Vanessa said.
Vanessa closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. She opened her eyes and looked at Zac.
"I think I should go. I just wanted to come and see how you were doing" Stella said.
Vanessa smiled.
"Thanks for coming, Stell. I appreciate it" Vanessa said.
Stella hugged her sister.
"Stay strong, Van. Don't let it get to you" Stella whispered.
Vanessa nodded.
"I love you" Vanessa said.
"I love you too. Let me know if anything happens" Stella said.
"I will" Vanessa said.
Stella left the room. Vanessa closed her eyes and took a deep breath and released it.
"Don't stress yourself out" Zac said.
"Sorry" Vanessa said.
Zac pulled up the chair that was next to the bed so that he could sit in front of Vanessa.
"Take a nap, Van. You need your rest" Zac said.
Vanessa nodded and turned to her side and fell asleep. Vanessa slept the rest of the day. Zac hoped that Vanessa would remain calm and that everything would be okay.