Chapter 188

Ryan left the hospital after seeing his mom with mixed emotions and not sure what to expect or how else he will be able to convince her otherwise. He took the long way home and turned into their street surprised to see his wife's car still parked in the driveway, but relieved at the same time as it means that maybe they will be able to talk things out and move on. And maybe just maybe she and Phoebe will come back into the house tonight. He entered the house and found Alex busy making tea at the kitchen counter looking up when the door opened.

"Hey, I'll leave in a little while. I just wanted to see if you're alright." She explained quickly y and he nodded without answering her walking over to the cupboard to get himself a mug putting it next to hers and she wordlessly got the message and made him tea as well. "How's your mom?" She asked pouring the boiling water into the mugs glancing up at him quickly and the look on his face changed and he shook his head walking over to the kitchen counter and sat down staring at one spot.

"She has breast cancer. And she refuses to fight it. And my sisters are pissed at me for not being there when mom told them all of this - so they're not talking to me." He started and said everything in one breath. "And you're upset with me, and you have every reason to be and I just know where everything went wrong in my life in a blink of an eye."

Alex didn't say anything she walked over to the counter and sat down opposite him.

"Alex I can deal with a lot of things but facing the possibilities of losing both you and my mom is scary." He admitted softly running a hand down his face, and Alex reached over and took his hand in hers. "Hey look at me, I'm still here aren't I?"

"But for how long?" He whispered looking back into her big brown eyes.

"Forever. I'm not going anywhere." She admits and gets up, walks over to him where he is sitting and puts her arms around his shoulders, Ryan resting his head against her swollen belly not being able to control his emotions anymore.

"I'm sorry." He said softly in a shaky voice.

"I know." Alex replied looking at him as he got up and pulled her into a hug, the two of them standing in the kitchen holding each other in silence, as neither of them said anything. Ryan bent down and kissed her forehead, the two of them walking into Asher's nursery that literally only consisted of boxes, a crib and the rocking chair. Alex sat down in the chair and Ryan got a few boxes stacked onto one anther that served as a seat and sat down while they went through the box of pictures Alex didn't have time to sort out just yet. Upon opening the box the first one she saw was the sonogram and Ryan felt his heart ache once more as he stared at it.

"I still can't believe I missed it."

"There will be more sonograms, and who knows maybe he'll look like you then I'll have to deal with double trouble." Alex smiled trying to keep his mind from drifting back to the last few days as they still have a long way to go but this is the most progress they've made ever since this whole incident.

"By the way, thank you for my gift. How did you manage to buy the Rolex? And how did you know I want one?"

Alex looked at him and smirked. "I do not reveal all my secrets, but I've seen you look at them a few times in the jewellery shop windows. So I closed my eyes and bought it, meaning we'll be in debt for a few months." She laughed because that purchase was certainly not part of their monthly budget.

"Thank you though, I love it."

They went through most of the pictures until Alex came across a design page she tore out of a magazine and she was busy explaining on what she wants to do with the nursery and what they still need to add when she got those cramps of earlier in the day again and she out her hand on her stomach breathing slowly and deeply.

"Alex? What's wrong?" Ryan asked his brows furrowed looking at his wife.

"I've been having some cramps since earlier but it comes and goes but….ouch." She hissed and sat forward on the rocking chair closing her eyes to wait for it to pass but it seemed to be getting worse. "Come on, we're going to hospital." Ryan decided and offered a hand so he can help her up.

"It'll pass Ryan. it's not that bad…damn it hurts." She cursed leaning forward trying to get it to stop.

"I thought it wasn't that bad." He said and refused to leave it at that until she decided to allow him to help her up so they can go to hospital. He got into the car and kept glancing over at his wife breathing deeply while rubbing her stomach.

"Phoebe, has to get vaccinated today. Not sure what time the nurse leaves but her appointment is for 2PM." Alex said in between breathes and looked at him

Somehow the clock caught his attention and he suddenly remembered that he has to get Phoebe from day care as well but he wasn't sure if they will make it in time because she has to be vaccinated. He dialled Caleb's number but when the phone went to voicemail he remembered about the staff meeting they have today, and he will be in trouble for not attending, but that wasn't a worry right now. Deciding to try his eldest sister not sure if she will pick the phone up or do what he is about to ask her. The first time he called Simone didn't pick up and the phone went to voicemail. But he persisted and called again while getting more and more frustrated with the traffic they are stuck in. Grateful when she finally answered the phone.

"Simone I have a really big favour to ask you right now, and I know you're still mad at me but I have no one else to ask right now. Can you please go get Phoebe at day care" he started when she answered the phone.

"Yes I am still mad at you and no, I'm not willing to help you." She replied and Alex looked over at him seeing his frustration as her voice sounded over the Bluetooth car phone.

"Dammit Simone. It's fine I'll figure something out." He retreated as they pulled into the parking lot that he left earlier. Getting out of the car he helped Alex as they made their way over to reception and waited to be seen by her doctor.

The doctor called them to their office and Ryan stood next to the bedside while Alex laid down and explained the situation to the doctor. Looking at her ultrasound and determining the position of the baby and how far along she is the doctor explained that it was merely case of Braxton Hicks, which is normal and that she doesn't have anything to worry about.

"Uhhmm, this is the second time for the day it's happened, and I've had some discharge that didn't happen with my previous pregnancy. It's not bloody but it's been constant for the past two days." She explained seeing the doctor's face change.

"When you say constant do you mean it's uncontrollable and not like urine. Like when you perform Kegel movement the urine will stop and with this if you do it the fluid still continues?" The doctor asked and surprisingly that is what she has been experiencing. The doctor wrote something down in the file and then looked at the ultrasound and then at the two parents.

"Okay, it seems like it is amniotic fluid that is leaking. The sac that your baby is in most likely has a tear causing you to leak fluid. This fluid is essential to keep your baby save and protect it from germs and infections. I'm going to be real with you right now Mrs Booth, I'll have to monitor this for the rest of the day. But there is a chance that if it continues or if it is left untreated it can result in you losing the baby.

Hey guys. My laptop is still not sorted which is why I took so long to update but I hope you enjoy this chapter. It took me a while to get back into the swing of things as I had to re read the previous chapter to see where I left off before I could continue. I hope I still have all of you and that I didn't lose any followers or readers due to my long absence. I am really really sorry and being a student without a laptop is just a recipe for disaster.

hope you enjoy

Lovies-S