A couple weeks later, Ashley was four and a half months pregnant. The morning sickness that she had experienced was starting to disappear. However, weight gain and hormonal changes took its place. One day, Ashley was in the kitchen when she heard the door open.
"Ashley?" Robert called.
"Kitchen" Ashley said.
Robert walked into the kitchen and smiled when he saw Ashley cutting vegetables. He walked over to her and kissed her cheek.
"Hi" Robert said.
"Hi. How was your meeting?" Ashley asked.
"It was fine. How was everything here?" Robert asked wrapping his arms around Ashley's expanding bump and setting his head on her shoulder.
"Fine. My mom called and I talked to her for a little bit. East called and wanted to know if you wanted to hang out" Ashley said.
"Oh. I can call him back tomorrow. What did your mom say?" Robert asked.
"She asked how I was feeling and how everything was going" Ashley said.
"Did you tell her our plans about finding out the sex of the baby?" Robert asked.
The couple had discussed whether they would find out the sex of the baby and announce it to their families or find out the sex and keep it to themselves until the baby is born. They had settled on finding out the sex and waiting until the baby was born to tell their families.
"Yeah" Ashley said.
Robert smiled.
"My mom asked if we were going to find out" Robert said.
"What did you tell her?" Ashley asked.
"I told her our plans. She said that she and my dad waited until I was born" Robert said.
"So, you feel good about waiting to tell everyone?" Ashley asked.
Robert nodded.
"Yeah. It will be a moment that we will always remember" Robert said.
Ashley smiled. She leaned in and kissed Robert's lips softly. Ashley kissed Robert back.
"When is your next appointment?" Robert asked.
"Two weeks" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. That night, Robert crawled into bed and unconsciously Ashley snuggled into his chest.
"How are you feeling today?" Robert asked kissing Ashley's temple.
"A little emotional. I gained a couple more pounds" Ashley said.
Robert kissed Ashley's forehead softly.
"Don't we want that?" Robert asked.
"To be emotional?" Ashley asked.
Robert shook his head.
"Aren't you supposed to be gaining more weight?" Robert asked.
"Yeah, but it's happening so fast" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"You look so beautiful Ash. I mean it" Robert said lovingly.
Ashley sighed.
"Does gaining weight suck? Yeah. But our baby is safe and healthy" Robert said.
Ashley moved closer to Robert.
"I can always count on you to make feel better even though I feel like crap" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips.
"I hope that I made you feel a little better" Robert said.
"You did. Thank you" Ashley said kissing Robert's lips again.
"Were you emotional about gaining the weight?" Robert asked.
Ashley nodded.
"As soon as I saw that I gained the weight, I was happy because I realized the baby was getting bigger. But then I was sad because I didn't want your feelings for me to go away- "Ashley started.
"Never. I love you so much, baby. So much. You never have to question that" Robert said.
Ashley nodded.
"I love you too" Ashley said.
Robert smiled.
"Feeling better?" Robert asked.
Ashley responded by kissing her husband's lips softly. Robert kissed Ashley's lips and then pulled back slowly.
"Thanks for talking to me about how you've been feeling" Robert said.
Ashley smiled and nodded.
"Get some sleep, okay?" Robert said.
"Okay" Ashley said.
The couple kissed each other goodnight and fell asleep. The next day, Robert had finished work early. He went over to his parents' house. Robert walked through the side gate to the backyard and started shooting free throws. Forty-five minutes later, Troy walked out to the backyard. He sat down in a chair that was out of the way and watched his eldest son shoot free throws.
"Hi bud" Troy said.
Robert turned around and looked at his father.
"Hi" Robert said.
"I know that you didn't come all the way over here at two in the afternoon to do a bunch of lay-ups" Troy said.
Robert nodded. Troy smiled. He patted the seat next to him. Robert sat down and sighed.
"What's going on?" Troy asked.
"Ashley's been really emotional lately. I never know how to make her feel better. She thought that because she was gaining weight, my feelings for her were going to go away" Robert said.
Troy nodded.
"She's in that stage of her pregnancy where things like that will come up. You just need to tell her that you love her and that she's beautiful. Hold her when she cries. Listen to her when she's angry" Troy said.
Robert nodded.
"Was mom like that?" Robert asked.
Troy nodded.
"Yeah. She was emotional because I would be gone a lot. When we found out she was pregnant with you, she went on a couple of my oversight trips just so that she could be with me. But as things progressed, she stayed home, and Uncle Chad and Aunt Tay would check on her. She told me how she was grateful that they were there helping. But she wanted me there. We got into a lot of fights" Troy said.
Robert nodded.
"It's normal for you to feel helpless and scared about what's going on. I know that I felt that way with all three of you" Troy said.
"It's just a weird feeling" Robert said.
Troy nodded.
"But you will get the hang of it. Communication is key. Being there when she needs you" Troy said.
Robert nodded.
"Thanks dad" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"You can always talk to me if you don't know what to do or if you are scared, Rob" Troy said.
Robert nodded. Gabriella walked out to the backyard.
"Hey bud" Gabriella said kissing her son's cheek.
"Hi mama" Robert said.
"What are you guys talking about?" Gabriella asked.
"Pregnancy" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled.
"What about it?" Gabriella asked.
"Ash is starting to gain weight and she got emotional. She thought that I wouldn't be attracted to her because of it" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled.
"It's normal, Rob" Gabriella said.
Robert nodded.
"Yeah, dad and I were talking about it" Robert said.
"You just have to be there when she needs you to be" Gabriella said.
Robert nodded. The couple and Robert talked for a while. Robert left the Bolton home and drove home. Once he got home, Ashley was in the living room watching television. Robert walked into the living room and sat down next to her. He kissed her cheek softly.
"You are home early" Ashley said.
"You are home early too" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"What are you doing home so early?" Ashley asked.
"I stopped by my parents' house to talk to my dad" Robert said.
Ashley nodded.
"About everything?" Ashley asked.
"Everything?" Robert asked.
"All the changes that have been happening" Ashley said.
Robert kissed Ashley's head softly.
"I just needed some advice from someone that has had kids" Robert said.
"What kind of advice?" Ashley asked.
Robert looked at his pregnant wife. Her hair was everywhere. Her belly was growing by the minute. She had rings around her eyes.
"I don't want to fight with you" Robert said honestly.
"I'm not trying to" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"Sometimes, I feel helpless with what you are going through. I wish I could be better at knowing what to do when you are emotional" Robert confessed.
"Rob" Ashley said softly.
Robert looked at his wife. Ashley took his hand in her own.
"All I want is for you to be with me. You already do that so well. I love you and I appreciate everything you have been doing" Ashley said.
"I love you too" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"You okay otherwise?" Ashley asked.
Robert smiled.
"I should be asking you that question" Robert said leaning down and kissing Ashley's expanding stomach.
"I'm fine. Just achy" Ashley said.
Robert sat back up and kissed Ashley's forehead.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Robert asked.
Ashley shook her head.
"Where do you feel achy?" Robert asked.
"My back" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"I'm sorry baby. Tonight, I can give you a nice massage" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"Okay" Ashley said.
Ashley kissed Robert's lips softly.
"I love you" Ashley said.
"I love you too" Robert said.
That night, Ashley was in the bathroom getting ready for bed. She took her clothes off and froze. There was blood on her jeans and underwear. Her legs started to feel like jelly.
"Rob" Ashley called shakily.
"Yeah, baby?" Robert asked through the closed bathroom door.
"I'm bleeding" Ashley said shakily.
Robert's heart started racing. But he knew that he had to be calm for Ashley.
"Can I come in?" Robert asked.
"Yeah" Ashley said.
Robert opened the door and saw Ashley in her bra and her underwear. He saw the blood on his wife's underwear and jeans.
"What do we do?" Ashley asked.
Robert closed his eyes and thought of what to do.
"We are going to go to the hospital. On the way to the hospital, we will call Dr. A" Robert said.
Ashley nodded. She changed into fresh clothes and the couple left the house.
"I'll call my parents and yours once you get admitted" Robert said.
"Okay" Ashley said.
As Robert drove, Ashley called Dr. A and told her what was going on. She told Ashley that she would meet them at the hospital. Once the couple got to the hospital, Ashley was taken to an exam room. They would not allow Robert to go with her. Robert was waiting in the waiting room. He called Ashley's parents and let them know what was going on. Robert then called Troy.
"Dad, can you come to the hospital? I need you" Robert said.
Twenty minutes later, Robert saw his father walk into the emergency room waiting room. Troy sat down next to Robert.
"What happened?" Troy asked.
"We were getting ready for bed and Ash went into the bathroom. Five minutes later, she calls me and tells me that she's bleeding" Robert said.
"Did you guys call her doctor?" Troy asked.
Robert nodded.
"I just want to know what's going on" Robert said.
"You will soon, bud" Troy said.
"Thanks for coming" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"I'm glad you called me. She's going to be okay" Troy said.
An hour and a half later, Robert was pacing. Troy let him pace. He knew how worried Robert was. A nurse that had long black hair and that was probably in her mid-forties came into the waiting room.
"Family of Ashley Bolton" the nurse called.
Troy nodded at Robert. Robert took a deep breath and released it. He got up and followed the nurse.
"Is she okay?" was the first question that he asked the nurse.
"Her placenta separated which is why she was bleeding. She lost some blood but isn't in any pain. It's called placenta previa" the nurse said.
"How do we fix it?" Robert asked.
"Dr. A will talk about treatment options with you once she arrives. But, for now, Ashley will be moved to the OB floor in a couple hours" the nurse said.
Robert nodded.
"Can I see her?" Robert asked.
"Of course" the nurse said.
Robert and the nurse walked to Ashley's hospital room. Robert walked into the room and saw Ashley hooked up to several monitors that were monitoring her and the baby. Ashley looked at her husband.
"Ash" Robert said breathlessly.
Ashley's eyes filled with tears. Robert walked over to the bed and kissed Ashley's lips softly.
"Did the nurse tell you what's going on?" Ashley asked.
Robert nodded sympathetically.
"How are you doing, baby?" Robert asked.
Ashley closed her eyes and tears ran down her face.
"Ash look at me, baby" Robert said.
Ashley opened her eyes and looked at her husband.
"When Dr. A comes, let's figure out how to treat before we think the worst, okay?" Robert said.
"How can I not think the worst-case scenario?" Ashley asked tearfully.
"We don't know a lot about it yet. This may be a minor thing" Robert said.
Ashley shrugged. Robert smiled sympathetically.
"My dad is here. Is it okay if I bring him back here?" Robert asked.
Ashley nodded.
"Okay. I'll be right back" Robert said kissing Ashley's forehead.
Robert left the hospital room and walked to the waiting room. He looked at his father, who looked back at him. Robert motioned for Troy to follow him. Troy got up and followed his eldest son. The two men walked to Ashley's hospital room.
"Hey Ash, how are you feeling?" Troy asked.
"Okay considering all of this stuff that is happening" Ashley said.
Troy smiled sympathetically.
"You are in good hands. We're all here for you guys" Troy said.
Ashley smiled sympathetically.
"Thanks dad" Robert said.
"Your mom will probably call you later and ask how everything is going" Troy said.
Robert nodded.
"I'll walk you out" Robert said.
Troy nodded. The two men walked out of the hospital room.
"Call us if you need anything" Troy said.
"I will. Thank you again for coming, dad" Robert said.
Troy smiled. He hugged Robert. Robert held onto Troy. Troy held Robert once he heard his eldest son start crying. Troy rubbed Robert's back.
"I just am scared for her and the baby. This is our first baby and first time going through something like this. I wanted to hold it together and be strong for her" Robert cried.
"I know, bud. Before we jump to any conclusions, let's wait to hear the final word from her doctor and we will take it from there" Troy said.
Robert sniffled and nodded.
"Alright. Do you want me to stay or are you okay?" Troy asked.
"I'm okay" Robert said.
"Okay" Troy said.
The two men pulled away. Troy left the hospital. The next day and after meeting with Dr. A, Ashley was discharged from the hospital. Once the couple got home, Robert's phone rang. He looked at his phone and saw that his mother was calling.
"Hello?" Robert answered.
"Hi bud. Is this a bad time?" Gabriella asked.
"We just got home" Robert said.
"How's she doing?" Gabriella asked.
"She's doing the best she can right now" Robert said.
"Do you want me to come over?" Gabriella asked.
"Maybe later tonight or tomorrow. I think that she is trying to absorb all the information still" Robert said.
"Okay. If you need me, let me know" Gabriella said.
"Thanks mama. I love you" Robert said.
"I love you too" Gabriella said.
Robert and Gabriella hung up. Robert walked into the bedroom and smiled when he saw Ashley getting a fresh set of clothes and a towel.
"Happy to be home?" Robert asked.
Ashley looked at Robert and smiled.
"Yeah" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He walked deeper into the room and sat on their bed.
"You know that you can talk to me about all of this right?" Robert asked.
Ashley smiled. She walked over to Robert and kissed his lips softly.
"I know. Thank you. I think that I'm just emotionally exhausted because this whole situation was so stressful" Ashley said.
Robert nodded.
"My mom said that she might come by later if you were okay with it. She wanted to see you" Robert said.
Ashley smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, that would be nice" Ashley said.
Robert smiled.
"I'll let you go take your shower" Robert said.
"Baby?" Ashley called.
Robert looked at Ashley.
"I'm sorry for scaring you" Ashley said.
"This wasn't your fault. We are going to get through this" Robert said.
Robert kissed Ashley's lips softly. Ashley hugged her husband. Robert wrapped his arms around her.
"I love you" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He gently rubbed her back soothingly.
"I love you too" Robert said.