Chapter 13: Gone in a Heartbeat
Jessica walked through the front door still dancing to an imaginary techno beat. Nick, Liz, Todd and her had all gone out to eat together to celebrate New Years Eve together, and with her constant pleading they ended up going to a small club and danced some. They had stayed until just after midnight, basically right after "Happy New Year!" was shouted, when Todd and Liz had complained of being tired. Jess and Nick went home with Todd and Liz since their car was at their house, and decided to come in for a few minutes before taking off.
Todd was walking in behind Jess; the last one in the group. "God Jess, don't you ever get worn out?" he complained, as he walked into his house. Liz had been the first one in, so she had turned the lights on. Todd walked into the kitchen, and Liz had gone into the living room. "What does everybody want to drink?" he asked the group.
"Nothin for me, I'm fine" Nick said, as he saddled up behind Jessica and got her to be still for the first time all night. "You know maybe you should take it easy now," he suggested to her in a quiet, private voice, one that Liz or Todd couldn't hear.
"I've never taken it easy in my life!" Jessica protested, "Why should I start now," she giggled turning around and kissing him on the cheek. She then danced around to the other side of the counter to look in the refrigerator. She of course didn't ask to; It was a given. She treated this house like it was hers.
"You can say that again" Todd muttered as Jessica pushed him out of the way so that she could be in front of the fridge. Luckily he had already grabbed Liz's bottle of seltzer water; her drink of choice. They'd begun buying that as soon as the nausea had started, over a month ago. It was now her daily beverage. He poured a glass full of it, then capped the bottle. He walked past Nick and took a turn to go into the living room, where Liz was closing the blinds to the backyard. "Here you go" he said to her, holding out her seltzer water, which she took.
Nick watched Jess move her booty as she was bent over inspecting the fridge. "Jess, it's been a long day, ok? Can't you just try and relax now? I'm sure the baby wants to get some rest."
Jess rolled her eyes. She grabbed some orange juice and poured herself a glass. Ever since she had become pregnant Nick had become way to father-like for her tastes. "Whatever," she said taking the glass and heading for the living room. She sat down on the couch next to Liz and grabbed a magazine.
Nick sighed and followed Jess into the living room. The girls had claimed the couch, and Todd was in an easy chair, so that left Nick with the recliner. "Liz where'd you hear about that restaurant we went to tonight? It was really good." Nick asked. None of them had ever been to the little Italian place they had tried tonight, and it had been Liz who had suggested it. Todd looked at the brick fireplace. "You guys want the fire turned on?" he asked. He was a little cold, since it was after all very late and it was just barely January. But he knew better than to deal with climate controls before asking the two pregnant women.
Liz yawned. She was still trying to figure out where Jess was getting all this energy. She was completely exhausted. "The newspaper did a restaurant review a few months ago. They said it was awesome, I've been meaning to try it but just got so busy this month." She turned to Todd, "I'm a bit chilly if you want to turn the fire on go ahead."
"I don't care," Jess said flipping through the magazine looking at the latest fashions from Paris. Since Liz and Todd were going to France in January, Liz had bought some travel magazines and along with it came fashion brochures.
Todd hoisted himself out of the chair and went over to the fireplace and activated it. Thankfully it was an electric one, so he didn't have to go out and find some wood. He stood in front of it to keep an eye on it to make sure it was acting properly. "I can't believe how busy this month has been." Todd chimed in. "What about for you guys?" he asked referring to Jessica and Nick. Nick shrugged. He didn't think that this month had been all that bad. "Jess, you better stop looking at those now before you get all depressed about not being able to have everything that's in them."
Jess stared daggers at him. He had taken her credit card away from her before the Christmas season started. But she knew he was making reference to her growing tummy. Though it was not noticeable, she could no longer where her tightest fitting jeans like she used to. Since she worked in the fashion industry, she was already suffering. She had talked to the corporate heads and they had understood. She was the chief executive in her branch for designed clothes, so they made an exception. But that didn't mean she enjoyed these more modest clothes. If you could even call them modest. She turned to Liz instead, "So when do you leave for Paris?" she asked excitedly. "I can't believe you're going! I want to go!"
Nick pretended to ignore his wife's glare. But she spent way to much of their money on clothes, and ya, it was true, her body was going to begin changing. And of course Nick hadn't mentioned it to her, cause he knew what would happen if he did, but, Nick was actually really excited and looking forward to being able to visibly see signs of the pregnancy on Jessica. He wanted to see her with a big swollen tummy, out there for all the world to see, and Nick would declare proudly, 'look at my hot wife, can you imagine how beautiful our child is going to be?' He was very proud of her pregnancy and wanted everyone to see it. Jess on the other hand had other plans: plans that included unrealistically not changing in shape or size. Todd went and sat down again, as their conversation about their upcoming Paris trip came up. He was kind of excited about it. Not overwhelmed by any means though. He preferred the USA to anything, and plus, with Liz now pregnant, part of him just wanted to stay here, in their home, where it was comfortable. "Hello! Liz! I asked you a question. God don't tell me you're tired. It's New Years! You're supposed to stay up all night and not get tired. You're acting like an old lady already!"
"Well we should leave January the 11th, its a Saturday. We head to New York, have a 2 hour layover, they a direct flight to Paris from there," Liz looked at Jess, "And you are acting like an over excited two year old!"
"Please." Jessica said, rolling her eyes. "If you cant get excited about Paris then there is something definitely wrong with you!" She darted a glance at Todd. "You two have turned into an old boring married couple already, and it's only been three years." Jessica ragged on them. "You two have no spice, no excitement in your life." Nick decided to look down and study his nails, he was definitely staying out of this.
Liz looked at Todd pleading to not rise to Jess's bait. She loved to stir up trouble in her and Todd's relationship. She always had, and probably, always would. But thankfully he caught her silent message and kept quiet. Liz turned to Nick. He had been quiet most of the night, but she could tell he was quite happy, "So Nick how's the private detective business going for you?"
Todd bit his tongue after he had caught Liz's look. Funny how many times he caught various looks she shot his way. It's like once you got married all of a sudden the woman would become an expert at 'shooting looks' at her husband. Nick had just opened his mouth but Jessica cut him off. "It's boring. Unbelievably boring! Do you know the most interesting case he's gotten in the last month was some husband hiring him to keep an eye on his wife who he thought was having a little rendezvous with some accountant at her work." Jessica sat forward, in her element. "But that's just the tip of it. It turns out that the wife was not only seeing this accountant, but also had a little thing going on the side with the pool boy! If you can believe that." Jessica kept babbling on with the juicy and extreme story and gossip.
Nick sat back and rolled his eyes. Yeah, sure, things had been a little slow for him lately. But he'd gotten into the private detective business once he and Jess had married, because being an undercover cop was just too risky when your life meant as much to someone else as it did you.
Liz tried hard to keep from laughing. It was obvious that either Jess snooped in Nick's files or that she coaxed these juicy little tidbits out of him. Whatever it was, Jess was still involved in Nick's work. Most likely tramping around just cause she needed excitement in her life. "How bout you Jess, design anything famous lately?"
In an instant Jessica's attention was elsewhere. "Well did you watch the Academy Awards?" Jess said, her eyes sparkling. "Well my designs were what all seven of Nicole Kidman's bodyguards wore!" she exclaimed proudly. "All her men were decked out in my suits." Todd tried not to laugh at Jessica. When she'd first mentioned the Academy awards, he'd been thinking that some famous actress had worn one of her design there. Which would of been cool. But bodyguards?! "I jut wish that bodyguards could of accompanied Nicole up on stage when she accepted her best actress award." Jessica sighed wistfully. Todd shook his head. "Hey so have you guys decided if you're going to find out the sex of your baby ahead of time or not?" Todd asked them, curious. That was followed by a simultaneous "Yes" by Jess and a "No" by Nick. The room got quiet, and heads turned.
"Well I think it would be better if it were more of a surprise so we have something to look forward to," Nick said waiting for Jess to jump in. Todd exchanged a surprised look with his wife.
"It would be easier if we knew the sex though before its born so then we can buy the right stuff," she said crossing her arms
"And by that you mean clothes- I'm sure" Nick said, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. "Look our baby doesn't have to be the most stylish baby in all of Sweet valley, ok?" God, sometimes she just obsessed with clothes! "Having it be a surprise for the both of us in the delivery room will make it even more special." he offered. Todd looked at Liz again, wondering what she thought about this. He knew one thing for sure, when Nick and Jess disagreed- Nick and Jess DISAGREED!
"Nick I'm sure she doesn't mean just clothes, I mean there's always cribs, room decor, baby toys. When you have a baby shower before the
baby is born it might help for when people are getting gifts." Liz said backing up her sister. She may not agree with Jess at times but she was the first one to defend her. And she had seen some of Nick and Jess's battles she wanted to stop one before it even started. "And Jess Nick does have a point, until recently it was always a special thing when the baby came out and the doctor said its a boy! or its a girl!" Liz said diplomatically.
Nick listened to Liz- always the mediator. He gave a little noise that showed he understood what she was saying, and Jess gave a little
"Humph!" Todd smiled at Liz, glad she was trying to stop an argument before it started. He and Liz would have their own discussion on this one day, but right now it was about Jess and Nick's discussion- er argument. "Well the good thing is you've got about 6 more months to figure
things out" Todd offered. Jess ignored him and shot up off the couch. "Come on Liz- I want you to show me where you plan to have the nursery!" It wasn't a really a big task, especially seeing as how it could
only be one of two rooms. But right now she wanted to get away from the men, who were both getting on her nerves. Funny, just that argument out there or whatever had got her pulse and blood pumping faster, she realized, as she jumped up suddenly.
Liz didn't have much choice because Jess grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the living room. With a backward glance at Todd she smiled knowingly. "I'll be right back," Liz said to them.
Jessica led the way down the hallway but once they were out fo sight of the boys she fell back, letting Liz lead, since she knew what room it was, plus Jess had to close her eyes for a second, to stop some faint dizziness.. Jessica entered in after her. "Liz do you wanna know?" she asked quietly.
In the living room Todd went over to the fireplace and turned the heat down some. "Man Nick- can you believe it, both Liz and Jess pregnant at the same time.....I wonder if it's going to turn out to be a blessing or a curse." Todd voiced to him.
Nick snorted, "Yea I think its a curse," he said nodding.
Todd looked Nick in the eye and let out a deep breath. "I hope you're wrong, or it's going to be a long 6 months."
Back in the 'nursery' Liz nodded quietly, "Yea I sorta do, I'm like you, cause I don't wanna go out and buy a bunch of stuff and it turn out to be the different sex, or scurry around after the baby is born buying everything," she said squeezing Jess's hand.
"God why did I have to marry someone as stubborn as me!" Jessica Complained, as she moved around the room. "Nick is supposed to be a pushover and let me get what I want." She sighed. "Does Todd want to know, or is he like Nick?" she asked. "So this is the room?" she asked scanning it. It was kind of small. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves or whatever it was down.
"Todd and I haven't really talked about it yet, I mean I just told him a week ago!" Liz laughed thinking of that Christmas night. They both had different things on their mind then. Wonderful things, making it such a wonderful and perfect night for them. "But I'm sure he'll probably be like Nick, since he can be a bit conservative and old-fashioned
like that."
Jessica snorted. "A bit old fashioned. God the guy acts like a fossil." The she looked at Liz's expression, "Sorry, you know I didn't mean that.." she said, trailing off, feeling like she had overstepped a boundary.
"Yea you did," Liz laughed. She had to admit Todd wasn't exactly the most exciting but he was considerate to her needs and everything she looked for in a person. HE was the perfect husband for her. And Nick was for Jessica, even though they did have their quarrels. Liz looked back at Jess when she saw a sudden change in Jess's face.
Dizziness and pumping pulse aside, Jessica now realized something was wrong with her body. Jess felt a sharp pain in the pit of her stomach. It traveled down to her pelvic area. She all of a sudden felt a hot burning. "Owww!" she screamed loudly. Liz looked at her. "What's the matter Jessica?" she asked frightened by Jessica's outburst.
Jess put her hand on her stomach. The pain was so torturing she bent over at the stomach. She saw a red stain on her jeans. Jess felt blood dripping down her legs. "Ohmygod," Liz screamed seeing the blood. "NICK!" she screamed.
Nick was up in a flash after he had heard what appeared to be two screams. He didn't know which twin they had come from though. He raced down the hallway and skidded to a stop when he saw what room they were in. His heart was beating frighteningly fast, and his face was pale, Something was wrong, he knew it. Todd followed after Nick , getting
there split second behind him. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew he had herd Elizabeth scream for Nick. Nick was standing in the doorway a second so Todd couldn't see. But then Nick moved in and went to Jessica who was doubled over holding her stomach and sobbing. His pale went pale and he looked at Liz. She instructed him to call an ambulance and he raced back where he had come from for the portable. He dialed as he was racing back to the room. Nick was holding Jessica now, who seemed to be bordering on hysterical, screaming, "what's going on!", and "why is this happening!" but Nick seemed to somehow man! age to be keeping his cool. Must be the police officer in him, Todd thought to himself. He walked over to Liz and instantly she buried her head in his chest and squeezed and held on to him hard, Todd felt how scared she was. Todd talked to the 911 dispatcher as he tried to comfort Liz, only darting looks at Jessica. Things didn't look good.
Nick lowered Jess to the ground. Jess felt like she had period cramps that were multiplied. She saw the blood and she started freaking. She hugged Nick sobbing until she heard a siren in the background a few minutes alter
LATER
Nick walked out of the emergency room, his face haggard. He and Jessica had arrived in the ambulance about 30 minutes ago. They hadn't let him actually go in where Jess was, but about five minutes ago one of her doctors had sought him out and found him, breaking the news that Jess had had a miscarriage, but they had stomped the bleeding so Jessica herself was going to be just fine. Nick didn't want to, but he knew that Elizabeth had to be out there in the waiting room somewhere, since she and Todd had followed right behind. He knew Liz had tried to get in to where Jess was, but she hadn't been allowed. Numbly, Nick walked out to the waiting room and saw Todd sitting in a chair, his elbows on his knees, his head looking down, while Elizabeth paced in front of him.
Elizabeth saw Nick walk in and she turned around and ran over to him. "Is Jess okay?" she asked him frantically. "What about the baby?" But she didn't have to ask him, she had known the answer. She had seen the blood and she could feel Jess's pain. She saw it in Nick's eyes.
Nick shook his head. Then he felt Elizabeth put her arms around him and hold him close. That's when he was finally able to whisper, "she lost the baby." When Todd had seen Nick come out he had stood up but remained in his position by the chair, not wanting to intrude on Nick and Liz. Todd felt terrible, feeling real grief for everyone involved in this situation. He wouldn't wish this to happen to his worst enemy, and at times that person actually was Jessica. Though Todd was greatly saddened by what had happened tonight, he knew his pain was nothing compared to Elizabeth's or Nick's. And he was respectful of that.
Liz felt tears come to her eyes and she put her head into Nick's chest crying. She couldn't believe this happened. Everything had been fine with Jess pregnancy, with no complications, and then.....That means it could easily happen to her too, she realized with a shudder. "Can I see her?"
"Not yet" Nick barely whispered. His mind was racing, but his body was going in slow motion. He shouldn't' of allowed Jessica to party as much as she had tonight. He should've of fought with her about now seemingly minor details. Then he realized that was impossible. Jessica was who she was and who she was didn't depend on baby in her or not. Todd gulped, watching Liz and Nick try and comfort each other. Todd's mind flashbacked to when he had finally been able to see inside the room, the room they had destined for their own nursery, when he saw the blonde haired blue eyed beauty, made even more beautiful by her pregnancy, crying in pain....with the blood. It could of been Liz. It looked Like Liz. It sounded like Liz. It could still be Liz, he realized with a shudder.
Jessica walked through the front door still dancing to an imaginary techno beat. Nick, Liz, Todd and her had all gone out to eat together to celebrate New Years Eve together, and with her constant pleading they ended up going to a small club and danced some. They had stayed until just after midnight, basically right after "Happy New Year!" was shouted, when Todd and Liz had complained of being tired. Jess and Nick went home with Todd and Liz since their car was at their house, and decided to come in for a few minutes before taking off.
Todd was walking in behind Jess; the last one in the group. "God Jess, don't you ever get worn out?" he complained, as he walked into his house. Liz had been the first one in, so she had turned the lights on. Todd walked into the kitchen, and Liz had gone into the living room. "What does everybody want to drink?" he asked the group.
"Nothin for me, I'm fine" Nick said, as he saddled up behind Jessica and got her to be still for the first time all night. "You know maybe you should take it easy now," he suggested to her in a quiet, private voice, one that Liz or Todd couldn't hear.
"I've never taken it easy in my life!" Jessica protested, "Why should I start now," she giggled turning around and kissing him on the cheek. She then danced around to the other side of the counter to look in the refrigerator. She of course didn't ask to; It was a given. She treated this house like it was hers.
"You can say that again" Todd muttered as Jessica pushed him out of the way so that she could be in front of the fridge. Luckily he had already grabbed Liz's bottle of seltzer water; her drink of choice. They'd begun buying that as soon as the nausea had started, over a month ago. It was now her daily beverage. He poured a glass full of it, then capped the bottle. He walked past Nick and took a turn to go into the living room, where Liz was closing the blinds to the backyard. "Here you go" he said to her, holding out her seltzer water, which she took.
Nick watched Jess move her booty as she was bent over inspecting the fridge. "Jess, it's been a long day, ok? Can't you just try and relax now? I'm sure the baby wants to get some rest."
Jess rolled her eyes. She grabbed some orange juice and poured herself a glass. Ever since she had become pregnant Nick had become way to father-like for her tastes. "Whatever," she said taking the glass and heading for the living room. She sat down on the couch next to Liz and grabbed a magazine.
Nick sighed and followed Jess into the living room. The girls had claimed the couch, and Todd was in an easy chair, so that left Nick with the recliner. "Liz where'd you hear about that restaurant we went to tonight? It was really good." Nick asked. None of them had ever been to the little Italian place they had tried tonight, and it had been Liz who had suggested it. Todd looked at the brick fireplace. "You guys want the fire turned on?" he asked. He was a little cold, since it was after all very late and it was just barely January. But he knew better than to deal with climate controls before asking the two pregnant women.
Liz yawned. She was still trying to figure out where Jess was getting all this energy. She was completely exhausted. "The newspaper did a restaurant review a few months ago. They said it was awesome, I've been meaning to try it but just got so busy this month." She turned to Todd, "I'm a bit chilly if you want to turn the fire on go ahead."
"I don't care," Jess said flipping through the magazine looking at the latest fashions from Paris. Since Liz and Todd were going to France in January, Liz had bought some travel magazines and along with it came fashion brochures.
Todd hoisted himself out of the chair and went over to the fireplace and activated it. Thankfully it was an electric one, so he didn't have to go out and find some wood. He stood in front of it to keep an eye on it to make sure it was acting properly. "I can't believe how busy this month has been." Todd chimed in. "What about for you guys?" he asked referring to Jessica and Nick. Nick shrugged. He didn't think that this month had been all that bad. "Jess, you better stop looking at those now before you get all depressed about not being able to have everything that's in them."
Jess stared daggers at him. He had taken her credit card away from her before the Christmas season started. But she knew he was making reference to her growing tummy. Though it was not noticeable, she could no longer where her tightest fitting jeans like she used to. Since she worked in the fashion industry, she was already suffering. She had talked to the corporate heads and they had understood. She was the chief executive in her branch for designed clothes, so they made an exception. But that didn't mean she enjoyed these more modest clothes. If you could even call them modest. She turned to Liz instead, "So when do you leave for Paris?" she asked excitedly. "I can't believe you're going! I want to go!"
Nick pretended to ignore his wife's glare. But she spent way to much of their money on clothes, and ya, it was true, her body was going to begin changing. And of course Nick hadn't mentioned it to her, cause he knew what would happen if he did, but, Nick was actually really excited and looking forward to being able to visibly see signs of the pregnancy on Jessica. He wanted to see her with a big swollen tummy, out there for all the world to see, and Nick would declare proudly, 'look at my hot wife, can you imagine how beautiful our child is going to be?' He was very proud of her pregnancy and wanted everyone to see it. Jess on the other hand had other plans: plans that included unrealistically not changing in shape or size. Todd went and sat down again, as their conversation about their upcoming Paris trip came up. He was kind of excited about it. Not overwhelmed by any means though. He preferred the USA to anything, and plus, with Liz now pregnant, part of him just wanted to stay here, in their home, where it was comfortable. "Hello! Liz! I asked you a question. God don't tell me you're tired. It's New Years! You're supposed to stay up all night and not get tired. You're acting like an old lady already!"
"Well we should leave January the 11th, its a Saturday. We head to New York, have a 2 hour layover, they a direct flight to Paris from there," Liz looked at Jess, "And you are acting like an over excited two year old!"
"Please." Jessica said, rolling her eyes. "If you cant get excited about Paris then there is something definitely wrong with you!" She darted a glance at Todd. "You two have turned into an old boring married couple already, and it's only been three years." Jessica ragged on them. "You two have no spice, no excitement in your life." Nick decided to look down and study his nails, he was definitely staying out of this.
Liz looked at Todd pleading to not rise to Jess's bait. She loved to stir up trouble in her and Todd's relationship. She always had, and probably, always would. But thankfully he caught her silent message and kept quiet. Liz turned to Nick. He had been quiet most of the night, but she could tell he was quite happy, "So Nick how's the private detective business going for you?"
Todd bit his tongue after he had caught Liz's look. Funny how many times he caught various looks she shot his way. It's like once you got married all of a sudden the woman would become an expert at 'shooting looks' at her husband. Nick had just opened his mouth but Jessica cut him off. "It's boring. Unbelievably boring! Do you know the most interesting case he's gotten in the last month was some husband hiring him to keep an eye on his wife who he thought was having a little rendezvous with some accountant at her work." Jessica sat forward, in her element. "But that's just the tip of it. It turns out that the wife was not only seeing this accountant, but also had a little thing going on the side with the pool boy! If you can believe that." Jessica kept babbling on with the juicy and extreme story and gossip.
Nick sat back and rolled his eyes. Yeah, sure, things had been a little slow for him lately. But he'd gotten into the private detective business once he and Jess had married, because being an undercover cop was just too risky when your life meant as much to someone else as it did you.
Liz tried hard to keep from laughing. It was obvious that either Jess snooped in Nick's files or that she coaxed these juicy little tidbits out of him. Whatever it was, Jess was still involved in Nick's work. Most likely tramping around just cause she needed excitement in her life. "How bout you Jess, design anything famous lately?"
In an instant Jessica's attention was elsewhere. "Well did you watch the Academy Awards?" Jess said, her eyes sparkling. "Well my designs were what all seven of Nicole Kidman's bodyguards wore!" she exclaimed proudly. "All her men were decked out in my suits." Todd tried not to laugh at Jessica. When she'd first mentioned the Academy awards, he'd been thinking that some famous actress had worn one of her design there. Which would of been cool. But bodyguards?! "I jut wish that bodyguards could of accompanied Nicole up on stage when she accepted her best actress award." Jessica sighed wistfully. Todd shook his head. "Hey so have you guys decided if you're going to find out the sex of your baby ahead of time or not?" Todd asked them, curious. That was followed by a simultaneous "Yes" by Jess and a "No" by Nick. The room got quiet, and heads turned.
"Well I think it would be better if it were more of a surprise so we have something to look forward to," Nick said waiting for Jess to jump in. Todd exchanged a surprised look with his wife.
"It would be easier if we knew the sex though before its born so then we can buy the right stuff," she said crossing her arms
"And by that you mean clothes- I'm sure" Nick said, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. "Look our baby doesn't have to be the most stylish baby in all of Sweet valley, ok?" God, sometimes she just obsessed with clothes! "Having it be a surprise for the both of us in the delivery room will make it even more special." he offered. Todd looked at Liz again, wondering what she thought about this. He knew one thing for sure, when Nick and Jess disagreed- Nick and Jess DISAGREED!
"Nick I'm sure she doesn't mean just clothes, I mean there's always cribs, room decor, baby toys. When you have a baby shower before the
baby is born it might help for when people are getting gifts." Liz said backing up her sister. She may not agree with Jess at times but she was the first one to defend her. And she had seen some of Nick and Jess's battles she wanted to stop one before it even started. "And Jess Nick does have a point, until recently it was always a special thing when the baby came out and the doctor said its a boy! or its a girl!" Liz said diplomatically.
Nick listened to Liz- always the mediator. He gave a little noise that showed he understood what she was saying, and Jess gave a little
"Humph!" Todd smiled at Liz, glad she was trying to stop an argument before it started. He and Liz would have their own discussion on this one day, but right now it was about Jess and Nick's discussion- er argument. "Well the good thing is you've got about 6 more months to figure
things out" Todd offered. Jess ignored him and shot up off the couch. "Come on Liz- I want you to show me where you plan to have the nursery!" It wasn't a really a big task, especially seeing as how it could
only be one of two rooms. But right now she wanted to get away from the men, who were both getting on her nerves. Funny, just that argument out there or whatever had got her pulse and blood pumping faster, she realized, as she jumped up suddenly.
Liz didn't have much choice because Jess grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the living room. With a backward glance at Todd she smiled knowingly. "I'll be right back," Liz said to them.
Jessica led the way down the hallway but once they were out fo sight of the boys she fell back, letting Liz lead, since she knew what room it was, plus Jess had to close her eyes for a second, to stop some faint dizziness.. Jessica entered in after her. "Liz do you wanna know?" she asked quietly.
In the living room Todd went over to the fireplace and turned the heat down some. "Man Nick- can you believe it, both Liz and Jess pregnant at the same time.....I wonder if it's going to turn out to be a blessing or a curse." Todd voiced to him.
Nick snorted, "Yea I think its a curse," he said nodding.
Todd looked Nick in the eye and let out a deep breath. "I hope you're wrong, or it's going to be a long 6 months."
Back in the 'nursery' Liz nodded quietly, "Yea I sorta do, I'm like you, cause I don't wanna go out and buy a bunch of stuff and it turn out to be the different sex, or scurry around after the baby is born buying everything," she said squeezing Jess's hand.
"God why did I have to marry someone as stubborn as me!" Jessica Complained, as she moved around the room. "Nick is supposed to be a pushover and let me get what I want." She sighed. "Does Todd want to know, or is he like Nick?" she asked. "So this is the room?" she asked scanning it. It was kind of small. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves or whatever it was down.
"Todd and I haven't really talked about it yet, I mean I just told him a week ago!" Liz laughed thinking of that Christmas night. They both had different things on their mind then. Wonderful things, making it such a wonderful and perfect night for them. "But I'm sure he'll probably be like Nick, since he can be a bit conservative and old-fashioned
like that."
Jessica snorted. "A bit old fashioned. God the guy acts like a fossil." The she looked at Liz's expression, "Sorry, you know I didn't mean that.." she said, trailing off, feeling like she had overstepped a boundary.
"Yea you did," Liz laughed. She had to admit Todd wasn't exactly the most exciting but he was considerate to her needs and everything she looked for in a person. HE was the perfect husband for her. And Nick was for Jessica, even though they did have their quarrels. Liz looked back at Jess when she saw a sudden change in Jess's face.
Dizziness and pumping pulse aside, Jessica now realized something was wrong with her body. Jess felt a sharp pain in the pit of her stomach. It traveled down to her pelvic area. She all of a sudden felt a hot burning. "Owww!" she screamed loudly. Liz looked at her. "What's the matter Jessica?" she asked frightened by Jessica's outburst.
Jess put her hand on her stomach. The pain was so torturing she bent over at the stomach. She saw a red stain on her jeans. Jess felt blood dripping down her legs. "Ohmygod," Liz screamed seeing the blood. "NICK!" she screamed.
Nick was up in a flash after he had heard what appeared to be two screams. He didn't know which twin they had come from though. He raced down the hallway and skidded to a stop when he saw what room they were in. His heart was beating frighteningly fast, and his face was pale, Something was wrong, he knew it. Todd followed after Nick , getting
there split second behind him. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew he had herd Elizabeth scream for Nick. Nick was standing in the doorway a second so Todd couldn't see. But then Nick moved in and went to Jessica who was doubled over holding her stomach and sobbing. His pale went pale and he looked at Liz. She instructed him to call an ambulance and he raced back where he had come from for the portable. He dialed as he was racing back to the room. Nick was holding Jessica now, who seemed to be bordering on hysterical, screaming, "what's going on!", and "why is this happening!" but Nick seemed to somehow man! age to be keeping his cool. Must be the police officer in him, Todd thought to himself. He walked over to Liz and instantly she buried her head in his chest and squeezed and held on to him hard, Todd felt how scared she was. Todd talked to the 911 dispatcher as he tried to comfort Liz, only darting looks at Jessica. Things didn't look good.
Nick lowered Jess to the ground. Jess felt like she had period cramps that were multiplied. She saw the blood and she started freaking. She hugged Nick sobbing until she heard a siren in the background a few minutes alter
LATER
Nick walked out of the emergency room, his face haggard. He and Jessica had arrived in the ambulance about 30 minutes ago. They hadn't let him actually go in where Jess was, but about five minutes ago one of her doctors had sought him out and found him, breaking the news that Jess had had a miscarriage, but they had stomped the bleeding so Jessica herself was going to be just fine. Nick didn't want to, but he knew that Elizabeth had to be out there in the waiting room somewhere, since she and Todd had followed right behind. He knew Liz had tried to get in to where Jess was, but she hadn't been allowed. Numbly, Nick walked out to the waiting room and saw Todd sitting in a chair, his elbows on his knees, his head looking down, while Elizabeth paced in front of him.
Elizabeth saw Nick walk in and she turned around and ran over to him. "Is Jess okay?" she asked him frantically. "What about the baby?" But she didn't have to ask him, she had known the answer. She had seen the blood and she could feel Jess's pain. She saw it in Nick's eyes.
Nick shook his head. Then he felt Elizabeth put her arms around him and hold him close. That's when he was finally able to whisper, "she lost the baby." When Todd had seen Nick come out he had stood up but remained in his position by the chair, not wanting to intrude on Nick and Liz. Todd felt terrible, feeling real grief for everyone involved in this situation. He wouldn't wish this to happen to his worst enemy, and at times that person actually was Jessica. Though Todd was greatly saddened by what had happened tonight, he knew his pain was nothing compared to Elizabeth's or Nick's. And he was respectful of that.
Liz felt tears come to her eyes and she put her head into Nick's chest crying. She couldn't believe this happened. Everything had been fine with Jess pregnancy, with no complications, and then.....That means it could easily happen to her too, she realized with a shudder. "Can I see her?"
"Not yet" Nick barely whispered. His mind was racing, but his body was going in slow motion. He shouldn't' of allowed Jessica to party as much as she had tonight. He should've of fought with her about now seemingly minor details. Then he realized that was impossible. Jessica was who she was and who she was didn't depend on baby in her or not. Todd gulped, watching Liz and Nick try and comfort each other. Todd's mind flashbacked to when he had finally been able to see inside the room, the room they had destined for their own nursery, when he saw the blonde haired blue eyed beauty, made even more beautiful by her pregnancy, crying in pain....with the blood. It could of been Liz. It looked Like Liz. It sounded like Liz. It could still be Liz, he realized with a shudder.