Chapter 8
It was early December and Abbey was now in her thirty-first week. Abbey had withdrawn from school for the spring term and would catch up with her class during the summer. Except for some minor blood pressure issues, the pregnancy had been going smoothly. Her feet were swelling and she was tiring easily so they ate out as often as they could.
"Jed, slow down. You know the roads are icy, don't you?"
"Yeah. I'm not going that fast. It's the other cars that I need to worry about. Just relax. We'll be home soon."
Abbey leaned her head back against the car seat and closed her eyes. She listened to the sweet voice coming from the back seat, knowing that all was right with the world. She felt the baby kick and patted her stomach. 'Yes, little one. Not too much longer.'
"Damn!"
Before Abbey could chastise Jed for cussing, she felt the car swerve out of control. Her eyes opened to a rapid swirl of street lights and head lights, before she felt the car fall and slide down a hill.
Then only blackness.
As Jed regained consciousness, he realized what had happened. 'Abbey! The baby! Liz!' He noted the presence of some police officers and paramedics and grabbed a nearby arm. "My wife, get her out please. She's pregnant. My daughter, she's in the back seat."
"Yes, sir. But first let us help you."
Jed felt strong hands pick him up and place him on a stretcher. Belts were tightened around him as he was placed in the ambulance.
"My wife. Please save my wife." The terror in his voice matched the terror in his heart.
"Yes, sir. We'll get them both, but you have to go to the hospital."
"I won't leave them."
"Sir, you can't help them right now. You need to get checked out." With those words the ambulance door was shut and Jed was forcibly taken away from the accident scene and his family without knowing if they were dead or alive.