A/N: Thanks for reading, following and reviewing! I appreciate it. Now, this chapter is being posted a little earlier than normal. I'm going to be out all day on Saturday so you get this a few hours early. This chapter picks up exactly where the last one left off. My evil side is still cackling a little after that last cliffhanger. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
"Greenlee?"
Bianca froze seeing the petite brunette. Her mind immediately went into overdrive as the pieces of overheard information began to fit into place and form a full picture. She remembered Kendall saying she had a doctor's appointment today, that Zach had a meeting and wouldn't be able to be there but that Greenlee would take her, and that Dr. Rivera was her sister's cardiologist. It all told her that Kendall was the patient the nurse was referring to when she came to get Dr. Abbott.
Marissa's mind was working just as fast as Bianca's, and the redhead could see a panicked expression on Greenlee's face and knew the woman was barely holding it together.
"Greenlee, is Kendall alright?" The question had to be asked even though Marissa had a sinking feeling that she knew the answer.
"I … I don't know. She … She passed out, and a nurse was checking … was checking her out. They … they took her back to an exam room."
Bianca closed her eyes and whispered a silent prayer as Marissa pulled her close.
"Dr. Abbott is with her, Bianca." Marissa offered in reassurance.
"She has to be alright, Rissa. She just has to be."
"Let's sit down." Marissa saw how pale Bianca was. She glanced over to Greenlee and saw that she wasn't fairing much better. "Greenlee. Greenlee."
The petite brunette snapped back to attention and turned her head to Marissa. Greenlee was close to going into shock.
"Greenlee, let's sit down."
"I need to find out how she's doing." Greenlee attempted to protest.
"I'll find out, okay? I need you to sit with Bianca right now, please."
Greenlee nodded numbly and headed to an empty chair. Marissa turned to her wife.
"Bianca, I will be right back." Marissa squeezed her wife's had and received a small nod in return.
/
Marissa walked over to the front desk. "Hello, I'm Marissa Tasker-Montgomery."
"Yes, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery. We need to set up your next appointment. Is the same time next week alright?"
"That's … that's fine. There's a patient that had passed out and was taken back to an exam room."
"I'm sorry, but we are not allowed to discuss patients with others outside of their family."
"Her name is Kendall Slater, and she's my sister-in-law. Her sister, my wife, is right over there." Marissa pointed over to where Bianca was sitting.
"Oh."
"Could you please let us know what is going on? Let us know whether or not she's okay?"
The nurse hesitated for a moment before pulling up Kendall's file. She saw that after her husband that Kendall's sister was an emergency contact. She needed to verify the woman's name before she did anything else. "What is your wife's name?"
"Bianca Tasker-Montgomery."
A nod was given when the information matched. "Please have a seat, and I'll see what I can find out."
"Thank you."
Marissa sat next to Bianca and took her hand. She addressed both her wife and Greenlee. "The nurse is going back to find out what's happening and will let us know."
The two brunettes nodded, and all three waited.
/
A short while later, the nurse appeared and walked over to the trio. "Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery? Bianca Tasker-Montgomery?"
Bianca's head shot up. "Yes, that's me. How's my sister?"
"Would you please come with me? Dr. Abbott will speak with you now." The nurse held up a hand to stop Marissa and Greenlee. "I'm sorry, but I can only take Bianca Tasker-Montgomery back."
"I'm sorry, but they are coming with me. Marissa is my wife, and Greenlee is my sister's best friend. She brought her here for her appointment."
Seeing the pleading look, the nurse relented. She would let Dr. Abbott sort through this. "Fine. Please follow me."
/
"Bianca. Marissa. Please have a seat." Dr. Abbott paused seeing Greenlee.
"This is Greenlee Lavery. She's my sister's best friend …"
"Oh, Greenlee, of course. You brought Kendall in for her appointment. She mentioned you. Please have a seat."
"How are my sister and the baby?"
"At the moment, both Kendall and the baby are stable."
The three women released a breath they didn't know they were holding. The disclaimer 'at the moment' hung in the, but they would take what they could right now.
"What happened?"
"As you're well aware, there is a concern with your sister due to her heart condition. Basically, what happened today was that Kendall's heart began to beat erratically, and it caused her to pass out. We paged her cardiologist Dr. Rivera. By the time he got here, she had regained consciousness. While I monitored the baby, Dr. Rivera performed an initial exam of your sister. We both agreed that it would be best for both her and the baby to admit her and perform more thorough tests. We were able to get in touch with your brother-in-law, and he is on his way."
"Can we see her?"
"Yes, but she is being admitted right now so you may have to wait until she's settled in her room."
"Thank you, doctor." Bianca said gratefully.
"You're welcome. And Marissa, I know you're worried about your sister-in-law, but please remember not to get too stressed out yourself."
"I'll do my best."
/
As the three began the walk from the wing of the hospital they were currently in to the one where Kendall was, they began to talk.
"I need to call Mom and let her know what's going on."
"Yeah, the sooner she knows the better. While you're doing that, I'll call the Miranda Center and the office and let them know we won't be back today."
"I need to call Fusion and have them clear our schedules, and then call Ryan."
"What about the kids?" Marissa asked.
Bianca thought a moment. "Susan has class today, doesn't she?"
"Yes. One of us will have to get them. I'll pick them up. We can check with Kendall and Zach and see if they want us to get the boys and keep them."
"Are you sure that's not too much for you? I can go …"
"No, you stay here. I know you're worried about Kendall, and this is where you should be right now. Anyway, the kids won't be a problem."
"I'm not going anywhere so I can take you back to your car whenever you want, Bianca. You're sure about the kids, Marissa? I can always ask Madison or Randi."
"I'm sure. We'll be fine. You're sure about taking Bianca back to the Center to get her car?" The couple had driven to their respective offices separately that morning, and Marissa had then picked Bianca up for their appointment with Dr. Abbott since the Center was on the way.
"Yeah, I am."
"Thanks, Greenlee. I appreciate it. You're right, Rissa. If you're okay with the kids, I really do need to make sure she's okay. I need to see it for myself."
"I understand. If they want the boys to stay with us, I can always swing by their house and pack them a bag."
/
Zach reached the hospital in record time and ended up meeting Bianca, Marissa and Greenlee outside of Kendall's room.
"Have you heard anything?"
Bianca shook her head. "No more than Dr. Abbott told you."
They headed to the waiting room to sit and talk. Bianca offered that she and Marissa would watch the boys for them if they wanted, and Zach agreed that it was a good plan and thanked his sister-in-laws. Knowing the boys would be taken care of was one less thing Zach and Kendall would have to worry about.
"What about Erica?"
"I called her, and she's on her way."
"Thanks. Kendall has to be alright. I don't know …"
"Hey, don't go there. She will be alright. Kendall is strong and is one hell of a fighter. You and the boys are everything to her." Bianca was trying to convince herself as much as Zach. The brunette felt Marissa squeeze her hand, giving her the strength and the faith to believe what she was saying.
Zach ran a hand through his hair. "You're right. She is a fighter. I should have been here today."
"Don't do that to yourself, Zach. This would've happened whether you were here or not." Greenlee noted. "And Kendall wanted you to go to that meeting."
"Mr. Slater."
Zach's head snapped up. "Dr. Rivera, how's Kendall?"
"She's stable. We've regulated her heart rate, and she's resting comfortably."
"The baby? Dr. Abbott had said the baby was okay."
"The baby's fine. Dr. Abbott will be stopping by shortly to check on the baby again. We currently have a fetal monitor attached, and everything is fine."
The group breathed a sigh of relief.
"Can I see her?"
"Yes, you can, but just you for now, Mr. Slater. After Kendall has gotten some rest, the rest of you can visit."
Zach turned to his sister-in-law who simply waved him on.
"Go. Give her our love. We'll be here."
"I will." With that, Zach followed the doctor to Kendall's room.
/
Erica rushed into the waiting room and headed straight for her youngest daughter. "Bianca, how is Kendall?"
"Hi, Mom. She's stable."
"And the baby?"
"Stable as well. Zach is with her right now."
"Thank goodness. What are you doing out here? Let's go see her."
"Mom, the doctor said only Zach could go back right now. Dr. Rivera wants to limit her visitors until she's had a chance to rest some."
"But she's my daughter, I should be back there with her."
"Mom."
"Bianca, I need …"
"Mom. I want to see her too. We all do, but we have to do what's best for Kendall. Right now, that means we wait."
"But …"
"But nothing, Mom. We have to wait."
Erica huffed. She knew her daughter was right, but she did not like waiting. "Fine. I'll wait, but only for a few minutes longer."
"Thank you."
Marissa checked the time. "I hate to do this, but I should go. I need to pack a bag for the boys before I pick all the kids up."
"Yeah, you really should."
"Are you going to be okay?"
Bianca smiled softly. "I'll be fine. Take care of the kids and yourself."
"Call me when you know something and give Kendall my love. When she's up to it, we'll be waiting for her call."
"Drive safe and don't do too much, please."
Marissa gave her wife a quick kiss. "I'll be good. I promise. The same goes for you. Erica, Greenlee, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
"Thank you, dear."
"Thanks, Marissa."
/
"This is ridiculous. I'm going back."
"Mom, please wait."
Angie spotted the women she was looking for. "Bianca, Erica, Greenlee. Dr. Rivera says you can see Kendall now."
"It's about time." Erica huffed as she grabbed her coat and purse.
"Thanks, Angie. How's she doing?"
"She's doing okay. Wanting to go home, but that's not happening today."
"That's sounds like her." Greenlee shook her head as relief that her best friend was acting like herself washed over her.
"True. Maybe the three of you can help Zach keep her in line."
"We'll do our best."
"Where's Marissa? Zach said she was here."
"Rissa went to pick up the kids. We're going to keep an eye on them until Kendall can go home."
"I know that will be a huge relief for her."
/
"Kendall, how are you feeling, dear?" Erica hugged her oldest daughter.
"I'm good, Mom. I'm sorry for causing all this fuss."
Bianca was next to hug Kendall. "Don't worry about any of that. We just want you and the baby to be okay. Rissa went to pick up the kids. She sends you her love. When you're ready to talk to the boys, she'll be ready."
"Thanks, Binx. I really appreciate the two of you watching the boys for us. It's not too much for her, is it?"
"She'll be fine and wouldn't be wanting you to be worrying about her. I'll be home to help her later."
"You scared the crap out of me." Greenlee said as she hugged her best friend.
"I'm sorry."
"Just don't do it again."
"I'll try my best."
"Ah, Kendall, how are you feeling?"
Kendall smiled at her obstetrician. "Hi, Dr. Abbott. I'm feeling much better from when I saw you last."
"That's very good to hear. I would like to do an ultrasound to check on the baby. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask some of you to leave."
"It's okay, doctor. They can stay." Kendall looked at Zach who nodded.
"It's fine with me."
"Alright, if the three of you would stand over there, I'll get this started."
As the doctor moved the wand around Kendall's small baby bump, everyone watched the monitor with their ears peeled for any sounds.
"That's the baby's heartbeat. It's nice and strong. And there is your baby. Would you like to know what you're having?"
Kendall and Zach looked at each other and smiled. Their answer was the same.
"Yes, please."
/
Bianca drove home conflicted. She was worried about her sister, and at the same time, she was happy for her.
Dr. Rivera had said that if Kendall's condition continued to improve like it had the last few hours, she would be discharged tomorrow with strict orders for rest. She would also have to wear a portable heart monitor. He wanted to track her for several days in order to help determine his course of action. If she continued to have episodes like today's, he would most likely have to pursue a more aggressive treatment, something he was hoping to avoid given the pregnancy. He and Dr. Abbott would continue consulting with each other.
What made Bianca happy was seeing how both Zach's and Kendall's eyes lit up when they found out the baby's sex. They were thrilled but also trying to keep themselves in check. They knew all of the risks involved. Zach had even broached the subject of whether or not the pregnancy was the reason behind Kendall's condition. While it was a contributing factor, Dr. Rivera was of the belief that Kendall would most likely have faced this issue with her health eventually.
A smile graced Bianca's face as she headed down the driveway and pulled into the garage, happy to be home.
/
Marissa was cleaning up the kitchen from dinner when she heard the garage door open. A minute later, hazel eyes met warm chocolate ones.
"Hey."
"Hey, yourself."
"How are things here?"
"All quiet on the home front. Why don't you change, and I'll get you something to eat?"
Bianca stopped to give her wife a quick kiss before doing as suggested. On the way to the couple's bedroom, she stopped to greet the kids who were happily distracted watching 'Despicable Me 2' which was playing on the TV in the family room.
/
Bianca sighed as she sat down at the kitchen table. It felt so good to be home and to be able talk with Marissa.
"So, how's Kendall?"
"Better. Her heart rate is back to normal, and she is resting comfortably. She and Zach wanted me to thank you again for setting up the skype session with the boys. Seeing them and knowing they were okay really helped her."
"I'm glad I could do something to help. I feel pretty useless right now." Marissa set a plate filled with the evening's dinner in front of her wife.
"You're not the only one. Sit down and join me. I know your feet have to be killing you."
"Let me get us something to drink, and I will. What did the doctor say?"
"Well for now, everything is status quo with both Kendall and the baby. If things are the same tomorrow, she can go home. She's going to wear heart monitor so they can track what's going on with her heart. There is a possibility of surgery if this continues to happen. That is the last recourse though."
"Surgery would be risky for the baby though, right?"
"Yes, that's why any decision regarding Kendall's treatment will include Dr. Abbott."
"How did Erica take all of this?"
"Mom was very quiet. I could see her wheels turning the whole time. I could tell that she's coming up with some sort of plan. I just don't know exactly what it is yet."
Marissa thought for a moment. "You have an idea though."
"I do, but I'm not sure I like it."
"David."
Bianca nodded. "It would be like making a deal with the devil."
"You're right, but if it helps Kendall, isn't it worth it?"
"Yes, it is, but I don't have to like it."
"I understand, trust me. I could talk to him. Maybe, he would be more open if the request came from me."
"It could also add to your stress which isn't good for you or Sparky right now. No, let's wait and see what's going on before we go there."
"Alright." Marissa then grinned.
"What?"
"You called our little one Sparky."
"I did? Damn. See. You're a bad influence on me."
Marissa laughed. "I guess so. You love it though."
Bianca leaned in for a tender kiss. "You're right, I do. Oh, we found out what Kendall's having."
"Really? What?!"
/
Erica's mind was racing a mile a minute after she left Kendall. She knew what she had to do. There was no other option. Dr. Rivera seemed very capable, but Erica didn't want 'capable' for Kendall. She wanted the very best, and to her, that meant only one person. The diva knew it would mostly likely mean begging, but if it meant Kendall would be given a better chance, it was something she would gladly do.
Jack had stopped by the hospital as soon as he had been able to and had been with them for an hour before the nursing staff shooed them out of Kendall's room. Erica had sent Jack on ahead with a promise to meet him at the bistro for a late dinner. She told him she just had one errand to run first. It was that 'errand' that had led her to where she was now. Putting on her best face, she knocked on the office door.
The surprised look of the man answering soon turned to one of smugness when he saw who it was. He had been expecting this visit for a little while, and he was going to relish it. "Erica."
"David. May I come in?"
/
"Dr. Abbott did an ultrasound while we were there to check on the baby again and asked if they wanted to know what they were having. Kendall and Zach didn't hesitate. It made me wonder. Are you sure you're okay with waiting?"
This was a conversation they had had a few times during the course of Marissa's pregnancy, and the couple always arrived at the same decision.
"I'm positive. Are you?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Alright, it's settled, again." Marissa smiled. "So, what is Kendall having?"
Bianca smiled brightly. "Kendall is having a …"
/
A/N: Yeah, I left it there. I will reveal the sex of Kendall and Zach's baby in the next chapter, but I want to add a disclaimer before I do. What they are having in no way reflects what Bianca and Marissa are having. The sex of babies are not connected at all. Sparky was planned for me, but Kendall and Zach's wasn't. That being said, I could use your help. I need a name for their baby. Send me names for both boys and girls right now. I could use them. This is just for Kendall and Zach's baby. I have Sparky's name all picked out. Thanks in advance. See you soon!