Chapter 23
Callie inhaled sharply at the sudden cramp in her abdomen. Her hand reached up to clutch her stomach. She stood frozen for a moment, taking deep breaths until the pain subsided. Her heart sped up in her chest. The pain felt similar to her period cramps, which she was almost certain were what contractions felt like. She shook the thought from her head as she grabbed her laptop and sat on her bed. It couldn't be a contraction. She was only 28 weeks; it was too early for her to be in labor. She opened an essay she was working on, on her laptop that only had one sentence written. Between the pregnancy and upcoming trial her mind was anything but focused on this paper. But with the end of the school year approaching fast, she needed to get it done.
She flinched as the cramp returned. Her hands found her stomach again as her heart pumped harder. Something wasn't right. This wasn't a normal pregnancy ache or pain. She attempted to take in a calming breath to slow her heart rate, but the anxiety swimming in her stomach wouldn't subside. She closed the laptop and planted her feet on the floor, using the night table to pulled herself up. Slowly she made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen where Stef was unpacking groceries.
The blonde turned her head at the sound of approaching footsteps, a smile finding her lips when she saw Callie. "Hey love."
"I'm um…getting these pains. They…they feel likes cramps." Callie's voice shook.
Stef placed the bottle of ketchup in her hand onto the counter. "Okay, okay, I'm sure everything is fine, but let's take a trip to the ER to be safe."
Callie nodded as she swallowed thickly. Stef left the rest of the groceries on the table, grabbed her car keys, and headed out to the car with Callie. Stef tried to reassure the young girl on the way to the hospital, but Callie's anxiety only increased with each passing minute.
Stef helped Callie out of the car and held onto her arm as they entered the emergency room. "Take a seat, love, I'll check you in."
Callie nodded as she lowered herself onto one of the chairs. One hand slid upon her stomach as she drew her bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes wandered the waiting room, noticing an older woman staring at her. She was so tired of the judgmental looks she received from people who had no idea about her situation. She peeled her eyes away when Stef sat on the chair beside her. The blonde place a gentle hand on Callie's knee. "They said it should just be a couple of minutes."
Callie nodded as she exhaled shakily.
"I'm sure everything is fine, love." Stef reached up to stroke Callie's curls. "When I was pregnant with B I had bad pains during the third trimester. I thought I was in labor or something was seriously wrong, but it was just the ligaments stretching. There's a lot going on in the body during pregnancy."
"Callie Jacob."
Callie whipped her head towards the voice to find a young blonde in scrubs standing in the start of the hall. She hauled herself onto her feet and started towards the hall with Stef following. The nurse led them to a room, where she took Callie's vitals, hooked her up to a machine, asked her questions, and left a gown for Callie to change into. Before she left, Stef requested a female doctor if it was possible. The request made Callie's heart thump even harder in her chest. If they had any speculation that she was having contractions they were going to do a pelvic exam. The color drained from her face. She knew she would have to suck it up; it was to make sure her daughter was okay and she would do anything for that. But that didn't lessen her anxiety in the least bit. She clicked the home button on her phone for the umpteenth time, waiting for Brandon to respond to her text.
"Do you want me to try calling Brandon? He may not have noticed a text." Stef suggested as she watched the disappoint spread across the brunette's face as she stared at her phone.
Callie met Stef's eyes and shook her head. She wanted Brandon here more than anything. His presence calmed her, but she didn't want to bother him. "I don't want to interrupt him. He was practicing with the band."
Stef sighed as she pulled her phone out of her pocket. How was she going to get the teenager to stop being so selfless? "Callie, if he knew what was going on he would want to be here. I'm calling him."
Callie nodded. There was no point in arguing with the cop. Plus, she did want Brandon here and she knew Stef was right. He would be upset if he found out later. She placed her phone on the bed beside her and rested her hands on her stomach. A sigh of relief left her lips when she heard Brandon's muffled voice through Stef's phone. She couldn't make out his words, but she could hear the voice speed up after Stef explained where they were.
"He's on his way." Stef said as she pulled the phone away from her ear. "Mama said she'd be here as soon as her meeting is over. Although hopefully we won't even be here by then."
Callie nodded. Her eyes moved to the door at the sound of it opening.
"Hi there, Callie. I'm Dr. Castner. So, it does look like you're having some contractions." The tall brunette, whose hair was pulled back in a braid, said as she looked at the machine attached to Callie.
"I'm only 28 weeks though. It's too soon." Callie's eyes widened. Not only was she concerned for the baby's health, but she wasn't ready to bring a baby home yet. The nursery was still a work in progress. They still didn't have everything they needed.
"I'm going to say they're just Braxton Hicks contractions, which is the body's way of preparing for labor. Like practice contractions. They very irregular, which is typical for Braxton Hicks. But I'm going to do a pelvic exam to check your cervix to make sure it's not effaced or dilated."
Stef watched Callie's body stiffen. She was hoping they wouldn't have to do one. Images of the brunette squirming in the hospital bed with terror in her distant eyes flashed through Stef's mind. The doctor had performed multiple pelvic exams on Callie to check her stitches and injuries for weeks following the attack and Stef had been there for everyone; everyone had been awful. It had been heart wrenching to watch Callie struggle to stay in the presence and flash back to the night she wanted nothing more than to forget. She had hoped she would never have to witness it again and yet here they were. Stef couldn't help but worry what the rest of the pregnancy meant. She recalled multiple pelvic exams towards the end of her pregnancy and doctors and nurses had constantly touched her during labor and delivery. She couldn't imagine how traumatic that would be for Callie.
"Um this…this pregnancy is a result of assault." Stef spoke up quietly. She knew the young girl was not going to say anything, but Stef also knew it would be beneficial for everyone if the doctor was aware.
Callie watched the doctor's face contort into sympathy and it made her stomach churn. She hated that this was her story. She hated that she was a victim. She hated when people found out; they either didn't believe her or only saw her as a victim.
"I'm sorry. And I'm sorry that we have to do a pelvic exam. I will be as gentle and quick as possible." Dr. Castner smiled sympathetically. "Do you need a few minutes?"
Callie shook her head. She didn't want to prolong this. The more she waited, the longer she would be anxious about her daughter's health and the longer she would dread the exam. "No."
"Do you want me to leave?" Stef asked. A small part of her was hoping she would say yes. Witnessing Callie experience those awful exams during her stay in the hospital had been agonizing and she didn't want to experience that again. But the larger part of her knew that Callie needed someone. As awful of an experience it was for Stef, it was ten times worse for the brunette.
"You can stay." Callie whispered. She wanted Brandon more than anything, but Stef's presence could be just as comforting at times.
Stef stood from the chair and made her way to stand beside Callie at the head of the bed. She reached for Callie's hand as the teenager leaned back against the pillows and drew her knees up. Callie inhaled shakily as she watched Dr. Castner pull the stool up to the foot of the bed and slip on a pair of gloves.
Callie lashed out at the first touch. Her heart hammered in her chest. She was suddenly back in those woods. Rocks and sticks pressed against her bare back. Vico straddling her, pinning her wrists above her head as Liam watched. "No. No."
"Hey, hey, it's okay. Callie, look at me. You're safe. You're in the hospital." Stef squeezed her hand gently in an attempt to ground the trembling girl. Callie's wide, frightened eyes met Stef's. "That's it. Just look at me."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She whispered frantically as tears shone in her eyes.
"It's okay. I'm going to resume." Dr. Castner frowned.
"Keep your eyes on me." Stef said. Callie inhaled sharply and flinched when Dr. Castner began the exam again.
Callie squeezed her eyes shut. This time it was Liam lying on top of her, crushing her small frame. His rough hand explored her body as his teeth tore at her flesh. "P-please don't. Stop."
Stef's heart shattered with every plea that left Callie's lips; the pleas that Liam and Vico ignored. "Callie, keep your eyes on me. I'm here, love. You're safe. It's just the doctor."
Callie's eyes shot up as the doctor retracted her hand. "All done."
Callie threw her head back as a sob escaped her lips. Tears erupted from her eyes, tumbling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize." Dr. Castner said softly as she pulled off the gloves and moved to the sink to wash her hands. "You're not dilated. Everything is good. It's just Braxton Hicks."
Callie wiped at her dampened cheeks. Part of her was flooded with relief that her daughter was okay, but the other part remained anxious as she couldn't shake the images of Vico and Liam.
"I'll leave you alone for a few minutes." Dr. Castner smiled sadly before stepping outside the room.
"Cal? Are you okay?" Stef asked hesitantly.
Callie nodded too quickly as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and planted her feet on the cold floor. She slowly began to dress herself with her back towards Stef.
"Callie." Stef repeated. "Please talk to me. I know what happened wasn't easy."
Callie flinched as the door flew open and a frantic Brandon practically darted inside. His eyes moved back and forth between Callie and his mother. "What's going on? Are you okay? Is the baby okay? Why didn't you call me sooner?"
Stef felt a small smile creep up on her face at her son's state. His love for Callie was obvious. "Calm down, B. It's just Braxton Hicks contractions."
"They're like practice contractions. They're normal." Callie explained when she saw his eyebrows raise in confusion.
He nodded, reassured that the baby was okay, but this distant look in Callie's eyes made his stomach knot. He knew that look all too well. "Callie, are you okay?"
Callie met his concerned eyes as her own glistened with unshed tears.
"They had to…do a pelvic exam." Stef explained when Callie didn't answer. She watched the realization spread across her son's face.
Brandon closed the door and made his way before Callie. He lifted her chin gently and brushed away the single tear that escaped her eye. "Hey, talk to me."
Her lower lips trembled before another batch of tears exploded from her eyes. "I thought I was back in those woods."
Brandon sat on the bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. "You're not. You're safe. I've got you."
She buried his face his chest, soaking his shirt with her tears. His fingers stroked her hair soothingly. "I'm sorry, this is stupid."
Stef opened her mouth to dissipate that thought from the brunette's mind, but her son beat her to it. He pulled her back gently so he could cup her cheek with his hand. "Hey, it is not stupid and don't apologize. Don't ever apologize for something like this or think it's stupid. You were hurt badly, Cal and something like that doesn't go away. And something like this brings it back. You're allowed to cry. You're allowed to be upset. And I'm here to do whatever you need to get through this, okay?"
She nodded against his hand, closing her eyes as he pressed a ginger kiss to her forehead. "Just don't leave."
"I'm not going anywhere." He reassured. "Can you tell me what you saw?"
Stef remained quiet in the corner of the room, not wanting to interrupt even though she was waiting for Callie's response of not wanting to talk about it.
Callie hesitated for a moment and Brandon could practically see the battle in her mind. "I was…back in the woods and…Vico was on top of me, holding my hands down. I was trying to fight him, but he…was too strong and every time I would try he'd hit me or punch me. The second time it was...Liam and he was…biting me and t-touching me."
Stef was amazed that the young girl was actually opening up. She hadn't spoken a single detail about any of the abuse she had been through. She had been especially closed off about anything to do with Vico and Liam. Stef didn't doubt that Callie's wall gradually cracking was because of Brandon. She trusted him more than anything and he knew how to comfort her. With each passing day the two eased her concern about allowing their relationship.
Brandon felt fury coursing through his veins as Callie finally revealed more about that awful night. He swallowed back his anger; Callie was finally talking and he didn't want to ruin that. "Was it a flashback? Was that was happened in the woods?"
Stef braced herself for Callie's answer. She wanted to know exactly what the girl had been through, but at the same time she didn't want to know the horrifying details; somehow it got worse with every detail.
"Yes." Callie choked out. "And so much more."
Brandon wanted to scream. The beautiful, selfless, strong girl in his arms deserved so much better than what the world was throwing at her. "Do you want to tell me about it?"
"Not in the emergency room. The doctor is going to come back with the discharge papers any minute." Callie said, wiping at her dampened cheeks.
And there it was. Her walls were back up. But they had cracked ever so slightly. It was a starting point; a crack they could chip away at.
Thanks for reading! A pretty big step forward for Callie opening up, but more drama returns next chapter! I just want to say as I have in the past that I'm open to any ideas/suggestions you guys have. I also want to say that if you do have one or have already said one, it may take a while for it to appear as I have a lot of the story written that I then go back and edit. Sometime it's easier to edit in a requested scene or idea, but other times it may need to be incorporated to chapter that are still be written.
Review!