Chapter 5

"What is that?" Both Lauren and Alek asked at the same time.

"It's a case when the placenta blocks the cervix during the pregnancy. During your pregnancy…" As I was explaining we were moving Lauren to the couch. There was nothing I could do right now to ease the pain. "The placenta moves around and by your third trimester it needs to be at the top of the womb in order to have the cervix open for labor."

"What are the risks?" I could tell that Lauren was worried more about the baby than anything and she was trying not to cry.

"During the pregnancy, the main thing is that you run the risk of hemorrhaging." I didn't want to overwhelm her with the endless amount of possibilities.

"And the baby?" Alek asked.

"It could be perfectly fine or…" I hesitated and looked at George. He seemed to be just as worried as the couple.

"Or what?" Lauren asked quickly.

"It could die…" They both had their own looks for shock. Alek's face was full of pain but seemed frozen but Lauren crumbled and started crying over the pain. We tried to get the pain down and once it was through we sat down to talk about it. I told George I would walk home and that he could go now. He seemed hesitant but put his hand on Laurens arm gently and then walked out the door. I started to explain the condition that Lauren had and the options that they had. The worst one was abortion. I didn't use that exact word but if a patient did choose abortion I refused to do it. Most husbands were for abortion at the beginning considering they were trying to save their wife but in the end they always kept the baby.

"No." Were the first words that came out of both of their mouths when the subject came up.

"We aren't having an abortion; I know that's what it's called." Lauren said.

"I'm glad you say that." I say and smile. "I've given you all the information that I can for now. You'll have to call Brick to schedule an appointment, I'm going back to New York, actually, I should be heading to the airport now." I stood up and Lauren looked worried.

"You can't leave now! Why do you have to go back to New York?" Lauren argued.

"Alabama isn't for me. Give me a call when you have your baby…" I looked at her and realized that even though I had only known her for days, it had felt like years. "I'd love to hear how you are doing, and I'm sure you will be fine." I gave Lauren a hug and shook Alek's hand.

"Thank you." Alek said and he seemed truly relieved.

"No problem." Lauren and Alek left and I went to my desk. I picked up the few things that I had brought the the practice, trying to make it personal. At the front desk I took a sticky note and wrote a note for Mrs. H even though I had already told her I was leaving. I knocked a few things over and picked them up when a picture slipped out of a folder. The photo was discoloured from being aged and at first I didn't recognize the people in it. I was shocked to see my mother and Harley together in a photo. They had their arms around each other and their smiles were genuine. I looked on the back of it and the date was months before I was born. Something wasn't right. I grabbed my things and ran out the door. Gosh dangit, Wade just had to come take the car! I was running back to the house that I had rented just for a few weeks, trying to get to my mother. I finally reached the driveway, and let me tell you; it is not easy to run in heals! I reached the limo that was the only form of transportation my mom was comfortable with.

"Where have you been? We're going to be late; we have to leave right now!"

"What is this?" I said as I threw the photo on the hood of the shiny black luxury car. She looked shocked.

"Where did you get that?"

"It was in Harley's things. Where did you know him from?"

"Business."

"That's a law. That wasn't business. You look like you're on a cruise!" Tears made her eyes glisten.

"Mom…how did you know Harley?" She sighed and seemed hesitant.

"I was…married…to Harley…before." I didn't say anything, I wasn't sure what to say.

"I left him because I was scared. When I remarried…he didn't know I was pregnant."

"So I've been living with someone who wasn't my father, thinking he was. And Harley came to my graduation and I didn't know who he was? I can't believe you." I told the driver to open the trunk where my things were and started to take my things out.

"What are you doing? I thought we sorted this all out?"

"I'm staying here. I won't let Harley down, not now that I know he's my father. I have to find some way to hang on. He was more of a parent than you ever were." I saw that I hurt her but somehow I didn't care. I took my things and went into the house. The sound of the car starting didn't come for a few minutes but it was fast enough. I got in bed that night and turned on the TV that I had brought in. It seemed like my nights here were filled with sad movies and junk food. Tomorrow was a new day though, and I was going to accomplish something. I was sure of that. My mother called me constantly and eventually I just turned my phone off. I went to Levon's for breakfast the next morning and I am pretty sure that's as scared as that NFL player has ever been.

"You're here?"

"Yeah."

"I thought you were leaving?"

"Well would you rather me leave?" I asked sarcastically.

"No. What happened?"

"Harley was my father." Levon did this weird flinch of surprise and I laughed. "Yeah. That's what I said."

I know this is a super short chapter and most of my chapters have been but I felt like I needed to post SOMETHING! :) Things have been going crazy around here and I finally got a break so I hope you like what's happening. Please read and review and thanks for reading! - Cowgirl7384