Author's Note: Thank you timyyv for always reviewing this story. I am so glad you like it. Here is the next chapter, and please, if you are reading, let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The gala is an exhausting event. Every year Evelyn comes home from it, tosses her clothing on a nearby surface, then promptly passes out. Tonight, she hasn't made it home before she passes out. James finds it a bit concerning, but she hasn't felt well for the past few days so he lets her sleep until they pull up to the mansion. He gently wakes her then helps her inside.
"Evelyn, I can stay if you need me to," James tells her as he sits beside her on the bed, her hands in his. Evelyn smiles at him, appreciating the offer but shakes her head.
"Go to Chino and deliver the supplies. I'm fine." She reassures him, giving his hand a slight squeeze.
"You don't look fine," he mutters, cupping her cheek. She is pale and feels a bit clammy. He has also never seen her this sick.
"I'll be all right. Adrian is here if I should need him. You need to go and help those who really need assistance." Evelyn adores him for the concern, but even in her weakened state, she is so sick of being coddled.
Reluctantly, James agrees. He stays while she changes into pajamas then spends a few more minutes with her. He kisses her goodbye, reminds her he is just a call away, then walks out the door. Evelyn smiles as she watches him leave, then flops back on the bed. Her head throbs, her stomach churns, and her legs ache. She blames the leg pain on the shoes; she needs to give up on heels for now. Sighing heavily, she closes her eyes and welcomes sleep.
At barely two in the morning Evelyn's eyes pop open, something having woken her from her slumber. She looks around the room, groaning when she moves. Her entire body feels heavy. She slowly sits up in bed, closing her eyes as the room begins to spin. She gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom, relieved there is no spotting. She leaves the bathroom, preparing to lie back down, when there is a tightening in her lower abdomen. Her heart thunders in her chest as she places her hand on the slight protrusion of her stomach. Without thinking, she walks out of the bedroom and marches to Adrian's room.
Evelyn doesn't bother to knock. She opens the door, not surprised to find the room dark. He is snoring as she nears the bed. It is odd to be in here, but right now she needs his reassurance. The tightening in her stomach wasn't painful, but something doesn't feel right. Hopefully, Adrian will be able to calm her.
"Adrian," Evelyn says softly, not wanting to startle him. He mumbles something in his sleep about the Porsche then settles. "Adrian," she says a bit louder, gently shaking him.
His eyes open and for a moment he looks around confused. His eyes land on Evelyn, immediately alarmed by her presence. He sits straight up in bed, fumbles to turn on the light, both blinking at the sudden brightness.
"What's wrong?" He asks, panicked by her unexpected appearance in his room. Evelyn bites her bottom lip nervously, suddenly feeling foolish. She is probably just overreacting. "Evelyn?" He asks again, his tone more urgent.
"I'm sorry I startled you," Evelyn apologizes, taking a seat beside him on the bed. She hates the look of fear that shines in his eyes.
"Don't worry about that," he dismisses with a wave of his hand. "Is the baby ok?" She hates the fear that shines in his eyes. "Tell me, please," he urges, taking her hand in his. Her palm feels rather warm in his.
Evelyn closes her eyes, takes a deep breath then explains. "I woke up and something didn't feel right." Adrian's eyes widen as she speaks. "There's no spotting," she reassures him, hoping to allay some of his anxieties. "But there was…..a little cramping." She doesn't want to alarm him, but they are both worried.
"We're going to the hospital!" Adrian declares, standing to his feet as he pulls her up by the hand.
"No!" Evelyn shakes her head.
"Evelyn, please. Let's just go to get you checked out. Just to make sure the baby is all right, please!" He pleads. Evelyn drops her gaze, refusing to look at him. Adrian cups her cheek, lifting her gaze to his. "Please." He begs, his eyes shining with tears. The thought of losing this baby is too much.
"It hasn't happened since," she says softly, her gaze remaining on the floor.
Adrian studies her, a single tear rolling down her cheek. She is absolutely terrified. She is also pale and her skin is hot to the touch. She won't allow him to take her to the hospital, at least she can allow him to check her temperature. He places his hand on her forehead, her eyes finally landing on him. She gives him a questioning look.
"You have a fever," he tells her. Before she can argue, he steps into the adjoining bathroom, retrieves the thermometer, then returns. "Open your mouth," he instructs.
Evelyn narrows her eyes, not liking to be told what to do no matter how frightened she is. She doesn't argue, takes a seat on the bed, impatiently tapping her finger against her knee as the reading on the thermometer rises. When the thermometer beeps, it reads 102.7. Adrian turns the thermometer so she can see it.
"Maybe that's what caused it," she says, hoping that whatever that was earlier was just caused by her fever. Adrian isn't convinced and tells her as much. "Please, Adrian, I don't want to go to the hospital." She looks at him pleadingly. He is unsure of what to do.
"If you feel the slightest twinge, we are going to the hospital. Do I make myself clear?" His tone carries so much authority Evelyn finds it hard to believe it is her husband speaking.
"Yes!" Evelyn nods. She is worried, but there isn't any spotting and she hasn't experienced another sensation, so hopefully everything is all right.
Adrian sits beside her on the bed. He holds her hand, gently stroking the back of it with his thumb. Evelyn raises her brow, wondering what he is doing.
"Lie down," he says, scooting over to make room. Her brows almost reach her hairline at the suggestion. "Just rest, Evelyn. I can keep a better eye on you in here." There is so much care in his voice Evelyn is taken aback. Reluctantly, she agrees.
Evelyn lies back on the pillow, her body aches with exhaustion. Adrian drapes the duvet over her then lies back on his own pillow. Evelyn reaches out and turns off the bedside lamp, finding it incredibly odd, yet strangely comforting, to be in bed with Adrian. He takes her hand in his, resting their joined hands on the mattress between them.
"Good night, Evelyn," Adrian says softly.
"Good night, Adrian," she replies, deciding for just one night it will be all right to fall asleep in her soon-to-be ex-husband's bed.
The clock reads 4:02 a.m. when Adrian opens his eyes. Immediately he is aware something is wrong. His arm is wrapped around Evelyn, he remembers pulling her closer when she'd been half asleep and mumbled about being cold, but this isn't what has him concerned. Evelyn is curled on her side facing away from him, her body shaking as she cries.
"Evelyn?" He sits up enough to roll her so she is facing him. The moonlight illuminates her tear streaked face.
"I'm losing the baby," she sobs, crumbling in his arms. The physical pain doesn't come close to the emotional pain she is experiencing.
"NO!" He says vehemently. "No, I'm calling 911!"
With Evelyn wrapped in his arms, he somehow manages to grab his phone and dial 911. He explains to the operator the nature of their emergency, trying to remain calm throughout the endless questions. Once an ambulance has been dispatched, he tosses the phone on to the bed. While they wait for the ambulance, Adrian holds Evelyn, tears streaming down both their faces. The all too familiar pain of losing a child threatens to swallow them whole.