Sorry that this chapter is shorter! I have to write all of these now and juggle school work. I've been busy with homework and now I have a big research paper to work on, so the chapter might not be so long or so often. Sorry, and thanks for all of the support!
-CL
Maxon's POV
"Maxon…I'm pregnant," America says. My jaw drops and I walk towards her, inspecting her.
"What?! How?!" I ask. I hear a thud, but I ignore it. I'm standing in front of America and I'm watching her closely, making sure she isn't lying.
"Maxon! I was raped a few weeks ago! How do you think I'm pregnant?!"
"I didn't mean to make you angry, Ames. I'm just concerned about you," I say, hugging her.
"I'm sorry too, Maxon. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm just stressed because of this."
"It's fine, Ames. Do you know when you're due?"
"No, but I'm going to see Dr. Ashlar when I get my strength back."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Oh, ummm…well…I haven't eaten in three days."
"What?! I thought you said that you ate last night!"
"I did, but I just didn't want you to worry, Maxon. You worry too much and I didn't want to stress you out more."
"Ames, you can tell me anything. I'll try not to stress out so much," I say.
"Yeah, right," she says, laughing. "You stress out about everything."
I smile sheepishly. "I do not!" I say. I start laughing, knowing that it's true. I remember Bella's in the room and I realize the room is quiet. Too quiet. "Bella?" I ask, turning around to face Bella. I see her crumpled on the floor and I gasp. I run over to her. I hear America get out of the bed and soon she's crouching next to me.
"Is she…?" she asks, too scared to say the word out loud.
"I don't think so," I say, checking her pulse. "No, she's alive." I think of Bella checking my pulse all those weeks ago. "She has a strong pulse. I don't know what's wrong with her."
"Do you want me to get Dr. Ashlar?"
"No, Ames. You don't have enough strength to do that. I'll get Dr. Ashlar, but let's see if she wakes up." I watch Bella, watching her chest rise and fall, showing that she is still alive. Every time her chest stutters I get up to get Dr. Ashlar, but then she resumes breathing normally.
"I think you should go get Dr. Ashlar, Maxon," America says.
"I'll wait three more minutes and then I will," I say, not taking my eyes off of Bella. A minute later her eyelids start to flutter. "Bella? Bella?!" Her eyes flutter open, focusing her gaze on me.
"Maxon? What's wrong?" Bella asks, moving her head and grimacing.
"Are you ok, my dear? You…well…I don't know what exactly happened, but you were sitting in the chair and the next thing I know is you're on the floor unconscious. Do you remember that happening?"
"I remember my head hurting…and then I became dizzy and saw stars. The next thing I know is I'm on the floor and everything goes dark."
"Oh, so that's what that thump was," I say, a little sheepish. "Are you ok though, darling?"
"I think so," she says standing up. She clutches her head and groans. "I think I have a concussion from falling in the hallway." She uses the wall to walk to the doors. "I'll just go to my room and sleep." She opens the doors and disappears from my view.
I look at America. "I know you want to follow her, Maxon, so just do it. I'll be fine. I'll just rest in bed and eat." I smile and walk to the doors, closing them behind me. I look down the hall and see Bella slowly walking to her room. I watch her from a distance for a little bit, thinking she can make it on her own. She does fine until she loses her footing and starts to fall. I run to her and catch her in my arms.
"You ok, love?" I say, walking towards Bella's room with her in my arms.
"I think so…my head hurts so much," she says, closing her eyes.
"Do you want me to have Dr. Ashlar check you out?"
"No, I know that I have a concussion. I've had some before."
"From what?" I ask but cringe as soon as I say it. "You don't have to answer that."
"It's fine. I mostly got them from my parents…you know."
"Bella, I'm so sorry you had to go through that," I say, kissing her forehead.
She shrugs. "I'm use to it. It happens pretty often and I know what to do for a concussion. I should probably go to sleep and put a cold compress on my head for a bit." She looks at me but winces from the light. "You know you can put me down, Maxon. I can walk."
"I'd rather carry you, just to be safe. We're almost to your room."
We make it to her bedroom a minute later. I open the door and lay Bella on the bed. "Shut the curtains. I need this place as dark as it can be." She buries her face into the pillow while I go and shut the curtains. It's still not that dark, but it's better. "I'm going to take a nap if that's ok," she says, looking at me for confirmation.
"Of course, my dear. If you don't mind, can I sleep with you? I'm a little tired myself."
Bella doesn't say anything but instead gestures for me to lay in the bed. I climb in and pull the covers over us. Bella scoots over so she is right up against me. I put my arms around her, pulling her even closer to me. I soon feel the steady rise and fall of her chest and I kiss her forehead. I look at Bella's face, noticing how pretty she is. "You're beautiful, my dear. And I will love every part of you forever," I whisper, soon falling asleep with Bella in my arms once again.
