Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Just when I’m about to thank him, the door opens, and in walks Dr. Reynolds. “So you listened. I thought for sure you’d be throwing a party in here or something.”
Austin rolls his eyes at him. “Whatever, Doc. I let her sleep.”
I cut in and clear my throat. “Yeah, actually, I think it’s the best I’ve slept in forever.”
I can feel Austin’s eyes bore into me, but I keep my eyes focused on the doctor. “Can we go home now?”
Dr. Reynolds picks up a clipboard and reads through it. I’m sure he’s catching up on my blood pressure and other readings that the nurse documented through the night. “Okay, so we got you and the baby stable. I’m writing you a prescription to take. It will help with the blood pressure—”
I cut him off. “But the baby…”
He says, “The medicine is perfectly safe to take while pregnant. You need to take it.”
I nod my head, ready to promise him anything if it means I can get out of here.
“Okay, done. I’ll take it. Now can we go?”
He shakes his head and holds the clipboard to his chest. “You have to rest for two weeks. That means off your feet for two weeks. Only out of bed to shower and use the bathroom. That’s it.”
I’m already shaking my head in denial. I grab on to the handrail that is up on my right side and use it to pull myself into a sitting position. “I can’t take off work for two weeks.”
Dr. Reynolds gives Austin a dirty look and then gives me a bored one. I’m sure he never gets a good reaction when he tells a patient to stay in bed for two weeks, and I’m definitely not taking it well.
He puts his hand on top of mine. “Look Ally, I understand. You’re independent. You’re—”
He’s cut off when Austin growls. He literally growls. The sound fills the room, and both Dr. Reynolds and I look at him. Austin is glaring at the doctor, and Dr. Reynolds lifts his hand from mine. Finally, when he’s not touching me anymore, Austin nods his head. “Go ahead, continue.”
When I turn back to Dr. Reynolds, he has his arms crossed over his chest, and he’s smirking. “Okay, listen. I don’t want to scare you, Ally, but you need to keep the baby in there for as long as you can. I’m already sure that you’re not going to carry it to term.”
Alarmed, I rear back. “I won’t?”
He nods. “Yeah, with your blood pressure and health, I’m thinking we may have to deliver early. But we need to try and keep her in there for as long as possible.” He huffs out a breath. “Meaning you have to stay off your feet. At least for two weeks. Then we’ll recheck you.”
I’m shocked, and I lean back on the bed. My mind is going a hundred miles a minute as I try to figure out all the things I need to do. I need to reschedule all my appointments for the next two weeks. Damn, I need to figure out what I’m going to do about money. I have savings, but I didn’t really want to dip into that with the baby coming and all. And there’s at least a hundred other things I need to consider, but Austin brings me back into the present.
“After the two weeks, I can go back to work?”
He’s shaking his head before I even get the whole sentence out. “We’ll reevaluate you, but honestly, you’re in a very active profession. You’re on your feet all day. You may have to take some time off until after the baby comes.”
I sputter, “But… I can’t… there’s no way.”
Austin leans over the bed and pulls my chin up so I have to look at him. “Ally, it’s going to be okay. Do you want this baby?”
I huff out a breath as a lone tear rolls down my face. “You know I do.”
He nods. “I know, and you both are going to be okay.” He stands up to his full height and looks at the doctor. “Okay, off her feet for two weeks… maybe more. She can do that.”
I glare at him, but I know Austin, and he has the look on his face. Nothing I can say will convince him to give in. He continues, “Anything else we need to know?”
Dr. Reynolds looks at Austin. “Nope, she needs to eat healthy. The nurse will give you an info sheet with all her nutritional needs. No stress. That means no street fighting, no arguing, none of that.” He walks over to me and sets the clipboard on the table next to the bed. He pinches the IV in my arm and then turns it off before putting on some gloves. “I’m going to remove this. That might help you get out a little sooner.”