Redeem Me (Kin #6)(26)
Author: Jennifer Foor

What had gotten into me?

Apparently I’d had enough. I was sick of being controlled. This was my life and I was going to live it the way I wanted. The question was, if I was on the right path already.

I probably should have called Parker to tell him about my phone call, but I was still having a hard time dealing with his actions. Since I didn’t want to break up again, I decided that it was best to sleep on it.

That night my head continued to pound. It became so excruciating that I took more than the normal dosage of medication to try and relieve it. By the next morning it had only worsened. Fear struck me when I thought about Ashley, and what she’d gone through. Had stress caused me to have a tumor in my head?

When I got up to go to the bathroom, I discovered that my underwear were soiled in blood. While steadily freaking out, I managed to get Parker on the phone.

“Good morning, babe.”

“Parker, there’s no time for that. Come get me. We need to go to the hospital immediately.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“There’s blood everywhere,” I cried.

“I’m coming now. Stay where you are.”

“I’m standing in the middle of my room. I’m so scared. I sat down to use the bathroom and it was everywhere.”

“Hang tight. I’ll be there in two minutes.”

Parker stayed on the phone with me until he was knocking on my door. He held my hand on the way to the car, even though it wasn’t necessary. The whole way to the hospital he tried to coax me to calm down. I knew he was just as concerned, after seeing the amount of blood on my sheets and down my legs. Once we pulled up at the hospital I was hunched over with pains so excruciating that I thought I was going to throw up. Parker offered to call my parents, but I’d pissed my dad off and didn’t want him badgering me until I knew what was wrong with me.

Two hours later I was seen by a doctor. I’d changed into a hospital gown, and had several tests done as soon as I’d arrived, including blood and urine. They asked me a million questions, including if I thought I was pregnant. I responded by letting them know that I was on birth control, and had gotten my period last month.

Behind the doctor came a technician with a large machine on wheels. The doctor felt my stomach, before letting the tech step in. I was scared they were going to tell me that something was terminally wrong with me. I’d never gotten sick like this. She put the device up to my stomach and started pointing to objects talking in medical terms. Parker held my hand, just as confused as I was. She then wrapped this device around my belly and a constant thumping filled the room. “Well that’s strange,” the doctor said as he turned to address his concerns. “I think I’ve figured out what’s causing the bleeding. I’m sorry to say that you’re having a miscarriage. I ordered this test to make sure we didn’t need to do a procedure, but in doing so we’ve discovered a second fetus. That sound you hear is your baby’s heartbeat. It’s very strong. It appears as though you were carrying twins, and one of them didn’t survive. The test revealed that fetus number two is intact. Many women have this occur, and we’ll just need to keep you monitored overnight to make sure the bleeding stops. You’re going to need to contact an OB/GYN to set up an appointment as soon as possible. For the first few months he or she may categorize you as high-risk. They’ll have you come in more frequently, and probably do some extra tests to ensure the pregnancy is going as scheduled. Do you have any other questions?”

At this point I’d lost my ability to communicate. Tears were streaming down my face, and I couldn’t even look at Parker, who at some point had let go of my hand. This couldn’t be happening to me. “I’m not pregnant. I had my period last month. I take my pill every day.”

“The monitor doesn’t lie, ma’am. You’re about ten to eleven weeks along according to the measurements. Some women do experience what they think is a light period during the first few months. If it becomes heavier you’ll need to come back to the ER.”

I wasn’t trying to discredit his medical knowledge. I think I was in such shock that I needed him to repeat what he’d just said. “I haven’t even been sick.”

“Again, many women don’t experience any changes. Some have breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and even head colds. The symptoms of pregnancy aren’t always what people would expect. Every woman’s body is different.”

We spoke for a few more minutes until I literally ran out of questions to ask. The bottom line was that somehow I’d gotten pregnant, and the man sitting next to me was as white as a ghost.

“Parker, say something.”

He wouldn’t even look at me.

“Parker, please. I need you to say something.”

He reached up and covered his face with his hands. “This can’t be happenin’.”

“Parker, we’re having a baby. I know the timing isn’t what we would have liked, but we can’t change that.” I leaned up on my elbows, concerned about his choice of words.

“We just talked about this, Cam. I just said that I wasn’t ready to be a father. How can you sit there so calm knowin’ how I feel? Did you expect me to jump for joy? This isn’t somethin’ to celebrate.” Before I could respond, or break into a cry fit, Parker got up and walked out of the room, leaving me there vulnerable, and all alone.

Chapter 18

Parker

This couldn’t be happening to me; to us.

It was a nightmare that I swore I was going to wake up from. My sister’s birth must have still been on my mind so much that it was now playing tricks on me. There was no way that my girlfriend could be pregnant. She was adamant about taking her pills and being so responsible.

As the time lapsed I was coming to the realization that it wasn’t a dream at all. Cameron was pregnant, and I was the father.

It was the wrong decision to make, but I had to get out of that room to get some air. The cool wind hit my face as soon as I was outside, giving me more proof that I was wide-awake. Out of all the things that could have happened in my life this was the last thing that I ever expected. I’d already been through this ordeal once. If my parents found out about it a second time they’d disown me. The worst part of it all was not being able to explain my reaction to Cameron. She was never going to forgive me for walking out of that hospital room, not that I could blame her. I didn’t deserve her forgiveness. At the scariest moment in her life I’d abandoned her, and I absolutely hated myself for it.