Chapter 12 - THE NIGHT EVERYTHING ALMOST ENDED
At twenty-seven weeks, Nora experienced sudden abdominal pain.
She was working at the foundation office when it began.
At first, she thought it was exhaustion.
Then the pain sharpened.
She gripped the edge of her desk.
Adrian noticed immediately.
“Nora?”
She tried to answer.
Couldn't.
He was beside her in seconds.
“What's wrong?”
She looked at him.
“My baby.”
His face changed.
He called emergency services.
Then helped her sit safely while they waited.
At the hospital, doctors evaluated her for possible preterm labor.
Nora lay beneath bright lights, terrified.
She remembered the miscarriages.
The empty ultrasound rooms.
The doctors who had said they were sorry.
Again and again.
She began crying.
“Please.”
A nurse squeezed her hand.
“We're taking care of you.”
Nora closed her eyes.
Then heard a familiar voice.
“Nora.”
Evan stood in the doorway.
Adrian had contacted him because Nora had previously agreed he should be informed of serious pregnancy emergencies.
Evan looked terrified.
He approached slowly.
“Can I come in?”
Nora nodded.
He sat beside her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Evan whispered, “I'm here.”
Nora looked at him.
She wanted to hate him.
Sometimes she did.
But she also knew he was frightened for their child.
She reached for his hand.
Not as a wife.
As the mother of his baby.
And whispered, “Please don't let anything happen.”
Evan's eyes filled.
“I won't leave.”
The medical team stabilized Nora.
The immediate danger passed.
Her doctors recommended close follow-up and additional precautions.
When she was finally allowed to rest, Evan remained beside the bed.
He didn't ask her to come home.
Didn't beg for another chance.
May you like
He simply sat quietly.
And for once, that was enough.
