Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
I make it to my phone and dial the non-emergency dispatch number.
“Heart Falls Emergency, this is Regan.”
“Hey Regan, It’s Sabrina. I am at the mayor’s house and I need an ambulance. The baby’s coming.” I focus on my breathing.
“Um… I thought you’d be on your way already. The BC hasn’t called you yet?” she asks quickly. I can hear her typing away on her keyboard through the phone. She hates the nickname the guys gave her, but Fingers, no matter how disturbing, fits.
“Rick? No why?” I ask, wondering why the Battalion Chief would be calling me.
“The guys were at a fire at the textile factory. Con has been taken to Billings General. I don’t know the extent of it yet,” she says, apologetically.
“What!” I scream, waking up Eli. “Shit. When?”
“What’s wrong?” Mom asks, sitting up on the couch.
“The baby’s coming and Conrad’s been hurt at work,” I reply, panicking.
Nothing can happen to that man. I love him with every ounce of my being and we need him. I put my free hand on my belly and pray.
“Never mind the ambulance, Reagan. My mom’s going to take me,” I say hanging up the phone. She’s already putting her shoes on and getting the diaper bag. I grab Eli and we get into her Range Rover and drive.
“Are you okay, baby?” mom asks as we get on the interstate.
“I’m fine,” I lie. My contractions are fast but women have been having babies since the beginning of time, but I need to know that he’s okay. I freak myself the fuck out the whole drive, but baby girl doesn’t let me forget that she wants out.
When we arrive at the hospital, mom lets me out at the door before parking. Purse in hand, I walk right up to the desk.
“I’m in labor, but I need to find my husband. He was brought in from a fire.”
“Oh, ma’am. Let’s get you over to labor and delivery. I’ll have a doctor come speak to you right away.”
“Oh, God. What does that mean? He’s gone, isn’t he?” I whisper before everything turns black.
“Mrs. Felton?” a voice says. Someone is touching my arm. I open my eyes and immediately close them. The fluorescent light is too bright. I’m thirsty and I feel weird, like I am not in my own body and then I remember.
“What’s going on? Where’s my baby? My husband?” I ask, panicked. putting a hand on my belly. I know she’s not in there anymore.
“Calm down, ma’am. Everything is fine. You had to have emergency surgery after your emergency c-section. Your appendix ruptured as you went into labor.” I open my eyes again and see a doctor in a white lab coat standing next to me. I move to sit up but I can’t. “You should rest.”
“Is my husband okay? I didn’t hear anything about his condition.”
“He’s in recovery. He had surgery as well.”
“What?” I say, sitting up now.
“His leg was broken in three places. He needed some pins. He’s also being treated for some burns. We’ll bring your baby to you in a few minutes. Are you feeling up to it?”
“God, yes. When can I see Conrad as well?” I ask.
“As soon as he’s awake. I’m Doctor Nguyen by the way,” she says, smiling at me.
“Thank you for everything,” I say leaning back on the pillows.
“No problem. You mother and stepfather are chomping at the bit to get in here. Is that okay?”
“Yes, please,” I reply.
“Alright. I’ll have a nurse bring you the baby.”
“Thanks,” I say.
The doctor leaves and a few seconds later my mom and James walk in. Eli
is strapped to his chest, sleeping soundly.
“Are you okay, baby?” she asks me, pulling me into a hug gingerly.
“I’m fine. I think. Everything hurts, especially my throat. Why does my throat hurt?”
“Probably the anesthesia,” James says.
“Ugh. What time is it?” I ask after mom finishes hugging me.
“Nine-thirty at night, same day,” she says.
“Holy shit, ten hours? Have you seen her? Have you seen Conrad?”
“We saw her. They haven’t let us back with Conrad,” James says.
“I’m so freaking worried,” I murmur as the door opens again and the nurse
wheels the baby into the room in one of those plastic bassinets.
I cry as I pick my baby up for the first time. I count her little fingers and
toes. I kiss her soft forehead and breathe in her scent. Suddenly, the door bursts open, and Conrad is wheeled into the room, bed and all. His right leg is a brace and he has bandages on his left forearm.
“Forgive the intrusion, ma’am. Your husband insisted, rather loudly, to be brought to you.”
“It’s no problem. I imagine that wasn’t a pleasant conversation,” I say, smiling. Shit, even my face hurts.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here, sugar. Are you okay? How is she doing?” he
asks, holding his hand out for me to take. I do so. Even his hand is a comfort.