Jane

When I wake, my first thought is of my baby.

I jerk up in bed, clutching my belly. What happened? I think frantically. I try to take stock of my body. I certainly don’t feel like I’ve just given birth. As if my baby can sense my anxiety, a little kick taps the wall of my uterus. “Oh, thank the Goddess.”I breathe, patting the spot. “Hello angel.”

“Jane, you’re awake!” I hadn’t even realized Devon was in the room with me until he spoke.

“Devon!” I exclaim, “What happened?”

“The doctor said it was pre-term labor, but they were able to stop it.” Devon explains, and when he doesn’t say anymore, I suspect that’s all he knows.

It’s not surprising, given what I’ve learned about how strict doctors can be with patient confidentiality.

The words ‘pre-term labor’ send a stab of fear through my body. I’m only five months along, that’s too soon for this baby to be born. “Stop it for how long?” l inquire, even realizing my friend probably doesn’t know.

Thankfully a doctor swoops in at precisely that moment, a chart in hand. “Hello Jane, how are you feeling?”

“Okay,” I answer uncertainly. “Is my baby going to be okay?”

“Yes,” He smiles, “we think your cervix was injured when you delivered your quads, this happens sometimes with babies following multiples. But don’t worry, we’re going to put a stitch in your c3rvix to make sure it’s nice and strong, and we’ll give you a gel to apply daily, plus some progesterone shots. We’re going to do everything possible to keep this pup inside you until at least 37 weeks.”

“Will I have to be on bedrest until then?” I inquire nervously, immediately thinking of my plans to go after Ethan.

“No, once you’re released you can go back to your usual routine, but we are going to keep you here under observation for a while, just to be safe.” The physician explains.

“What, for how long?” I counter, trying to remember if Nina told me precisely how soon Ethan would be having his surgery.

The doctor laughs, “Don’t worry, Jane. It will only be a couple of days, and then you’ll be free to go.”

long.” I insist. “Can’t you release me

with a patient expression. “Jane, whatever else is going on in your life, it can wait. This baby isn’t ready to be born yet. If you were to deliver now, it would have less than a forty percent chance of survival, and even then it would probably have life-long problems. We need to get you to at least 24 weeks to be viable, but as long as you follow our instructions, there’s

quads, who were born at 28 weeks, but even that had

day is

days Janey. First

two.” I muse aloud, quickly estimating that likelihood of it happening early enough in the day for us to

to go after him, I’ll take you as soon as you’re out.”

recall his conversation

clearly thinking the same thing. “I wasn’t sure

I’m not going

He smiles, the expression bittersweet. He looks both proud and pained at the same

might not be able to get there in time –

I decide, determined to do whatever it takes in order to reach him in time. I can’t let him face possible death without knowing that I love him, that I know the truth and I’m coming after

my phone sitting on my bedside table, and I eagerly reach for it, feeling a stab of guilt when I see the familiar photo of my pups on the

they okay,

“They’re in the children’s playroom, do you want

“Yes!” I exclaim eagerly.

pups rush in a little while later, big smiles on their faces. Before the doctor can

you?” I cry,

they really shouldn’t-” The doctor tries to object, but I bare my teeth at him. No

the white coat. They’re smothering me in kisses and feeling my belly, all curiosity and relief. “Mommy this is getting ridiculus.” Parker tells me sternly, his small hands framing either side of my stomach. “If this new baby is

locks. “You know it can hear

to Mommy. She’s working very hard to grows you and is not very

so close

to be gentles

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