20 minutes later there's a light knock on the door. I carefully peel myself away from Rylee who seems finally in a deep sleep, to answer the door.
James: Mr. Landry and Dr. Lynn is here.
I open the door wider as James moves to the side revealing a petit older Asian woman and a blushing Gram. I look between the two for a second. The woman clears her throat drawing my attention to her.
Dr. Lynn: Mr. Santino I usually don't make house calls but I'm making an exception tonight, so are you going to stand in the door way all night, or are you going to let me by so I can check on Emma. My Patient!
She may be small but she's feisty.
Dante: Of course.
I step aside as she pushes past me setting a medical bag on the end of the bed. Gram shrugs his shoulders and follows. I close the door and we both stand like a couple of impatient Neanderthals.
Rylees perspective:
The sweet soft voice of a woman draws me from my sleep. When I open my eyes I am shocked to see Dr. Lynn. I sit up quickly pressing my back against the head board. Gram is standing next to Dante by the bedroom door both looking gravely concerned.
Dr. Lynn places a hand on my forearm.
Dr. Lynn: How are you feeling Emma.
I look between her and the two men in the room and scrunch my nose.
Rylee: I'm fine.
She looks back at Gram and Dante and back at me. Before I know what's happening she is ushering them out of the room. She maybe small but she is feisty. It's one reason why I admire her and trust her. Dante puts up a fuss, but she will not be intimidated by him.
Dr.Lynn: Mr. Santino I could give a rats ass who you are, my only concern is for my patient, and I need a moment alone with her to do a thorough examination. So I will only say this one last time. Out!
I can't hide the amusement of watching the two of them tuck their tails and allow the 5'4 100lb woman push them out the door. She shuts it and turns the lock. Looking at me with the same grave concern the two men had a second ago.
Dr.Lynn: Scoot forward dear.
She pulls out her stethoscope and listens to my heart telling me when to breath. She then fishes out a manual blood pressure monitor.
Dr. Lynn: Vitals are good. Lye down.
She begins pressing on my belly. I wince when she hits a few tender spots but it's the nausea that I'm trying hard to keep at bay. She looks up at me with a squint. I'm not doing a very good job of pretending that things are ok. Not when in truth my gut feels like it's been used as a punching bag.
Dr.Lynn: How long has this been going on for.
Rylee: Since Tuesday.
Dr. Lynn: When was your last cycle.
Rylee: I spotted last week. But you know it's never been normal.
Dr.Lynn: When did you take the last pill.
Rylee: I ran out the week after I last saw you.
Dr.Lynn: Have you been having unprotected sex.
Rylee: Yes, you said I couldn't get pregnant.
Dr.Lynn: In theory I didn't believe you could giving your condition.
She pulls out a pregnancy test from her bag and tells me to go use it. I leave the test on the bathroom counter and take a seat next to Dr. Lynn on the bed.
Rylee: How did my dad get you here?
The blush on her cheeks gives it away.
Rylee: You and my dad? How long has this been going on for?
Dr.Lynn: I met Noah just after your first visit. I'm pretty sure he had planned it. Maybe to get information about you but, one thing lead to another and one date became two and so on. He's such a good man and father. A little possessive maybe but he loves you.
Rylee: And you him apparently.
Her smile widens and I can't help but feel happy for Gram. Now I know why he mentioned staying a ghost. He doesn't want her to know who he was before.
Rylee: So what happens if that test is positive.
Dr. Lynn: You'll come into the office tomorrow so I can run a blood test and take a look with the ultrasound. We can go from there.
Rylee: You said if some how I did get pregnant. I wouldn't be able to carry it.
Dr. Lynn puts her hand over mine and gets up.
Dr.Lynn: Shall we.
She holds out her hand and I follow her to the bathroom. We both look down at the test to see the positive symbol. Tears flood my eyes. Mixed of emotions. I want to be happy, shout out with joy and yet I feel the gut wrenching feeling of knowing this moment will be short lived. Dr.Lynn rubs my arm.
Rylee: Is it too late to get that medicine you mentioned. Could I start taking it now.
She smiled but it was a smile of uncertainty.
Dr.Lynn: Anything is possible. This test is proof of that. But let's start with one thing at a time. Be at my office at ...
She stops to pull out her phone.
Dr. Lynn: Since it's already morning, be to my office at 12 tomorrow. We'll start with the blood work and ultrasound.
She walked back over to the bed and pulled out a box of tea.
Dr.Lynn: Drink this for the nausea.
Rylee: Thank you Dr. Lynn.
When she pulls open the door Dante nearly topples over her from being pressed against the door. He quickly recovers looming over her waiting for answers. She hands him her card.
Dr. Lynn: Bring her to me at noon tomorrow.
He takes the card and nods his head but he doesn't fully acknowledge her as his eyes have settled on mine. Gram and James wait anxiously but there faces fall with disappointment as Dr. Lynn instructs Gram to take her home.
Gram: Is she ok
I hear him say as Dante closes the door studying me as he walks slowly to me and cups my face.
Dante: What did the dr say. Are you ok? Why do you need to go see her tomorrow?
Rylee: I told you I'm fine. At the moment.
Dante: What the hell is that suppose to mean.
I pull one of his hands away from my face and drag him over sitting on the bed. I hand him the test. His first reaction is joyous, till he looks into mine.
Dante's perspective:
I nearly fell on the dr when she opened the door. It barely registered that she was talking when I saw the lost look on Rylees face. Something about taking her to the office tomorrow and then the door clicked. I took Rylees face in my hands desperate for answers. She sat us on the bed and held up the pregnancy test. When I saw the little positive symbol my heart swelled with joy.
For a few seconds I was on cloud nine. The happiest luckiest guy in the world. The second my eyes landed on hers full of fear and sorrow I came crashing down into reality. If she is really pregnant. It could be short lived.
I took her in my arms and held her tight. After a few minutes she pulled away picking up the box of tea from the bed and headed for the door.
Dante: James is out there. Let me go fix that for you while you change. What is it for?
Rylee: The nausea.
I grab the box and kiss her forehead before retreating to the kitchen. James flies off the couch waiting further instruction. Or rather hoping for answers to Rylees condition. I smack his arm on the way into the kitchen to start the water for her tea.
Dante: Everything's fine for now. Go home get some sleep. When Rylees ready she'll let you know.
He's a little disappointed that I'm not going to tell him but he respects Rylee and understands.
James: Alright. Have a good night sir.
Dante: Good night James.
He's almost out the front door when I stop him. They have all been worried and deserve to know. But it's Rylees place to say.
Dante: let them all know she's ok. She needs to go in for some tests tomorrow and then we'll know what's going on for sure.
He nods offering an understanding smile. Once the water is ready I fix the tea plop an ice cube in it and take the mug into the bedroom. Rylee is half sitting up curled in a ball in one of my T-shirts' against multiple pillows with her phone to her ear.
Rylee: I'm fine Gram. We'll know more tomorrow after Dr. Lynn runs a blood test and does an ultrasound.
I set her tea on the night stand next to her and walk around to my side of the bed removing all but my boxers before crawling in behind her.
Rylee: Of course I'll call you after. Unless you're planning on taking the doctor to lunch tomorrow for dragging her ass out of bed at midnight.
Her subtle humor and giggle brings a sliver of relief. When she hangs up the phone she picks up the tea taking a few sips.
Rylee: Thank you.
Dante: You want me to get you some crackers or something.
She shakes her head picking the mug back up and takes a few more long sips and settles down further into the pillows. Since the age of 14 I've known I was going to mary Rylee and have kids with her. But because of my father we are both stuck in this in between of utter happiness and possible devastation. As much as I want this pregnancy to be real and for her to cary to full term. Her life matters more.
Rylees perspective:
Dante's face is riddled with the same mix of emotions as I'm feeling. The thought of having his children was a dream before. But the likely hood of not caring this baby to full term is the reality. I sip the tea Dante made and already I feel a little better. I sink into the pillows while Dante lifts my shirt placing a kiss on my belly before settling along side of me resting his hand where he had just left a lingering kiss.
Rylee: I suppose all parents feel this way from time to time. The over joy of creating a life followed by a dreadful fear of losing it.
Dante: You're the strongest woman I know. What ever happens baby we will get through it.
Rylee: It's a lot like how I felt when I first saw you back in the states after all these years. Overwhelmed with happiness and hope that the love would still be there and yet terrified you would hate me for what I was going to do.
Dante: Rylee you have to know you are my world. Nothing will ever change that.
Rylee: You say that now. But what about if and when we lose this baby. What about when I kill your father.
Dante: What about it. As long as I still have you in the end. That's all that matters to me. You are all that has ever mattered to me.
I kiss his cheek as I turn into his broad chest. Feeling his strength and warmth surround me, helps ease the chaos in my mind.