Carl： Caveman Instinct series 2.5(33)

“I have to go.” She groaned. She turned and was sick into the bucket.

Okay that was it. She had to go to hospital. No more letting her win. Annabelle had been fighting me on this for days. Yesterday I even considered calling her mother, but then I’d never get rid of the woman. Now I wished I’d done it. I would have gladly put up with Darla if Annabelle was in hospital getting better. Reaching over to the phone I called Rafe. “Get the car ready. I’m taking Annabelle to work. She needs fluids and I want some tests done.”

“I’ll see you in the car.” Rafe replied.

Gently picking up Annabelle, she moaned and rested her head against my chest. “I don’t want to go to hospital.” My heart sank when her voice was barely a whisper. I should have fought harder the last couple of days and not let it get to this stage, but I was arrogant and thought I could handle her care on my own.

Once in the car and on our way to the hospital I rang and told them what to expect. I wasn’t surprised when we pulled up to emergency that they stood waiting. I lifted a limp Annabelle out of the car and turned to the head obstetrician, Dr. Kara Bay. She was a lady in her mid-fifties, tall, with greying brown hair and green eyes that didn’t miss a thing. I had great respect for her and she was one of the few doctors I was willing to trust with Annabelle.

“She’s around four to six weeks pregnant. The morning sickness started about a week and half ago. I have been giving her maxolon orally, but she hasn’t been keeping anything down. I should have brought her in sooner. She’ll need fluids and I want her blood pressure monitored.” I carefully placed Annabelle on the rolling bed and gently pressed my lips to her forehead. “I’m sorry honey.”

“Dr. Silverman we will take very good care of your—”

“My fiancée. Annabelle Clarkson.”

I didn’t miss the slight widening of Dr. Bay’s eyes. To give her credit she didn’t show any other signs of shock at my announcement. She nodded and turned to nurses. “Put her in room six-zero-two. I want blood work ready for me to take now. Get the ultrasound machine brought to her room.”

Because of who I was, they weren’t taking her to emergency to wait in line to be registered and taken to a room, they took her straight to a private room in maternity. I knew she was going to be in at least a couple of days.

I didn’t leave her side as they wheeled her in and took her to her room, where a nurse helped me undress Annabelle and get her into a hospital gown. Dr. Bay came in the room soon after and took bloods and set up her IV. “I’ll give her a couple of hours for fluids to set in before I do an ultrasound.”

I nodded. I knew the drill. Annabelle, gave a slight jerk of her head in acknowledgement. I watched Dr. Bay leave before turning my attention back to Annebelle. “I’m going to call your mum and our family.”

“Okay,” she croaked.

 I stroked her hair, leaned over to her and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be just at the window.”

She closed her eyes and I went to the window, calling her mother first.

By the time I’d called our family, and convinced Annabelle’s mother twice, to stay where she was, Dr. Bay was back with a nurse moving in an ultrasound machine.

Going back over to Annabelle I sat on the chair closest to the bed. Annabelle dozed, her breathing more settled. When I reached for her hand I threaded my fingers through hers and her eyes fluttered open. When she saw what the nurse brought in, a tiny smile spread over her lips.

“I get to see my baby?” she rasped. She sounded a lot better than before, but still dry.

I squeezed her hand and went to answer but Dr. Bay beat me to it. “Yes, Miss Clarkson, but because you’re not that far along I need to know you’re okay with me using the stick. It will need to be inserted. Dr. Silverman can leave if you like while I do it.”

I fucking well wasn’t going anywhere. I didn’t have to voice my feeling though, Annabelle clutched my fingers tighter and shook her head. “No. I don’t want Carl to leave me.”

Dr. Bay put a wrap over the stick and added gel. “Alright then Miss Clarkson. If you could spread your legs please. This will feel a little cold and if it becomes uncomfortable please tell me.”

Bringing Annabelle’s hand up, I kissed her knuckles. I watched the screen anxious to see my child too. When the screen came up on my bean I narrowed my gaze as something wasn’t right. Darting my gaze up at Dr. Bay, I hated that she was quiet. Wasn’t she supposed to tell us things like, measurements, show us the heartbeat and so on?

Careful of my reaction so I didn’t scare Annabelle, I took a calming deep breath in and slowly let it out and turned on doctor mode. I could see one bean like shape, but as I looked closer, a second shape became apparent.