Going to the fire place, she picked Claire’s picture up, staring down at her older sister. In her arms was Talia. The two people she’d loved in the world. The two people she and Chris had both loved in the whole world.
“I’m trying, Claire. Please, tell me what I should do.” She stared at the photo wishing some answers would come from her sister. Rubbing her stomach, she thought about the life growing inside her.
She didn’t know how long she stared at the picture, and she only stopped at the sound of the phone ringing once again. Getting up from her seat, she walked toward the phone.
“Hello,” she said, answering the call.
“Rach, honey, are you okay?” David asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” Rachel frowned down at the phone wondering why he was calling.
“You’re pregnant and haven’t told Chris. I just spoke to him. He was concerned about you and asked for your hours to be reduced.” She cursed, staring up at the ceiling in the hallway. “I wanted to make sure you were all right. Your shifts aren’t too long, are they?”
“No, they’re fine. I almost told him over the phone. I’m such a bad person. I shouldn’t be telling the man I love that I’m pregnant over the phone.” She cursed her decision hearing David sigh in relief.
“You’re going to tell him tonight?” David asked.
“I’ve got no choice. It’s going to be impossible to deny I’m pregnant when I’m vomiting on Christmas morning. I hate this. I really wish there was something to hide it a little longer,” Rachel said.
“Rach, hiding it is not going to make it go away,” he said.
“I know. I’m not stupid. Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t yell at you. You don’t deserve it.”
She walked down the long hall to the kitchen, putting the kettle on before making her way to the sitting room once again.
“I’m sorry for worrying about you,” David said. “I’m here if you need to talk to me.”
“I know, and I appreciate it.” Rachel hung up after David did. She made to walk out of the sitting room, but she caught her feet on the rug. Crying out, Rachel tried to stop her fall. There was nothing she could have done as she fell onto the coffee table, banging her head. Pain exploded behind her temple, and then everything went black.
****
Chris let himself into the house and didn’t like the silence that met him. He held the Chinese food box in his hands. When he’d gotten to the takeaway he’d been unable to pick just one thing for them to eat, and then he’d figured more Chinese leftovers in the fridge would mean more time spent with Rachel. She wouldn’t have to cook, and they could stuff themselves silly for the next couple of days that he had off.
“Rachel, baby, I’m home.”
No sound came out.
“Rachel, babe, where are you?”
Throwing the keys down on the counter near the telephone he saw the main phone was missing.
“Babe?”
Walking down the hall, Chris started to feel panic grip him. “Rachel?”
Turning at the sitting room, he saw his woman collapsed on the floor.
“Fuck.” Dropping the food, he went to her side. There was a small amount of blood on the edge of the coffee table. “Rachel, baby, what did you do?” He pressed a hand to her neck checking for a pulse.
Her pulse was strong. “Rachel,” he said, shouting her name.
She started to moan, coming around. Shaking her, Chris lost his mind as he stared down at his woman unconscious. He saw she’d hurt herself bad.
“Chris,” she said, moaning. Rachel reached for the cut on the front of her head.
“No, don’t touch it. We’ve got to get you to the hospital,” he said.
There was no way he was risking Rachel’s life without someone checking her over.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked.
“I just said your name. I know who you are.” She sat up, grunting as she did.
He lifted her up, and he watched her hand cupping her stomach.
“Chris, what about the baby?” she asked.
Pausing, he stared down at her. “What are you talking about?”
Her lip wobbled as she looked at him. “I’m so sorry. I was going to tell you, but there has never been a right time to tell you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Taking a deep breath, Chris picked her up. Pregnancies and falls could lead to lots of other complications. “I’m not risking it, Rachel. You’re going to the hospital.”
Walking out of the room, he started for the door.
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t test me about this, Rachel. I’m not risking your life and the life of my son or daughter.” He slammed the door, helping her back into the car.