“That’s up to her. She’s fighting her injuries the only way the body knows. Her energy is needed to repair the trauma; she’ll wake when she can. In the meantime, we’ll keep her monitored.”
“You said she was pregnant.”
Claire’s heart ached. Did Harry say was?
“Mr. Baldwin, Ms. Nichols is pregnant. The baby is strong and healthy. Ms. Nichols is fighting for two right now.”
Claire wasn’t sure what else they said. The only thing that mattered was that her baby was healthy. She drifted back to the place where her body didn’t hurt.
The beeping continued even in her dreams. She rolled slightly and the tightness in her arm intensified. Claire suddenly remembered when she’d had that feeling ... it was after her accident!
She concentrated on lifting her lids... slowly they obeyed. The florescent beams lit the room as they flowed from under the cabinets. The tubes in the crook of her elbow came into view. She was right; it was the same sensation she had after her accident. As her eyes continued to focus, she saw his golden hair resting near the foot of her bed. Although sleeping in a chair, Harry had his head resting on the bed with his hand over her leg. She remembered him picking her up at the airport; they were going to talk. She went into her condominium, and then... there was fog. Claire closed her eyes... Patrick Chester. She couldn’t remember anything else.
Claire tried to talk, “Harry?”
He didn’t move.
“Harry?”
The blonde head bobbled as Harry raised his head, and his light blue, tired eyes peered toward Claire’s face. “Oh, Claire, you’re awake.”
He climbed toward her as he grasped her hand. “I need to let everyone else know.”
“Everyone else?” Her voice sounded raspy.
“Amber, Emily, John, and Keaton are out there somewhere.”
Her heart sank. Where was Tony? Maybe he didn’t know she was hurt. Of course he knew! Where was he?
“Harry, what happened?” The words were difficult to form with her mouth too dry.
He gripped her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips, “Claire, I’m so sorry.”
She was reeling from everything, “Why are you apologizing? Can I please have some water?”
He reached for the Styrofoam cup sitting nearby. Sipping the water from the offered straw, she relished the coolness as it moisturized her throat. Experience told her not to drink too much. She tried her question again, “What happened?”
“Let’s talk about that after we tell everyone you’re awake.” Claire nodded. There was no need for urgency, somewhere in her memory she’d heard her baby was all right.
Harry hit the nurse button. When the woman in light green scrubs came into the room, she took Claire’s vitals and promised more information after the doctor’s examination. Claire wanted to ask about the baby; however, Harry’s presence made her hesitate.
When Dr. Sizemore entered the room, she asked Harry to leave. He kissed Claire’s forehead and walked into the hall. She heard Amber, Emily, and John’s hushed voices as they questioned Harry beyond the closing door.
“Dr. Sizemore, I don’t know what happened, but please tell me, is my baby all right?”
“Yes, Ms. Nichols. I’ve already shared with Mr. Baldwin that your baby’s vitals are strong.”
“Mr. Baldwin?” Claire asked, puzzled.
“Yes, he said that the two of you...” the doctor’s face blanched. “I know that I shouldn’t have, but I guess I assumed. Ms. Nichols, I’m sorry.”
Claire couldn’t stop the tears. Oh my god! Harry knows I’m pregnant and thinks it’s his! Her thoughts came with such velocity her head spun.
“My head hurts – Doctor.”
“Ms. Nichols, you hit your head very hard. You don’t show signs of a concussion; however, the MRI indicated you’ve had one before.”
Claire nodded. That’s what Dr. Leonard said after her accident. “Yes, I did. That was a while ago. Does that matter now?”
“Well, yes. Any damage to your brain after a previous injury is significant. You also have bruised ribs. You are quite lucky they aren’t broken. Again, I saw evidence of past broken ribs. Ms. Nichols, were you in an automobile accident, in the past?”
Claire inhaled; the action caused her side to hurt. “I had an accident in 2010. Will any of that affect my baby?”
“No, we have pain medicine that won’t hurt your baby. I want you to get some rest. If you do, we can probably release you tomorrow or Thursday.”
Claire’s mind reeled, “Thursday? What day is it?”
“It’s Tuesday. You’ve been unconscious for about thirty hours.”
Thirty hours, why wasn’t Tony here? As happy as Claire was about her baby being healthy, Tony’s absence caused equal sadness. “Please send Mr. Baldwin back in.”
“I will, but you have an entire waiting room of people. Would you like me to let them all come see you?”
“Harry told me they were here.” She failed to sound happy.
Dr. Sizemore squeezed Claire’s hand, “You have a great support system. I apologize for sharing your secret, but everyone is thrilled.”
Although the aching in her heart made it difficult, Claire tried to smile. “Thank you, Doctor, just Mr. Baldwin, please.”
Dr. Sizemore left Claire’s room. Moments later, Harry peered his light blue eyes around the tall, imitation wood door. “May I come back in?” he asked bashfully.
Claire nodded through her tears. “Harry, I remember your voice when Chester was hurting me; please tell me what happened.”
Harry sat on the edge of Claire’s bed, took her hand, and inhaled and exhaled. Chronologically he recounted the events of Sunday night. “I left you at your door. Oh Claire, I’m so sorry I didn’t go in with you.”
She touched his arm. “I remember you weren’t too happy with me. It’s okay.”
“I went to my place and began looking for the number for Chinese take-out. My phone started ringing. It was a blocked number. The first time, I’m sorry to say, I ignored it. The second set of rings I gave in....”
“Yes?”
“It was your ex-husband. I wasn’t in a friendly mood. He was talking so fast I had a hard time following. Basically, he knew someone was in your condo and wanted me to get to you as soon as possible. Honestly, I thought it was some kind of set up. I mean, I’m right there, he’s across the country, how could he know what’s happening in your condo?” Harry paused, “I must agree,” he said with a grin, “Anthony Rawlings can be very persuasive. I expected to find you doing inventory in your room. I used my key and entered.” He shook his head.
“Thank you, Harry. I think you saved my life. Mr. Chester said something about taking me...or me going with him.”
“It was his van we saw in your space. Do you remember that?”
Claire nodded. The action made the room lose focus. She closed her eyes, laid her head back, and tried to keep the world still.
“He had a note ready and supplies in the van. Claire, he planned on kidnapping you and ransoming you, to Mr. Rawlings. He wanted more money.”
Claire felt the world slip away... she was supposed to be kidnapped???
“Claire?” Harry’s questioning voice kept her earthbound. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She looked to the soft blue eyes staring down at her.
Harry continued, “I’m so sorry. You tried to tell me we needed to talk – I was an ass. I keep saying the same thing, but I want you to know that I’m really sorry!”
“What happened to Patrick Chester?”
“When I started to open the door I heard the commotion in the living room. You were on the ground and he was...” Claire saw the anguish in Harry’s expression; she turned her hand and squeezed his. He continued, “He was pulling you by your hair.” Harry took another breath, in and out. “I screamed at him and at the same time, building security and Phil, you know, the guy you call your bodyguard? They came rushing in. Chester freaked. He started to reach for something. I think we all assumed it was a gun. The security guard shot first.”