Page 68 of Beau

But that was not going to happen. She was going to be a guest at the clinic, in this room for another three weeks. At least until they were able to deliver the babies. Which was her just punishment, and she was beginning to think that God was punishing her for taking matters into her own hands.

“He is taking a much-needed break. That young man has been running himself ragged, not eating, not sleeping. The doctors gave him a sedative and he is taking a nap in one of the rooms. He told us to wake him if anything goes wrong.” Nurse Doris Beadle was a buxom woman with a no-nonsense attitude and was very efficient. Georgie liked her.

“You are a very fortunate woman.”

She plucked at the sheets restlessly and wondered why her husband had not even come back into the room, if he wasavoiding her. The very moment the thought entered her mind, she dismissed it, the guilt rearing its ugly head.

He had been here all the time, never leaving. When she opened her eyes, she had seen the anguish on his handsome face and recognized that she had put it there.

“I suppose you’re right," she mumbled disconsolately.

Nurse Beadle finished jotting down her notes and nodded in approval.

Pulling up the chair, she sat. “I am due for my coffee break just about now. Pulling a double is never easy, but all I have to go home to is a cat who is terribly spoiled and entitled.”

She pursed her lips. “Never got around to having a husband and kids.” Her light blue eyes bored into Georgie’s “You have a husband who took the time to go to the chapel to send up a prayer for you and afterward, he stuck right here at yourbedside. We all threatened him—begged him to leave, but he would not budge. He stayed.”

Her eyes moistened and she felt as if she was being buffeted by waves. “I need him," she told the woman simply.

“And he needs to rest if he is going to be of any use to you and those babies you are carrying.” The woman’s expression softened. “All of the nurses here are in love with him, but he is in love with you. He is committed.”

She patted Georgie’s hand awkwardly. “Now, it’s on you to get some rest and keep a positive attitude. You are in a good place now and we are all rooting for you and those babies.” She rose and adjusted the tubing.

“Nurse Beadle?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks.”

“Just doing what I am paid to do," she said briskly, but a smile softened her stern lips.

“Get some rest.”

Georgie closed her eyes and tried to settle her mind so she could go to sleep, but it wasn’t happening.

She needed him, needed her husband. She wanted to feel his long, lean body against hers, his arms wrapped around her, reassuring her that she would get through this. Her hands drifted to her swollen belly and felt the reassuring movements there.

They were doing okay, after the trauma they had gone through when they had almost abruptly erupted from their home, they were safe and sound and cushioned. But now she was anxious. What’s going to happen next?

Her hands moved restlessly. She had wanted this badly and now, twice, she was in the clinic, being monitored. It was brought home to her that this was very risky. She had been bleeding and it had been bad.

She had thought of only herself when she went on this crusade to get pregnant. She never considered her husband and what he would go through if anything went wrong.

She had seen the exhaustion on his face, the grief stamped there and knew he had gone through a lot. She recalled snippets of conversations, while she was under. And his voice when he begged her to stay with him.

He was not only physically exhausted, but emotionally as well. He deserved the rest. And she was not going to be selfish. She had done this to him, to them and she was not certain it was such a good idea after all.

*****

He fought the sedative for as long as he could. His mind was not settled, because he had practically rushed from the room as soon as she woke up. After standing vigil at her bedside for two days, he tucked his tail between his legs and went running from her room.

Because he had been unable to deal with all the emotions swirling through his body. It was overwhelming. Pumping the pillows, he tried to find a better position, by rolling to his side. She was all right. She was up and her vital signs had improved.

But he could not help but wonder what next? They had four more weeks to go, and he was not certain he could stand the wait. She would be staying here of course and even if the doctors had not suggested it, he would have. It was better for her here.

If anything happens, medical personnel were present to take care of her. He was not equipped to do so and as much as he wanted to be in his home and in his bed with her wrapped around him, it was better for her to be here.

He was frightened. The very thought of losing her was playing havoc with his emotions.