Chapter two: new flames

Drew swept me off my feet without a second thought into the car, placing my head softly on the head rest.

After adjusting my legs firmly into the car, he dashed into the driver's seat.

He somehow managed to remain calm, but from the swiftness of his movements and the tiny beads of sweat which formed on his forehead, the nervousness he felt showed.

“My baby..” I kept repeating, my fingers scratching the corners of my seat, Drew's seat, the hem of my clothes and every other surface my hand could land on.

Drew then dipped his hand into his pocket and reached for his phone.

He took a deep breath and contemplated dialing the number on the phone.

“Mr Derrick…., he paused.”

“Mrs Rebecca is right now in a critical condition, and I'm taking her to the family hospital. "Your presence will be of huge importance," he said rigidly.

But his eyes had sooner dimmed and his jaws clenched tightly. He then returned the phone to his pocket.

“You just finished speaking with my husband Drew, is everything alright?” I asked worriedly.

His eyes locked with mine as he stole a quick glance at me through the rear mirror.

“He is in a meeting,” he said rigidly once again.

“It's Thanksgiving, and it's a holiday. So there are no meetings.” I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Tell me Drew, is my husband in trouble? Is he fine? Because i know Derrick, he does not take matters like this lightly.”

Drew scoffed. Taking a sharp bend into the hospital, he swiftly led us to the parking lot.

He stepped right down and opened the door.

“Mrs Rebecca,” he said softly for the first time, his baritone ringing in my ears.

“Your husband is safe and fine, but you, you are the one who is not.” he paused, taking my hand.

I took in a sharp breath as his skin touched mine. Taken aback by his gesture, our eyes locked in once again and those green pearls penetrated my soul.

“I need you to be strong for your baby and for yourself, no matter what the condition is,” he said.

I shook my head momentarily, fighting back the wave of emotions that bottled in me, and nodded my head.

He took me by my arm and led me out of the car.

I held his hands tightly when the nurses sighted me from afar with the blood stain embedded in my bright pink dress.

I gave his hand a tighter squeeze.

“ Drew, I'm scared…” “i need Derrick..” I muttered.

My heart sank as the nurses approached even further, but i felt his hand wrap around mine softly as he stared into my eyes innocently.

“There is no way the strongest and most stunning woman I've ever met can ever be scared, not while I’m there to protect her.” He said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Ma'am please, you need to get in bed,” the nurse said.

I swallowed, extending a weak smile to him. His words were truly heartfelt. I thought.

“Please check up on Derrick.” I tugged on to his fingers.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Immediately, they placed me on a mobile bed and as they rolled me away, our hands untangled.

“Don't worry ma'am, you will be fine, and you will get to be with your husband again,” the nurse said.

I smiled uneasily, and then she pierced a syringe into my flesh.

I took a deep breath as I felt the sedative which was injected into my blood kick in, till it all went blank.

-

I sat up fully clothed in the hospital wearing on the bed,

I quickly assessed my body and the blood stain was gone.

“She's awake,” a nurse said,

“How's my baby?” The words flew out of my mouth non-hesitantly.

She smiled briefly without uttering a word. As she opened the door, Drew let himself in.

“Your baby is in good condition, and you are free to go.” He said softly, handing me the freshest tulip flowers I had ever received.

He then leaned in to plant a kiss on my forehead but I turned my face, causing his lips to brush past my cheeks.

My toes curled as his lips made slight contact with my skin.

“I'm sorry ma'am,” he said. His tone was once rigid again.

What was he thinking?

“Prepare the vehicle, i have Thanksgiving to meet up.” I said coldly.

As I watched him exit the hospital room, suddenly, I felt the need to reach out to him, tell him I didn't mean it and ask him to lay over my head.

I mentally pinched myself. “Get a hold of yourself Becca, will you?”

This is definitely not good. I kissed my teeth saying.

Immediately, I reached for my phone and dialed Derrick's number.

Maybe it was the guilt from sharing a moment with Drew hanging on my neck, but I silently prayed the call had fallen into voicemail.

“Rebecca..” I heard him say over the phone. His voice was tight.

“Der ..um… Derrick..” I mumbled. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You naughty boy,” a female voice giggled over the phone.

What?!....who the hell was that? My mind raced.

I felt my throat run dry.

But still, I swallowed. Canceling every thought as I clung onto the phone tightly.

“Derrick… you were meant to come see me at the hospital.” My voice cracked.

“You were smart to have successfully terminated the pregnancy,” he said brashly.

“It's…it's not terminated yet,” I said, barely in whispers.

“It's Thanksgiving Derrick…and I'm thankful for this gift,” I paused, saying.

"You and I, we can do this together. We can raise a family."

“Please Derrick, don't make me terminate this baby.”

“Well, you can kiss this marriage goodbyes then,” he said, ending the call abruptly.

The phone slipped from my hand as his final words fell on my ears.

How do I kiss a marriage I have fallen so deeply in love with, a goodbye?