“She’s pregnant,” Jesse announced, sitting alongside her. He took her hand and squeezed, while his other hand rubbed circles on her back.
The doctor bent on one knee beside her. “How far along?”
“About four months.” Tori’s voice shook.
The doctor frowned. “Let’s get her to my office.”
Jesse scooped her into his arms and headed for the door. The commotion caused most of the guests to stare in their direction, and the band to cease playin
g.
The rain had stopped, but slippery mud coated the ground. Dr. Hendricks walked ahead of them to his own buggy. Jesse settled Tori in their carriage and hurried to the other side. As he tucked the blanket around her knees, the street light emphasized the bright red stain on his sleeve. Her vision tunneled and bright lights danced in her eyes, right before she passed out.
Jesse worked off his excess energy pacing in the doctor’s parlor. He rubbed the back of his neck with shaky fingers, closing his eyes each time Tori moaned. Deep gulps of air didn’t slow the pounding of his heart.
At one point, he dropped his head in his hands when she screamed in pain. It took a great deal of control not to bust down the door to be with her. Although not an expert on pregnancy, the sounds emanating from the other room and the blood on his sleeve could only mean one thing.
He had intended to talk to the doctor, to make sure making love wouldn’t harm the baby, but with his heavy work load, and Tori’s adamant insistence that no one know about her pregnancy, he’d kept putting it off.
The clock chimed twelve. The dance was over two hours ago. Dr. Hendricks came out from his office. Tension lines etched his mouth and brow, and his normally healthy skin carried a gray pallor. Grief-stricken, Jesse’s lungs couldn’t hold air, and he covered his face with shaky palms.
Doc Hendricks placed his hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, son. We lost the baby.”
“Tori?” Jesse wiped at his damp eyes and glanced at the older man.
“She’s in some pain, but she’ll be all right.”
“This is my fault.” He groaned and collapsed onto the couch.
“It’s nobody’s fault.” The doctor sat alongside him. “These things happen, most often to women having their first baby. Think of it as God’s way of preventing a weak life. Babies who are lost in early pregnancy are not generally strong enough to live a normal life. You must view this as a blessing. You and Tori are both young and healthy.” He smiled at the last words.
“You don’t understand.” Jesse looked at the kind, older doctor. “I wanted to talk to you. Find out if we could continue to, you know...while Tori’s pregnant. But I never did.”
The doctor chuckled. “I’m not making light of your question, but many young husbands need to be reassured on this. The miscarriage didn’t happen because of activities enjoyed by newly married couples.” He winked at him, then grew serious. “You’re going to have to be strong for Tori. She’s very upset, and the last thing she needs is to see you blaming yourself for something only God controls.”
Jesse rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.
“Your wife can go home any time. But she needs bed rest for at least a week. She’s lost a considerable amount of blood, so make sure she drinks lots of liquids and eats nourishing food. Send for me if she develops a fever, but I think she’ll be fine.” He stood and squeezed Jesse’s shoulder.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. I’ll leave some blankets for you. She’ll need to keep warm on the ride home. Now, put a smile on your face, and go see your wife. She needs you to be strong.”
Jesse entered the dimly lit room. Tori laid on her back with her eyes closed, her small, delicate hands over her now flat stomach. He cringed at her swollen eyes.
“Hi, honey. How do you feel?”
“Tired.” She didn’t open her eyes.
He reached for her hand. Ice cold. “Are you in much pain?”
“Some. The worst is over.”
He had to bend to hear her whispers. Not sure what to do next, he leaned over and gently kissed her on the forehead. “Dr. Hendricks says you can go home.” When she didn’t answer, he moved back. “I’ll go get the carriage ready with blankets the doc left me, and I’ll be right back for you.”
She didn’t move. Had she fallen asleep? He left the room, gathered the blankets, and went outside. Thankfully, the rain had stopped, and a few stars had already made their appearance. After he arranged the blankets in the back of the carriage, he returned to the house to get his wife.
Tori lay on her side, hands covering her eyes, shoulders jerking in tiny spurts. His heart pounded in his ears as he lifted her as if she were a delicate china doll, and headed for the door.