Say You Swear

“Wait…” She pushes up higher, her eyes scanning along her body. “How long have I been here?”

“Eleven days.”

Her eyes bulge, and he lifts his hands.

“I know it’s a little scary and confusing, but you’re here, your family has been here the entire time, and you’re going to be just fine.”

Her shoulders draw up, but she nods.

“Thankfully all the hard stuff is done. Conservative treatment is all you need. We’ll keep you as comfortable as we can with pain management, and we can also give you something for the nausea you’ll likely still experience. Obviously, we will be keeping you for a little while longer to monitor you, but it shouldn’t be more than a day or two.”

“Okay.” Ari’s voice is small and scared, and I just want to reach for her. “That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Yes, you were extremely lucky.” Dr. Brian clears his throat, his expression goes somber and Nurse Becky looks down, busying herself with Ari’s file.

Something’s off. I can feel it.

“Ms. Johnson, after the accident, your body went into hypovolemic shock due to the amount of blood you lost.”

“Okay…” She waits.

He nods. “Your organs began to shut down as of result of your injuries, a blood transfusion was necessary…”

I jump to my feet unable to sit still any longer. “Dr. Brian, with all due respect, can you spit it out already, because I’m starting to freak the fuck out over here and I know you’re getting at something.”

“Noah, come on, man,” Mason mumbles.

“Don’t. You got a full break down and that” —I jab a finger in Dr. Brian’s direction— “is not what you told us. You made it sound like she bumped her fucking head! I had no idea all that other shit was happening.”

“Please Noah,” Nurse Becky tries to soothe. “This is a lot for everyone to take in. Maybe now is not the time?”

I look back at Ari, who is frowning at her lap, and I instantly feel like a dick. I nod, lowering into the chair once more.

“You know what, actually…” Mason jumps up just then. “I think we should go out while you talk to her.” His voice ticks nervously. “You know, give her some privacy.”

“Are you fu—” I’m about to lose my shit when my girl speaks up, cutting me off.

“No, don’t go,” she pleads, holding his gaze for a few seconds.

Finally his features cave, defeat building across him. His eyes flick to me before he drops them to the floor, his arms coming up to fold around the back of his head.

“Dr. Brian,” she prompts.

He nods his head. “Mrs. Johnson?”

“Miss,” I correct automatically.

“Miss?” The doc looks from me to his file. “Becky?” He turns to his nurse in confusion.

She flicks her gaze to Mason. “Mr. Johnson? Are you or are you not Arianna’s husband?” she asks him in a very motherly tone.

The others chuckle at her mistake, but my glare would cut through him, if possible, especially when he refuses to lift his eyes from the ground. “No, ma’am, I’m her twin brother.”

“What the fuck is going on?” I step around the bed, eyeing him.

“Oh dear,” Becky whispers, her eyes sliding my way. “I guess I assumed the situation was a little unconventional.”

“Mason,” I snap.

“Noah please.” Cameron grabs onto my arm and turns back to the doctor. “It’s just a misunderstanding.”

I frown, turning so my body is facing Ari’s, the doctor standing to her right.

“It’s fine. Please, say what you need to say,” Ari urges.

“I’m very sorry to have to tell you this, but by the time we were aware, it was too late—”

“Too late for what?” she cuts him off, tension enveloping her as she clutches the blanket in her hands.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Johnson, I’m afraid you lost the baby.”

Chapter 38

Noah

* * *

I jolt, my muscles spasming as a sheet of ice falls over me, immobilizing me from the inside out. Gasps fill the room, and my body becomes too heavy to hold, someone beside me now, holding mine up. The doctor’s lips continue to move, but his words don’t reach my ears.

A wave of nausea hits me, and I sway.

A hand falls on my shoulder.

Confusion, hurt, anger, rage, sadness, loss.

I feel everything.

Agony, true and complete.

I can’t breathe.

Baby. My baby.

Our little baby…

Gone?

“I… what?” My beautiful angel’s voice cuts through the haze and my eyes lift. “I was pregnant?” Her shattered whisper cuts through, me and my hands ball to fists.

It takes all my might to push myself up, and even then, someone helps me to my feet.

The doctor says something else, and then he’s gone.

I swallow the bile threatening to spill from my throat. “I’m so sorry, Juliet. No one told me. I didn’t know.”

“Oh my god,” she cries, tears spilling down her cheeks before she buries them in her hands.

“Baby,” I crack, anger and sadness stinging my eyes in the form of tears, and I snap out of it, making my way to her bedside.