Just then a tall, thin man with gray hair approached them. “Mr. Alexander?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“I’m Dr. Parrish. I was the doctor on call when your wife was brought in.” He paused and then glanced at Ridley.
“Oh, it’s okay. This is my wife’s twin sister.” Nick motioned for him to continue.
“Mr. Alexander, your wife is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, also known as HG. Basically her morning sickness has become so severe as to endanger her and the baby. When she was brought in she was severely dehydrated, which explains why she complained of dizziness and a headache before she collapsed.”
Ridley gripped his arm and looked up at the doctor. “Is my sister going to be okay?”
“She’s only seven weeks pregnant, so we’ve caught it early and can take precautions to make sure she doesn’t get this dehydrated again.”
“Do we know why this happened?” Ridley asked. “Raina’s been trying for so long to get pregnant, so I know she was doing everything she could to be healthy. She was taking her vitamins and eating right.”
The doctor nodded. “I wish I could point to one thing as the cause, but unfortunately the medical community doesn’t agree on what causes HG. It’s been thought that low Body Mass Index could be a cause, but it’s likely a combination of factors, including hormone levels and stress.”
He looked down at the clipboard he held. “We’re going to do rehydration therapy for her, so we’ll need to keep her overnight. Then I’ll give her a prescription to take at home. Here’s some information about her condition.”
Nick accepted the papers the doctor held out and thanked him again. When he turned around, he handed the papers to Ridley.
“I need you to do something for me, Ridley.”
She accepted the papers and tucked them under her arm. “Of course. What do you need?”
He tipped his head toward Raina’s room. “I need you to take care of her for me.”
“And where are you going to be?” Ridley asked. Nick finally had to look away from her searing gaze.
“Anywhere but here.”
Ridley’s face fell. “I don’t understand you, Nick. You’ve fought so hard for her. Look how far you two have come. Now you’re just giving up?”
“You didn’t see her face in there. She’s so upset with me right now. Having me around is causing her stress. It’s not in her best interest for me to be here. I think leaving is probably the most unselfish thing I’ve ever done.”
Ridley crossed her arms and glared at him. “What am I supposed to tell her when she wakes up?”
Nick looked down at his shoes. “Tell her that I love her. Tell her that I’m sorry and I never meant to hurt her. I think it’s best if I move out of her house so she doesn’t have to see me when she comes home. That’s her space. She shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable in her own place.”
“I don’t agree with this. Not at all.” Ridley looked behind her as if afraid that Raina would overhear.
“There’s a time for retreat. This is it.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
MATT FLEXED HIS shoulder and breathed through the pain that lanced up his arm. He gritted his teeth and waited for it to pass. It usually stopped if he kept it completely still. But then again, he usually wasn’t carrying around pregnant women.
“Hey, I’m glad you’re still here.”
Nick stood just outside Raina’s hospital room. He looked like a zombie. Matt cursed inwardly. Why had he spent so much time talking to Raina? He should have just picked her up and put her in the car. He could have gotten her here sooner. If she had complications due to this, he would never forgive himself.
“What can I do to help you? Do you need me to pick up clothes so you can stay here with Raina?”
“No. I won’t be coming back here,” Nick said softly, almost like he was talking to himself. They’d been friends a long time and he’d watched his friend grow from a party animal into a husband and soon-to-be-father. It was starting to feel like all his friends were moving on with their lives.
Leaving him behind.
Matt shook his head and refocused on Nick. His friend was dealing with a lot right now and he needed to be there for him, not feel sorry for himself.