Chapter 77
At the hospital, Lynne was whisked into an examining room, Kevin being allowed to stay with her as fetal monitors and other devices were placed on her stomach to monitor the baby’s heart beat.
"Is the baby okay?" he asked, tears forming in the corner of his tired green eyes.
Seeing the fear in his eyes, Lynne calmly took his hand and squeezed it. "I’m in labor, Kevin. They are just trying to make sure the baby isn’t in distress."
As the final lead was connected, a loud resounding heartbeat was heard throughout the room, startling Kevin. He turned to Lynne and sank into the chair beside her, his hand holding hers firmly as the tears he had been holding cascaded down his face upon hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the first time. HIS baby. The baby he and Lynne had created together while deeply in love with each other.
Letting go of her hand, he placed his hand on her tummy and sobbed until he felt her hand upon his shoulder and her soft voice soothing him.
"I’m so sorry, Kev. I should have told you about the baby."
"Why didn’t you? I thought everything was going so well for us, that you loved me."
It was Lynne’s turn to shed tears as she realized the pain she had inflicted upon him by leaving. "Your career was soaring with each appearance and performance. The last thing you needed was your girlfriend to become pregnant. That would have tarnished your image."
His eyes grew wide in disbelief. "That’s why you left me?"
Shamefully, Lynne bowed her head, her sparkling hazel eyes unable to meet his. "Yes."
"I was going to propose to you on Christmas. I had already bought the ring and everything" he whispered. "Don’t you see? It wouldn’t have mattered. I love you and without you, my life is nothing."
Lynne covered her mouth, the ache in her heart growing larger with each passing revelation of what would have been had she not freaked out and ran away from him. All of the wasted time would never have taken place had she listened to her heart and told him the truth. Now, as she lay in the hospital bed, about to deliver their baby, a tremendous guilt weighed heavily upon her heart. She had robbed him of so much, so many important ‘firsts’ that he could never get back.
"Oh God, what have I done?" she sobbed. "I’m so sorry, Kev. I really screwed up!"
The baby’s heartbeat slowed, sending a bevy of nurses into overdrive. "Go get Dr. Calloway immediately!" one of them shouted.
"What’s happening? What’s wrong?" Kevin asked, rising to his feet, sheer panic evident in his face and in his voice.
"The baby’s heartbeat is dropping" the same nurse said as she turned to him, frustration on her brow. Turning to Lynne she asked, "When is your due date?"
"Umm...two weeks" Lynne said weakly, perspiration forming on her upper lip and forehead. "I...I don’t feel so good."
Kevin turned just in time to see Lynne’s eyes roll back and her body go limp.
"Lynne? Lynne?" he called out. Nothing. She was unresponsive. Turning to the nurse, he yelled, "What the HELL is going on? Help her, damnit! Help her!"