I’m aware that I’m talking a mile a minute but that’s only because I’m thinking a mile a minute. If I stop, I might just break down.
Thankfully, Uri’s hand lands on my shoulder and the weight of him, the pressure of his fingers, forces me to take a deep breath and concentrate on what the doctor is trying to explain to both of us.
“For now, I suggest that you admit yourself into this ward so that I can keep a close eye on you and the babies, monitor their progress in the next few weeks.”
My jaw drops. “Admit myself?”
“That’s not happening,” Uri says firmly. “I’m taking her back home after this appointment.”
Dr. Grigory looks uncomfortable as he gets to his feet. “Sir, Mr. Bugrov… With the way this pregnancy is going, it looks like the last trimester is going to be the hardest for Alyssa. She’s going to be lucky if she gets to carry these babies to term.”
Fear pumps through my heart. I jump in before Uri can say another word. “What do you mean by that? There’s a question of me not carrying these babies to term?”
His eyebrows lower and his face wrinkles with frown lines. “I don’t mean to alarm you, but it’s important that you know exactly what’s happening.”
I grip Uri’s hand tightly. He’s staring daggers at the doctor as though Grigory is personally responsible for my high-risk pregnancy. But I can’t worry about his reaction right now. Not when I’m trying desperately to contain my own. “I want to know exactly what’s happening.”
Dr. Grigory gives me a sympathetic smile. “At the rate your pregnancy is progressing, I’ll be happy if you make it to thirty weeks.”
My eyes feel like they’re about to pop out of my head. “I’m sorry… Did you say thirty weeks? That’s only three weeks away!”
“Correct.”
“Doctor, t-that can’t be right. I’ll only be seven months or so… my babies will be born more than two months premature.”
“Yes, but we have the facilities here to make sure that those babies survive a premature delivery. If, however, you were to go to your home, I’m not sure we’d get the babies back to the hospital fast enough to save them.”
I look up at Uri in mute horror. He squeezes my hand but his eyes are trained on Dr. Grigory. “How serious is this?”
“More serious than I would’ve liked,” the doctor admits with a sigh. “She’s going to need complete bed rest from now on and constant monitoring. The best place for her is right here.”
Uri’s jaw clenches hard. “Can the less-developed baby survive a premature delivery?”
Dr. Grigory really needs to work on his poker face, because the little cringe he gives Uri by way of an answer feels completely unprofessional and way too close to hopeless for my liking. “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure they both survive.”
I fight back tears. “That wasn’t a yes.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t make any promises. All I can do is give you the best possible medical advice I can to ensure that both your babies are born healthy. And that includes admitting yourself today.”
I have whiplash from the abrupt turn this appointment has taken. Gulping, I whisper, “Uri, if this is what’s best for them…”
He closes his eyes and breathes. After a moment, the angry downward V of intensity etched into his forehead eases and disappears. “Of course. We’ll admit you. If that’s what the doctor thinks is best.”
I give him a shaky smile. “Thank you.”
He turns back to Grigory. “She is going to have twenty-four hour security.”
“The hospital is equipped with security staff, Uri.”
“I want my men on duty. They’re the only ones I can trust right now. Now. if you can give us a few minutes…”
The doctor bows out immediately and Uri turns his focus on me. “I know you’re worried, but it’s going to be okay.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because you’re a great mother already. And you’re going to keep those babies safe inside you for as long as you can.”
“What if I can’t?”
“Then Grigory will save them for us. Whatever happens, we’re leaving this hospital with two children.”
He’s so confident that it’s hard not to believe him. He just has the kind of presence, the kind of power that makes me believe he can move mountains. I grip his arms tightly, hoping that some of that confidence will rub off on me. “Uri… I’m scared.”