Because she had no clue what to do either.

“I’m bleeding, Jordie,” she cried out, sucking in a breath and then letting it out slowly. “I’m not supposed to be bleeding!” She sounded like a two-year-old having the biggest meltdown known to man, but she wasn’t thinking clearly. This wasn’t fair.

Sobbing, she looked up at him for help. He had to know what to do, because she was about to lose it. She wanted this child, she wanted it so fucking badly, but she was bleeding it out. Squeezing her thighs together, she let her face fall into her hands, praying that she could keep the baby in.

It had to work.

“Okay,” he said as calmly as he could, but she knew it was taking all the will in him to stay calm. “Come on, let’s call the doctor. I’m sure it’s nothing, just a little hiccup. Come on, baby,” he said, urging her to move, but she wouldn’t budge.

“No, Jordie, I can’t move. I have to keep it in me,” she cried, and she felt his exhale of breath. It felt like defeat.

“Okay,” he whispered before he lifted her into his arms, holding her legs tightly as he carried her out of the bathroom. “I won’t let that happen.”

That did her in, and soon she was crying so hard, she couldn’t breathe.

“It’s going to be fine, let’s call the doctor,” he tried again, but she wasn’t listening. She couldn’t. Not even when she heard him on the phone did she believe him. Especially when he said they needed to get to the ER, that her doctor would meet them there. No, all she could do was hold her thighs together tightly.

Praying to God that he’d let her have this baby. That she’d never ask for anything else for the rest of her life.

Just keep my baby alive, she begged as Jordie slowly dressed her. When she watched him put a pad in her panties before sliding them up her thighs, she closed her eyes tightly, unable to understand this. As he slowly cleaned up the blood on her thighs, he was so careful and it only made her cry harder. He was trying so hard, but she could see it in his movements, his eyes, he was barely keeping it together. He was scared, but he couldn’t be as scared as she was. This was only his baby, but this was her life. Because she knew he wouldn’t stay. If she couldn’t have kids, he’d leave. No matter how much he loved her, she truly believed he’d find another reason to leave. He had always wanted kids, and his love for her, his need for her, was new. But a baby, no, that need had always been there.

And she may not be able to give him that.

Kacey cried the whole way to the hospital while Jordie held her close. As he carried her into the ER, she saw that Dr. Richards was waiting for them and directed them back without checking in. Or so she thought. Once Jordie laid her on the table, a nurse came in to get her info and it was beyond hard to talk to her. Jordie did most of the talking while still holding her and telling her that everything was going to be okay. She wanted to believe him, more than she wanted her next breath, but she just didn’t feel it. Dr. Richards looked worried, the nurse did too—but Jordie, while he was scared and a little panicked, when his eyes met hers she could see he believed that this baby was okay.

That Kacey was okay.

“Doc, tell me she’s okay,” Jordie said as Dr. Richards listened to her heart while the nurse brought in an ultrasound machine and some other things. But it all seemed like a blur. She was staring at Jordie, memorizing his face as tears rushed down her cheeks.

“We are going to do a pelvic exam and check for a heartbeat, but I’m hopeful. Let me clean up and I’ll get started,” he said quickly as Jordie looked down at her. His shoulder fell as he cupped her face, leaning his forehead to hers.

“Baby, it’s fine. Please, calm down. Stop crying, you’re killing me here,” he begged, but her lip still quivered, her heart breaking.

“You’ll leave me,” she whispered, and his brow furrowed as he watched her.

“What? Why?”

“’Cause I can’t have kids.”

“Kacey, don’t say that,” he said quickly, but she shook her head.

“No, if I lose this baby, I doubt I’ll be able to keep anything, and you won’t stay with me. You love kids, want your own, and I can’t fucking give them to you,” she cried and he took ahold of her shoulders, shaking her gently.

“Fucking no, Kacey. Stop! You have to stop this. I’m with you for you, not for what you can give me as an extra bonus. Stop. Okay? Just stop.”

But her eyes fell shut as she sucked in a deep breath. “I just don’t want to lose you.”

“You aren’t. Stop,” he demanded, his voice sharp as she exhaled deeply, feeling like everything was leaving her body. Leaning forward, her face fell into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead. “Baby, I love you. I do, so much. Please, just stop thinking like this. You’re all I need,” he promised and she felt his words vibrating his soul.

But did he mean them?

When Dr. Richards came back into the room, she figured she was about to find out.

“All right, lie back, Kacey,” he said and Jordie helped her lie down. “Oh, you still have panties on.”

Jordie let her go to take them off as she lay there, staring at the ceiling, begging the good Lord above to let this be a dream. Dr. Richards moved her feet into stirrups as Jordie came back to her head, his cheek against hers as the doctor slowly parted her thighs. She wanted to keep them squeezed together, but she figured it was no use. As much as she wanted to believe that the baby made it, she could still see the bright red of her blood.