Randomly dedicated to QueensVarice, xDontCallMeAngelxx, WoodZac, GladysAbire

Grace's P.O.V

My feet were digging scuff marks into the linoleum flooring as I paced back and forth. I had one hand folded over my stomach and the other nervously twirling hair at the nape of my neck. I was an anxious wreck. My stomach clenched and churned as my imagination ran wild with scenarios. I saw a vision of Levi in an unconscious state while nurses hoovered over him. Their expressions grim, stripped of any hope. Other times, I saw him crying in an empty room. No one was around to comfort him and his wheeze was even worse than before.

What if he isn't okay? What's going to happen to him? How could I have let this happen?

That last thought was a personal scold and I cringed internally. I was trying hard to retrain my thoughts. I was used to unfair judgement coming from myself. Scolding and diminutive thoughts haunted me in my marriage and here they were again. From the victims of abuse class I was taking, I had learnt how to counteract those negatives with positive affirmation. It was a slow process for me and I definitely wasn't feeling positive at the moment. I still managed to mumble some comforting words;

You're not to blame for this Grace.
This isn't your fault.
This isn't your fault.

I could feel tears prickling the back of my eyes again. They would come and I had no power to wield them away.

"Nora," I whispered then stopped. My sister and her fiance were cuddled so tightly that it seemed wrong to disturb them. They needed each other right now.

I would have to be my own comfort.

I turned around before a tear could slip from my eyes. I stared out the window at the parking lot, desperate to distract myself.

"Grace?" I heard the distant buzz of a voice say my name, causing a flicker of recognition to spark within me. Was I hearing correctly?

"Grace," the voice was stronger now. Closer.

I heard the quiet shuffling of feet behind me. Then they stopped.

"Gracey," the name was barely audible, more breath than anything as it tickled the back of my neck.

I turned so suddenly that I slammed into the chest of the individual. Two strong arms wrapped around my body in an effort to steady me. Even after I was settled, they stayed there, holding tightly.

A small sob escaped my lips and then I was weeping franticly. In between my tears, I tried to explain what had happened, but I doubt anything was decipherable with my blubbering.

Jeremy's P.O.V

It took me at least twenty minutes to get to Mercy General. I dashed in anxiously looking for Grace. The woman behind the desk was on a call and briefly pointed down the hall when I asked for directions to the waiting room. I took off in a jog down the corridor. My heart hammering in my chest. The first thing my eyes landed on was the short blonde hair of Nora. She was sitting with her fiance with her mouth open like she was saying something. She stopped talking when she saw me. Her eyes flashed brightly with rage then subsided quickly like she suddenly remembered something. She nodded to her left and my gaze shifted. Standing way off in the corner with her back to me was Grace. She was staring out the window, but I doubt she was really focused on what she was looking at. I said her name lightly, but she didn't seem to hear. I called her again, this time with a bit more boldness. I saw her shoulders tense up in response, but she didn't turn around. In quick strides I closed the distance between us. I stared directly at the skin on her neck. Very softly I called again, my breath caressing her flesh. She turned around so quickly, that I had to hold her in place. She didn't push me away and I kept my arms around her in an attempt to bring comfort. I wasn't very surprised when she began crying. She must be going through so much right now. She must be so afraid. I'm happy, that despite the circumstances, I'm able to be here for her. She needed that. That's all that matters.

Grace's P.O.V

"It's alright Grace. Levi's going to be okay," his voice was laced with assurance.

I bristled and pulled away from him.

"How are you so sure?" I spat bitterly.

Jeremy didn't flinch. His eyes were glossy as they looked upon me.

"I just believe that he will. His mom's been taking good care of him," he managed a small smile before reaching for me again. His arms went around me once more, and he rested his chin gently on my head. He rocked me and my eyes fluttered close. We stayed like that for a long time.

Someone cleared their throat behind us. Jeremy spun around, causing us to come face to face with the doctor from earlier. My stomach leaped in anticipation.

"How is he?" I blurted out eagerly.

The doctor smiled and introduced himself.

"Dr. Valdos. Are you the mother of the child?"

I nodded as I brushed stray hair strands from my face.

"Boyfriend?" He asked signaling to Jeremy.

"Husband actually and the baby's father," Jeremy answered.

Dr. Valdos nodded in response then took a quick glance at the clipboard he was holding.

"Your son is stable at the moment. We were able to reduce the fever and stabilize his breathing. You're very lucky that his oxygen in take wasn't interrupted. He didn't suffer any oxygen deprivation. However, he has a significant amount of mucus on his chest which could potentially interfere with his breathing again. We're working to reduce that which is why I recommend that he stays overnight just so we can keep an eye on him. I want to run a few more tests just to be sure that everything is okay as well. He'll be ready to go home first thing tomorrow morning," Dr. Valdos finished with a reassuring smile.

I turned to Jeremy.

"I'm spending the night," I stated matter-of-factly.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" He questioned.

"Of course it is! I'm not leaving Levi all alone here," I countered angrily.

"Grace what I mean is, I think you should get some proper rest. I can't imagine how rough last night was for you and it won't be any easier sleeping at the hospital,"

"No. Jeremy my baby is not going to stay here by himself,"

"Grace please. Levi needs you energized. What use will you be to him exhausted and anxious? Plus he isn't going to be here alone. There will be nurses and -"

"No!" I shouted taking a step back from him.

"Grace I think Jeremy has a good point. You've been up all night with a sick child. You need to rest yourself," Nora spoke up from her seat.

I looked back and forth between Jeremy and Nora. They watched me with pleading eyes.

"If I may," Dr. Valdos interjected, "getting a good night's rest is important. Even when your son is released from the hospital, he may still be a bit fussy. He will need you fully. The best thing you can do for him right now is to take care of you."

I released a shaky sigh.

"Okay," I said in defeat, "can I see him now?"

Dr. Valdos nodded then said,
"I can only allow the parents to view him right now."

I glanced at Nora and Robin who smiled with understanding.

Dr. Valdos started down the hallway with Jeremy and I following behind.

"I hope you're not upset at me," Jeremy whispered, "I just want you safe."

"It's fine. You were right. I did have an awful night. I need to rest up."

Dr. Valdas led us into a room with around ten different cribs lined up in a row. There were babies of various ages in each crib. Most were asleep. Some stared at us as we walked by. Others were being tended to by nurses. Dr. Valdas stopped before a crib and stepped aside. Inside was Levi. He had various tubes connected to him. One was in his nose while another was attached to his arm. A machine beeped next to him displaying his vitals. His eyes were closed and his chest rised and fell slowly. He shifted in his sleep and a small cry escaped his lips, but he didn't wake. I reached out and stroked his hair. My lips trembled with great effort as I tried to hold back my tears. Jeremy placed his hand on the small of my back.

"He's going to be okay Grace," he spoke softly, but I made out hints of agony in his voice. This was hurting him as well. It wasn't easy seeing Levi like this.

"We'll come collect him first thing tomorrow, okay?" he encouraged.

I could only nod in response.

Jeremy leaned over and kissed Levi on the forehead gently. Then he turned and did the same to me.

"Ready?" He asked, his dark eyes peering into mine.

"Yeah."

I gave Levi a kiss on the forehead as well and then we followed the doctor out of the room.

"The nurse at the front desk will give you some paper work to fill out. Kindly do so and I'll see you both tomorrow. Don't worry. Your baby is safe here,"

With that Dr. Valdos drifted down the hallway and disappeared round a corner.

Jeremy and I made our way back to Nora and Robin in silence. I filled them in on Levi's state and then we all made our way back to the front desk. While I completed the forms, Nora and Jeremy conversed in hushed tones. It felt funny seeing them talking with each other. Usually, Nora wanted to rip him to pieces. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but Nora didn't look happy. I tired to focus on the paper work before me instead of what they were talking about. I was already feeling  worn out both physically and emotionally. As I signed off on the last form, I heard Nora exclaim loudly,

"I WON'T ALLOW IT JEREMY. ARE YOU MAD?"

I apologized to the nurse for her outburst, but then Jeremy said even louder,

"NORA! IT ISN'T YOUR DECISION TO MAKE!"

I could feel my face getting hot with shame.

I quicky made my way over to them and placed my hands on my hips.

"Have you guys lost your minds? What's with the arguing?"

"Jeremy wants you to go home with him. Over my freaking dead body!!" She hissed while looking Jeremy up and down.

I paused and looked at Jeremy hard.

He stared back stubbornly.

"Why?" I asked him.

"I just think that you need your husband right now... and he needs you as well. No. I'm not trying to take advantage of this situation. I honestly just want to be with you Grace. No funny business," he finished without even looking away.

"Why don't you go crawl up in bed with that knocked up hooligan, huh?" Nora pressed.

Jeremy locked eyes on her and I swore he was going to do something, but then he exhaled loudly and looked at me again.

"She wasn't pregnant. It was all some messed up prank. I swear to you Grace, I've had nothing to do with her since then. I didn't tell you the truth because I didn't think that it would matter. You made it very clear that we weren't going to make it. I've accepted that, but right now let me be what I should have been to you 24/7 - your husband. I promise, I just want to talk and listen. This isn't some elaborate plan to manipulate you into working things out. This isn't some sick effort to get your in bed with me. I just want to be with you right now please,"

I didn't respond right away and Nora took it as a sign to decide for me.

"Grace... No. You're not doing this. Please tell me that you're not considering entertaining this fool?"

I let her question hang in the air.

The End.

Bwuhahahahah!!! (My very evil laugh)
I'm joking. The story can't end like that😂😏

Question time:
1. Is Jeremy being selfish with his request?
2. What do you think Grace will decide? Should she go or tell Jeremy to hit the road?
3. Is Nora being too overprotective?

As always, your responses mean so much to me. I'm trying my best to up my updates. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop a comment or message me directly. I love you guys!!!💜❤