Free The Proposal by Katie Ashley Page B

verdict?”
    “For now, I’m okay, and Noah’s okay. Some preterm
labor, but they’re able to stop it.”
    Casey and Connor both exhaled noisily. “Thank
goodness,” Connor said.
    A nurse interrupted by coming in to administer the
shot of Turbutaline. She eyed everyone before shaking her head disapprovingly.
“You really shouldn’t have such a crowded room. You need rest and relaxation.”
    “Please don’t make them leave. They are relaxing to
me,” Emma protested.
    She tsked before sticking the needle into Emma’s IV.
“Dr. Pendelton won’t like all these people in here, disturbing you, and he’s
about to come back in to do your ultrasound.”
    “We’ll step outside for a bit,” Casey said
diplomatically.
    “Yeah, we don’t want to get you in trouble,” Connor
agreed.
    When Aidan didn’t budge, Casey shot him a look. “I’m
staying with Emma and my son,” he replied tersely.
    “Whatever,” she snapped before starting for the
door. She and Connor were about to go out when Dr. Pendleton swept inside. They
pressed themselves up against the far wall. Without a hello or an admonishment
to the over-capacity room, he proceeded to do the ultrasound. Emma felt
slightly comforted seeing Noah’s form on the screen. His heart rate had
thankfully calmed down. “He looks like he’s planning on staying inside for
awhile,” Dr. Pendleton remarked before turning off the machine.
    He stood up. “While everything appears to be
improving, I’m going to insist on strict bed-rest for at least the next week to
two weeks. You may lie down or sit, but your feet are only to touch the ground
to use the restroom. I’d advise that you use a seat in the shower, too. Is that
clear?”
    Emma gasped. “But my job—”
    Dr. Pendleton held up a finger to silence her. “Ms.
Harrison, I know it seems that since we have the situation under control at the
moment that all is well, but the future stability of your pregnancy rests on
the care you give yourself in the next ten days.”
    “I understand,” she murmured, trying to calm the
rising panic that pricked its way like needles over her body.
    “As for your job, I’ll fill out the necessary
paperwork for you to take a leave of absence. The most important thing right
now is for you to rest and limit your stress level.  We don’t want any more
premature labor.”
    “How long do I have to stay in the hospital?” Emma
questioned, her voice wavering.
    “I want to keep you over night, and then you’re free
to go home. Let me go check on the status of moving you upstairs.”
    After Dr. Pendleton exited the room, Emma’s emotions
spiraled out of control. She tried fighting with everything in her not to
totally and completely lose it at the prospect that Noah’s life might still be
in danger. It was too much to bear, and she couldn’t stop the floodgates from
opening.  A strangled cry erupted from her lips, sending both Casey and Aidan
racing forward to comfort her. Somehow Casey elbowed Aidan out of the way,
blocking him from getting to her.
    A frustrated grunt came from Aidan. Casey ignored
him and grabbed Emma’s hand. She squeezed it tight and gave her a reassuring
smile. “Don’t cry, Em. It’s all going to be fine. Lots of women have to go on
bed rest for a while, and then the rest of their pregnancies are completely
normal.”
    Between hiccupping sobs, she replied, “I hope so.”
    “I know so. And I’ll take you to Grammy’s first
thing in the morning, and she’ll get you through this.”
    Emma shook her head as the tears slid down her
cheeks. “I can’t go to Grammy’s. Granddaddy had hip replacement surgery a week
ago, and she’s already ragged from taking care of him. I can’t put any more
stress on her at her age.”
    Aidan cleared his throat and sidestepped Casey to
stand in front of Emma. “You’re coming home with me. I’m going to take care of
you.”
    A hiss erupted from Casey. She jerked her hand away
from Emma’s to jab a finger in