Chapter 2: The Drive No One Spoke Through
Ryan tried to remain calm.
"Maybe she's sleeping," he said.
But Emily shook her head immediately.
"No."
Her voice trembled.
"No, Ryan."
"She always kicks after breakfast."
Nothing.
No movement.
No tiny foot.
No hiccups.
Nothing.
Sarah called 911 while Ryan helped Emily sit down.
The dispatcher instructed them to leave immediately.
Within minutes, Ryan sped toward Saint Mary's Hospital.
The car was silent.
Emily stared out the window.
Ryan held her hand with one hand and drove with the other.
Neither of them said what they were thinking.
Neither of them wanted to imagine it.
When they arrived, nurses rushed Emily away.
Ryan barely had time to kiss her forehead.
"I love you," he whispered.
Emily smiled weakly.
"I know."
The doors closed.
Minutes later, a doctor appeared.
"We found a heartbeat," he said.
Ryan nearly collapsed with relief.
But the doctor's face remained serious.
"The baby's heart rate is dropping."
"We need an emergency C-section immediately."
Everything happened so fast.
Papers.
Signatures.
Doctors running.
Machines beeping.
As Emily disappeared through the operating room doors, she grabbed Ryan's hand.
"Promise me something."
Ryan leaned closer.
"Anything."
"If something happens to me…"
"Don't say that."
"Promise me."
Tears filled her eyes.
"Promise you'll tell her how much I loved her."
Ryan began crying.
"Nothing is going to happen."
Emily smiled.
But for the first time in years…
Ryan saw fear in his wife's eyes.
And thirty minutes later…
A doctor emerged.
But instead of smiling…
May you like
He looked confused.
Very confused.
