“Jenna.” I tried to get her attention, but I didn’t know if she heard my desperate call for help. All I could think of at that moment was my baby and Matthew. Oh God. Please don’t let anything bad happen. When I felt myself losing control of my muscles and the day started to turn to night, I knew I was in big trouble.

Jenna

I got worried when Becky’s smile disappeared so quickly. Did I say something to offend her? But I knew that wasn’t it. “Becky, are you okay?”

When she didn’t answer, I thought maybe she was in deep thought at first, but she was showing signs of stress. Her eyes were staring into space and her face suddenly lost color. Becky mouthed a word, but no sound escaped her.

“Becky!” I reached for her just in time and stopped her from collapsing to the floor. My tone caused a lot of attention. Nicole and Kate must have heard me, too. They were on the floor next to us.

“Call the ambulance,” I shouted at the waitress standing over us. I didn’t give her a chance to ask questions. I was so scared. I didn’t know what else to do or how to help Becca. With my trembling hands, I made sure her head that was resting on my leg was supported. Please don’t let anything happen to the both of them, I prayed to myself. “Hang in there, Becky,” I pleaded, moving the strands of hair away from her face, then holding onto her hand. Feeling her hand so cold, I started to massage it. I had no idea what I was doing, but I had to do something. I was going out of my mind.

The store manager dashed to us. “We’ve called the ambulance. Is she breathing?”

“Yes.” It was the first thing I’d checked for, to see her chest rise and fall. “How long will it take them?”

“They said five minutes or less.”

“Okay.” I could feel my eyes dampened with tears as I reached into my purse. “Call Matthew and Max.” I handed the phone to Nicole or Kate. I didn’t know whom exactly. I didn’t want to take my eyes off Becky. I was too afraid that her condition would worsen if I did. “Everything is going to be fine.” I had to let her know that, hoping that she could hear me. I also wanted her to know that I was right there. Realizing I had a cardigan on, I took it off and placed it on her.

“Matthew is on his way,” Nicole said.

“No,” I snapped. I didn’t mean to. “Tell him to meet us at the hospital. By the time he gets here, we’ll be gone. Did you get ahold of Max?”

“No. He’s in a meeting, but the secretary said she’ll let him know.”

Five minutes weren’t that long, but it felt like forever, especially because we were desperate. I released a long breath when the sound of the siren rang loudly. Thank God! When the sound stopped, I knew they were just outside. The rush of cool air brushed my face when the door opened. Fall had kicked in. Though it wasn’t that cold, my senses were heightened from being in panic mode.

“Ma’am, you need to move over so we can help your friend.” The gentleman helped me up. “Was she injured?”

“No. I caught her just in time.”

“Good. How many months is she?”

“She’s due in a little over a month. We’re due around the same time.”

I saw the other two men placing Becky on the stretcher. It ripped my heart to see her with a breathing mask on and so still.

“Have you notified her family?”

“Yes.” I realized at that moment that I didn’t call her parents, but I would wait and ask Becky or Matthew. I also wanted to tell him that I was her family, too. I was her best friend, her sister, her everything, just like she was mine.

“Is this your sweater?” He placed it in front of me.

“Yes, thank you.”

“We’ll take care of her from here, ma’am. You did a great job.”

The gentleman was sweet and polite. As I watched the stretcher go up the ramp, tears fell down my cheek. I had to hold it together and be strong for her. There were no guarantees in life, but there was hope, and that was what I needed to hold on to.

Nicole and Kate placed their arms around me as we watched the ambulance take off.

“I have Becky’s purse,” Nicole said. “I can drive us to the hospital. Did Becky drive here?”

“Yes. I’ll speak to the restaurant manager about allowing her car to be parked here over night. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I can drive to the hospital.”

“Okay, we’ll meet you there,” Kate confirmed. “Don’t worry, Jenna. Becky is stubborn. She won’t let anything happen to the both of them, but we’ll still pray.”

After I gave them both a hug, I went inside.

Chapter 34

Matthew

When I heard Nicole’s voice on Jenna’s phone, I immediately knew something had happened to Becca. Blood drained out of me before she could complete her sentence by telling me her name. I was pissed off at myself for not being there for her. We were at the tail end of the pregnancy; I should have forced her to stay home.

I hated going to the hospital. It was where everything bad happened in my life. All I could do was pray that my Becca was safe. If something happened to our baby, we would be devastated, but we would get through it. We could adopt. Many people did it.

After inhaling a deep breath, I entered. Becca’s eyes grew wide with happiness to see me as tears streamed down her face. She looked so worried and fragile. “Becca.” I reached over carefully and hugged her with a sigh of relief.