Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 199

*Shelby*

I walked into the doctor’s office, anxiety gripping my heart like a vice, which certainly wasn’t helping my b***d pressure. Each step felt heavier than the last as if the weight of the world rested upon my shoulders. The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air, and the sterile surroundings seemed to magnify the gravity of the situation.

I was starting to get tired of hospitals. And drama.

But I had no choice but to soldier on and face what I’d come here for. Even as I tried to calm my racing heart, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. What if the news I received was worse than expected?

The receptionist glanced up at me from her computer, offering a thin-lipped smile. “Can I help you?” she asked, her tone just a little too perky.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I have an appointment with Dr. Adams,” I managed to croak out.

She nodded, typing something into her computer. “What’s your name?”

“Shelby Astor.”

“Ah, yes, Mrs. Astor,” the receptionist said, her eyes scanning the screen. “Please take a seat, and we’ll be with you as soon as possible.”

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. I forced a smile, feeling like it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Thank you,” I said, making my way over to the chairs lined up along the wall, sinking into one of the stiff seats.

The waiting room was surprisingly empty, with just one other person sitting across from me. He was a broad-shouldered man, his chiseled features obscured by the baseball cap he wore pulled low over his forehead. It seemed a bit strange to see a man by himself in a OBGYN office.

He glanced up at me briefly before returning his attention to the magazine in his hands. I assumed he was waiting for someone who had already gone back. But, I was wary given the way the media liked to invade our privacy whenever they caught onto something interesting.

I tried to focus on the outdated magazine I had picked up from the stack on the table in front of me, flipping through the pages with little interest. But my mind kept wandering, my thoughts plagued by the worst-case scenarios. I wished Michael was there with me, but something had come up at the last moment, something he couldn’t avoid.

As I pondered these thoughts, the door to the exam rooms opened, revealing a tall, slender woman in scrubs with a clipboard in her hand. “Mrs. Astor?” she called out.

My heart rate spiked, and I stood up, my legs feeling like rubber. “Yes, that’s me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

I followed her silently to room number four.

As I sat in the examination room, waiting for the doctor to arrive, my mind raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The at-home nurse had been monitoring my b***d pressure since we’d returned from France. The numbers hadn’t been very promising the last few days. Which sent me back to Dr. Adams’ office.

With each passing day, the possibility of an early delivery loomed over us like a storm cloud. I needed to keep these babies in as long as possible to give them the best chance at survival. Maybe Michael was right, I needed to take it easy. More than I had been.

The door creaked open, and the doctor walked in, her face lined with concern. I held my breath, waiting for her words to shape the destiny of our unborn children.

“Shelby, your b***d pressure readings have reached a dangerously high level, and we need to consider the option of delivering the babies early,” Dr. Adams leaned back against the counter behind her as she delivered the blow.

My heart sank, and tears welled up in my eyes. The overwhelming fear and uncertainty threatened to consume me. I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself from falling apart. I had to be strong, for my babies. “Wha–what are our options?” I asked, my voice shaky. Now, I wished Michael had come with me. I wasn’t expecting this when I assured him it was all right if he didn’t come.

Dr. Adams’ expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Well, we can try to manage your b***d pressure with medication, but it’s a risk. The other option is to continue monitoring you closely and deliver the babies via C-section as soon as possible if things continue to progress the way they have been.”

I could feel my hands shake and my breathing hitched in my throat. I tried to find my words, to articulate my thoughts and feelings, but my mouth had gone dry.

“I understand,” I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. “What are the risks?”

Dr. Adams’ expression softened, and she moved closer to me. “The risks are significant, Shelby. Premature birth can cause long-term health issues for the babies, including developmental delays and respiratory problems. There’s also a risk of infection and other complications during the C-section.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, and a sense of despair washed over me. Was there no good option? No way to protect my babies and ensure their safe arrival into this world?

“But, if this continues to progress, and it develops into full eclampsia, the risks are even more significant. I know this is a lot to take in,” Dr. Adams said, her voice gentle. “But we’ll do everything we can to keep you and the babies safe. We have a team of specialists that will be with you every step of the way, and we will take every precaution necessary. We’ll talk through your options and come up with a plan that works for you.”

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. I was scared, but I knew I had to trust the expertise of the doctors and the love that Michael and I had for our unborn children.

“Okay,” I said, my voice still trembling. “Thank you.”

Dr. Adams gave me a reassuring smile. “We’ll get through this together. In the meantime, I want you to try to relax as much as possible. You’ll need to come into the office again in a day or two to reassess. I’ll have the nurse come in and take your b***d pressure again in a little bit, and then we’ll go from there.”

With that, she patted my shoulder and left the room, closing the door behind her. I sat there, alone. I needed Michael.

Frantically, I reached for my phone and dialed his number, my voice shaking with a mixture of fear and desperation. As he answered, my words tumbled out in a torrent of emotions, barely coherent through my sobs.

“Michael,” I said, my voice quivering.

“What is it, Shelby? What’s wrong?” his voice was frantic.

“Michael, they… they might have to deliver the babies early…. My b***d pressure… is dangerously high, and the risks to the babies are too much. I don’t know what to do,” I cried, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Okay. Okay, Shelby, I want you to go home–straight home. Do not drive yourself, hire a car or I can send Bruce to you.”

“Okay,” I sobbed.

“I’m on my way home. Just hold on, my love.”

I hung up, feeling a small sense of relief wash over me. Michael was my rock, my constant source of strength and support. But even with him on his way, I couldn’t stop the fear from gnawing at my insides.

What if they had to deliver the babies now? What if they weren’t strong enough to make it? The questions swirled around my head, overwhelming and suffocating.

The nurse came back into the room and took my b***d pressure again. Even with the medication I had been given, it was still elevated. My heart sank as I realized that whatever we were doing wasn’t working.

Dr. Adams re-entered the room, a grave look on her face. “I think it’s best if you go home for now, Shelby,” she said softly. “We’ll check your b***d pressure again in twenty-four hours or so to see if there has been any improvement.”

I nodded numbly, not sure what else to say or do at this point. I was scared and overwhelmed by the situation but knew that this was for the best. I took a car back to the house, crying too hard to safely drive myself, glad that Michael had suggested it and knowing he’d get my car later.

He wasn’t there when I arrived home, but I didn’t have to wait long. The door opened, and Michael rushed in, his face etched with worry. He crossed the room in a few quick strides and enveloped me in a tight hug. He rained k****s down the side of my face, whispering reassurances that fell flat.

The sobs overtook me as he held me tightly.

“Shh, it’s okay, baby. I’m here,” Michael whispered, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

I clung to him, feeling the fear and anxiety slowly easing with every passing moment. Michael was my safe haven, my anchor in this storm.

“I will be your rock, Shelby. I will move mountains to ensure the best medical care for you and our children. We’ll give them every opportunity to thrive. You hear me?”

I nodded, my tears soaking into his shirt. “Okay,” I said, my voice small but resolute. “I trust you, Michael,” I whispered. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Shelby,” he said, pulling back to look at me. His eyes bore into mine, filled with fierce determination. “We’ll get through this together. You and me and our babies.”

He kissed me deeply, his lips warm and reassuring against mine. It didn’t solve anything, but it offered comfort that helped me for the moment.

“How about we get some Chinese food? How does that sound?” Michael asked, kissing the top of my head.

I nodded, feeling slightly hungry despite the chaos that surrounded us. Michael had always known how to take care of me, even in the most stressful moments.

As the evening settled in, the aroma of Chinese food wafted through the air, and we sat together at the dining table, savoring each bite. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of vulnerability and tenderness, as we immersed ourselves in the simplicity of the moment.

“Thank you, Michael. For being here, for taking care of me. I know we’ve been arguing about work, but right now, having this distraction means more to me than words can express.”

Michael’s eyes met mine, brimming with understanding and love. “Shelby, I want nothing more than for you to be healthy and for our children to have the best chance at life. If taking on this case brings you a sense of purpose and distraction, then I support you wholeheartedly. We’ll find a way to strike a balance, to prioritize your well-being while still pursuing what brings you joy.”

At that moment, the weight of our disagreements lifted, replaced by a renewed understanding and compromise. We found relief in each other’s arms, cherishing the simple pleasures and holding tightly to the bond that anchored us.

As the night stretched before us, we savored each moment, cherishing the shared laughter and the warmth that radiated between us. We knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with love as our compass, we were determined to face whatever came our way, united in the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.

I just hoped our babies would be a part of that future tomorrow. I loved them so much already, I couldn’t even imagine what would happen if something went wrong.

It was a thought I couldn’t bear to entertain even for one moment.