HH01 - A Humble Heart (20 page)

Dana met his sister a few times over the past two months and although she liked the girl she thought she had a lot growing

up to do. She was twenty-five, immature, and hell bent on living up her famous down to earth brother's status since he refused

to. Several times she thought of suggesting that he cut her off and force her to grow up, but it wasn't her place. He was her

friend and she wouldn't hurt him for anything.

"So will you spend a few hours a week with me and a bunch of senior citizens in a poorly ventilated building with stale

coffee?" he asked, wagging his eyebrows playfully.

“Sounds fun,” she said wryly.

“That a girl,” he said, taking her hand and placing it on his arm.

********

She smiled and waved even though she felt like passing out. Lucas held onto her tightly. “You look like you’re going to

pass out on me any second now.”

“Well, for once I look exactly how I feel,” she mumbled.

“Ah damn, let’s get you inside,” Lucas said. He started to walk her quickly, but casually, inside. He found their seats and

left to get her a soda.

Dana closed her eyes and leaned forward trying to fight off the dizziness. A strong arm went around her back and pulled

her close. “Lucas, I’m okay. Just give me a few minutes please,” she whispered softly.

She felt warm lips press a kiss to the top of her head and she froze. “You don’t look good, baby. I was hoping to surprise

you outside, but you damn near ran inside.”

Dana raised her head to see that Edward was really there. He was wearing an expensive black suit that made him look

incredibly handsome. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, and lips. He chuckled

happily as he returned her kisses. “I’m guessing you’re happy to see me.”

“Very!” She kissed his mouth again.

“I missed you so much and the kids. We finished ahead of schedule and I wanted to surprise you,” Edward whispered into

the crook of her neck.

“I am surprised, believe me,” she said, hugging him again.

“Here you go,” Lucas said. She opened her eyes to see Lucas holding a cup out to her. Edward took it and handed it to

Dana. “Thanks, Lucas.”

“No problem. I just didn’t want her passing out on me. You know she did that during every one of our love scenes. They

were pretty steamy,” he said, grinning hugely.

Edward laughed. “That’s what I heard.”

Dana took a small sip and was relieved to discover that it was ginger ale. “Thank you, Lucas.”

“No problem. Just remember our deal,” he said as he leaned back in his seat and scoped out the women in the theatre.

“What deal?” Edward asked.

“Dance lessons,” Dana said, rolling her eyes.

“Sounds fun,” Edward said dryly, making them both laugh.

“How are my babies?” Edward asked, taking her hand into his.

“Edward, you talked to them last night,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. Even in another country he was more

attentive than Jeff ever was. It was shocking and she still had a hard time getting used to this. Truth was she was getting

spoiled.

“Yeah, it’s been a whole day since I talked to them,” he argued.

“Shh, it’s starting, you two,” Lucas mumbled, earning dirty looks. He just chuckled at them as he opened a small box of

candy and began snacking away.

Edward relaxed and put an arm around Dana’s shoulders. She leaned into him and laid an arm across his chest. They

watched the entire movie snuggling and ignoring the speculative glances around them. He constantly kissed the top of her head

and whispered how much he loved her and missed her.

********

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“You guys did such a wonderful job,” she sobbed softly. Her book, her life, her salvation had been transformed onto the

big screen, giving it life, and it was perfect. It was exactly the way she pictured everything in her head two years ago during

those lonely nights.

He smiled. “I’m glad you approve.”

“I could have done better,” Lucas muttered, earning an elbow in the ribs from Dana. He just laughed it off.

“I suspect you’re taking Dana to the party,” Lucas said.

“Yes, thank you for bringing her here safely.”

“Not a problem. I’ll see you guys there.” Lucas leaned over and kissed her cheek before he followed everyone out.

Dana stood up and grabbed the back of the seat in front of her as a wave of dizziness shot through her. “Whoa, head rush,”

she mumbled.

“Are you okay?” Edward asked. He put an arm around her waist to help her.

She waved him off. “I’m okay I just need to eat something. Now that the nerves are gone that should be easy.”

“Okay then let’s go. I’m getting you something to eat before we hit the party.” He urged her forward. They walked through

the lobby, receiving applause and congratulations.

“Hell of a job,” Eric said to Edward. He kept an arm around Dana while he spoke to Eric.

Pain ripped through Dana’s stomach. She bent over, gasping.

“Dana?” Edward asked concerned.

“I’m fine…just….” She fell to the floor as everything went black.

*********

Amy ran to her side. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. She grabbed her stomach and fell over,” Edward said anxiously. He pulled her into his lap as a crowd

formed around them. “Baby, wake up please!”

“Let me through! I’m a doctor,” a man said. A moment later a short man with grey hair knelt down next to Dana. He

reached out and took her pulse.

“Her pulse is weak, she’s clammy, and burning up. Her breathing is shallow and irregular.”

Amy was crying now. “She hasn’t been feeling good, not eating, throwing up, and she hasn’t been able to sleep. We all

thought it was stress.”

Edward held her tighter against him. “Where’s the ambulance? I saw two stationed outside.”

“Move aside!” a police officer said, pushing through the crowd. He was followed by two EMT’s pushing a stretcher.

The doctor reached over and grabbed a stethoscope from one of the EMT's leg pockets as he said, “I’m Dr. Brown. I want

this woman brought to Mercy hospital. I’ll be riding along.” The EMT’s nodded as they looked her over.

“Thank you,” Edward murmured. He picked Dana up and noticed that she was lighter than before. He placed her on the

stretcher and pushed her hair back as she was strapped in. He kissed her lips before a face mask was placed over her mouth.

He ignored the clicks and flashes of cameras focusing on them.

They moved fast over the red carper to an awaiting ambulance. Edward jogged by her side holding her hand. Fans were

screaming and crying. They tried to push past the barrier. Police quickly lined up and pushed them back. In seconds screams

erupted as the crowd broke loose.

“Shit!” one of the EMT’s yelled as they quickly loaded the stretcher into the ambulance and jumped in with Edward and

Dr. Brown in tow before the frantic crowd surrounded the ambulance.

Edward held Dana’s hand as Dr. Brown worked on her. He watched as the doctor inserted an IV and hung a bag. Then he

tested her blood sugar. The doctor frowned and shook his head. “She hasn’t eaten for days, has she?”

“I don’t know I've been in England,” he mumbled, feeling like an asshole. He should have known.

Dr. Brown reached over and picked up the heart monitor. He pulled down Dana’s dress and applied electrodes. He turned

the monitor on and watched. “Shit.”

Edward felt real fear for the first time since Cole’s accident. “Get us the hell out of here before her heart crashes!” Dr.

Brown yelled. He picked up a microphone and turned on the CB radio. “C-med, this is Dr. Richard Brown requesting Mercy

hospital with a priority one patient, female age,” he looked at Edward.

“Thirty.”

“Age thirty, blood pressure is eighty over thirty, pulse is forty, blood sugar is twenty-five, sick for unknown amount of

time, complaints of nausea, dizziness, patient complained of stomach pain before collapsing, patient is unconscious and unable

to regain consciousness at this time, IV and oxygen are in place. ETA.” He looked around. The EMT in back answered him.

“Ten minutes.”

“Mercy received.”

Dr. Brown replaced the microphone. “What’s wrong with her?” Edward asked, fighting back tears.

“I don’t know. We won’t know without more tests,” he said gently.

A group of doctors and nurses met them at the entrance. It seemed Dr. Brown’s name carried some clout here. They

moved Dana quickly inside. They asked Edward dozens of questions, but he could hardly focus.

In the end they gave her more saline, medicine to stabilize her heart and breathing, as well as some nutrients to help settle

her starving body as they ran their tests. Edward sat by her side after they drew her blood. He gently pushed her hair out of her

face. “I love you so much, Dana,” he said over and over again.

“Baby, please don’t leave me.” He broke down after two hours when she still hadn't woken up. He climbed onto the bed

and laid his head on her chest and sobbed. “Please come back to me. I need you.”

His sobs died down after a half hour, but he didn’t move away from her. He snuggled against her, willing her to be okay.

********

“What is it? Is she going to be okay?” he asked as he climbed off the bed.

“I believe so, now. If it had gone any longer I wouldn’t have much hope,” he said. He moved to Dana and pulled down the

sheet and pushed up her hospital gown, revealing her stomach.

“Do you think it’s cancer?” Edward asked nervously.

He shook his head and turned on the machine. After a minute he squeezed clear gel onto Dana’s stomach and pressed a

handheld device to her stomach. Dr. Brown pulled the monitor closer. “If you look here, these are the clips that were used to

give her a tubal ligation. The clips are supposed to cause scar tissue to build over them, however if they aren’t placed

correctly there is no closure like we have here.” He pointed to two solid white objects on the monitor.

Edward tried to follow what he was saying, but he was more confused than ever. “The clips are hurting her?”

“Yes. They have to be removed and I’ll do that in a minute.” He moved the device an inch higher and turned the speakers

on the monitor up. He pointed to two small quivering masses. Edward heard weird echoes. “Now, here we have the other

problem.”

“Can you remove it?” Edward asked.

Dr. Brown smiled politely. “Are you her boyfriend?”

Edward reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I was hoping more than that.”

“Has she been with anyone else in the last….oh, I would say three months?”

“No!” Edward said, outraged.

“Well then, congratulations, Dad. Looks like twins,” Dr. Brown said, smiling.

Edward’s eyes dropped to Dana’s stomach and back to the screen. He watched the two objects move slightly. “Are you

sure? This is why she was sick?”

“Yes, I am very sure. Her blood work confirmed it. The clips weren’t attached correctly, leaving her able to have

children. She didn’t know she was pregnant, didn’t expect it. She felt sick and didn’t eat. Her body began to attack itself and

the babies. If she waited any longer she would have lost the babies and been in serious trouble.”

“Save them, save them all, please.”

“I’m having what she needs pumped into her body now. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wakes up soon. You need to make

an appointment with an OBGYN. For now I am going to prescribe medicine to help her. I want her to take a week for bed rest.

Understood? That means she does nothing but rest and eat.”

Edward nodded robotically as he watched his unborn children move. “Now hold her hand, because if she wakes up she

might feel the urge to slap me,” Dr. Brown said as he adjusted Dana’s feet into slots. A nurse came in and draped a sheet over

Dana’s lower body as he moved in between her legs. Thankfully Dana didn’t wake up while the clips were removed.

She was moved upstairs to the labor and delivery unit where she would be monitored all night. Edward never left her

side. She woke up a little after three in the morning feeling better than she had in days. Edward was asleep in the bed with her.

His hand was under the blankets, protectively on her stomach.

“Edward?” she asked with a hoarse voice.

He stirred and looked at her with relief. “Oh thank god.” He kissed her lips.

“Baby, what happened?” she asked. He got out of bed, but not before he gently rubbed her stomach. He poured her a glass

of water and helped her sit up to drink it.

“What happened, Edward?”

“You collapsed. Why didn’t you tell me you haven’t been eating?” he asked gently.

She shrugged. “It’s just nerves.”

“Hmm.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Sweetheart, I have to tell you something very important, okay?”

She nodded.

“They had to take out your clips. They were very loose and causing problems.”

“Is that why my stomach hurt all the time?”

“They think that had something to do with it,” he said, clearly trying to hide a grin from her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” he said. “First I have to ask you something that I’ve been trying to ask you for a while now.” He