The Sanctuary (23 page)

“To spice up their sex lives, some couples spend big and live the high life to keep the flames burning. Last night, Eve and Valo were spotted at the trendy bar, Notes, where Eve gave him a not-so-private striptease. We just wished she’d have taken off more than the wireless vibrator she tossed at her sweetheart toward the end of her dance. Now that’s what we call the best seat in the house.”

I buried my face in my hands. “Wonderful, now our sex lives are on display.”

“What did you expect? Didn’t you notice the cameras going off when you were dancing?”

“No, I didn’t. It was the heat of the moment, I guess.”

My phone rang. Val handed it to me from the table. I looked at the caller ID. It was Jude’s office.

I put it on speakerphone. I couldn’t put it to my ear with my head still hurting. I lay down on the couch and placed it on my stomach.

“Eve, what’s going on? Or should I say what’s going down?” Jude said with a sarcastic laugh.

“Fuck you. What do you want?”

“I suppose living in Europe is rubbing off on you, or shall I say you are rubbing off on it? You’re in the papers, doll. Have you seen the reel?”

“I have.”

“People are talking. You know how that goes. Kristen has been trying to call you, but I suppose you were too busy under the sheets to care.”

“I’m not in the mood for this, Jude. What’s going on?”

“Did you know you were screwing with the daughter of a state senator? Nice move robbing the cradle. I see your boyfriend taught you well.”

“Get to the point, or I’m hanging up.”

“The point? The point is your company is falling apart without you. Your PR department can’t handle the press. They forwarded it to me because they can’t reach you. And fuck if your lover handles the publicity for you. Don’t they have reps in Europe, or is it considered normal to go stripping on bars with other women while he watches?”

“I didn’t strip. Give me a break. I just had too much to drink.”

“No shit, sweetheart. It’s time to put the bottle down and come home where you belong. You don’t drink, Eve, or did you forget that? And by the way, you should find a permanent lesbian lover. It has done wonders for your website. Your servers went down this morning from all the traffic. Women can identify with you, and men want to fuck you. I guarantee you’ll have more parties than you can handle when you return home. No such thing as bad press when it’s spun right.”

“And I suppose I have you to thank for that?”

“You owe me, doll. I’ll see you when you get back to New York.” And with a click of the phone, he was gone. Who was Jude to step in and handle my affairs?

“I’m coming back to New York with you. I don’t have to be in L.A. until the end of January.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes, that asshole needs to be put in his place.”

“How silly. I thought you wanted to spend more time with me. I should have known better. It’s the battle of the male egos.” I sat up and kissed him. “I love you, Val. Jude means nothing to me.”

“I know, but I know how guys like him work. As soon as he thinks you’re out of my reach, he’s going to try to charm his way back to your heart. He still loves you, or he wouldn’t be saving your ass.” He looked at me all knowingly.

I pondered what he’d said. Perhaps he was right about Jude. But secretly I was glad he’d stepped up for me. I didn’t need my name dragged through the mud. “I suppose you’re right. But why didn’t you save my ass?”

“Because I was too busy making sure you were alive. Do you realize you could have died? I was this close to calling an ambulance last night, but I didn’t want you to get bad press.”

I gasped at his words. “I didn’t mean to get that trashed. I don’t remember anything.”

“It’s better you don’t. You were convulsing on the floor by the time the doctor arrived. You had me scared. I thought I was going to lose you.”

He held out my arm. It was black and blue. “You were on an IV and oxygen until this afternoon.”

His phone rang, interrupting us. “
Hei
,” he answered, “Yes…I see…Very well then, we’ll be in at ten.” He hung up the phone. “Dr. Lindfors wants to see you in her office Monday for a follow-up.”

Having Val save my life humbled me and brought a new respect for the relationship we shared. Although the nausea subsided, I felt sedated the entire weekend. I drifted in and out of sleep till Monday when he roused me from my slumber.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

I felt his lips on my forehead. “Good morning, Val. I love you.”

“I love you too. How are you feeling?” He snuggled me close.

“Much better. Thank you.” I looked him in the eyes. “If the paperwork doesn’t come in time for us to marry here, when we return to New York, we’ll get married before you leave for L.A.”

His lips curled into a smile. “Whatever you want to do is fine with me.” He kissed me again. “But we need to get up. Your doctor’s appointment is soon.”

I groaned. “Do I have to go? I’m feeling much better.”

“After the amount of worry you put me through, yes, you do. At least do it to put my mind at ease.”

I knew I had to give him this. He received no further argument.

Two hours later, we were sitting in plush leather chairs in a luxurious waiting room. I looked around. Everything was in Finnish. I had no idea what type of doctor Dr. Lindfors was, but whatever her specialty, I could tell she was not a doctor for the commoners.

I turned to Val. “Who is this doctor anyway?”

“She’s a private doctor.”

I questioned him with my eyes.

What did his riddle mean? My train of thought was derailed by a female voice. “Good morning, Val, Eve.”

I looked up and was greeted by a slender woman with the most piercing steel-gray eyes I had ever seen. She was of average height and had streaks of blonde shooting out from beneath her naturally dark hair. She was very rock-‘n’-roll looking and very pretty.

She extended her hand to me. “Hi, I’m Dr. Lindfors. Please follow me.”

We followed her down a long corridor, into an exquisitely decorated office.

We sat down next to each other, and I interlaced my hand in his. For some reason I began to feel a great deal of anxiety overtaking me.

Dr. Lindfors sat down and opened a file on her desk. “I’m not going to tiptoe around why you are here. Your HCG levels in your blood work have come back positive for pregnancy.”

I stared at her desk, dumbfounded at her statement. My hands started to quiver, and my head became light.

“Are you sure?” Val leaned forward.

“But I have an IUD. It’s impossible.”

She looked at both of us. “The levels make it appear that you are about six weeks pregnant, but I want to take an ultrasound to confirm.” She looked at me. “When was your last menstrual cycle?”

“In early September. But my doctor told me it was possible I would skip cycles, even completely stop menstruating. Are you sure I’m pregnant?”

“That’s what we are going to find out. Have you checked the string lately?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t checked it.” I turned to Val. “I thought you said we couldn’t have kids, that you were infertile?”

“I said I thought I was damaged, but I wasn’t sure. Besides you said you had an IUD. There was no need for condoms.”

It was clear we were both vexed, but I couldn’t be bothered with an argument. I shifted my attention to Dr. Lindfors.

“When you had your last period, did you have any unusual signs? Symptoms?”

“Other than it being heavy, no.”

“Did you notice if you expelled anything?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Let’s take a look and see if the IUD is still in place.”

“And if it is?” I asked. Val remained silent.

“We’ll have to remove it to prevent any further complications with the pregnancy. I will warn you though, there are risks involved with the removal. There is a chance of spontaneous miscarriage.”

“And if she keeps it in?” Val asked.

“There is a good possibility her body will spontaneously abort the fetus within three months. Your only option is to remove the IUD. Why don’t we examine you and see what’s going on?” She rose from her desk, my file in hand, and opened the door to the office, inviting us to follow her.

I got up and looked at Val. He rose to meet me and extended his hand, wiping the tears from my face.

“We’re going to be okay,” he said.

“Of course you’ll be okay. You’re not the one who is pregnant!” I turned and proceeded to follow the doctor.

“Let’s not argue. We have a baby to worry about.”

“No, I have a baby to worry about. You’ll be working during the pregnancy, and then you’ll be touring the first year of its life.” I walked into the exam room. “We’ll discuss this later.”

I went behind the curtain as Val sat down in the chair next to the exam table. “You don’t have to be in here if you don’t want to.”

“Why wouldn’t I be here? It’s my child too.”

I reappeared from the dressing area and sat on the exam table. “I’m just nervous.”

“I know.” He reached out and held my hand. “So am I.”

“What if all the drinking and smoking I’ve done this past month has harmed the baby?” I asked with worry in my voice.

“We’ll ask the doctor. I’m sure it will be fine. It’s relatively early.”

Dr. Lindfors and the nurse reappeared again. “Okay, scoot down.” She took a seat between my legs. “I first need to see if the string is still there.” She lubed up a gloved hand and bought a little light between my legs.

I shifted downward on the table, exposing myself. I always hated these exams. They were so revealing.

“I don’t feel anything, Eve. I’m going to insert this and take a better look.” She reached for a speculum. “This may be a bit uncomfortable.”

I wasn’t sure what was more uncomfortable, lying there exposed or the actual exam itself.

“Sorry, Eve. Your IUD has migrated into your uterus, and I’m going to have to dilate you to remove it. But I want to take a sonogram first to see the position of the baby.” She moved the sonogram machine over and lowered the paper sheet, exposing my lower abdomen. She placed some jelly on the wand before pressing it onto my stomach.

The ultrasound screen lit up with black and gray masses. “There is your baby.” She pointed to a dark black circle with a small blinking line inside. “You’re about six weeks. You probably conceived about mid-November.”

Val leaned in and watched the screen. “I don’t see anything.”

Dr. Lindfors explained, “This little line…” She pointed to the screen. “Is the heartbeat.”

I focused on the doctor, who was wiggling the wand around to locate the IUD. “The IUD is right there. It can be removed, but there are still risks involved of spontaneously losing the baby.” She withdrew the wand from my stomach. “It’s a quick procedure. We’re going to insert these small needles…”

“Do we have any other alternatives?” I asked, shaken by what she was prepping. I loathed needles.

“Eve, I understand your apprehension, but this is the only choice we have at the moment.”

“Is there any way you could sedate me? Knock me out? Something?” I looked at Val for support, and he, in turn, looked at the doctor.

“It will take just a few minutes. And it shouldn’t hurt any more than when it was inserted.”

“I nearly passed out when they inserted it.”

She began to prep me. “But you survived it. I’d rather not have you under while this happens. It will be easier for you to recover.”

After few minutes of tinkering, she said, “Okay, Eve, I need you to stay as still as possible for the baby. You can’t move during this procedure, understand?”

“Val, hold my hand.”

He placed his hand in mine, gripping it tightly.

“I can’t do this.” Tears brimmed in my eyes.

“Yes you can. You have to.” He spoke softly to me.

A sharp wave of pain washed through my body. I screamed and tried to wiggle my way out of the excruciating sting that followed. I unconsciously twisted, churning in distress.

“Eve, please, I need you to hold still.” The doctor halted the procedure. “We’re halfway there.” She began again, and as soon as she did, I could feel my uterus cramp. I writhed in agony, pushing away, using the stirrups as leverage.

Suddenly chaos erupted within the exam room. Dr. Lindfors furiously shouted something in Finnish to the nurse and to Val. I was covered up, and the exam table was abruptly wheeled out into the hallway.

“Val, what the hell is going on?” I shouted. I was petrified at what was occurring.

He walked alongside of me. “She said something about you hemorrhaging. They are bringing you to the OR.”

I looked at him in sheer terror. “What’s happening?” I asked again, but before he could answer, I heard the doctor say, “Val, we’re going to need you to wait outside.”

They wheeled me into the operating room, which was mass confusion. There were nurses rapidly prepping, but everything was a blur to me. A nurse grabbed my arm.

“This will relax you.” She inserted a needle, prepping me for an IV.

“Where’s Val? I want him here with me.” Panic set in, overtaking my body.

The nurse looked at me. “Everything is going to be all right, sweetie. He’s waiting outside for you. This may burn a little bit.” I looked down and noticed a long needle with white solution being pumped into the IV tubing. Moments later, the lights went out.

* * * *

I don’t know how long I was unconscious or how long the procedure took. I opened my eyes, and everything was foggy. I heard Val and Dr. Lindfors speaking softly in the background, but I couldn’t focus on their words. I closed my eyes again; sleep was trying to entrance me. I attempted to stay awake and concentrate on what they were saying. Their voices were faint over the hum of the machines.

“I’m sorry, Val. When she began to hemorrhage, we had no choice. We had to save her…”

I drifted off to sleep again. I couldn’t stay focused on their words any longer.

I wasn’t sure how long I slept, but I awoke to Val gently stroking my forehead. My eyes fluttered open.

“How are you feeling?”

“We lost the baby, didn’t we?” The situation had finally sunk in.