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I clenched my hands together, my gaze darting between my phone and the doctor’s calm, inscrutable face. Fuck, she was giving me no indication of exactly how worried I should be. “Rhett, have you heard anything back from the court? We need that information yesterday.”
He blew out a breath. “We’re waiting on the judge’s decision, Scarlett. I’ve been told it should be any day now. I’m pushing as hard as I can.”
I wanted to scream, to shake the answers out of the universe. But what good would that do? “And the private investigator?”
“She’s hit a wall, but I’ll touch base with her and see what strings we can pull.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. The silence that followed was heavy, punctuated only by the soft hum of voices and phones ringing out in reception.
“So what happens in the meantime, Doctor?”
Rhett asking all the tough questions, bless him.
Dr. Morris cleared her throat. “Given the circumstances and the potential risks, I recommend that Scarlett comes in for check-ups every other day. We need to monitor those iron levels closely.”
My heart sank. Every other day? Fuck. The frequency was unsettling, letting me know that the situation was a lot more serious than Dr. Morris was letting on. Like I really needed to be reminded how quickly this could all go so terribly wrong.
I was about to respond when Rhett’s voice cut in, steel edged with concern. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s gonna work.”
That had me frowning. “What’s not gonna work?”
The room spun around me as Rhett’s voice sliced through the tension. “Given how serious this sounds, I’m going to arrange for you to be flown to a private medical facility here in Raleigh via helicopter.”
My heart lurched in my chest. “Rhett, that’s... that’s too much,” I stammered, my mind already racing. Fuck, I couldn’t catch my breath. I didn’t need to be flown anywhere; I needed to stay close to my work, my home, everything familiar. Now my hands were shaking, so I gripped them tight and lay them in my lap.
“No, it’s not,” Rhett countered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “This is about ensuring the babies are safe and that you’re getting the best possible care. I won’t compromise on that.”
I chewed my lip, staring at the phone like it was a portal into the future. “Alright, well, maybe I can go to this fancy hospital, but I can drive myself. I’m not incapacitated. “
“It’s a two-hour drive, my girl. A helicopter can get you there in half that. You’re taking the helicopter.”
I opened my mouth to protest, to tell him this was all crazy and out of control and that I was freaking the fuck out. But he barreled on, his focus now on Dr. Morris.
“Doctor, would you be willing to accompany Scarlett to the facility? I understand it’s a significant request, but I assure you, there will be no issues with your compensation or any other arrangements.”
It was one thing for Rhett to railroad me into doing what he commanded, quite another for the doctor to just jump when he said so. But god, I would feel so much better if she were there, too.
There was a long pause while Dr. Morris looked down at her planner on her desk. I was holding my breath without realizing it, unable to get any read at all on how she was feeling.
Finally, she raised her eyes to mine. “It’s not a typical request, but given the circumstances and the potential risks, it might be the best course of action. I have no urgent appointments for the afternoon, and if this means ensuring the health of Scarlett and the twins, I will make the necessary arrangements to accompany her.”
So that was that. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. The reality of the situation was crashing down around me, and all I could do was sit there, numb and in shock, as Rhett and Dr. Morris discussed the logistics of my medical care as if I weren’t even there. I was a passenger in my own life, being whisked away to a strange place, all for the sake of two tiny lives that I hadn’t even known I’d be responsible for just a few short months ago. Fuck, I felt sick.
“Scarlett, take me off speaker so we can talk.”
“I’ll give you a few moments,” Dr. Morris said quietly, before stepping out of the room.
“Rhett, I?—”
“I know you’re freaking out and I bet you feel like you’re gonna throw up.”
“How the fuck do you know that?”
“Coz that’s how I’d feel in the same situation. But listen. Whatever is up with these babies, we’re going to figure it out. The best place to do that is the highest grade medical facility in the state. So that’s where you’re going. I’ll have someone swing by the house and collect some things for you. And if you want or need anything from the office, they can go by there as well. I’m sure we’ll be able to get you set up for work at the hospital. No frogs will perish under your watch.”
God, why did he have to be so cute all of a sudden?
“Okay, so take a few deep breaths, sit tight and I’ll update you as soon as I’ve arranged transport for you.”