Runaway Love

We were waiting in an exam room at the clinic for an ultrasound to be done. They had found both of the girls' heartbeats and they were moving, so we were trying to stay positive. Terrified doesn't even fit the emotions rolling through me. Finally, the door opened, and the OB came in. "Alright, so far everything looks promising, guys. Let's get the ultrasound so we can at least hopefully confirm that." She said as she helped me lay back.

She put some jelly on my belly and then spread it with the wand. Instantly, I saw what appeared to be a foot. She moved it around and took a few stills, before she turned the screen so we could see.

"That's the foot of baby A, it looks like she may be trying to suck on it. There's baby B in the background. They look healthy and happy. Your twins are fraternal, so like we've talked about, there's two amniotic sacs and placentas. One of the placenta is over your cervix. That's what caused the bleeding. You're 26 weeks now, so there is still a bit of time to see if as the babies grow if it will lift. However, there's an increased chance of bleeding before, during and after birth. If the placenta doesn't move a c-section will be done." The OB explained as she cleaned my belly of the gel and put away the ultrasound machine.

"So, what do you recommend for treatment?" Oliver asked, almost sounding like he knew what was coming.

"Bed rest, and pelvic rest. That's our best course of action. We'll do an ultrasound in a month or so and see if it's moved, and if not we'll do one at delivery to see if we need to perform a c-section." We nodded at her response. "And the babies? How does this affect them?" I asked, nervous of the answer.

"Well, for baby A, their placenta is well placed and the only risk she faces is an early eviction. Placenta previa can cause preterm labor and delivery, which you are already at risk for with a multiple pregnancy. There is also a chance for birth injuries, such as cerebral palsy and encephalopathy. But we'll check again at 32 weeks and maybe it will resolve by then. For now, take it easy, and keep your feet up, and no sex." She said, "Any other questions? Well, then call if you have some, or make an appointment. We are here to support you." She responded with a smile as we shook our heads.

She got up and left us to get ready to leave. I pulled up the band of my maternity pants and tugged my shirt back into place. Sean gave me a hand off the table, and we walked to the SUV.

"How does BBQ sound for lunch?" Sean asked as we pulled out of the clinic.

"Sounds good to me. Sugar?" Oliver asked twisting to see me.

I nodded, and smiled in response. I was trying to process all that had been said in the office. This pregnancy had been going so easy. I was energetic, and had very little pain. Now this, a higher chance of early delivery, and the possibility of an issue after birth.

I shook my head, I needed to be positive. There was no guarantee that something would happen. I took a deep breath to calm myself, I caught Sean watching me in the rearview mirror. He looked concerned.

"I'm fine, Sean. I just have to take it easy and relax until I deliver. I'll do whatever I need to get these babies closer to the due date. Stop looking at me like you expect me to shatter or explode." I rolled my eyes.

Oliver chuckled as Sean's face darkened. Sean cast him a glare and elbowed him, which only made him fully laugh. "What?" I asked.

"Oh Sean's just realizing what pelvic rest means." Oliver said, watching the buildings buzz by with a smile on his face.

I blushed and looked out my own window. I would miss the sex until the babies were delivered. Josh had never really cared about my own release. Sex to him was for his pleasure, not both of us. Now that I had a taste of what sex really is, I was going to miss it.

But, I'd rather have healthy babies. I rubbed my belly and got a kick in response. I smiled, I loved feeling them in there. The kidney shots sucked, but I loved knowing they were safe and protected.

Sean pulled into the restaurant and ran in to get our food. The building was just outside of town, and had a picnic area before the forest started. I was watching a child play on the ground by the table while his parents ate, when I noticed movement just inside the trees.

My eyes shot to where I'd seen it, but I couldn't find anything. There was a slight breeze today, so maybe it was just a branch. The hair on my arms stood up as my skin turned into goose-bumps. I wasn't sure what I saw, but I was having to convince myself of it being leaves.

I sat, studying the surrounding forest and picnic area, but everything seemed in place. I jumped when Sean shut the door and handed Oliver our food. I relaxed, knowing that we were leaving.

As we pulled onto the road, a man stepped out in front of the line of trees. He was wearing a ballcap, but something about him seemed familiar.

"Oliver, do you see that man?" I asked turning to keep him in my vision.

"Yes, what about him?" He asked, suddenly on alert.

"He's familiar, I can't place him, though." I said.

Suddenly he lifted his gaze and I caught his gaze. I froze and watched as his arm raised with a gun in his hand.

"Sean, get around the corner." Oliver said calmly, but with venom in his voice.

Sean accelerated more and we turned around the bend, getting out of sight. Oliver was on the phone, and describing him to the police. I racked my brain trying to figure out where I'd seen him. Suddenly, I gasped, a lightbulb going on in my brain.

"The purse snatcher." I said. Sean looked at me in the rearview mirror and Oliver turned to face me.

"Are you sure?" Oliver questioned.

"Yes, I'd remember those eyes from anywhere. It's him. Why, though? I thought it was a random act." I pondered aloud.

Oliver and Sean exchanged glances. They knew something, or suspected something.

"What?" I asked, fear in my voice

"We are more certain now that you weren't a random purse snatching victim. We found an encrypted email between Josh and the snatcher-who has disappeared until now." Sean filled in.

Josh was behind the purse snatcher? I knew he had ties being a lawyer, but I hadn't suspected just how deep those ties ran, or with who. He was a criminal defense attorney, but I never imagined he would use that to his advantage. I mentally scoffed at that line of thinking, why wouldn't he? It's not like he was an honorable, or trustworthy person.

"What we don't know is why he's still causing trouble when the emails stopped and no further requests were made of him." Oliver said, talking it through with Sean.

"What if he became obsessed on his own, maybe Josh got the obsession planted with the one job, and then the snatcher became obsessed on his own." Sean proposed.

That made sense, it seemed like it was possible. Someone who steals for hire, could have some type of mental stress or handicap. It wasn't completely unreasonable to jump to Sean's thoughts. I shivered, now I wasn't just trying to avoid Josh, but this local guy who we kept getting glances of.

"We need to step up security. He showed himself, and intent to cause harm. He's getting bolder or more desperate as time passes." Sean said.

Oliver nodded and dialed someone on the phone.

"Sam, I need you to do a thorough background check on the guy that tried to steal Josie's purse. I think he's more involved in this chaos than we know. Can you also send whoever is available today to the house?" He asked before going quiet for a minute and hanging up.

"He is sending Jason over to the house. We will get you settled and busy with some TV, or a book and then we will figure out a game plan for security." Oliver said, as Sean pulled into the driveway.

We ate lunch, and true to his word he got me settled in our bed with a book and a bottle of water. Oliver leaned down and gave me a kiss on the forehead.

"Are you alright, little one?" He asked, still leaning over me.

"Yea, it kind of sucks that this is all happening, but I'm ok. Or at least still processing everything." I said snuggling down into the pillow, a nap was starting to sound nice.

"Have you given any thought on talking to a therapist who isn't involved with all of this?" He asked, cupping his hand to my cheek.

"No, but I will, I promise." I smiled back at him. Maybe having someone to talk to about all of this wouldn't be a bad idea. A new perspective and help to handle it all. I didn't like talking about my past, especially with strangers, but I knew that Oliver wouldn't push the question if he didn't think it was worth trying. Oliver gave me one last kiss before standing and letting me settle in with my book.

I missed reading, I hadn't done much of it lately. Nothing relaxes me and distracts me more than a good novel. I pulled the blankets up higher on me and sunk deeping in the stack of pillows behind me. Once comfortable, I opened up the cover of a book I'd got from work that sounded good. I started reading, letting the story distract me from the day, and the past that was racing to catch up with me.