Soulmates

Chapter seventeen

"Can everyone please leave," Kelly asks in a choked whisper, letting out a shaky breath. "Bryce, don't let me lose my babies."

"Shhh," Bryce says softly stroking her hair. "Your babies are going to be fine. They need their mommy to calm down."

"Can we get another bed in here for her, please," I ask in a soothing whisper. 

"Do it," Joyce says in sympathy. 

"Thank you," Kelly chokes with relief. "Can you send in Claire?"

Joyce nods as she and Bryce leave the room. Moments later Kelly's parents and grandparents walk in. Her father had a scowling look on his face and she chokes quietly, "If you're in here to cause stress, get out. I might be going in premature labor and Jennifer hasn't had her medication yet."

Valerie jabs her elbow in Victor's side and he walks out. "He didn't sleep well, worried about the two of you," Valerie says softly and Kelly nods lightly. "Everyone is here if you're up to seeing them."

"I need to stop these contractions first," she hisses as she clamps down on my hand again. 

"They're still fifteen minutes apart," I say quietly and start humming the lullaby. 

She lets out a calming breath and her family was surprised by how quickly she was calming down. Her grandmother wishes us to feel better and they leave so we could have a quiet, calm room. Claire was walking in as they left with my medication and a prenatal vitamin for Kelly. She helps me take my medication as another bed was brought in for Kelly along with a fetal monitor. 

Claire helps Kelly move to her own bed and places the fetal monitors on her stomach. She helps her get comfortable with a pillow under her knees. She goes to leave, but Kelly grabs her hand. "Please don't go. You're the only person other than Jennifer that calms them down," she chokes in a breathy whisper. 

Claire looks at me and tears fill my eyes. "Please, Claire. We need to stop her from going into labor. She's already had three contractions," I choke in a scared whisper.

She climbs in the spare space next to Kelly and Kelly lets out a calming breath. Claire massages her temples and Kelly hums in content, closing her eyes. Bryce walks in with Joyce and they notice she was in the bed next to me with Claire. Joyce was about to say something, but I shook my head, giving her a pleading look.

Another doctor walks in, looking me over and checks my vitals. "How are you feeling," she asks softly as she changes the bandages on my chest. 

"I'm fine, just worried about my wife going into premature labor," I choke quietly. I look at the bullet shard on the table next to me and ask, "How bad was it?"

"A knick in your pulmonary artery, but other than that everything was fine. You're a lucky woman," the doctor says softly and looks at Kelly. "She asked for me personally. She's helped me with more than one surgery, the least I could do was save you for her sake."

"Thank you," I choke quietly and look over at Kelly. Tears roll down my cheeks and choke in a whisper, "She wouldn't be going through this if it weren't for that damn bullet fragment."

"She said you got it in Iraq, taking four bullets for Jamie. I'm surprised you've lived this long with it," she says quietly. 

"Devon," Kelly says quietly and the doctor looks at her. "I understand why she feels responsible. How is the healing process?"

"She's healed more than expected," Devon says softly, taping a new bandage in place. "I know you're currently under observation for the twins, but once you're able to go home, she can too. No strenuous activity for six weeks, such as sex, running, climbing stairs or anything that involves increasing your heart rate. I don't want to aggravate the stitches on your artery."