Without a word, Tom slammed on the brakes, the car lurching to a stop at the side of the road. Lucy barely noticed, her entire focus on Sonia's ragged breaths on the other end of the line.
The fragrant lemongrass and ginger that had filled the car just moments ago seemed to vanish, replaced by a cold dread that settled in Lucy's stomach.
"I'm bleeding," Sonia stammered, a tremor in her voice betraying her fear.
Lucy could hear Bryan's frantic voice in the background, a counterpoint to Sonia's choked sobs. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.
Tom looked at Lucy whose normally bright eyes were wide with terror and he reached for her hand which was trembling, "Find out where they are." for new novels
Panic clawed at Lucy's throat, squeezing the words out in a strangled whisper, "Where are you right now?"
"I'm losing my baby, Lu," she said, as though she was in a daze and couldn't hear Lucy's question.
Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold back the tears that welled up. She could practically feel Sonia's fear radiating through the phone.
Seeing as Lucy was too terrified to offer Sonia any comfort he took the phone from her, "Sony, calm down. Is Bryan there? Where are you?" Tom asked calmly.
A choked sob escaped from the phone. "He's... he's calling the ambulance," Sonia said between breaths.
"Put Bryan on," he said, his voice gruff but steady.
The next few minutes were a blur. Tom spoke with a calm urgency, directing Bryan to go to the nearest hospital. Lucy sat beside him, tears streaming down her face, a silent prayer forming on her lips. The takeout bags lay forgotten on the back seat, the delicious aroma now a mockery of their earlier carefree mood.
As soon as Tom gave the phone back to her, he threw the car into gear, the engine roaring to life and he sped through the city streets, sirens wailing in the distance a grim soundtrack to their frantic journey.
"We'll be there," Lucy forced the words out, her voice thick with emotion. "Just stay calm, Sonia. We're on our way," Lucy said to Sonia before hanging up.
Her trembling hands dropped to her lap. Lucy was grateful that it was Tom behind the wheel. As much as she tried to calm herself, her hands kept trembling.
As Tom drove, Lucy sobbed. She sobbed as flashes of Sonia ran through her head. She remembered how Sonia had wept when she found out she was pregnant.
She remembered how distraught Sonia had been at the thought that she would have to abort the pregnancy because she believed that Bryan wouldn't want it.
She remembered how happy Sonia had been when Bryan had said he wanted them to keep the baby. She remembered Sonia's joy when Bryan had proposed and how she had said she was happy she could now have a family of her own.
Sonia had been so excited with the idea of having her baby and she couldn't imagine Sonia losing it.
"God, no. Please no," Lucy cried.
"Calm down. You won't be of any help to her if you are this way. We don't know for sure if she had a miscarriage..."
Tears of relief streamed down Lucy's face, soaking his shirt. "Thank God," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Watching them, Tom felt himself tear up a bit so he turned away. He could very well understand Bryan's fears. He doubted anyone would be able to comfort or console him if it was Lucy who was in such a situation.
The Doctor cleared his throat. "If you'd like to follow me, I can take you to your wife's room. She won't be waking up soon. She is asleep and needs all the rest she can get."
Bryan wiped his eyes with a shaky hand. "Yes, of course. Thank you. Yes," he said, turning to Lucy and Tom. "Come on, let's go see her."
Lucy nodded, wiping her own tears. Relief and joy bubbled within her as she took Tom's hand and they followed Bryan and the doctor down the corridor, the earlier fear a distant memory.
The initial shock had subsided, replaced by an overwhelming sense of gratitude. They had come so close to losing something precious.
The scare had been a harsh reminder of the fragility of life, but it had also brought them closer. In the face of potential loss, they had found strength in their shared love and support for Sonia and their unborn child.
Plans of dinner and going to the club totally forgotten, Tom and Lucy spent the night at the hospital with Bryan, taking turns keeping vigil with Bryan beside Sonia, since Bryan had refused to take so much as a step away from Sonia's side.
When dawn finally broke, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, Sonia opened her eyes and tears gathered in her eyes when she saw Bryan seated beside her and holding her hands.
The moment Bryan saw her eyes open, he quickly rose, "How are you feeling? Are you okay?" He whispered and her lips trembled.
"Did we lose Ryso? Did I lose my baby?" She asked fearfully and Bryan shook his head.
"No. It was a threatened abortion. Ryso is okay. Are you fine?" He asked and she looked at him doubtfully.
"Don't lie to me, Bryan. I was bleeding..."
"I could never lie to you, love. Not with something like that. Our Ryso is fine. He is strong just like his mom," he said, and tears of relief rolled down the sides of her eyes.
The ordeal had taken its toll, but Sonia was alive, and their baby was safe. In that shared moment of fragile hope, a new appreciation for life blossomed within them, a silent promise to cherish each other and the miracle they had almost lost.
Lucy who had slept off the other side of the bed woke up and when she saw that Sonia was awake she quickly rose, "Sony!" She called and Sonia's gaze shifted to her since she hadn't noticed her presence before.
"I'm sorry I scared you all and..."
"None of that matters. You are fine, and our baby is safe, that's all that matters," Bryan said and Lucy nodded as she leaned down to embrace her.
"I will go get the doctor," Bryan said before leaving the room.
"I'm so glad you're okay, and our baby is fine. I was terrified," Lucy said and Sonia bobbed her head.
"Me too. I was so scared. I thought I was going to lose it. I thought it was going to leave because it knew I wanted to abort it the first time. I don't know what I would have done if I lost it, Lucy," Sonia cried, and Lucy's heart ached since she had never seen Sonia look so fragile and vulnerable.
"I'm glad we won't ever have to find out," Lucy said just as Bryan returned with the doctor and Tom also joined them.