Dane clipped my shoulder, and fell into step beside me as we made our way off the field.

“You guys got plans tonight?” He asked.

I shook my head. “No, but I was going to ask if you and Kennedy wanted join us for a barbeque. It will be good for Jade to spend some time with Kennedy, she’s been going a little crazy being stuck at home while we’re at school.”

Ain’t that the truth, I mused to myself.

Dane’s mouth opened, but his reply was cut off when we heard Kennedy’s shrill scream. We looked up, and she was running towards us.

“Reid! Come quick! It’s Jade!” She yelled, clearly panicked.

My heart lodged itself in my throat, and I dropped everything in my hands. I ran after Kennedy, up towards the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, and pushed through the small crowd surrounding Jade. She was propped up against the wall, clutching her belly, with Grady at her side trying to get her to stay calm. Her head tilted up, and when she saw me her tears fell in earnest.

“What happened?” I asked, barely masking my own panic. I dropped down next to her, and brushed her hair from her face.

Jade grabbed my arm. “S-stella,” she cried. My blood froze in my veins. “S-she tri-pped m-me in the bathroom, and I f-fell onto my s-stomach.”

Fear gripped my chest, and constricted my airways, but I could see Jade was just as scared.

“Okay, baby,” I slipped my arms under her legs, and around her back, and carefully lifted her in my arms. “Let me take you to the hospital.”

“Shouldn’t you wait for an ambulance?” Asked Grady. His face was pale, but hard.

“No time,” I replied. “Find Stella.” My voice was eerily calm, despite the ruckus going on inside my head.

Grady nodded, and without preamble barged into the locker room with Kennedy hot on his heels.

“I’ll drive you,” said Dane. “Kennedy and Grady can meet us there.”

I tightened my jaw, clutching Jade to my chest, and hurried towards my Range Rover. I climbed into the backseat with Jade on my lap and tried to reassure her it would be okay. Problem was I wasn’t sure it would be and for the first time in forever, I found myself praying. I knew losing this baby wasn’t something we’d survive.

THE DRIVE TO THE hospital was a blur, and as soon as we arrived the nurses and doctors took over. They tried to get me to leave the room when they examined Jade, but after I threatened to punch one of the male nurses, they realized I wasn’t going anywhere until I knew Jade and our baby were going to be okay.

Dr. Burke, Jade’s OBGYN, was called in and did an ultrasound to check on the baby. I swear my own heart had stopped...until we heard the sweet, sweet sound of our baby girl’s heartbeat.

Jade wailed, and I held her head against my chest, fighting tears of my own. I’d been so focused on getting Jade here that I hadn’t had time to process anything.

“Shhh,” – I kissed her forehead – “She’s fine. You’re both fine.”

Jade nodded, but I could see she wasn’t appeased. She was still holding my hand in a death grip, and couldn’t quite get a handle on her emotions. Not that I blamed her for that. I couldn’t imagine what was going through her head, and the more I thought about it the guiltier I felt.

I should have been there, I admonished myself. That psycho shouldn’t have been anywhere Jade.

“Your baby’s heartbeat is a little high,” said Dr. Burke. “But that’s as a result of the trauma, and the stress. Your placenta is still intact, which is a very good sign, and your cervix isn’t dilated.” She rubbed Jade’s arm affectionately. “My only concern is that your membranes have ruptured, which means you can go into preterm labor. I’m going to have to keep you here for observation to make sure you don’t go into labor within the next forty-eight hours, and once you’re out of the danger zone, you’ll be put on bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy, just as a precaution.”

“Will Jade still be able to carry to full term?” I asked.

“Most women who experience a fall during their pregnancy, especially at this stage, go into labor within four weeks of a membrane breakage, but with a little luck we’ll get your little princess to stay in there until your 37th week.”

“And the baby will be fine if she’s born then?”

Dr. Burke nodded. “Absolutely.”

A nurse came in, and gave Jade her hospital gown, and after I helped her change, she was put on an I.V.

“I’ll be back to check on you in a few hours, but if you need anything, you can page me. I’ll be on call until you’re in the clear,” Dr. Burke told Jade.

She left us, and for the first time since we’d arrived we were alone. I wiped the tears from Jade’s face, and sat as close to her as the chair and the bed would allow.

“I was so scared,” she cried. “I thought...I thought...”

“Hey,” – I kissed her trembling hand – “You heard what Dr. Burke said. Baby’s fine for now, and that’s all that matters. You want to tell me what happened?”

While Jade explained to me what had happened, I felt my blood boil, and if I weren’t so determined to stay with her, I would have found Stella myself. She’d gone too far this time.

“She won’t hurt you again,” I told Jade. “Get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

I slipped out for a few minutes to call our parents, and to update our friends. Kennedy was a mess, and once I’d told them everything was going to be okay, she’d hugged me tightly. I held her close, and allowed myself to exhale in relief for the first time since we’d arrived.

“We couldn’t find Stella,” said Grady, his expression a mixture of relief, concern, and contrition.

“We’ll sort it out,” I said. “I’ll talk to my dad when he gets here.” I had to make sure Stella would never be able to harm Jade again. With whatever means necessary.

Our parents showed up a little later, but Jade was still asleep so I’d filled them in. I relayed all of the information Dr. Burke had given us, and told them Jade would have to be put on bed rest until it was safe for her to deliver at 37 weeks.

Her mother had immediately offered to take care of her at our house, and so did my mother, and I was grateful for it. I couldn’t afford to take time off school, but I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to.

Dane, Kennedy, and Grady had gone home, and after promising to call them if I needed anything, I pulled my father aside, and asked him if there was anything we could do to keep Stella from hurting Jade again.

“I’ll make some calls,” he said, going into lawyer mode. “For now, you just take care of Jade.”

“I swear, Dad, if Stella ever comes near Jade again...” I stopped myself, and shook my head. I was starting to crumble under the weight of what could have happened, and was trying to stay composed.

“Let me take care of it,” my father said, concern knitting his brow. “Right now, all that matters is that she didn’t do worse. Jade and the baby are not in danger anymore.”

I simply nodded, and took a few calming breaths before heading back into Jade’s room. Her parents stayed for a short while, on account of visiting hours being over, and when my parents departed soon after, I took my seat next to Jade’s bed. She was asleep and looked so peaceful as the steady beep-beep from the fetal monitor filled the quiet room. I knew I wasn’t going to sleep for shit, but there was no way I was leaving.