By the time Jackson and Veronica arrived at the emergency department, Veronica was thoroughly irritated.

"Jackson, I am perfectly capable of walking!" she protested as he pushed her wheelchair toward an examination room.

"Veronica Marie, we've discussed this. You have had three episodes of syncope, one resulting in a fall down the stairs. Until we know why, you're not walking around unassisted."

"Syncope?" she asked.

"Fainting, sweetheart. It's the medical term."

"Well, why can't you just say fainting?"

Jackson sighed.

"Because, Mrs. Williams, sometimes I forget I'm talking to my wife and not another physician."

A nurse named Caroline entered the examination room.

"Dr. Williams, Dr. Bennett called ahead. We're going to begin with a neurological assessment, an electrocardiogram, and orthostatic vital signs."

"Good," Jackson replied. "I also want her hemoglobin and electrolytes reviewed."

Caroline smiled at Veronica.

"Let's get you into a hospital gown, honey."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"Again?"

"Yes, baby."

She sighed dramatically.

"I think I've spent more time undressing today than I have wearing clothes!"

Jackson couldn't help smiling.

"Come on, sweetheart. I'll step outside while you change."

Once Veronica was settled on the examination stretcher, Caroline attached three cardiac monitoring electrodes to her chest and two to her abdomen.

"These will allow us to monitor your heart rhythm," Caroline explained.

She placed a pulse oximeter on Veronica's index finger and wrapped a blood pressure cuff around her arm.

The monitor displayed a heart rate of 108 beats per minute.

Jackson frowned.

"Your pulse is elevated, Von."

"Maybe because everybody keeps poking and prodding me!"

Caroline then prepared a twelve-lead ECG. She positioned the electrodes across Veronica's chest and limbs, checking each connection before recording the tracing.

"Hold still for just a few seconds."

The machine printed a narrow strip of paper.

Jackson glanced at it, but the emergency physician, Dr. Harris, reviewed the tracing himself.

"Sinus tachycardia," Dr. Harris said. "No obvious acute rhythm abnormality on this recording."

Veronica looked confused.

"Is that bad?"

"It means your heart is beating faster than usual, but the rhythm itself appears regular," Dr. Harris explained.

Next came the orthostatic blood pressure measurements.

Caroline measured Veronica's pressure while she was lying flat.

"One hundred and eight over sixty-eight."

After several minutes, she helped Veronica sit upright.

"How do you feel?"

"A little lightheaded."

Caroline repeated the measurement.

"Ninety-eight over sixty-two."

Jackson watched closely.

"Any nausea, baby?"

"Some."

With assistance, Veronica stood beside the stretcher.

Almost immediately, she grabbed Jackson's arm.

"Jackson, I'm dizzy!"

He and Caroline helped her lie down again.

"That's enough," Dr. Harris said. "We don't need to risk another collapse."

Veronica's face was pale.

"I told you I didn't feel good."

Jackson brushed her hair away from her forehead.

"I know, sweetheart."

Dr. Harris explained that the blood pressure changes suggested an orthostatic component to her symptoms, possibly related to dehydration, but further investigation was necessary.

He then began a detailed neurological examination.

He assessed Veronica's orientation, speech, facial symmetry, eye movements, sensation, coordination, and muscle strength.

"Push against my hands, Veronica."

She pushed.

"Now pull toward you."

He checked both arms, then examined her legs.

"Lift your right leg off the mattress."

She complied.

"Now the left."

When he finished, he used a reflex hammer to assess her knee and ankle reflexes.

Veronica jumped when he tapped below her kneecap.

"Good heavens!"

Jackson chuckled.

"That's supposed to happen, baby."

"Well, somebody could warn me!"

Dr. Harris smiled.

"Your responses appear symmetrical. That's reassuring, although it doesn't rule out every possible injury."

He examined the tender area on the back of her head and explained that because she had lost consciousness and could not remember the fall, they needed to consider head imaging.

Veronica became quiet.

"Will that hurt?"

"No," Dr. Harris answered. "A CT scan is painless. We'd discuss the small radiation exposure and the benefits of imaging during pregnancy before proceeding."

Jackson squeezed her hand.

"We'll make the decision together, sweetheart."

For several minutes, Veronica said nothing.

Then Caroline returned to check her IV.

"Veronica, have you needed to use the bathroom?"

Veronica hesitated.

"Actually, yes."

"All right. We'll help you to the commode."

"I can go by myself," Veronica insisted.

Jackson immediately looked up.

"No, you cannot."

"Jackson, I'm not a child!"

"Then stop acting like you don't understand the seriousness of this!"

The words came out much louder than he intended.

The entire room fell silent.

Veronica stared at him.

Her eyes filled with tears.

"Jackson Michael Williams," she whispered, "you don't have to yell at me."

Jackson rubbed his forehead.

"Veronica, I'm trying to keep you safe!"

"And I'm trying to tell you how I feel!"

"Well, perhaps if you'd told me about the fainting spells two weeks ago, we wouldn't be standing here wondering whether you've injured yourself!"

Veronica's expression crumpled.

She turned her face toward the wall.

"Fine," she whispered. "I won't say another word."

Caroline quietly stepped toward the door.

"Dr. Williams, perhaps you could take a few minutes. I'll stay with Veronica."

Jackson looked at his wife.

For the first time, he realized how frightened she was.

He had been so focused on being a physician that he had forgotten what she needed from him as her husband.

He stepped into the hallway.

Several minutes later, Jackson returned.

Veronica was lying on her side, facing away from the door.

"Von?" he said softly.

She didn't answer.

"Baby, would you look at me, please?"

"Are you going to yell again?"

Her question hurt more than he expected.

Jackson pulled a chair beside her bed.

"No, sweetheart. I'm not."

She slowly turned toward him.

He took her hand.

"Veronica, I owe you an apology."

She watched him silently.

"I was frightened when I found out you'd been fainting. Then I learned you fell down the stairs, and I started imagining everything that could have happened to you."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Jackson, I was scared to tell you."

"I know, baby. And I made that worse by losing my temper."

He paused.

"I had no right to speak to you that way. You weren't being childish. You were frightened, uncomfortable, and tired of examinations."

Veronica began crying harder.

"I just wanted my husband, Jackson. Not Dr. Williams telling me what to do every minute."

He stood and gently embraced her.

"Oh, angel. I'm so sorry."

She buried her face against his chest.

"I know you're worried, but sometimes you scare me when you get so stern."

Jackson closed his eyes.

"Then that's something I need to work on. I can be protective without raising my voice."

She pulled back slightly.

"Promise?"

"I promise, sweetheart."

He kissed her forehead.

"And there's something else. From now on, when we're making decisions about your care, I want you to feel comfortable asking questions or telling us when you need a break."

Veronica nodded.

"Okay."

Just then, Dr. Harris returned carrying the latest laboratory results.

"How are we doing in here?"

Jackson looked at Veronica.

"Better, I hope."

She gave him a small smile.

Dr. Harris reviewed the results.

"Veronica, your hemoglobin is mildly low, and the urine testing suggests you're somewhat dehydrated. Your electrolytes are reassuring. We're still investigating the episodes of loss of consciousness, particularly the one involving the stairs."

Veronica sighed.

"Does that mean more tests?"

"Possibly. I'd like to discuss the head imaging, continue monitoring you, and make sure you can safely sit and stand before we consider discharge."

Jackson looked at his wife.

"How does that sound, baby?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Are you asking me instead of telling me?"

He smiled sheepishly.

"Yes, Mrs. Williams. I believe I am."

"Well, Doctor Williams, I think that sounds reasonable."

Dr. Harris chuckled.

"Excellent. I'll give you two a moment."

After he left, Veronica reached for Jackson's hand.

"Jackson?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I really am happy about our babies."

His expression softened.

"So am I, angel."

"But I'm scared."

He kissed her fingers.

"Me too, Von. More than you know."

She looked surprised.

"You? Scared?"

Jackson nodded.

"Being a doctor doesn't mean I stop being afraid when someone I love is hurting."

Veronica pulled him closer.

"Then maybe we can be scared together."

He smiled.

"I think that's a very good idea."

A moment later, Caroline knocked and entered.

"Veronica, the doctor has ordered another set of vital signs, and radiology is ready to discuss your scan."

Veronica groaned.

"Oh, good grief! Doesn't anybody in this hospital believe in naps?"

Jackson laughed.

"Come on, baby. One thing at a time."

She pointed a finger at him.

"And no more yelling, Doctor Williams!"

He raised both hands.

"Yes, ma'am."

Then Veronica smiled mischievously.

"And Jackson?"

"Yes, angel?"

"You still owe me pizza."

He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Extra cheese and breadsticks. I haven't forgotten."

To be continued...