Veronica lay on the examination stretcher watching Jackson pace back and forth. She could tell he was worried, but after their earlier disagreement, he was making a special effort to remain calm.

"Jackson Michael Williams, would you please sit down? You're making me dizzy just watching you!"

Jackson stopped and smiled.

"Sorry, baby."

He pulled his chair closer and took her hand.

"How's your headache, sweetheart?"

"Still there, but it's not terrible."

"On a scale of one to ten?"

Veronica rolled her eyes.

"Jackson, must you always be a doctor?"

He chuckled.

"Occupational hazard, Mrs. Williams."

"About a four," she finally answered.

Just then Caroline entered the room.

"All right, Veronica. Radiology is ready for you. Dr. Harris has discussed the CT scan with you, and we just need to confirm you're comfortable proceeding."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"Will you come?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

Caroline helped her into a wheelchair and checked that her IV tubing was secure.

As they approached radiology, Veronica became increasingly nervous.

"Jackson, what if they find something wrong with my head?"

He knelt beside her wheelchair.

"Then we'll find out what it is and what needs to be done. But we aren't going to assume the worst."

She nodded.

The radiology technologist greeted them and explained the procedure.

"Veronica, we're going to perform a CT scan of your head without contrast. You'll lie on a narrow table, and it will move through the scanner. The actual imaging takes only a short time."

"Do I have to go all the way inside that machine?"

"Only your head will be positioned within the scanner opening."

Jackson squeezed her shoulder.

"I'll be right outside, baby."

She reluctantly released his hand.

Once positioned, Veronica heard the machine begin to hum.

"Please remain still," the technologist instructed through the speaker.

She closed her eyes.

Please let everything be okay, she thought.

Several minutes later, the examination was finished.

When Jackson saw her coming out, he smiled.

"There's my girl."

Veronica reached for him.

"Can we go home now?"

"Let's wait for the results, sweetheart."

Back in the emergency department, Caroline returned to assess Veronica.

"Let's see how your blood pressure is doing."

She wrapped the cuff around Veronica's arm.

"One hundred and twelve over seventy-two. That's better."

Jackson nodded approvingly.

"How's the dizziness?"

"Better when I'm lying down."

Caroline checked the IV site for redness or swelling and recorded the remaining fluid in the bag.

"Your IV looks good. Any burning or discomfort?"

"No."

"Excellent."

Dr. Harris entered a few minutes later.

"Well, Veronica, I have some good news. Your CT scan doesn't show any acute bleeding or other obvious traumatic injury."

Veronica sighed with relief.

"Oh, thank goodness!"

Jackson leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"That's wonderful news, baby."

"But," Dr. Harris continued, "we still need to determine why you've been fainting. The dehydration and blood pressure changes may be contributing, but I don't want to assume they're the entire explanation."

Veronica looked suspicious.

"That sounds like you're planning more tests."

Dr. Harris smiled.

"I'd like to observe you overnight, monitor your heart rhythm, and repeat some laboratory work in the morning."

"OVERNIGHT?" Veronica exclaimed.

Jackson gently touched her shoulder.

"Baby, listen to what he's saying."

"No, Jackson! I've been examined, had blood drawn, had an IV, had an ultrasound, and now a CT scan! I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I want my own bed!"

Dr. Harris pulled a chair beside her.

"I understand. But repeated unexplained fainting can be dangerous, especially when you've already been injured in a fall. My recommendation is to stay."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"You're going to agree with him, aren't you?"

Jackson took a deep breath.

"Yes, sweetheart. I think staying is the safest choice. But I want you to understand why, and I want us to talk about what happens next."

She stared at him for several seconds.

Then her lower lip began trembling.

"I just want everything to be normal again."

Jackson moved closer.

"Oh, baby."

He wrapped his arms around her.

"I know."

She began crying against his chest.

"I was so happy when you told me we were having a baby, and now all I do is worry that something is wrong."

Jackson kissed the top of her head.

"Sweetheart, finding out you're pregnant doesn't mean every moment has to be perfect. Sometimes things get complicated. But we're going to get through this together."

She wiped her eyes.

"Promise you won't get mad at me again?"

He looked directly into her eyes.

"I can't promise I'll never feel frustrated, Veronica. But I can promise I'll work on how I handle it. You deserve kindness, especially when you're frightened."

She nodded.

"Okay."

Later that evening, Veronica was transferred to a private observation room.

Caroline helped her change into a clean gown and attached a portable cardiac monitor.

"These electrodes will stay on overnight so we can watch your heart rhythm."

Veronica looked down at the wires.

"Jackson, I look like a Christmas tree!"

He laughed.

"Well, you're certainly the prettiest Christmas tree I've ever seen."

She smiled.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Doctor Williams."

Caroline checked her blood pressure and temperature once more before leaving.

"Your call button is right here, Veronica. Please use it before getting out of bed."

Jackson pulled the chair close to her bedside.

"Now, sweetheart, how about some supper?"

Her eyes lit up.

"Pizza?"

He chuckled.

"Not tonight, baby. Let's see what the hospital kitchen has."

Veronica groaned.

"You're a terrible husband."

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely. You promised pizza."

He leaned over and kissed her.

"I promise we'll have pizza when you're discharged."

She smiled.

"With breadsticks."

"With breadsticks."

After supper, Veronica began feeling sleepy.

Jackson helped arrange her pillows and pulled the blanket around her shoulders.

"Comfortable, angel?"

"Almost."

"What do you need?"

She held out her hand.

"You."

He sat beside her and took her hand.

"I'm right here."

Within minutes, Veronica fell asleep.

Jackson remained awake, watching the steady rhythm on the cardiac monitor.

At approximately eleven thirty, Caroline entered quietly to check Veronica's vital signs.

Jackson stood.

"How's she doing?"

"Her blood pressure has remained stable, Doctor. Her heart rhythm has been normal so far."

Jackson nodded.

"Good."

But just as Caroline turned to leave, Veronica suddenly stirred.

"Jackson?" she whispered.

He immediately leaned over her.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"My stomach hurts."

Jackson's expression changed.

"Where, baby?"

She placed her hand low on her abdomen.

"Right here."

"Is it cramping?"

She nodded.

"Pretty bad."

Jackson pressed the call button.

Caroline returned almost immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"She's having lower abdominal pain," Jackson explained.

Caroline checked Veronica's blood pressure and asked her to rate the pain.

"About a seven," Veronica whispered.

Dr. Harris was contacted and arrived shortly afterward.

"Veronica, I'm going to examine your abdomen and ask a few questions. Have you noticed any vaginal bleeding?"

She hesitated.

Jackson noticed immediately.

"Von?"

She looked at him with frightened eyes.

"Jackson, when I went to the bathroom earlier, there was a little pink on the toilet paper."

Jackson felt his stomach tighten.

"Baby, why didn't you tell someone?"

Tears began rolling down her cheeks.

"Because I was scared."

He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering his promise.

Then he sat beside her.

"All right, sweetheart. Thank you for telling us now."

Dr. Harris gently examined her abdomen, checking for tenderness and guarding.

"I'd like obstetrics to reassess you tonight," he said. "Bleeding and pain in early pregnancy can have several causes, and we need to investigate."

Veronica began shaking.

"Jackson, am I losing our babies?"

He took both her hands.

"We don't know that, sweetheart."

"But what if I am?"

His own eyes filled with tears.

"Then we'll face whatever happens together. But right now, we need to let the doctors find out what's happening."

A few minutes later, an obstetrician entered the room.

"Hello, Veronica. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Morgan. I understand you've developed some cramping and spotting."

Veronica nodded.

Dr. Morgan pulled up a chair.

"I'd like to repeat the ultrasound, check your blood work, and, with your permission, perform a pelvic examination to determine whether the bleeding is coming from the cervix."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"Another pelvic examination?"

He squeezed her hand.

"I know, baby. It's been a long day."

She swallowed hard.

"Will you stay with me?"

Jackson leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Every minute they'll let me, sweetheart."

Dr. Morgan smiled reassuringly.

"We'll explain each step, Veronica, and you can tell us if you need to stop."

Veronica took a deep breath.

"Okay."

But as Caroline began preparing the examination equipment, Veronica suddenly grabbed Jackson's wrist.

"Jackson!"

"What is it, baby?"

Her face twisted in pain.

"The cramps! They're getting worse!"

Jackson turned toward Dr. Morgan.

"Doctor, something's happening!"

Dr. Morgan immediately moved to the bedside.

"Veronica, I need you to tell me exactly what you're feeling."

Veronica clutched Jackson's hand.

And for the first time since discovering they were expecting, Jackson Williams found himself completely helpless—not as a doctor, but as a husband terrified for the woman he loved.

To be continued...