"Jackson!" Veronica cried, gripping her husband's hand. "Please make it stop!"

Jackson leaned over his wife, brushing the damp hair away from her forehead.

"Baby, I'm right here. Tell me where it hurts."

"Down low, Jackson! It feels like somebody is squeezing me!"

Dr. Morgan moved to the opposite side of the bed.

"Veronica, I'm going to gently press on your abdomen. Tell me where you feel the most pain."

She began palpating the lower abdomen, first on the left, then on the right.

"Ouch!" Veronica cried as the doctor pressed near her right pelvic region.

"All right, Veronica. I won't press there again."

Jackson looked at Dr. Morgan.

"She's been having intermittent cramping, but this is considerably worse."

Dr. Morgan nodded.

"Caroline, let's get another set of vital signs and draw a repeat complete blood count and quantitative hCG."

Veronica looked frightened.

"More blood?"

Jackson kissed her forehead.

"Yes, sweetheart. They need to make sure you're not losing too much blood and check how things are progressing."

"Jackson, I've been stuck enough today!"

"I know, angel."

Caroline approached with the blood collection supplies.

"Veronica, we can collect the samples through a fresh venipuncture. I'll be as gentle as possible."

Veronica turned her face toward Jackson.

"Don't let go of my hand."

"Not a chance, baby."

After the blood samples were collected, Dr. Morgan pulled a stool beside Veronica.

"Now, Veronica, because you've had spotting and increasing pain, I recommend a pelvic examination. I'd like to inspect the cervix and determine whether there is active bleeding."

Veronica swallowed.

"Will you use that metal thing again?"

"A speculum, yes. I'll use an appropriately sized one, and I'll explain everything before I do it."

Veronica looked toward Jackson.

"Can't you do the examination?"

Jackson shook his head.

"Sweetheart, Dr. Morgan is the obstetrician. She's the right person to evaluate you."

"But you're my doctor too!"

He smiled gently.

"Tonight, baby, I need to be your husband."

After Veronica agreed, Caroline helped her move into position on the examination bed. She placed her feet in the supports and covered her with a drape.

Dr. Morgan washed her hands and put on examination gloves.

"Veronica, first I'm going to inspect the external tissue for any obvious source of bleeding."

Veronica nodded.

Jackson stood beside her shoulder, holding her hand.

"You're doing fine, angel."

Dr. Morgan completed the external inspection, then selected a small speculum.

"I'm going to insert the speculum now. You may feel some pressure."

Veronica immediately tensed.

"Jackson!"

"Look at me, baby."

She turned toward him.

"Take a slow breath. That's it."

Dr. Morgan paused until Veronica indicated she was ready.

She gently inserted the closed speculum, then opened it sufficiently to visualize the vaginal walls and cervix.

"All right, Veronica. I can see a small amount of blood near the cervical opening."

Jackson leaned forward.

"Is the cervix closed?"

"It appears closed on this examination," Dr. Morgan answered. "That's useful information, but it doesn't tell us everything about the pregnancy."

Veronica's eyes filled with tears.

"What does that mean?"

"It means we need the ultrasound before drawing conclusions, sweetheart," Jackson explained.

Dr. Morgan finished the inspection and carefully removed the speculum.

"All done with that portion, Veronica."

Veronica sighed.

"Thank goodness!"

Dr. Morgan explained that she did not need to perform a further internal examination at that moment.

"Let's get you comfortable and proceed with the ultrasound."

Caroline helped Veronica lower her legs and covered her with a warm blanket.

"Jackson?" Veronica whispered.

"Yes, baby?"

"Am I being difficult?"

He looked surprised.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because I keep crying and complaining."

Jackson sat beside her.

"Veronica Marie Williams, you are frightened, exhausted, and in pain. You have every right to tell us how you feel."

She smiled weakly.

"Even when I complain about the needles?"

"Even then, sweetheart."

A few minutes later, Dr. Morgan returned with the portable ultrasound machine.

"Veronica, we're going to perform another transvaginal ultrasound because it gives us the clearest view this early in pregnancy."

Veronica groaned.

"Again?"

Jackson squeezed her hand.

"One more examination, baby."

Dr. Morgan prepared the covered ultrasound probe with gel and explained the procedure before beginning.

Veronica nodded her consent.

The doctor gently inserted the probe and adjusted its position while studying the monitor.

Jackson stood close beside her.

For several moments, nobody spoke.

Veronica looked from the screen to her husband's face.

"Jackson, why isn't anybody saying anything?"

Dr. Morgan smiled reassuringly.

"I'm taking some measurements, Veronica. I want to be careful."

She examined the uterus, gestational sacs, and surrounding structures.

Then she pointed toward the monitor.

"Here is the first gestational sac."

Veronica squeezed Jackson's hand.

"And the other one?"

Dr. Morgan moved the probe slightly.

"There is a second sac. It appears that you may indeed be carrying twins."

Jackson's eyes filled with tears.

"Two babies," he whispered.

Veronica smiled through her tears.

"Jackson, we're really having two babies?"

"It certainly looks possible, sweetheart," Dr. Morgan answered. "But it's still early. We'll need follow-up imaging to establish how both pregnancies are developing."

She continued examining the images.

Then her expression became more serious.

"There's also a small collection of blood next to one of the sacs."

Jackson immediately looked at the monitor.

"A subchorionic hematoma?"

"That's what it appears to be," Dr. Morgan replied.

Veronica became frightened.

"A what?"

Dr. Morgan finished the ultrasound and helped Veronica get comfortable before explaining.

"A subchorionic hematoma is a collection of blood between the pregnancy membranes and the wall of the uterus. It can cause spotting or bleeding, and sometimes cramping."

Veronica began crying.

"Does that mean I'm going to lose my babies?"

"Not necessarily," Dr. Morgan answered gently. "Many pregnancies continue normally after this finding. But we need to monitor you and arrange another ultrasound."

Jackson wrapped his arm around Veronica.

"Did you hear that, baby? We don't know that anything terrible is going to happen."

She nodded against his chest.

Dr. Morgan continued.

"Your cervix appears closed, and I don't see heavy active bleeding right now. We'll review the laboratory results and continue observing you."

Veronica wiped her eyes.

"Can I please be done with examinations tonight?"

Dr. Morgan smiled.

"Unless something changes that requires immediate attention, I think you've earned a break."

Jackson chuckled.

"Did you hear that, Mrs. Williams?"

Veronica looked at him.

"Don't you start, Doctor Williams!"

He raised his hands.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

After Dr. Morgan left, Jackson helped Veronica settle against her pillows.

"Are you comfortable, angel?"

"Not really."

"What's bothering you?"

She looked down at her abdomen.

"Jackson, I'm scared to move. What if I hurt the babies?"

He sat beside her.

"Sweetheart, ordinary movement doesn't cause a subchorionic hematoma. We need to follow Dr. Morgan's recommendations, but you don't have to be afraid of every little movement."

Veronica nodded.

"Jackson?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Will you lie beside me for a little while?"

He glanced at the narrow hospital bed.

"I don't think there's room for both of us, sweetheart."

She pouted.

"Please?"

He smiled and leaned close enough for her to rest her head against his shoulder.

"How about this?"

She sighed.

"Better."

For several minutes they sat quietly.

Then Veronica spoke.

"Jackson, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the fainting."

He kissed the top of her head.

"We've talked about that, baby. What's important now is that you tell us when something isn't right."

She looked up.

"Are you still angry?"

"No, sweetheart. I was scared, and I handled it badly. I'm sorry for raising my voice."

Veronica touched his cheek.

"I love you."

"I love you too, angel."

Just then Caroline entered carrying a small tray.

"Good evening, you two. I have some medication for Veronica's nausea, if she'd like it."

Veronica immediately shook her head.

"No more medicine!"

Jackson looked at her.

"Baby, you've been nauseated all day."

"But I'm tired of everybody giving me things!"

Caroline set the tray down.

"That's understandable. Let me explain what Dr. Morgan prescribed, and you can decide whether you want it."

After hearing the explanation, Veronica agreed.

Caroline administered the medication through her IV, checking the line and flushing it according to the hospital's procedure.

"All finished, honey."

Veronica looked at Jackson.

"Do you think I'll ever get to go home?"

He smiled.

"Of course, sweetheart. We just need to make sure you're stable."

She closed her eyes.

"Jackson?"

"Yes, angel?"

"When we get home, I don't want to see another thermometer, blood pressure cuff, needle, or speculum for at least a month!"

Jackson laughed.

"I'll see what I can arrange."

"Jackson Michael!"

"All right, baby. No teasing."

A little after two in the morning, Veronica finally fell asleep.

Jackson sat in the chair beside her, watching the cardiac monitor and occasionally glancing at the ultrasound pictures Dr. Morgan had printed.

Two tiny possibilities.

Two little lives he already loved.

He gently rested his hand over Veronica's.

"Hang in there, my angels," he whispered.

But just before dawn, Veronica suddenly awakened.

"Jackson?"

He immediately sat forward.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

She looked frightened.

"I need to go to the bathroom."

"All right, baby. I'll call Caroline to help."

Veronica shook her head.

"No, Jackson. I think something's wrong."

He studied her face.

"What do you mean?"

She pulled back the blanket.

"Jackson, I think I'm bleeding again."

He pressed the call button immediately.

"Caroline, could you come in, please?"

Then he turned back toward his wife.

"Baby, I'm right here."

Veronica began trembling.

"Jackson, please don't let anything happen to our babies."

He took her hand.

"We're going to get you checked right away, sweetheart."

And as Caroline hurried through the door, Jackson realized that the longest night of their lives might not be over yet.

To be continued...