Paradise Bound (bxb)

Chapter 7

My mother's scrutinizing gaze on my neck made me wish I had a turtle shell I could duck my head into.

After some time at Jace's, Ryder dropped me off at my house before he went to visit his father. Mom was excited to see me, flinging the door open and wrapping me in her arms tightly like a snake squeezing the life out of their prey. After, she dragged me into the house where her eyes zeroed in on my newly marked neck.

"I see the new relationship is blossoming quite well" she commented after her eyes met mine.

"A bit"

"You know how to cover those, right?" She quirks an eyebrow at me.

"Yes ma" I groaned

"Hey, I'm not trying to lecture I'm just making sure you know to cover it. It's not very proper to have them exposed during school or work"

"I know, I know" I love my mother and how she isn't so hardcore strict on things like this.

"Does that mean you have a boyfriend to introduce?"

"Well I don't quite know if he's my boyfriend" I admitted, scratching the back of my head.

"Matthew" she scolded and I winced.

"We didn't establish that" I shrugged "I'll letcha know when it happens"

"Are you at least using protection? I know you guys can't get each other pregnant but there are diseases" she asked and I flushed in embarrassment.

"We aren't at that stage yet but surely we will ma"

"Aww hunny, it's nothing to be embarrassed about" she hugged my side, rubbing her hand up and down my arm.

"Josie cat, I got your favorite wine I was hoping we can get a little frisky tonight" my father's voice sang after the front door opened. I grimaced as my mother giggled.

"Tom dear, Matt is home for the weekend" she said loud enough for him to hear. He turned the corner into the kitchen and his eyes landed on me.

"Oh, it appears he is...Damnit" he sighed

"Gee thanks dad" I laughed

"Matt, my boy, when you get to our age you'll understand how important it is to maintain a healthy s*x life like your mother and I" he told me

"I don't need to picture that" I scrunched my face up in disgust. "But I can sleep at Jace's or Ryder's" I offered

"Yes!" Dad cheered and mom scoffed.

"Matt, you're staying" she said in a final tone.

"Awwww" dad and I both whined.

"You two are terrible" she shook her head "I'm going to get dinner going" she said over her shoulder while walking to the fridge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, I awakened to my phone blaring.

"Hello?" I answered groggily. A sob broke through the other end making me fully wake up instantly.

"Matt....there's blood" Amber's voice said in a cry.

"Amber, what happened?" I asked worriedly while getting up and throwing on random clothes.

"I woke up to go to the bathroom and there's blood" she sniffled. "My parents are gone so I can't get to the emergency clinic"

"I'll come get you and bring you there" I rushed out.

"Okay" she answered.

"I know you may want to bite my head off for saying this, but don't stress yourself out too much. Remember it isn't good for the babies said softly.

"I know" she whimpered

"I'm leaving now, be there in 5 minutes" I told her after grabbing my mom's keys and jetting out the door. I sent a text to my mom to let her know I was using her car before I pocketed my phone and got in the car. In record time, I made it to Amber's house.

I ran up to her door and she opened it before I could knock. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying. I gave her a quick hug before I helped her down the steps and to the passenger door before climbing back in and heading to the clinic. We didn't talk on the way there but I held her hand in comfort. I was worried about the babies as well but she needed me right now. I needed to hold it together and be strong for her sake.

Once at the clinic, we checked in and waited for them to call her back.

"Smith" a lady called out. We both stood and were escorted back to an ultrasound room. The lady instructed Amber to lay on the table with her shirt lifted to expose her belly.

It was like the first ultrasound, however there was a lot more clicking of the machine involved and the lady didn't really talk to us besides to tell us the heartbeats were still going strong. It was a such relief to hear.

After the lady got the pictures she needed, she instructed us to wait in another waiting room until the doctor calls us back to go over the images.

"What do you think is wrong?" Amber asked, her eyes shining in the light.

"I'm not sure" I frowned and took her hand again "But she said their heartbeats were great, so that's a good sign" I tried reassuring her.

"The doctor will see you now" a nurse politely said while escorting us to a room.

"Hello Amber, nice to see you again. Is this the father?" The older lady asked with a smile.

"Yes, this is Matt" Amber introduced as I took a seat in the chair while she sat up on the bed in the room.

Amber ran through what happened this morning and the doctor asked how big the clots were. Usually I'd be disgusted about blood from a woman's hooha but I'm too worried to care at this moment.

The doctor pulled up the ultrasounds from today on her computer before starting to talk "So, the images we took today reveals there is a blood clot behind the placenta. It isn't something you did or didn't do. If it grows anymore, it will completely detach the placenta" she informed us as she pointed to the images. She then frowned before continuing "I'm not saying it will happen or it will not happen-"

My stomach dropped at those words, praying what she says next isn't what I was thinking.

"However, I would prepare yourselves in case of a miscarriage" she finished sympathetically. Amber burst into tears and I immediately got up and hugged her to me. The doctor gave us a minute before speaking again.

"It is possible they will be just fine but I also wanted to make sure you knew there was that possibility as well. We won't know what happens until it does. For now, I recommend two weeks of bed rest, schedule a follow up next week and the week after so we can keep an eye on what is happening"

"Thank you Dr. Gables" Amber blubbered out, wiping at her eyes. I rubbed my hand up and down her back.

"Take your time in here and we will see you next week" she gave a light touch on Amber's shoulder before leaving the room.

My mind was just whirring around the fact we could possibly lose them. I felt numb. I couldn't fathom losing them. It was a shock to find out I was going to be a father at nineteen, but now I've grown to love them already and love picturing two little babies running around me the rest of my life.

"Oh, Matt...what if we lose them" Amber cried, holding on to me tightly.

"Hey, hey don't think like that. Try and stay positive. She said there was a chance it will all be fine. Focus on that" I softly said, continuing to rub her back.

After a little while, Amber calmed down enough to want to leave the room. We scheduled her next two appointments and I told her I would go to the one next week for sure and that I'd just have to skip classes and work for that day.

I brought her back to her house, helping her inside and up to her room.

"Do you need anything?" I asked her once she settled under the covers on her side.

"Maybe a bottle of water from the kitchen?" she asked and I nodded, running down to the kitchen quickly and grabbing a couple bottles of water. I saw granola bars and a small bag of cheezits and decided it would be better to grab them just in case. I ran back up the stairs and gave her the items.

"Thank you"

"No problem, anything else?"

"No, my parents will be home soon and I was going to call Corrine" she said quietly "Thank you for bringing me to the clinic, Matt"

"You're crazy if you think I was going to just let you go alone....like I told you Amber, I'm going to be here for our kids no matter what" I told her and she gave a small smile "Now, get some rest and don't hesitate to call me for anything"

"Thank you, Matt...Oh and good to see you and Ryder are getting along" she nodded toward me, eyes on my neck. My hand instinctively reached up and covered the spot.

"Yeah" I blushed "Sorry, I was in a hurry and forgot to cover it"

"It's fine, I'm happy to see it's going well" she smiled. Just then, I heard the front door open and hurried steps on the stairs. "I texted them while we were waiting" she told me and I nodded in understanding. Her parents rushed in with a flurry of questions. I stayed by the door while Amber explained everything with more tears tracking down her face. It breaks my heart to hear it all over again.

"Thank you for taking her, Matt. I pray everything will be okay" her mother says with tears welled in her eyes.

"Me too" I replied softly. "I'm just a phone call away" I looked to Amber.

"I'll call you later" Amber told me and I waved a small goodbye before retreating down the stairs and to the car.

I made my way home and in the house. It was quiet. My parents must be out somewhere. I probably should've texted or called them to let them know what was going on. I placed the keys back on the designated hook before leaving the house again and walking to Jace's. On my walk I got out my phone and dialed my mom.

"Hey sweetie" she answered.

"Mom" I croaked out then cleared my throat.

"What's wrong Mattsy?" she asked with worry in her voice.

"Amber woke up bleeding, she called me and I took her to the emergency clinic and the doctor told us that it could possibly turn into a miscarriage. She told us to schedule a follow up next week and a week after that" I was surprised that I was able to tell her all the details of the day without breaking down. It felt like I was on autopilot almost.

"Oh my" she gasped when I was done telling her "Oh Matt, just stay hopeful and be there for her" her tone melancholy.

"I know, I already told her I was going to go to the next week's appointment no matter what"

"Good, good. If she needs anything, let us know dear"

"I will. I will also keep you updated. I'm going to visit Jace for a little bit"

"Okay, hunny. We will see you at home later. I love you"

"I love you too ma" I told her before hanging up the phone.

A short walk later and I'm in front of Jace's door. I knock softly and wait, hearing footsteps on the other side. The door opens to reveal a smiling Jace but as soon as he sees my face it turns in to concern. He pulls me in the house quickly and shuts the door.

"Matt, what's wrong?" He asked and my eyes begin to sting with tears threatening to fall. The second that question is asked, Ryder hurriedly comes around the corner. His concern mirrors Jace.

He instantly steps in front of me and brings me into a hug and the water dam breaks. A sob rips out of my throat and then I begin to tell him and Jace everything in a blubber while Ryder holds me tightly.

"I'm sorry to hear about what is happening, Matthew, remember to stay positive and pray for the better outcome though" Ryder softly says as he pulls back and wipes my tear stained cheeks with his thumbs.

"Tell her if she needs anything while you're back at school that I will be able to help her out too" Jace tells me. I smile in gratitude.

"Thanks" I croaked, wiping my nose. Ugh, I hate ugly crying.

"Here let's sit down and relax. You've had a very stress filled day" Ryder offers, pulling me with him to the living room. He lounges on the couch and pulls me to lay on top of him. I lay my head on his chest as his fingers run smoothly up and down my back. His scent envelopes my nose and sends a calming effect over my being. I feel him lay his cheek on the top of my head. "Just know I'll always be here for you for whatever, sunflower" he whispers.

"Me too, but you already knew that" Jace pipes in, sitting on the recliner. "And make sure to keep us updated on Amber and the babies too"

"Thank you both and I definitely will" I yawned as Ryder's fingers soothed me into a drowsy state. Keeping emotions in for so long is so tiring.

"Rest, mon cheri. We will be right here when you wake" Ryder's soft voice said before I lost myself to slumber.