Book 2 Heartbeat
Emma Mitchell–Volkov stared at the three pregnancy tests lined up on the bathroom counter, each displaying the same unmistakable result. Positive. Positive. Positive.
Her hand trembled as she touched her still–flat stomach. After months of trying, after doctors warning about her “challenging fertility outlook,” after beginning to research surrogacy options–here was this miracle, displayed in three plastic sticks.
“Emma?” Alek’s voice echoed from downstairs. “We’ll be late for the charity dinner.”
She gathered the tests in her hands, heart pounding against her ribs. Eight months of marriage had brought more happiness than she’d ever imagined possible. This would make it complete.
“Coming!” she called, tucking the tests into her evening bag.
Downstairs, Alek waited by the door of their renovated Beacon Hill townhouse, looking devastating in his tuxedo. Even after all this time, the sight of him made her breath catch–tall, powerfully built, with eyes that
softened only for her.
“You look beautiful,” he said, helping her with her wrap. “Everything okay? You were up there a while.”
“Perfect.” Emma smiled, patting her evening bag. “I have a surprise for you, but it can wait until after the
event.”
Alek raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A surprise that fits in your purse? Now I’m curious.”
“Patience,” she teased, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Some things are worth waiting for.”
The annual Hockey Fights Cancer benefit was one of Boston’s premier charity events, drawing athletes, celebrities, and business leaders to support pediatric cancer research. As team owners, Emma and Alek hosted a table of sponsors and league officials.
Throughout dinner, Emma barely tasted the expensive food, her mind spinning with plans and possibilities. She imagined telling her grandfather, pictured a nursery in their spare bedroom, wondered whether the baby would have Alek’s blue eyes or her dark hair.
Under the table, Alek squeezed her hand. “You’re a thousand miles away tonight,” he whispered while the commissioner gave a speech. “Sure everything’s okay?”
Emma nodded, squeezing back. “Better than okay,” she promised. “I just can’t wait to get you alone.”
Alek’s eyes darkened with interest. “Perhaps we could make an early exit.”
“After the auction,” Emma agreed. “It’s for the kids.”
When the speeches concluded and the auction began, Emma excused herself to the restroom, eager for a moment alone to collect her thoughts about how to share her news. In the elegant bathroom, she splashed cool water on her wrists, a trick her grandfather had taught her for calming nerves before big presentations. She’d tell Alek tonight, she decided. They’d open champagne–no, she couldn’t drink anymore. Sparkling cider, then. They’d celebrate, make plans, call her grandfather tomorrow.
A sharp pain interrupted her thoughts, so sudden and intense it made her gasp. She gripped the marble countertop, breathing through it until it passed.
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Book 2 Heartbeat
Probably nothing, she told herself. Just nerves or something she ate.
She rejoined Alek at their table, sliding into her seat as a signed hockey jersey drew frenzied bidding.
“You’re pale,” Alek noted immediately, his smile fading to concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Emma assured him. “Just a little cramp. It’s-”
+8 Points
The pain returned, sharper this time, stealing her breath mid–sentence. She clutched Alek’s arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve.
“Emma?” Alarm edged his voice.
“I don’t-” She tried to stand but couldn’t straighten. “Something’s wrong.”
Alek was on his feet instantly, arm around her waist, supporting her weight. “We’re leaving. Now.”
The pain intensified, radiating through her abdomen with blinding intensity. The room tilted sideways as a cold sweat broke across her forehead.
“My purse,” she gasped. “Don’t forget my purse.”
Alek signaled frantically to security as Emma’s knees buckled. Through the growing fog, she was aware of being lifted, of Alek’s voice issuing rapid commands, of concerned murmurs from onlookers.
“Call Dr. Winters,” she heard him tell someone. “Tell him we’re coming to Mass General emergency. Something’s wrong with my wife.”
The next minutes blurred together–the cold night air as they exited the building, the smooth leather of the car seat, Alek’s hand gripping hers as he talked urgently to someone on the phone.
“Hang on, Emma,” he kept saying, his accent thickening with stress. “Just hang on.”
She fought to stay conscious, focusing on Alek’s face, on the pressure of his hand, on anything but the tearing pain that threatened to pull her under.
“The baby,” she managed through gritted teeth. “Alek, I’m pregnant.”
His eyes widened in shock, joy and terror battling across his features. “Pregnant? You’re sure?”
“Three tests,” Emma whispered as another wave of pain crashed through her. “In my purse. I was going to tell you tonight.”
Alek’s face transformed, love and fear creating something new and raw in his expression. “We’re almost there. Hold on, Emma. Please hold on.”
The hospital entrance loomed ahead, emergency lights casting red shadows across Alek’s stricken f Emma felt herself being lifted again, placed on something that rolled, bright lights overhead making her squint.
Medical personnel surrounded her, asking questions she couldn’t focus enough to answer. Alek’s voice filled in the gaps.
“My wife is pregnant… severe abdominal pain… no, we just found out tonight… please, she’s in agony…”
A doctor leaned over her, penlight–flashing in her eyes. “Mrs. Mitchell–Volkov, I’m Dr. Reyes. We’re going to take care of you. How far along is your pregnancy?”
“I don’t know.” Emma managed. “Just took the tests today.”
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< Book 2 Heartbeat
+ Porns>
“BP’s dropping,” a nurse called. “Heart rate elevated,”
The doctor’s face turned serious. “Possible ectopic. Get ultrasound in here stat. And type and cross for four
units.”
Emma reached for Alek’s hand, panic rising through the pain. “What’s happening?”
“I’m right here,” he promised, gripping her fingers.
Another wave of pain, worse than anything before, tore through her body. Emma heard herself scream as darkness crowded the edges of her vision.
The last thing she saw was Alek’s terrified face as her hand slipped from his.
“OR 2 is ready,” someone shouted. “We need to move now!”
“What’s happening?” Alek demanded, his voice breaking. “Emma!”
“Sir, you need to let us work,” the doctor said firmly. “Your wife needs emergency surgery. The nurse will show you to the waiting area.”
“Surgery? But-”
“It’s her only chance,” the doctor cut him off. “And possibly the baby’s, though I can’t make promises. I’m sorry, but we need to go now.”
Emma felt herself being moved, the ceiling tiles blurring above her. Alek’s voice faded as they wheeled her away.
“I love you, Emma! I’ll be right here waiting!”
As consciousness slipped away, Emma’s last coherent thought was of the tiny life inside her–a life they’d wanted so badly, a life they might both be losing.
The operating room doors swung closed, leaving Alek alone in the suddenly quiet hallway, his tuxedo rumpled, his world collapsing around him.
In his hand, he clutched Emma’s evening bag, still containing the three positive pregnancy tests and all their shattered hopes.
