Annelie heard the exasperation behind the mock sarcasm. And you suffered through it for Beth's sake, didn't you? You knew how they perceived you and you didn't say a word. Oh, Carolyn, if you only knew how apparent your vulnerability is to me. You may think you're hiding it well, and perhaps you are, from people other than me. Knowing only too well how prejudice stung made Annelie want to protect Carolyn in any way she could. She realized how impossible that was, but, glancing at the pained expression on her lover's face, she vowed to try. You'll never have to face such a thing alone again, Carolyn.
"Close your eyes, Carolyn," Annelie suggested, raising their joined hands to her lips. "I'll put on some music." She turned on the stereo, which was tuned to a station playing classical music. "Excellent."
Carolyn reclined her seat and stretched out. She reached behind her for a blanket from the backseat and spread it over her legs. "She has to be all right," she murmured. "She has to."
"Shh, just relax now."
Annelie set the cruise control to 65 miles per hour and settled back, rolling her shoulders. Traffic was still sparse, and she was confident they would reach D.C. quicker by car than by air. This way, they could drive straight to the hospital where Beth was undergoing treatment for premature labor. According to Joe's mother, who was keeping little Pamela, Beth was hemorrhaging and having contractions.
Carolyn had told her more about Beth's previous miscarriages while they drove from the airport to Carolyn's condo. Not only had she lost the babies, but she'd also gone through some painful complications. Beth is certainly brave to try again after such ordeals.
A soft whimper came from the passenger seat. Annelie turned her head and saw Carolyn curling up, a deep frown marring her forehead. Her breaths came in short bursts as she apparently fought some demons in her sleep. Annelie reached out and shook the shoulder closest to her. "Sweetheart, you're dreaming. Wake up."
Carolyn shied away from her hand, moaning. She was trembling under the blanket, and tears outlined her lashes.
Reading the road signs, Annelie saw they were only minutes from a rest area. She pulled off the interstate, parked, and turned to Carolyn. "Sweetheart? Wake up. Come here." She leaned in to hug her.
Carolyn fought her embrace for a short moment, but then seemed to recognize the touch. She looked at Annelie through tears while blinking fiercely. "Annie?"
"You had a bad dream. You're okay now."
Clearing her throat, Carolyn tried to sit up but changed her mind. "Where are we?"
"About halfway, maybe a little more. Are you okay?"
Carolyn's eyes narrowed and a wry smile appeared on her face. "You ask me that a lot, you know."
Annelie smiled, nuzzling her lover's hair. "And so do you. Want some coffee?"
Carolyn raised her seat back and tossed the blanket aside. "Coffee might just do the trick."
"Want me to get it for us?"
"No thanks, love. I need to stretch my legs." Carolyn got out of the car, pulling her coat closer around her as the autumn breeze played havoc with her hair.
Annelie circled the car to stand close to Carolyn. Without hesitation, she pushed the disheveled tresses out of her lover's face, letting her thumb quickly brush against her tightened lips. "Don't worry. We'll be there in no time."
"I know. It's just…"
"…she was once your baby."
Hooking her arm under Annelie's, Carolyn nodded. "I'm so glad you understand. If I didn't already love you, I'd fall in love with you this instant."
***
"Carolyn!" Joe was pale and needed a shave. "Beth'll be so glad to see you. Hell, I'm glad you're here." He pulled her into a firm hug.
"How is she?" Carolyn pulled back, examining Joe's features for any signs of disaster and noticing the dark circles under his eyes.
"She's doing everything they tell her and she's not complaining, but she's scared." Joe glanced over Carolyn's shoulder. "You must be Ms. Peterson?"
"Oh, sorry." Carolyn sighed, wanting to kick herself. "Joey, this is my good friend, Annelie Peterson. Annie, this is Joseph Rossi."
"I guessed as much. Nice to meet you, Joe. Please call me Annelie. I just wish we'd met under happier circumstances."
"Nice to meet you too, Annelie. I'm so glad you could come. Beth can't wait to meet you. Perhaps you can distract her a little." Carolyn noticed her brother-in-law didn't seem convinced. "Come on. She's in room 1412."
Carolyn stopped in the doorway, looking at her sister lying in bed with several IVs connected to her arm. Beth was beyond pale.
Carolyn stepped inside. "Hello, kiddo. How you doing?"
Beth's eyes snapped open. "Lyn!" She stuck out a hand and burst into tears. "Oh, Lyn, it's happening all over again. I'm going to lose my baby."
Carolyn rushed to the bed, pulling her little sister into her arms and rocking her. "You don't know that, honey. Joe just told me how brave you are. He says you're following the doctor's orders to the letter. Have faith in that."
"I can't go through this again. I'm so scared. I was doing everything right at home too. Staying off my feet, letting the help do everything. And Pamela's been good as gold. Why's this happening now? We never should have tried again."
Carolyn's heart ached. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Annelie and Joe waiting. Annelie raised her hand, indicating she knew Beth was in no shape to meet a stranger. Wiggling her cell phone, she motioned toward the exit. Carolyn nodded.
Focusing on her sister, Carolyn ignored her uncomfortable position, not about to let go of the distraught woman. "I don't know, but I'm here now. So's Joe. We'll see this through, and you and the baby will be all right. I'm not leaving you until you're okay, I promise."
Carefully rocking Beth some more, she hoped her acting skills wouldn't fail her. She wanted to believe her own words, but it was hard.
Carolyn felt the thin form in her arms gradually relax. "That's it, sweetie. Just go to sleep. It's the best thing for you. I'll be right here. Joe too."
Joe came in and helped her lower the now-sleeping Beth onto the pillows. "Amazing," he whispered, stroking his wife's hair. "She's had a hard time relaxing, even when the doctors told her it'd be best for her and the baby. You two have an astonishing connection."
"Yes, we do." Carolyn reached out for Joe's hand. "And so do the two of you."
"Yes, but sometimes you need the person who comforted you when you were little."
"I know I've certainly missed our mother over the years. Beth doesn't remember her, of course, but I do. When Mom died, though I was young, I knew I had to be a mother to Beth. It was odd. Our father was wonderful in many ways, but he couldn't fathom how difficult it all was." She flashed Joe a wistful smile. "Don't get me wrong. Beth was a gorgeous baby and I loved tending to her."
Joe pulled up two more chairs around the bed. "I know you did. You were just a child, and suddenly you had two children of your own."
"True."
Joe stroked his wife's damp forehead. "She was afraid to fall asleep earlier. She was convinced the baby would be gone when she woke up."
"Oh, God, poor Beth. No wonder she was so wound up."
Almost soundless steps approached from behind, making them both turn their heads. Annelie looked hesitant, but Joe rose, pointing to the empty chair next to Carolyn. "Please have a seat. Beth's asleep, but I know she won't mind us sitting here. In fact, I know she'd feel safe if she wakes up to the sound of our voices."
"You sure? Thank you." Annelie sat down. "Carolyn, I called Margo and let her know where we are."
"Good. Everything okay at her end?"
"Yes. I told her to enjoy her Sunday. Everything going on can wait till we go back."
The three of them sat in silence, occasionally engaging in small talk as Beth rested. Joe had been awake all night but refused to leave his wife and go home for a nap. Carolyn admired his stamina.