Looking at Beth's face, almost transparent in its paleness, Carolyn wanted to make a bargain with the devil if only her sister wouldn't lose her child. Suddenly Beth jerked and woke with a start, her body curling up as she gave a muted cry.
"No! Oh, it hurts…"
Joe pressed the alarm and Carolyn rose, taking Beth's hand. "Calm down, Beth. We've called for help. Try to relax, sweetie."
"I can't! It hurts too much." Beth yanked her hand free, pressing both hands onto her stomach as if to protect the endangered fetus. "No, no, no, this can't be happening…" Her voice rose to a loud cry as pain wracked her body.
Annelie disappeared out the door when several of the medical staff entered. Carolyn pressed her back against the wall, watching them administer more drugs and try to calm her sister. Unless they threw her out, she was not about to leave. She'd promised Beth to be there.
Joe looked up at his sister-in-law from where he was leaning over
Beth. "Carolyn? Please try to talk to her again. She's shaking so badly." His dark eyes were brimming with tears.
Circling the medical staff working around Beth, Carolyn stepped close to the bed. She leaned down, hugging Beth. "Please, baby, stop fighting so. Let the drugs do their job and just relax. There you go, try to breathe in and out. Nice and slow. Settle down."
"You don't understand," Beth moaned, tears and drops of sweat mixing at her temples. "You just don't understand. You've never been a mother, and you don't know what it's like to lose a child. It's not like losing a damn role!"
Stiffening at the stinging words, Carolyn swallowed hard, forcing herself to remember her sister was in a lot of pain and under great stress. "Shh, sweetie, calm down. That's it. The medication's working now, right? Can you feel it?"
Slowly the cramps lessened, and after a while Beth fell back into a deep sleep. Carolyn stretched her aching back, looking at Joe and the doctor. "What's happening now?"
"We gave her a new medication," the young doctor said. "All we can do is wait and see. You did a great job of calming Mrs. Rossi down. She's been terrified ever since she was brought in."
"Thank you." Carolyn moved out of the way to let Joe sit on the bed next to his wife. "She needs to see your face when she wakes up."
Joe pressed his lips together in a fine line. "I'm so glad you're here, Carolyn."
"She's my baby," Carolyn said. "I'll go see if I can find some coffee, okay? I'll be right around the corner." She walked out of Beth's room and found Annelie waiting just outside the door.
"You said something about coffee?" Annelie asked, holding up a cup. "Here you go."
Her lips trembling, Carolyn forced a smile, accepting the steaming drink. "Thank you."
"About what Beth said…it was her pain and fear talking. You know that, don't you?" Annelie blew on her hot tea, carefully studying Carolyn's face over the rim of her mug.
"Yes," Carolyn answered quickly. "Of course I do."
Sipping her coffee, Carolyn leaned against the wall, drawing a trembling breath. Beth's pain was her own.
***
"You look 100 percent better, sweetie."
"I feel better, too." Beth managed a tired smile.
Annelie stood in the doorway, not wanting to disturb the sisters. She recognized the guarded expression in Carolyn's eyes and wondered if Beth noticed it.
"If you're up to it," Carolyn continued, "there's someone I want you to meet. Annelie?"
On cue, Annelie stepped inside the room and walked up to them.
"Beth, this is Annelie Peterson, my friend. Annelie, this is my sister Beth."
"Oh, it's great to finally meet you, Annelie," Beth gushed, color returning to her cheeks. The tormented woman Annelie had seen earlier had disappeared. Now, almost ten hours later, the danger seemed to be over, at least for now.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better," Annelie smiled. "I've looked forward to meeting you and your family."
"Thanks for helping Carolyn get here so fast." Beth's expression turned serious. "Joe told me you drove all the way."
"I was happy to help."
Beth looked at Carolyn, her cheeks reddening. "Lyn? Won't you sit?" She gestured to the bed. "I…"
Carolyn sat down on the side of the bed, taking Beth's hand in hers. "The only thing that matters is you're feeling better. Both of you."
"No, it's not all that matters. I said horrible things to you. Lynnie, I didn't mean it." Beth clung to her sister's hand. "I was scared, and I didn't mean it the way it came out." Tears dropped from blue-gray eyes so like Carolyn's. "I'm sorry."
Annelie saw the tension lessen in Carolyn's shoulders as she leaned forward to kiss her little sister. "Hush, now. I knew you were in pain. I understand, Beth. Don't give it a second thought."
"You know everything, and more, about being a mom. You're my sister, but you're my mother too."
Feeling tears rise in her own eyes, Annelie had to swallow hard when she heard the love and sincerity obvious in Beth's voice. Carolyn's ready understanding and forgiveness also warmed her heart. Glancing at Joe, she saw him wink at her. Annelie smiled, nodding back.
"Yes, I am," Carolyn agreed. "I know it. You know it." She placed
her hand on her sister's rounded stomach. "Pamela's little brother or sister will just have to wait till it's safe to come out and join us."
"I'm sure the baby won't dare argue with Grandma." Joe grinned, making Annelie and Beth laugh when Carolyn gave him a lethal glare. "Only kidding, Lyn."
"It's one thing being a mother, but a granny is something entirely different," Carolyn huffed, unable to suppress a smile.
"I'm staying here tonight," Joe said. "Why don't the two of you take my keys and go to the house? You must be exhausted."
"Yes, please do," Beth implored. "We just stocked up the fridge and freezer. I'm sure there's something easy you can fix. Like frozen pizza, or…what?" She looked back and forth between the two women as Carolyn rolled her eyes and Annelie snorted at her words. "What did I say?"
***
The artificial current in the endless pool slid along her skin like a caress as Carolyn swam forcefully toward no goal. Knowing Beth's condition was stable, she was relieved to be home in New York.
After they had disposed of the car and their luggage, Carolyn had showered and gone directly to the pool, while Annelie headed for the study to take care of business.
Carolyn felt the tension in her joints recede as she kept up an even pace. She was sure swimming would take care of the burning sensation in the muscles in the back of her neck and between her eyes.
When a pair of long legs appeared, Carolyn pressed the Stop button while treading water against the current.
"Finished your e-mails already?"
"Yes." Annelie shrugged. "There weren't that many. I meant to ask you something. Jem e-mailed, and she sounds like she's ready for a vacation after last week's craziness. I think she's pulled all-nighters more than she'll admit."
"Well, why don't we ask her to come stay with us? She'll have the apartment to herself most of the day since we'll be at work. The place is big enough."
Annelie gave a faint smile. "How can you be so perceptive? You always seem to understand."
Carolyn swam to the ladder and climbed out of the water. Reaching for a towel, she returned the smile. "You're so incredibly considerate and always want my opinion about these things. Why wouldn't I do the same? Jem's a good friend of yours, and I like her. If Jem needs a break…Also, she's not stupid. She's figured out the truth about us, hasn't she?" Carolyn walked over to Annelie, wrapping her arms around her lover.
"Yes." Annelie nuzzled Carolyn's damp hair. "Why don't you take another quick shower and dry your hair? I'll just give Jem a call."