CHAPTER 11

Three weeks later, Cass slipped on the ice going into the subway station and fell down the stairs. The pain struck immediately as she tried to get up. She clutched her stomach as the pain increased. Someone in the crowded station took the time to call for help and moments later a policeman came to her aide.

“Do you think you can stand up?” The officer asked trying to move her out of the way of the other passenger’s trying to get to their trains.

“I don’t think so.” She was afraid to verbalize what she was thinking.

“Alright, just stay where you are and I’ll get some medical attention for you.” He pulled a radio from his pocket and called for an ambulance.

Cass closed her eyes and prayed.

The phone rang in Beau’s office around twelve fifteen. He waited for Helen to pick it up and then realized she must be out for lunch so he picked up the phone himself.

“Beau Foster here.” His face went chalk white as the nurse at General Hospital explained why she was calling. He put the phone back in the cradle and grabbed his coat as he ran from the office.

It took nearly two hours weaving in and out of the heavy traffic to reach the city. He parked the car and ran to the emergency entrance. He found the admitting desk and asked the nurse where he could find Cass.

“I’m looking for Cassandra Foster. She was brought in a few hours ago.” He waited patiently while she looked through the files.

“She’s in room three. Are you related?” She was cold as ice, but working in a place like this he guessed it was the only thing she could be in order to survive.

“I’m her husband.” The fear betrayed itself in his voice. “Is she alright?”

“She’ll be fine, but there are some papers that we need you to fill out.” She pushed a clipboard towards him.

“I want to see her first.” He turned and headed down the hall.

“Sir.” She called after him, but he ignored her. He paused outside the door and pulled his shoulders back and ran his fingers through his hair. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. Seeing Cass laying in the bed, the sheets pulled up to her neck, sent shivers through his bones. He moved over to the side of the bed and took her hand in his and squeezed it. She turned her face away from him as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Gently he reached over and touched her cheek. Slowly she turned her face towards him.

“It’s be alright Cas,” he said as he carefully pulled her into his arms and let her cry.

“I’m so sorry, Beau. The baby…” She clung to him unable to say anything more. It felt like it was her fault for not being more careful. She had killed their baby, their future.

Beau rocked her back and forth until she calmed down a little. “I’m sorry too.” He held her away from him and looked at her. She was broken inside, that was clear to him. “We’ll just do it again. The important thing is that you’re okay.” She wiped her eyes and lay back on the bed. Beau didn’t say anything else. Nothing he could say could heal her or him at this moment, so they say quietly holding hands. The nurse came in carrying a tray.

“Mrs. Foster, I want you to take this medicine and then in about half an hour we’ll discharge you.” She put the pill in Cass’s hand and gave her a glass of water.

“What is it?” She asked.

“Just a mild sedative. It will help you to relax and may ease some of the pain. Remember that you have to take it easy for a few days. The doctor will be in before you leave and give you any further instructions. She patted her leg gently, smiled at her, then left them alone in the room.

“Go on Cas, take the pill.” Beau pushed her hand with the tablet in it up to her mouth. She took a sip of water and closed her eyes.

They drove home in silence. When they pulled up in front of the house, it was dark and they could hear Duffy barking at the front door.

“I guess we were missed,” she said as she stepped out of the car.

“I guess we were at that.” Beau came around to her side of the car and helped her out and up the stairs. Duffy jumped all over them when they got inside, and because he’d been in the house all day, he peed on Beau’s leg.

After getting Cass settled in bed, Beau went to the kitchen to fix them some tea and a sandwich. He set everything on the tray and headed back upstairs. When he pushed open the door, he saw that Cass was fast asleep with Duffy curled up at her side. He backed out of the room and took the food back to the kitchen. He set it down and looked up at the window. His reflection gazed back at him and that’s when he noticed the tears running down his cheeks.