Ash's POV
"How would you like to have company?" Millicent asks casually while giving me that morning's check-up.
"Huh?... You want me to have company!?" I ask with surprise.
She keeps writing in the file she has in her hands not answering me immediately. I'm surprised she asked if I want company when she knows what Eric says about me meeting with other people in the Yard.
"Millicent, Eric said..."
"I'm well aware of what Eric said, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind you and this particular person keeping each others' company, trust me." She says as she drops the file she's writing in on my bedside table before coming to sit beside me on the bed.
I consider Millicent my friend even though she's obviously middle-aged. And it's not because she's the only constant face that I've been seeing in the past weeks but because she acts and treats me like we're actual friends.
I like the fact that even though she talks to me a lot about her family, her twin boys especially, she doesn't pry into my affairs by asking questions that any person would naturally be curious to know about. Questions about why I'm in prison, about the father of my baby, or who Eric is to me.
I easily get tired these days even though I just laze around doing nothing and this morning is no exception. I start to feel fatigued so I lay back on the bed in exhaustion and she follows suit, placing her head on the pillow next to mine
"Ash," She calls my name after a while and exhales loudly. "I'm worried about you." She says
My eyes widen with unease. I turn on the pillow to look questioningly at her
"You're worried about me!? What for!? Is something wrong with me!? Is my baby okay!? Is...."
"Your baby is okay..." She quickly says "For now, Ash. Your baby is fine for now. But I don't know what might happen if you continue like this. That was why I decided, maybe if you have someone your age that you can talk to. Someone that will lift your spirit. Maybe you'll stop looking distressed like you're in mourning all the time and maybe..."
"Millicent, honestly I don't care about the way I look right now..." I say as I sit up in bed. "I just want to know why you think my baby might be in danger!" I worriedly say
She also sits
"I'm sure you've noticed how much weight you've lost each time you look at yourself in the mirror. I was happy when Eric visited and thought things would get better but it's only gotten worse!
Eric provided the funds for me to make sure you have everything you need. You have your medication. You have all sorts of food at your disposal but look at how frail you're still looking. You hardly eat and the little you manage to take Immediately comes back right out!"
"I thought you said it's morning sickness and it's normal in every pregnancy?"
"Yes. Some women carrying multiples have intense pregnancy symptoms. Yours is even more intense than what I've seen before even though you're carrying one. I'm just worried that this might be a sign of Hyperemesis gravidarum.
"Hyper– what now?" My eyes widened more with the big words that sounded as scary as their pronunciation.
"It is an extreme form of morning sickness that causes severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and it often requires real hospital treatment.
I will send your blood and urine sample for some tests to be done. The result will determine if you'll need to be placed on admission in a hospital for proper treatment. I don't want you to develop complications, that is why we have to act fast.
"Okay, so when are you going to get the test result?" I sound cool and relaxed but I'm going crazy with worry within me.
I know I never wanted to get pregnant and probably never would have if I had remembered to take the morning-after pills but now that I found myself pregnant, I realize I want this baby more than I ever wanted anything in my life.
He or she is my flesh and blood. My family. Thor's baby.
'Goddess, please don't make me lose my baby! Please, don't make me lose my baby!' I didn't realize I was chanting to myself with my eyes closed and my palm placed on my still-flat belly until Millicent gently shakes me awake
"Ash! Ash what are you doing!? Are you okay!?" She asks and my eyes fly open
"Yeah sure, I'm great!" I reply with a false smile. "I was just praying to Moon goddess to keep my baby safe... I asked when the result will be out."
"I'll send the samples tomorrow morning and will get the results the following day...
Listen, Ash, I did not tell you this so you can start worrying, you know. Brooding over this will affect you negatively and make things worse. Your baby will be fine so don't think about it too much, alright?"
"Yes..." I reply with lackluster. Her words of assurance aren't convincing enough for me.
Worry is all I do in here, every minute of the day for the past two weeks. What am I supposed to do if I don't worry? I just can't help it. I asked Eric for books because I thought studying would make me feel better about my situation. I thought it would take my mind off thinking about Martha's death, Thor's rejection, and my future that looks bleak from where I'm standing.
What if Thor never gets over Miranda and still sees her as his mate? What if I never get out of here? What if my baby is taken away from me to be an Omega, cleaning after the rich?
"Ash..." Millicent's voice breaks into my thoughts and I turn to face her.
"I don't know what you're going through... What brought you here... Whatever it is, I want you to know that it's not the end of the world. Do you think you can stop worrying? Try and live for the moment at least?...
I told you about the Hyperemesis gravidarum because I want you to be aware of the situation and make a conscious effort to help yourself and your baby..."
"You don't understand Millicent, I'm trying!..."
"I know you're trying but... I just want you to live, smile more, and try to be happy. I want to see the light bring out the golden tint of your amber eyes. You know this proverbial phrase when life gives you lemons, then you make lemonade? I want you to be hopeful and confident about the future girl! Can you do that?
Can you try and improve your eating habits? I'm not talking about a full-course meal, of course. I mean little but frequent meals. That can help you regulate your blood sugar and ease your nausea. Just give it a try, please.
I smile then
"Little but frequent meals? Got that! I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks, Doc." I say and give her a side hug.
"You know maybe having company is not such a bad idea after all. So who is this person that will keep me company?"
"Well not just company, I'm thinking more of a roommate actually. That is if you don't mind."
"Yes, I don't mind having a roommate. At least I won't be lonely anymore. I'm just concerned about who the person is, you know..."
"Don't worry you'll like her. She came in yesterday afternoon. She's about your age. You're eighteen and she's nineteen. She's beautiful and soft-spoken. Her name is Victoria."