Life Lost and Love Gained Ch. 04

"That's next week right?" Sara asked. Sam nodded.

"Though it might get pushed back now, depending on how severe Kelsey's injuries are," Sam muttered. He studied Sara carefully and gave her a small smile. "How are you?" he wanted to know.

"I'm doing okay," Sara said with a shrug.

"How far along?" Sam asked. Sara resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she did the math.

"Three and a half months," she answered as the doctor walked into the hallway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How's Kelsey?" Shawn asked as Sara walked into the apartment later that night.

"She's going to be fine. She broke a collar bone and a few ribs, but she'll recover," Sara answered.

"Good," Shawn said. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Tired," Sara admitted.

"I'll order some Chinese, why don't you go soak in the tub?" Shawn suggested.

"Thanks," Sara murmured as she walked into the bathroom.

Sara was nearly asleep when Shawn knocked on the bathroom door nearly forty minutes later. "You okay in there?" Shawn called.

"What? Yeah, I'm fine," Sara called back.

"Dinner's here," Shawn told her.

"I'll be right out."

When Sara walked into the dining room, the room was nearly completely dark with just two candles in the center of the table to see by. "Shawn, what is all this?" Sara asked in surprise.

"I just wanted to do something special for you. Is it too much?" Shawn asked.

"No, it's perfect," Sara murmured with a smile. Shawn grinned as Sara stepped up to the table.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" Shawn asked.

"Not today," Sara said. Shawn slid his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss.

"You look beautiful," Shawn's deep voice rumbled in her ears. Sara shivered as Shawn ran the tips of his fingers down her back. She moaned softly when his fingers slid under the robe she was wearing, past the edge of her panties and up into her.

"Shawn, no fair," Sara whimpered. Shawn chuckled and slid his fingers out of her. Sara watched with wide eyes as he stuck his fingers into his mouth.

"You taste good too," Shawn told her with a wicked grin. He kissed her again before stepping back and pulling out the dining room chair. "Food first, fun later," he decided, pushing her gently into the chair before he walked into the kitchen to bring in the bag of food. Sara glowered at him and he just laughed. "It'll be worth the wait," he promised.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Ready for midterms?" Shawn asked as they walked into the lecture hall.

"Not for this one," Sara said with a sigh.

"You'll do fine," Shawn assured her as they sat down. They stopped talking as the professor walked in and began passing out exams as he walked to the front of the lecture hall. Sara flipped over the scan tron and exam and began filling in the name bubbles before setting her pencil down to wait for the instructions from the professor. Sara took a deep breath as the professor gave them permission to start the exam and began looking over the questions carefully. Sara bit her lip as she tried to remember the notes she had been pouring over earlier in the day. Finally, after forty-five minutes of agonizing over the exam, Sara colored in the last bubble and took the exam to the front of the lecture hall and handed it to the professor. She returned quickly to her seat to grab her coat and book bag; Shawn grabbed her arm quickly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he mouthed, "See you at home." Sara smiled, nodded and left the hall.

Shawn opened the door to the apartment, relieved that midterms were over and they'd have a few days off; he frowned as he walked into the apartment; it was quiet, too quiet. "Sara?" he called as he closed the door behind him. He walked through the kitchen and smiled when he smelled the chili simmering on the stove. He glanced in the living room before heading back to the bedroom. Shawn peeked his head around the doorway and smiled when he found Sara curled up on the bed, asleep. Shawn walked into the room and shook her awake. "Are you okay?" Shawn asked noticing how pale Sara looked.

"I feel really achy," Sara said, wincing as she sat up. When Sara stood up, Shawn swallowed hard, his eyes wide at the blood that now stained the sheet. "What?" Sara asked, turning her head to follow his gaze.

"Sara, don't!" Shawn said urgently. Sara returned her gaze to meet Shawn's eyes. "Come on, you need a doctor," he added. Shawn helped Sara out of the apartment and down the stairs to the parking garage. They had just stepped off of the last step and had begun walking to the Jeep when Sara cried out and doubled over. Shawn swore under his breath as he lifted Sara into his arms and carried her to the car.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you Shawn Reed?" the nurse asked, stepping into the hall. Shawn stood up and nodded. "The doctor would like to speak with you," she told him. Shawn swallowed and followed the nurse into the exam room where Sara lay on the gurney, her face as pale as the sheets.

"What's wrong?" Shawn asked.

"Everything's fine. It appears that Miss Levine was carrying twins and miscarried one of them. According to the ultrasound, you're nearly fifteen weeks along, so we'll be watching the rest of your pregnancy closely to ensure the health and safety of the baby you're carrying," the doctor answered.

"What caused the miscarriage?" Shawn asked, his mind reeling.

"Most likely there was an abnormality with the fetus. Now, Sara lost quite a bit of blood with the miscarriage so I'll be keeping her here over night to monitor her vitals and to keep an eye on the remaining fetus. Any questions?" the doctor looked at both of them. Shawn and Sara shook their heads. "You'll be taken up to labor and delivery soon," the doctor told them before leaving the exam room.

"Do you want me to call anyone?" Shawn asked. Sara shook her head.

"My dad won't let mom take your call and the last time I called Sam and Kelsey, I interrupted their sex life," Sara whispered.

"Are you okay?" Shawn asked gently. Sara shrugged. "Sara, you can talk to me, we're in this together," he told her.

"I've never been as scared as I was on the way here. I didn't even know if I wanted the baby and now ..." Sara admitted. Shawn crossed the few feet that separated them and pulled Sara into a gentle hug.

"It's okay Sara. I'm here with you. I'll do anything you need to make this go easier for you," Shawn promised. When Sara had been moved to labor and delivery, she fell asleep quickly and Shawn slipped out to the hallway, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, he dialed a number.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ready to get out of here?" Shawn asked Sara the next morning as she signed the discharge papers.

"Yes," Sara murmured, still shaken by the previous day's events.

"I've spoken to your professors and they have agreed to allow you to do the rest of the work from emails and take home exams," Shawn told her as he helped her into the car.

"I just want to sleep," Sara groaned as Shawn helped her into the apartment building. Shawn nodded as they stepped into the elevator and it rose steadily to their fourth floor apartment.

"What in the world?" Sara asked, coming to a stop just inside the doorway of her apartment.

"Shawn called me last night. How are you feeling?" Joyce asked. Sara shot Shawn a dirty look and he gave an apologetic smile.

"I figured you could use your mom for some added moral support," Shawn said.

"I just want to sleep," Sara repeated. Sara sighed softly when her mother took her hand gently and led her to the bedroom. "Mom, I'm capable of getting myself ready for bed," Sara reminded Joyce who sighed and gave her daughter a look that told Sara that she would not get away with any more protests.

"You need to rest, and you're going to need help. I know you've outgrown the stage of being tucked into bed, but please, just this once let me cater to your needs," Joyce told her daughter. Sara nodded as her mother handed her a cotton night gown.

"How long have you been here?" Sara asked as she slid between the sheets.

"I went to the hospital last night while you were asleep and got the key from Shawn. I've been here since last night. I changed the sheets and washed the other ones and replaced the mattress; blood doesn't come out of a mattress," Joyce answered. She sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for Sara's hand. "If you need to talk or need anything, please let Shawn or me get it for you," Joyce pleaded. Sara nodded and smiled when Joyce gave her a gentle hug before leaving the room.