Part 264
Garrett was sound asleep and Becca was dozing when Nick stepped quietly into the room. He smiled at his son, but when he looked closer at Becca he could see how frail she was today. She was pale and her breathing was irregular. Nick sat quietly by her bed and just watched her. All the time he was thinking how very lucky he was and just how close he'd come to losing her. He wanted to pick her up and hold her in his arms and tuck her away from the rest of the world, but damn it he couldn't. And tomorrow he was going to have to leave her behind, the very thing Becca had fought so hard to avoid. He sniffed back the tears he was trying to hide and wiped his eyes.
"Please stop it. If you don't I'll cry, too."
Nick jumped; Becca had spoken softly, never once opening her eyes. "Bec?"
"I'm awake, just avoiding reality for a while." She sighed, finally turning her head so that she could look at Nick. "What's wrong?" She reached for his hand and he gave it to her, holding hers tightly in his.
"I saw Dr. Anthony outside." God, how was he supposed to tell her this?
"Nick, just tell me."
He laughed. "How do you do that?"
"I just know you," she smiled.
"He says you're not ready to travel yet, Bec."
"I can't even bear to think about riding on a bus feeling like this, Nick. I hurt-"
"Where? Let me help you, baby…" Nick was on his feet instantly, doing his best to make her feel better.
"Stop, please?"
"Bec, I-"
"I know you want to help. It’s not the position I'm in, it's just … everything. My stomach hurts, my back is sore from the epidural, my breasts are six sizes too big…" Nick started to say something and she stopped him with a glare. "Don't. Just DON'T."
He swallowed his comment and sighed instead.
"I love you," she said tearfully. "And you thought all the hormonal stuff was over, didn't you?"
"Not a chance. Sarah warned me," he grinned.
Becca laughed softly through her tears. "He's not going to let me go with you, is he?"
"No, he's not." There was no sense sugar-coating it. "How did you know?"
"Because I feel like shit. And Denise and I talked about it last night. Nicky, I'm so sorry."
"Baby, it's not your fault. You can't travel if you're not well. I'd never forgive myself if something happened while we were on the road." He took her hand in both of his, pressing kisses to her knuckles. "It's only for a week, Bec."
"A week?" Her eyes widened.
"But it's gonna be okay. I already have a place for you to stay." He smiled, and something in the way he looked made Becca feel better already.
"You do?"
"Yep. It's all arranged. You're going to stay with Julie till I can get back for you."
"Julie? But that's such a big imposition."
"Nope, it was her idea. Doc wasn't so keen on the idea until she told
him about Lynne."
"Lynne, what's Lynne got to do with this?"
"Well, I guess she lives next door and is a nurse or something. She's gonna help keep tabs on you for Dr. Anthony."
"Did Julie tell you anything about her?"
"Not much, just that she's on the mailing list with you guys."
Becca smiled.
"Oh, I'm taking the baby stuff over there this afternoon." He paused for effect. "And Kev's gonna help me." He smirked and Becca howled.
"Touché. I guess she DID tell you about Lynne. Please tell me you'll take the digital and get this on film?"
"Wouldn't miss it. It's gonna be okay, Bec, really."
"How can I be without you, Nick?" Becca's eyes were brimming and she was trying so hard not to cry.
"Just remember how much I love you, Bec. You know I'll call you every night and the time will fly by." I hope, he prayed silently. Please let it fly by. Nick put up a brave front, not wanting Becca to see how hard this was for him. She needed to know that it was the right thing to do and he put all of his stage skills to the test and lied through his teeth. "It's gonna be fine."
Becca smiled through her tears. "Of course it will be, it's only a week, right? I mean, I'll be so busy with Garrett that I'll hardly have time to be sad. And Julie and Lynne can help me catch up on my email." Becca knew how hard it would be for Nick to leave her knowing how upset she was, so she lied. She told him she would be fine and not to worry. It was only week. And her heart was breaking.