+The Best Days of Our Lives #58
Justin’s POV
Kenny and I flew back to Canada on Monday afternoon. We treated ourselves to Thai take-out that we had found right down the street. It was a total hole-in-the-wall dive, but it was delicious. As we ate, I couldn’t help but think how much Madelyn would love it. Thai was her favorite.
I spent the weeks working. The directors had decided to start filming every other weekend so we could get done two weeks earlier. They didn’t want to have to postpone filming if Madelyn had the babies. They were trying to get as much done as quick as possible. Every other weekend I flew back to Los Angeles.
I talked to Madelyn three times a day, everyday. She updated me on the babies’ health and hers, but I couldn’t help but think she always left something out. She didn’t want me to worry about her. But, I couldn’t think of anything else when I wasn’t with her.
Madelyn’s POV
“Knock-knock.” I heard someone say outside the door. I knew it wasn’t my mom or Pattie because they didn’t knock, and they had just left an hour ago.
“Come in.” I said. Selena’s head popped in. I hadn’t known she was coming, but it was a great surprise. “Hey!”
“Hey Maddie! How are you?” She leaned in to give me a hug.
“I’m getting by.” I sighed and laughed. “It’s really not that bad. I would just rather be in Canada with Justin. Or at home with my baby.”
“I can’t imagine how hard this is on you. I don’t know if I could do it.”
“Well if the end result is two healthy babies, I’ll do whatever it takes. But enough about me. How are you? How’s baby Asher?”
“I’m good. He’s awesome. Turned five months old yesterday. It was a big accomplishment.” She joked. “I went back to work last week, which has been way harder than I thought. I mean, I am lucky enough that I can bring him with me to the set and the studio, but it’s still hard.”
“I can only imagine.” I laughed. I was finally feeling better. Selena stayed for an hour, but started making weekly visits. She snuck me in my favorite chocolate covered macaroons from a French bakery right across from her studio.
Justin wasn’t as annoyed as I thought he might be when I told him about our little hang out sessions. But at least I had told him. I had decided to tell him that instead of the fact that my blood pressure was getting higher with each day. But Dr. Jay said it wasn’t a concern. Yet.
Justin’s POV
With only two weeks of filming left I flew into Los Angeles. The flight was delayed, so I didn’t get in until midnight. When I got to the hospital, Madelyn was already asleep.
I could’ve slept on the couch, but I didn’t. Instead I crawled into the little bed with Madelyn. In her sleep she snuggled against me, putting as little space as possible between our bodies. She smelled like she always did, of vanilla and lavender. As I laid there, her body pressed up against mine, I realized just how much I missed this.
When Madelyn woke up, she turned over to face me. The bed was so small that I woke up from her movement.
“Good morning, my love.” I said, kissing her gently.
“I missed you.” She said, running her hand through my hair.
“I missed you more.” I gently used my finger to outline the edge of her face, trying to engrain it into my memory. She looked different. Her normally tan skin was two shades lighter now. It had been over five weeks since her skin had seen sunlight. Her blonde curly hair was up in a pony tail. She wasn’t wearing any make up. Yet, she was just as beautiful as she always was.
“Good morning, Madelyn. Justin.” Dr. Jay came in, interrupting the sweet moment.
“You’re doing good Madelyn. We’re at twenty-nine weeks already. Time is just flying by, isn’t it?” He chuckled. It was obvious Madelyn wasn’t amused by his comment.
“Your blood sugars are still stable, but your blood pressure is slowly climbing. If it gets any higher, you and the babies could be at significant risk. You could stroke or seize, which could injure all three of you.”
Madelyn’s POV
Justin’s eyes got so wide. I knew this was a possibility. I had been a nurse, after all. I realized just how much danger I was in. Poor Justin didn’t realize at all.
“Well what can we do?” He asked.
“We weigh the consequences with the benefits right now. And now, that means leaving the babies in. If we delivered now, they are only about two and a half pounds. They would be at risk for a number of development issues including blindness and cerebral palsy. We are going to try to keep them in for three more weeks, but I don’t think we will be able to go any longer.”
“Is there a chance you would have to do an emergency c-section before that?”
“There’s always a chance. But her blood pressure has been steadily rising. If it continues at the same rate, it won’t be for another three weeks.”
I knew what Justin was thinking. He didn’t want to go back to Canada. And at this point, how could I blame him? The doctor just told him I could stroke or have a seizure, which could potentially kill me. Lovely.
Justin’s POV
I called the directors and told them there was no way I could come back. They were all really understanding and told me they would figure something out.
“I’m sorry.” Madelyn sighed as we cuddled in her hospital bed again.
“For what?”
“For everything. I know this isn’t how you pictured your life right now.”
“Mads, the only thing I know for certain, is that anytime I picture my life, you are always there. So what if we have spent a little time in the hospital? Years from now, we are going to look back at this and laugh about how we fit in this tiny bed.”
“Why are you so good to me?” She smiled as a single tear ran down her face.
“I’m not sure, but if I had to guess, I think it would have something to do with your hot body.” I joked as I wiped away her tear.
“Oh stop.” She laughed, a real laugh. I hadn’t seen that laugh in so long.
+“I want to become the best at what I do. I want to be the best. In the world. I want to be better than anybody that’s ever done it. And in order to do that, I need to strive to be the best, be good to people and treat people with respect, and work as hard as I can. Because for me, I work so hard and this consumes my life, and it’s not worth it if I’m not the best.”
