Chapter 39

Michael twisted around to face the doctor. “What?!”

Anelise shook her head in disbelief. “No, I had no clue! I mean, I’ve been feeling a bit off, but I thought it was just the stomach bug that’s been making the rounds at work.”

“We haven’t done any additional tests, but your HCG levels are sky-high and—” His words were cut short by Anelise’s sudden sobs. “Will this harm the baby?”

“No, it shouldn’t. But I want you to rest, and if you experience any discomfort, cramping, or bleeding, call your doctor immediately.”

“I’m going to keep you here overnight for observation, okay? We’re preparing a room for you and will take you up shortly,” he reassured her before leaving to make the necessary arrangements.

“Michael!” She cried out. “I can’t lose our baby again! I can’t!”

He sat back on the bed and held her, praying that his words of reassurance weren’t empty promises. He wiped away his own tears and just held her.

She calmed down a bit later, and Johnathan and Naomi entered the room with a police officer.

“Mrs. Whitlock, do you think you can answer some questions?” the officer asked gently.

Anelise nodded and asked, “Can they stay?”, pointing to the people in the room.

“Of course. Whatever makes you more comfortable,” he said. He then opened his notepad and looked at her with a sad smile. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Anelise took a deep breath, squeezing Michael’s hand. “I was leaving the library with Willow. She went to her car in the other lot, and I walked to mine. Just as I was about to get in, I heard a voice behind me demanding my purse and jewelry.”

“He tried to snatch my purse, and I fought back. He hit me several times, but I kept resisting. When I fell to the ground, I had to pull my hand out of my pocket to brace myself, and that’s when he saw my wedding rings…”

Anelise took a few breaths to steady herself as the tears started again. Michael was rubbing her back and kissing her hand in comfort until she calmed down and could continue.

“I wasn’t going to let him take my rings! Those are mine and Michael gave them to me! I struggled with him and finally managed to get my hand back in my pocket and pull out my keys.”

“Johnathan taught us girls how to use our keys as a weapon, and I still had the pepper spray on the ring and sprayed him in the face. He got really angry and kicked me a few times and called me awful names.”

“And then I heard someone yelling, but I don’t remember much after that. Everything was kind of a blur after that, and I lost track of time,” Anelise finished.

The officer asked a few more questions, and then asked if they had contacted the credit card company. Johnathan said he had taken care of it.

“Wait. Wait!” Anelise yelled, getting everyone to stop talking. “Did he get my purse?”

“Yes, Mrs. Whitlock, he did,” he answered.

“Oh my God! He has our address! Michael! He can come to our house! Ollie is there!” She cried out and tried to get out of bed.

“Anelise, stop!” Michael demanded and held her in the bed. “Please, love, stop! You’re hurt and need to rest. Please!”

“But what about Ollie?! What if he comes back?” She sobbed hysterically.

Michael sat on the bed and held her, rocking her, trying to soothe her.

“Anelise, Sweetie, I’ll go to your house. I’ll stay with Ollie tonight, okay?” Johnathan interjected.

“Really?”

“Yes, sweetie. I’ll go now and stay with him,” he assured her.

“Keep him safe!” Anelise pleaded.

“I promise,” Jonathan assured her and kissed the top of her head. “Michael, can I see you outside for a minute?”

Michael nodded, and he, the officer, and Johnathan left the room as Naomi sat on the bed next to Anelise to keep her calm.

As soon as the door closed, Johnathan said, “Michael, she’s a wreck and scared, and I can’t blame her. I’ll go relieve Sally and stay until you bring her home tomorrow.”

“Michael, do you want me to call someone about a home security system? I think that might help Anelise feel a bit more secure. She’s really shaken up.”

“I think that might be a good idea, Mr. Whitlock. If you need a recommendation, let me know, but I think Mr. Rothchild might have better connections and more influence than I do. I’ll be in touch if there are any updates on the case,” the officer said.

“But unless the security camera footage reveals something, I don’t know if we have much to go on since he was wearing a ski mask. I’m sorry,” the officer explained, shook both men’s hands, and handed them his card before leaving.

“If you have someone in mind, Johnathan, I’d be grateful if you could call them. They can start right away, tomorrow if possible. I think it would help Anelise feel more secure.”

“And if I’m being completely honest, I’d feel safer too. She didn’t want to say anything yet, because we don’t have any details, but she’s pregnant, Johnathan, and I’m scared shitless!” Michael confessed.

Johnathan was taken aback and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I won’t say a word, and you leave the security system to me.”

“I’ll make sure they start tomorrow and Ani feels safe when she comes home. You just have her focus on my grandchild and getting better.”

Michael smiled gratefully.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it. This is not the ideal way to find out your wife is pregnant, but I’m thrilled. Ani is terrified that she’s going to miscarry again, so the security system might help ease some of her anxiety and she can focus on getting better.”

Johnathan nodded, pulling Naomi into a comforting embrace. As they parted ways, Michael watched Naomi leave with Johnathan, preparing herself to slip back into her ‘mother hen’ role. Michael then turned his attention back to Anelise, who was sprawled out on the pillows, looking completely drained.

A nurse entered the room, gently helping Anelise move to a different room where she would spend the night. Once she was settled and had taken some more pain medication, Anelise began to drift off to sleep. Michael, meanwhile, made himself comfortable on a reclining chair, pulling a blanket over himself. As he watched Anelise sleep, he whispered a silent prayer, hoping with all his heart that both she and the baby would be okay.