DOS Ch-335

“Alice, will you give me a break? I need some alone time with my thoughts,” Scarlett grouched, her voice edged with irritation as she shifted uncomfortably on the couch.

Alice just chuckled and shook her head. “Troy has told me in no uncertain terms that I can’t leave you alone unless he tells me himself. It’s for your own safety, Scarlett. I can be quiet as a mouse, and you won’t even notice my presence.”

Sometimes, Scarlett found it difficult to decide whether she loved Troy or hated him. She knew he was worried about her safety. When he assigned a security team specifically for her, she didn’t resist, but this was almost crossing the line. Her own personal nurse, even when she was at home.

That was absurd.

To make matters worse, both her mom and Kathy had gone shopping for the baby shower that would be held this weekend. The two had decided they should get baby clothes from Paris, of all places. As if any baby would arrive demanding designer labels.

They would’ve planned the baby shower earlier, but Troy and she had been extremely busy with film shoots and later with promotions. It was a little late to have a baby shower, but as Kathy had said enthusiastically, better late than never.

If it were up to Scarlett, she wouldn’t have had a baby shower at all. She’d rather have Troy beside her all day, every day. It was good that he just had a week’s worth of shooting left. After that, he’d be all hers.

Maybe then he’d agree to pull back on Alice.

Scarlett looked across the room at her jailer, who seemed completely absorbed in a glossy magazine, occasionally turning a page with casual ease.

Seeing her distracted, Scarlett got up and walked quietly toward the bathroom, one hand resting protectively on her belly.

“Do you need my help, Scarlett?” Alice piped in helpfully without looking up.

“Not unless you can poop for me,” Scarlett shot back, then immediately regretted her words. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not your fault. I…”

“It’s okay,” Alice said with a warm smile. “I have two kids, so I understand what you’re going through right now.”

Scarlett gave her a small nod before finally entering the bathroom. Cool air brushed against her skin as she stepped onto the tiled floor. She wanted to bolt the door from the inside but stopped herself at the last moment. It was better if she didn’t. As much as she was upset about having someone keep an eye on her, it would defeat the whole purpose if she went out of her way to avoid supervision.

That was as far as she could think before her foot slipped on the tile.

There was no water, no soap, nothing that should’ve caused it. Scarlett just had terribly bad luck today. The floor rushed toward her in slow motion as instinct kicked in and she tried to throw her hands forward to cushion the fall.

Tried being the key word.

She was too late.

Within moments, she hit the bathroom floor belly first, and a sharp, blinding pain shot through her stomach, stealing the air from her lungs.

“Alice!” Scarlett screamed with all her might as realization crashed over her.

Her eyes watered, her breath came in short, ragged bursts as terror gripped her. The pain was intense, but it didn’t matter compared to the horrifying thought forming in her mind.

She could have hurt her babies.

All because of her stubbornness.

“Oh my God!” Alice exclaimed, panic flashing across her face as she rushed forward and tried to help Scarlett to her feet.

But Scarlett couldn’t stand. The moment Alice lifted her slightly, her legs buckled, and she sank back onto the cold bathroom floor, tears spilling freely down her cheeks.

“Scarlett, please stay calm,” Alice said in a soothing voice, though her own hands trembled.

“It hurts,” Scarlett gasped, her breath hitching. “A lot. I need a doctor. I need Troy. Please.”

Alice pulled out her phone with shaking fingers and dialed several numbers in quick succession, her training taking over despite the fear clawing at her chest.

In less than a minute, a team of trained paramedics hurried into the bathroom with equipment in hand. The small space filled with urgent movement as they checked her vitals, spoke in low, efficient tones, and assessed the situation.

One of them suddenly stiffened. “There’s blood here,” he announced gravely. “We need to take her to a hospital right now.”

“You’ll be fine, Scarlett,” Alice promised, squeezing her hand gently. “We’ll take care of you.”

Scarlett couldn’t even process the reassurance through the immense pain consuming her. The world around her blurred as wave after wave of agony crashed over her.

(Break)

As I stared at Benji in shock, I had no idea what to do. I had never faced anything like this before. A part of me was too afraid to even ask why Scarlett had been taken to the hospital.

“Troy.”

Did the babies come early?

“Troy!”

Or did something happen to her while I was away working…

“TROY!”

Steve Carell literally shook me out of my stupor. When I finally focused on him, his face was tight with concern.

“Get dressed. I’ll come with you.”

I didn’t have words to express my gratitude for the gesture, so I simply nodded and did as he suggested. Someone handed me my robe, and I grabbed it without looking. I quickly slipped it on before following behind Benji, my heart pounding violently against my ribs.

“What happened?” I barked, fury barely contained. I wasn’t mad at Benji. It wasn’t his fault. But in that moment, I couldn’t control the storm raging inside me.

Without wasting a second, he launched into everything he knew.

“I got a call from your dad,” Benji explained hurriedly, nearly jogging to keep up with my pace. “He said Scarlett had a nasty fall in the bathroom, and afterward her belly started hurting really badly. The nurse, paramedics, and the ambulance you had on standby were quick to stabilize her and take her to the hospital. She was still on the way when I got the call. Your dad is also heading directly to the hospital from work.”

My worry grew with every passing second.

Scarlett had been furious when I hired a full-time nurse for her, along with keeping an ambulance on standby.

“I’m not the first woman in the world to get pregnant. Millions of babies are born around the world every year. They all manage without so many people hovering around them. I’m sure I can get to the hospital on time when the moment comes.”

“But you’re the only one I’ve got. I can’t rely on statistics alone. I’d die a thousand deaths if anything happened to you or our children that could’ve been prevented by throwing money at it. What’s the point of amassing this much wealth if I can’t spend it on my own family?”

In the end, she had accepted the nurse, but only under protest.

“I swear, if something happens to her…” I muttered, my jaw tightening as I finished dressing in record time, dread pooling heavily in my chest.

But the thing was… I was helpless in this situation. No matter how much money I had, nothing I did or said could change fate. I only wished I had been more insistent about the nurse accompanying her everywhere, even to the bathroom.

“The chopper is ready for takeoff,” Benji said hurriedly as he handed me a pair of sunglasses and a low hat. “Traffic would be terrible right now. Don’t worry, we’ll reach the hospital in no time. Just wear these so people don’t get weird around you.”

I nodded once, barely registering his words. The helicopter was always on standby at the Columbia studio lot to cater to emergencies involving high-profile talent, but I usually preferred driving over flying any day. Today wasn’t any day. This was an emergency, and this was the fastest option available. Benji really had thought this through. My mind was too clouded with fear to make decisions like that.

Moments later, Steve Carell came running out, slightly out of breath, his expression grave. Quietly, the three of us hurried toward the helipad, the rotating blades of the chopper already slicing through the air.

I appreciated Steve’s presence beside me, but thankfully, he didn’t try to fill the silence with meaningless reassurances. Benji briefed him in a low voice about everything we knew so far, their words nearly lost beneath the growing roar of the helicopter.

The wind whipped violently around us as we approached the aircraft, flattening my clothes against my body and stinging my eyes. Within seconds, we were strapped in, and the helicopter lifted off, the city shrinking beneath us.

The flight felt both instant and endless.

By the time we reached the hospital, my patience had worn dangerously thin. The moment the chopper touched down, I pushed the door open and jumped out, my shoes hitting the concrete with a sharp slap. Benji and Steve were right behind me as we rushed inside.

I ignored the lingering stares of people who did double takes, their eyes narrowing as they tried to place my face beneath the hat and glasses. None of it mattered. I had only one destination.

Before I could even reach the nurse station, I spotted a familiar face.

Alice.

The woman I had hired to take care of Scarlett.

“Tr…” She stopped herself mid-word, quickly correcting, “Mr. Kloves. Come here.”

Smart woman. Avoiding my first name and using my parents’ last name in a crowded hospital hallway was exactly the kind of discretion I expected. But I didn’t have the mental space to appreciate it.

I followed her down the hall, our footsteps echoing against the polished floors, until we reached what appeared to be a quiet, private waiting area, away from everyone else.

“Where’s Scarlett?” I asked, my voice tight with worry. “I need to see her.”

“You can’t,” a male voice said from behind me.

I turned sharply and came face to face with a man Scarlett and I had met many times over the past few months: Dr. Singh.

“And why can’t I?” I demanded. Dr. Singh had been Scarlett’s primary OB-GYN ever since we returned to LA from New York, and until this moment, his calm demeanor had always reassured me.

“Because she’s unconscious right now,” he said gently. “The fall was a bad one. It started her labor prematurely. We’ve controlled the situation, and Scarlett isn’t in danger, but we can’t say the same about the babies. The scans look normal, but the bleeding concerns me.”

Each word felt heavier than the last.

“We’ll wait for Scarlett to wake up naturally. If she regains consciousness within the next few hours, we’ll call you in for the C-section. If she doesn’t, we’ll have to proceed anyway.”

“Can I at least see her?” I asked, the question escaping almost as a plea.

“Of course,” he replied with a small nod. “Just give us a few minutes to tidy up the room and the patient. I’ll send someone to get you when we’re done.”

He turned, ready to head back into the operating theater, but paused at the last moment.

“By the way, it was a good thing you had paramedics on call. If she had been brought in any later, or by someone inexperienced, her condition could’ve been much worse.”

His words were meant to reassure me.

Instead, they made my stomach drop even further. Could I have almost lost Scarlett, all because of a fall?

Benji placed a silent hand on my shoulder, and in that moment, I appreciated his presence more than words could express.

“You should sit, Troy,” Steve Carell advised gently. “It won’t do anybody any good if you worry too much.”

“He’s right,” Benji agreed. “Sit.”

I reluctantly did as they asked, lowering myself into the stiff hospital chair. Only then did the full weight of the situation crash down on me.

In the coming hours, I could either become a father, or…

I couldn’t finish the thought. I just couldn’t.

The next few hours were hell.

Dad arrived first, his usually composed face tight with worry. Not long after, Scarlett’s sister Vanessa rushed in, her hair slightly disheveled as if she had left in a hurry. Mum and Melanie were already on the way back to LA, but by the time they reached here, it would be too late. Time lost all meaning as minutes stretched into eternities.

The doctors even allowed me a brief visit, but it didn’t change the fact that Scarlett lay there unconscious, frighteningly still beneath the harsh hospital lights. And she remained that way for what felt like forever.

My security team eventually locked the area down, preventing anyone from barging in. Apparently, news of my presence at the hospital had already broken; reporters no doubt spinning their own versions of the story. But I didn’t give a flying fuck about what they were writing.

All I cared about was…

“Troy.”

I looked up sharply.

Dr. Singh stood at the entrance to the waiting area. “Scarlett’s awake. She’s asking for you.”

I didn’t waste a single second. I shot to my feet and hurried after the doctor, my heartbeat roaring in my ears.

They stopped me just outside the operating room and quickly helped me into scrubs, a mask, shoe covers, and a cap. I was one step away from hyperventilating when I stepped inside.

Seeing her awake and looking at me like that made me heave a sigh of relief.

“You gave me a heart attack,” I whispered near her ear, squeezing her hand carefully.

“I gave myself a heart attack,” she shot back, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Please tell me our kids are okay?”

“Our kids are… coming,” I said after a brief pause. “The fall started premature labor, and if you hadn’t woken up, the doctors would’ve performed a C-section anyway.”

Scarlett let out a long, shaky sigh of relief before whispering, “Don’t leave my side.”

“Never,” I promised, tightening my grip around her fingers.

“Alright,” Dr. Singh announced calmly, “we’re administering regional anesthesia in your spine. Ready?”

Scarlett and I nodded in unison as the doctor administered the dosage with practiced precision.

A few moments later, Scarlett frowned, her face scrunching up in confusion. “I can’t feel my legs,” she said, attempting to move one and failing.

“That just means it’s working,” a nurse said reassuringly before turning to me. “No matter what happens, don’t look over the screen. It’s never a pretty sight here. Your only job is to support her. We’ll handle the rest.”

I gave a small nod and focused all my attention back on Scarlett, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her damp forehead.

“Have you decided on any names yet?” I asked softly.

That made Scarlett chuckle weakly. “You’re asking me this now? Weren’t you the one who didn’t want to know the gender?”

I shrugged lightly. “What else do you want me to talk about?”

She silently mulled over my words for a moment before saying, “If there’s at least one girl, I’d like to name her after my grandma, Dorothy.”

“Little Dorothy would hate us for eternity for giving her an old woman’s name,” I said with a hint of amusement, trying to keep the mood light despite the pressure building in the operating room.

“Point,” Scarlett agreed faintly. “Dorothy could be her middle name then. What about your family? Do you have any naming conventions?”

“Well, I was named after an ancient Greek city. My sister is named after Helen of Troy, and her half-brother is Jason, a Greek hero. So there’s a bit of a Greek theme.”

Scarlett considered that, her gaze drifting toward the ceiling as another contraction built somewhere deep within her.

“Thea and Iris,” she finally said. “That’s what I want to name my daughters. After the Greek goddesses of light and rainbows.”

I smiled behind my mask. “What if we have at least one son? Or two?”

“You decide that,” she said, pushing the responsibility onto me with a weak breath. “Learn to take some responsibility. You are almost a father now.”

I thought about it, the names forming quickly in my mind. But before I could speak, the doctor’s sudden shout stole the air from my lungs.

“Baby A is out! It’s a boy! Time of birth, 12:01 AM.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stop.

My heart skipped violently as the nurses moved with swift efficiency, wiping the tiny, fragile body. He didn’t cry, only let out a soft whimper that sounded almost unreal.

Just as I expected them to place him in my arms, or at least let Scarlett see him properly, he was gone.

“We need to keep him in the NICU,” the same nurse explained to a visibly distraught Scarlett.

Every instinct in me screamed to run after my son, to see him again, to celebrate the terrifying, overwhelming reality that I was now a father. But I didn’t move. I kept holding Scarlett’s hand as tears streamed freely down her face.

“Shh, babe, calm down,” I whispered, trying to steady both her and myself. “We still have one more baby coming, so stay calm for his sake.”

Almost as if the doctor had heard me, he lifted another tiny bundle moments later.

“Baby B is out. Another boy! Time of birth, 12:05 AM.”

Two boys.

The words echoed inside my head, too large to fully comprehend.

The same procedure followed, brisk and clinical, and within moments the second baby was also taken to the NICU. A strange emptiness settled inside me, sharp and unexpected. Fatherhood had arrived, yet my arms were still empty.

I could only imagine how much worse Scarlett felt after everything she had endured.

I bent down carefully and placed a kiss on her forehead before holding her face as gently as I could.

“You’re a mother now, Scar. And I’m a dad. I can’t believe it.”

Scarlett was a complete mess, sobbing openly. “I can’t either. I miss my boys already. When can I get them back?”

“Around the same time as they were originally expected,” the nurse replied with an apologetic expression. “They need time to grow in a controlled environment right now.”

The words hung heavily in the air, but beneath the fear and exhaustion, one truth remained undeniable.

Our sons were here. They were alive. And most importantly, I was a father now.