The Surgeon's Miracle Baby

by Carol Marinelli

  ‘Personal call?’ Elaine asked before the receiver had even been replaced.

  ‘Actually, no,’ Louise answered sweetly. ‘Just the NUM running by my shifts for Outpatients.’

  ‘Outpatients?’ Daniel actually looked up and frowned. ‘Why on earth are you going to Outpatients?’

  ‘Louise is just a temporary on the ward,’ Elaine rapidly explained, then equally rapidly flicked her out of the conversation. ‘So, to what do we owe the pleasure of a consultant on the ward this afternoon?’

  ‘I want to go through all Jordan’s notes and results—I’m going to discuss his case with a colleague tomorrow. I’m veering towards taking him back to Theatre for a colostomy reversal sooner rather than later.’

  ‘He’ll jump at the chance,’ Louise said, even though from the scowl on Elaine’s face she clearly thought Louise had no part in the conversation.

  ‘Exactly.’ Daniel nodded. ‘That’s why I want to be as sure as I can that we’re likely to proceed before I say anything. Also…’ This time he did turn to Elaine. ‘I wanted to tell you about a probable admission.’

  ‘So tell me!’ she sparkled, and Louise smothered a giggle as Shona rolled her eyes.

  ‘Amanda Bennett, with a UTI and query appendicitis. She’s also thirty weeks pregnant, which is making the diagnosis rather more difficult.’ It did. A women’s anatomy changed during pregnancy, the growing baby shifting the appendix higher—and that, coupled with her urinary tract infection, was, as Daniel explained, making diagnosis all the more difficult. Certainly the last thing he wanted was to unnecessarily take a pregnant woman to Theatre for an operation. ‘She’s got some tenderness in her right loin—nephritis from the UTI—and she’s febrile, but she’s prone to urinary tract infections and the pain’s different this time. I think it could be a bit of a red herring.’

  ‘So what are you doing for her, Danny?’ Elaine breathed, as Shona gagged over her paperwork.

  ‘She’s already had her first dose of antibiotics and we’re rehydrating her. The obstetricians have seen her and the baby’s fine. No sign of premature labour—though she is at risk—so the ball’s been passed back to me. For now I’m going to watch her. Hopefully she’ll be a new woman once the antibiotics kick in, otherwise I’m going to be taking her to Theatre.’

  ‘So we’re just to observe her for now,’ Elaine said, crossing her neat skinny legs and writing it all down.

  ‘Yep and keep her nil by mouth, at least till I see her in the morning. Just give her ice to suck for comfort.’

  ‘Poor lady,’ Elaine sighed. ‘It must be scary for her.’ It was Louise rolling her eyes now—if Elaine thought she’d win Daniel over that way, she was way off the mark. Emotions and medicine were two different spheres for him and Daniel just gave a shrug as he picked up Jordan’s pile of notes, ready to head to the doctors’ room. ‘I mean, the fact she’s pregnant and…’ Elaine’s voice petered out as the emotional desert again just shrugged.

  ‘Oh, well, at least she’s in the right place.’

  ‘Can I bring you in a coffee?’

  ‘No.’ He didn’t even add a ‘Thanks’ but, unperturbed Elaine pushed on. ‘What time do they let you escape tonight, Danny?’

  ‘God knows,’ he answered, turning again to go. ‘I’m on call.’

  ‘Only, I’m on a late shift tonight. A few of the regulars on the ward are going to the pub for drinks later tonight…’ And even if she’d been very pointedly excluded from this rather exclusive invite, it was the first Louise had heard of it—in fact, she could almost guarantee that Elaine was planning to be the only one there! ‘You should join us.’

  ‘I can’t tonight,’ Daniel said. For a tiny moment he caught Louise’s eyes and she practically burst into flames as he ignited her with that look. ‘I’ve got other plans.’

  The second she arrived home—after first spending a small fortune at the deli and bottle shop—she deposited Declan on his play rug and, like a woman possessed, ripped through the tiny flat. Maggie’s version of tidy seriously differed from hers and half an hour was spent locating coffee-mugs and wineglasses in the most unlikely of places. After feeding and changing Declan into his tiny pyjamas, the rather more mammoth task of transforming her postnatal body into something akin to its former glory began.

  Lying in a full bath, wearing a hideous shower cap to protect her newly glossed locks, she took a shakily held razor to legs that hadn’t seen one in months and exfoliated her skin before climbing out and critically eyeing herself in the mirror, wondering, not for the first time since Declan’s arrival, just what the hell had happened to her body. The nubile, skinny one she’d owned before pregnancy had gone for ever—hadn’t even returned to collect its deposit! Her once flat stomach, courtesy of living off two minute noodles the entire time in London, had vanished, now replaced with soft curves.

  Continuing her critical examination, Louise turned around and eyed her rear in the mirror, instantly regretting it as she gazed at a rather dimply bottom not obliterated enough by the rapidly fogging up bathroom mirror. Sighing, she turned to wipe the glass, only for her attention to be caught by the two bits that had changed the most!

  They were massive! It was the only word to describe them, not beach-babe massive, just huge milky white things that screamed of motherhood and made her feel as sexless as…well, her own mother.

  She sat down on the edge of the bath, realising that she wasn’t just keeping Daniel at arm’s length because of the fear of getting hurt by him. There was a good dash of vanity splashed into the cocktail, too—wondering how he’d respond to the not-too-subtle changes in her, and wondering how she’d respond, too! God, she’d once been so confident with Daniel, had felt like some sort of goddess when they’d slept together. A tiny whisper of something desperately unfamiliar shivered through her as she recalled their love-making, the passion they had unleashed in each other, the places he had driven her to, the sheer unadulterated delight they had taken in each other’s bodies.

  ‘Surprise delivery!’

  Maggie’s cheerful rap on the bathroom door had her jumping out of her naked skin.

  Muttering, Louise pulled on her robe and reluctantly opened the door, not wanting anyone to see her in this highly anxious state. ‘You’re supposed to be out for the night!’ she growled, glowering at her flatmate.

  ‘After I’ve given you these.’ Maggie smiled sweetly, depositing a carrier bag in her hand.

  ‘What’s this? Louise asked, peering into the bag and almost passing out at the sight of some very tiny purple velvet triangles.

  ‘An early birthday present.’ Maggie grinned. ‘And Christmas present, too—they cost a bloody fortune.’

  ‘I’ll look like a prostitute.’ Louise could only laugh at Maggie’s appalling taste, or lack of it, as she peered in the bag then held up a rather questionable-looking bra and G-string.

  ‘You’ll look like a yummy mummy!’

  ‘I don’t think I’d be able to get a leg through this, let alone my bottom—anyway, I have absolutely no intention of sleeping with him!’

  ‘I know.’ Maggie grinned. ‘But I also know you’re feeling fat, sexless and completely unlovable, and I read in a magazine that if you wear sexy underwear, just the mere knowledge of what’s on underneath makes you feel more confident…’ Maggie picked up one very large, very white maternity bra from the bathroom floor and, screwing up her nose, held it out as if was some ‘off’ meat she’d found at the back of the fridge. ‘Surely it has to make you feel better than this! I’ll go and bury it at the bottom of the laundry basket just in case he snoops.’

  ‘I have no intention of sleeping with him—we’re taking things slowly,’ Louise said, running after her, but Maggie just laughed. ‘I don’t,’ Louise insisted, but Maggie wasn’t listening. Instead, she was rummaging in her handbag and pulling out a nearly empty bottle of Louise’s missing perfume.

  ‘That’s mine!’

  ‘I don’t think so…’ Maggie said, feigning in
nocence but handing it over after a few generous squirts. ‘Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.’

  ‘It’s nearly empty!’ Louise wailed, having to tip the bottle to douse herself in her favourite scent. ‘That was a full bottle you’ve used.’

  ‘I’m going to miss this,’ Maggie said, and if it was a diversion tactic it was a good one, because standing in the living room, arguing about stolen property and getting ready for a date, Louise was hit by such a wave of homesickness that she forgot to be cross with Maggie.

  Homesick before she’d even arrived in her new house; already missing the dramas of two single women sharing a flat; already missing the tears and giggles, even though it wasn’t yet quite over.

  ‘When do you pay the deposit for your new place?’ Maggie asked, her voice strangely subdued.

  ‘Tomorrow,’ Louise answered. ‘They’ve just got to check my references and then hopefully I should get the keys.’

  ‘It’s a lovely house,’ Maggie said with forced cheerfulness. ‘Small, but the garden’s lovely and it’s really close to the beach.’

  ‘You sound like the real estate agent.’ Louise gave a watery smile. ‘Have you found someone else to move in?’

  ‘Not yet. To tell the truth I haven’t even started looking. I know it won’t be a problem—there’s always a nurse needing a room. I wish you could stay, though…’ Maggie trailed off. They both knew it wasn’t going to happen.

  ‘So you’re going out tonight?’ Louise forced a smile, and closed the subject.

  ‘Yep.’ Maggie nodded. ‘To the movies, and then I’m heading back to Glynn’s to discuss the meaning of life…’

  ‘Glynn?’ Louise checked. ‘I thought you weren’t going to see him again after last time. Is this a date?’

  ‘Hope so,’ Maggie groaned. ‘Right, see you later!’

  ‘You’re to come back home if it doesn’t work out and forget about flatmate dating rules,’ called Louise, as her friend went out the front door. ‘Don’t you dare stay out because of me!’

  Oh, God, what to wear?

  Without even looking in her wardrobe, Louise knew her choice was strictly limited—having refused to buy anything gorgeous until she’d got back to her pre-baby weight, most of the clothes she could fit into were suitable only for a night home alone, which left her with jeans that he’d seen her in or leggings which he certainly shouldn’t! Still, a dash of purple velvet had surprising results because, eyeing herself in the mirror, Louise couldn’t help but be pleased with the effect. OK, she didn’t feel sexy, but sort of bordering on it. Maybe Maggie was right. Maybe a very little bit of purple velvet was what she needed to boost her sagging body and confidence!

  But even with meticulous planning and ten days’ notice, every carefully laid plan flew out of the window when Declan chose to break his newly established routine and wake up screaming. Pulling her very short, rather tatty dressing-gown back on, Louise flew into Maggie’s room and tried to soothe him, popping his thumb in his mouth and stroking his forehead, trying every blessed trick she knew to get him back to sleep. It was all to absolutely no avail, until, with the clock ticking down on Daniel’s arrival, she gave Declan the one thing he clearly wanted, even managing a giggle as at first attempt he spat out one newly moisturised ‘delicately fragranced’ nipple.

  ‘It’s still me, little man,’ Louise whispered, forgetting about her impending date, cuddling him, marvelling at him, still, after three months, utterly stunned that she’d created something so amazingly perfect, and utterly stunned at how much time he took up! She’d just got him to sleep when a loud burst on the doorbell had them both jumping, but thankfully Declan only stirred and then drifted straight back to sleep. Aware of her lack of attire, Louise was sorely tempted to let Daniel ring the bell again so she could quickly pull on her jeans and a T-shirt, but, at the risk of waking Declan, instead she hurried down the tiny hallway.

  ‘Daniel!’ Blushing to her glossy roots, she opened the door and…He looked stunning. Daniel always looked stunning, Louise reminded herself, but tonight he was dressed in black jeans and a black jumper, just the silver buckle of his belt breaking up the gorgeous lean line. The dark shadow on his chin was way past a five o’clock shadow and his hair was just the way she liked it—not as immaculate as he wore it for work, sort of tousled and messy, and it was like glimpsing again the man she’d said goodbye to just over a year ago.

  ‘Sorry.’ Daniel grinned. ‘Did I wake you?’

  ‘Yep.’ Louise carried on the joke and gestured him inside. ‘I was just relaxing with a book, waiting for my toenails to dry, and then fell asleep on the couch!’

  ‘Where’s the baby?’ Daniel asked, peering around the rather tiny living room. ‘I mean Declan.’

  ‘Asleep,’ Louise responded. ‘He usually goes down around six-thirty, but he woke up just before you got here—hence the dressing gown.’

  ‘I bought some pizza and a bottle of wine.’ He held it out to her. ‘Not for me—I’m on call…’

  ‘So am I,’ Louise said, shaking her head at the bottle. ‘Twenty-four seven.’

  ‘Well, what about pizza—are you allowed that?’

  ‘Not according to my calorie count,’ Louise answered, but it was softened with a slight smile. ‘I’d love some, though.’

  Seemingly brimming with confidence, he headed to her kitchen as Louise stood spinning in a vortex of confusion, wanting him here, wanting him to go. The only thing she knew for sure was that she didn’t know how to react, as if all her usual responses were muted.

  ‘Have you got a cutter?’

  He was calling from the kitchen and attempting casual she walked in and pulled open the drawer.

  ‘Here!’ They both saw it at the same time, two hands moving towards the same object, a brief flare of contact, but as Daniel’s hand moved away too quickly, she knew then, just knew he wasn’t as assured as he was making out. Knew this was hard for him, too. She stared down at her hand, stared at where his had been, almost expecting her skin to redden, as if there should be some physical sign to justify the effect it had had.

  And maybe pizza didn’t sound like the most romantic of meals, but when he opened the box it smacked so much of them it bought tears to her eyes. He’d got their pizza, half margarita for her and half chilli beef mushrooms and onions for him—the same pizza they’d ordered a lifetime ago on the other side of the world.

  ‘I’ll go and get dressed.’

  ‘Sure.’ He was concentrating on cutting up the pizza but as she went to go he called her back. ‘A bit like old times, isn’t it?’

  ‘A bit,’ Louise admitted. ‘A lot, perhaps.’

  He turned enough to look at her. ‘I miss it, Louise.’

  ‘I know.’ She did know. Having him there, not just in her flat but in her life, the tiny glow that burnt from just knowing he was around, being so very important in someone else’s life—she missed it, too.

  She never did get dressed. It was so very easy to slip back into ways of old when Daniel was around, half sitting, half lying on the sofa, eating dinner and talking about everything and nothing. And Daniel really was making an effort to be more open, because without prompting he told her about his parents’ wedding anniversary and the fact his sister was expecting again—tiny snippets of information that most people divulged easily, only Daniel never had before.

  ‘So you’ve found a nice place?’ Daniel asked, when the pizza was long since over and Louise felt full for the first time in ten days.

  ‘Yep.’ Louise nodded. ‘It’s just down the road. I’m signing the lease tomorrow.’

  ‘What about Maggie?’

  ‘She’s staying here. We made a few noises about sharing the house, but at the end of the day it would have created more problems than solutions.’

  ‘You’ll miss her.’

  ‘I’m getting used to missing things.’ Louise shrugged, leaning forward and reaching for her drink, and that was the moment the talk that had come so easily faded. At the same mom
ent he reached out to get it for her, his hand dusting her thigh as he stretched over her legs to reach it. Her dressing-gown gaped just a fraction, a fraction that between friends would go completely unnoticed but never between lovers.

  ‘Louise…’

  ‘Don’t.’

  She took a long gulp of her drink, tried to think of something witty and meaningless to say, but words utterly, utterly failed her. She wanted him, wanted him so much it was impossible to think. A massive white elephant was sitting on the sofa between them and both were struggling to deny it was there. Maybe she should just sleep with him, Louise thought, as neither of them spoke or moved. Maybe once they got that out of the way, they could breathe again, face their problems with clearer minds. And clearly this white elephant had exceptional hearing, because Daniel was asking the question that was screaming in her mind.

  ‘I know we’re going to take things slowly, but what does that mean exactly?’

  ‘Just start over again—like we were before, only talking this time.’

  ‘I think we can manage that…’ Daniel gave a tense smile. ‘When you say like before…’ He gave a tiny swallow, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat as he attempted to voice what was the only thing on their minds. ‘What about—’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Louise answered, too quickly, too shrilly, because her entire body was taut with tension, burning with awareness as his fingers inched their way towards her.

  ‘Because I have to be honest here, Louise, slowly in that department is the bit I’m going to struggle with.’

  She didn’t say anything, couldn’t say anything, because she could deny it all she liked but it was bit she was struggling with, too.

  Was struggling with now.

  Dating Daniel and not being with him was the equivalent to swimming a marathon and trying not to get wet.

  ‘Is kissing OK?’ Daniel’s low voice reached her ears, twitching a smile on her tense face.