Duty With Honor Book Five: An Unexpected Pause

by Jordan Bollinger

  His head jerk upright. He'd been thinking about a St. Bernard Nanny Roberts has sent them to care for their puppies.

  That wasn't right...

  He looked around. He was sitting in a hospital room, with Elizabeth lying in the hospital bed. She would be waking soon. He needed to get control over this meandering mind of his.

  What he needed to do was keep her quiet and reasonably happy. Without letting her know why, he needed to keep her lying flat on her back and staying calm.

  That's all he needed to do, to protect her, and their unborn child.

  *****

  Beth opened her eyes slowly, and looked around. Clearly, she was in a hospital room, although it did seem different somehow. More roomy, perhaps, and less institutional. Yet, somehow the décor still reminded her of what you'd find in an antiseptic chain motel.

  The last thing she remembered was sitting in Sir Anthony's office, talking to him. Bridget was there too. So, how did she get here, and why?

  She was feeling around for the call buzzer, when the door opened quietly and Andrew peeped in. He must have seen her eyes open, as she groped above her head, because he smiled at her and said, "You're awake. Finally." Then he set his coffee down on the table and went to her.

  He kissed her before she managed to asked, "What happened?"

  Drew dragged a chair close to the head of the bed, grabbed his coffee and sat down next to her. He took her hand, and continued, "You ruptured your spleen and were bleeding internally. That's why you were feeling cold.

  "They repaired your spleen, and you're doing just fine. But, I need you to lie flat, and keep quiet and still for me. All right?"

  "How long do I have to stay here? You know I don't like hospitals."

  "I'm not going anywhere. Fitz brought some things for us. And, I made sure she put your Walkman in. So, if you tell me what you'd like to listen to, I'll run out and get some new books on tape. How does that sound?"

  "How did you manage that?" She wasn't happy about the staying flat and quiet stuff, but at least he'd be with her.

  "I didn't do anything except say I needed to stay with you. The doctor looked as if he was about to become difficult. And then your father introduced himself as 'Sir Roger'.

  "Then he pointed Sir Anthony out, said how he was the head of MI6, and how we all worked for the government. And then said that he was confident that Sir Anthony would consider it a matter of national security for someone to stay with you.

  "He was wonderful. I think even Richard was impressed."

  "Father did that?" she asked, secretly pleased. "Are they going to be able to see me too?"

  "You can have visitors all day long, as long as you stay lying down and quiet. Now, as soon as someone gets here, I'll go get your books and anything else you think you'd like."

  She just didn't know what to think. She was in a fairly nice room. Her father had fought for her not to stay alone, so Drew was able to stay with her. And she didn't even hurt too badly.

  Something just didn't seem right.

  "Andrew," she said, eyeing him critically, "are you telling me everything?" She continued looking at him critically. Something felt off.

  Drew looked at her, smiled, and said, "Don't be silly. Now, what kind of books would you like to listen to? Or, what if I get a DVD player and fixed it somehow so you can see it, and get some movies. What's your pleasure, madam?"

  "I think I'd like to watch movies. We can do that together. What will you do while I listen to tapes, just sit here and watch me?"

  "Well, how about this, I get some movies and a couple books on tape? That way, you'll be able to entertain yourself if I'm asleep, or in the bathroom, or something."

  "That sounds like a good idea. But, can't you hold me?"

  He looked around and whispered, "Not now. Later, when you go to sleep, I'll spoon with you. But, I don't think the nurses would approve if they knew. So, let's just keep it our little secret."

  She smiled in spite of herself. He was heading for the door, when she asked, "Hey! If I can't sit up, how am I supposed to eat?"

  "Ah, that's the down side. You have to stay hooked up to an IV, but I can bring you a milkshake and a very long straw from time to time."

  "And the bathroom?" she asked, with a frown.

  "Ah, that's another reason you need to stay still. They've catheterized you."

  "So, you're serious when you say I have to stay in bed? For how long?"

  "Until the doctor says otherwise."

  She was just about to argue, when there was a perfunctory knock and her father and Richard burst in.

  "How are you feeling, Elizabeth?" her father asked, as he bent over her and kissed her cheek.

  "I feel pretty good. A bit sore, perhaps. But, I don't see why I need to stay flat on my back."

  "Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to follow the doctor's orders," Richard told her, as he kissed her on the other cheek and pulled a large bouquet of tulips from behind his back.

  "You're timing was perfect," Andrew said. "I have some errands to run. And I know I can trust you both to see she behaves herself."

  He bent over and kissed her squarely on her mouth. "I'll be back just as soon as I can. And, I have my phone if you think of anything else you'd like.

  "I love you." Then he left.

  Beth's father took the chair Drew had vacated, and asked, "Now, I want to hear about your first assignment."

  Beth watched Richard for several moments, as he fussed with the tulips. She smiled and started telling her story.

  In her secret heart, she was pleased her father was obviously proud of her. It was something she'd wanted for a very, very long time.

  And, even though she'd realized in the last several months, he'd always been proud of her, it really did make a difference to actually hear it.

  *****

  By a continuing rotation of visitors, including the Gleasons, Bridget, Ruth, and all four of her nieces and nephews, they managed to keep Beth reasonable quiet and flat on her back for four days. Andrew knew that the time was fast approaching when they were going to have to tell her the truth.

  The doctor had hoped for two more days, but Andrew went and spoke candidly, "I can only keep her down one more day. Haven't you all decided anything yet?"

  "The baby's still holding its own. We've managed to do several tests without her knowing what they were for, including one for Down's Syndrome because of her age. But, all the test results have come back perfect. And, the baby seems very healthy.

  "So, I was thinking we could remove the catheter and let her sit up tonight. If nothing unexpected happens, we do an ultrasound tomorrow morning and tell her -- well, show her the baby.

  "I just need you to keep her quiet tonight. She can use the bathroom, if you go with her. And, she can sit up to eat and watch a bit of TV. But, that's it. All right?"

  "Yes, I can manage that," Drew said. Then he grabbed the doctor's arm, and in a concerned voice, asked, "But the baby...will she be able to do this?"

  "I can't guarantee anything. But this is one tough little guy. He's survived no prenatal care, extreme exercise, scuba diving, blunt force trauma severe enough to rupture her spleen, shock, anesthesia, and surgery.

  "I'm fairly sure that with proper care -- and from what I've seen of her family, you'll all make sure she gets that -- he'll be fine."

  "All right," Drew said, in a concerned voice, "the baby's tough. I'm asking about Beth. You've examined her. You've seen the scars.

  "It's my understanding, from things she's told me, the doctors told her there was internal damage, as well.

  "Can she deliver this baby safely?"

  The doctor frowned. "Well, there is some scar tissue. But, don't forget, she can always have the baby by Caesarian section.

  "However, this means no more scuba diving, skydiving, or dangerous government assignments." Then he gave Andrew a serious look, and added, "And, that also means a very restricted sex life.

  "I've seen the way you
two look at one another. I only wish my wife looked at me like that, even once in a while. I know the chance of me keeping you two apart is nil, so you must promise to be gentle.

  "Do we understand each other?"

  "Absolutely, doctor. Beth and this child are the most important things in the world to me. I'll do whatever I need to, including forgoing my husbandly rights."

  "Good. I'll go arrange for the catheter to be removed and for her to have real food for her dinner. And, I'll trust you to keep up your side of the bargain."

  *****

  Andrew returned to the room, carrying two large sodas, to find Beth sitting up in bed, grinning, as she crowed, "They took out that awful catheter and let me pick out what I wanted for dinner."

  "I know. And, if everything is as they expect tomorrow morning, we can go home." He went over to her. And, this time he climbed on the bed, and stretched out beside her, and said, "Won't it be nice to be in our own bed again?"

  He kissed her several times -- tender, gentle kisses.

  "Andrew," Beth said, "What's going on?

  "What do you mean?"

  "I asked you when I first woke up, and you put me off. But, I want to know now." She entwined her fingers in his and asked, "Am I dying? Is that it? And you don't want me to know?"

  "No, Bethy. No!" He held her tighter than was probably good for her. But, she did feel good in his arms.

  *****

  Beth was so thrilled to get to sit up and have real food -- even if it was only chicken ala king and Jell-O -- she decided not to press him more. She was sure there was something he wasn't telling her. Something no one was telling her.

  Still, if she behaved, she would be home tomorrow. So, she just concentrated on that.

  She tried to get Drew to let her take a quick shower, but he put his foot down. The doctor said she could sit up, eat food, and use the bathroom. And that was all she was going to get to do.

  As bland and boring dinner was, it did taste good. And, even she had to admit how only one little trip to the bathroom and back made her tired. So, after only sitting up for an hour or so, she willing went back to lying flat.

  Andrew climbed onto the bed again, and held her as she tried to fall asleep. He had one arm beneath her head, and his other arm about her belly, instead of cupping her breast. And, as she drifted off, she wondered why.

  Chapter Eight

  Beth tried to remain calm. But, Andrew wasn't really making it very easy, because he was even more anxious than she was. She was just about to ask him why he was so wired, when her father and brother burst in.

  "I hear you're going home today," Richard said, confidently.

  "How are you feeling this morning, Beth?" her father asked. Even he was smiling like a Cheshire cat.

  "I feel wonderful, and I can't wait to get out of here."

  "Only if the doctor says you can, don't forget."

  She was about to argue with him, when a nurse came through the door, and held it open, allowing a technician to push a machine into the room, with the doctor following close behind. He told Sir Roger and Richard, "We're going to need a bit of privacy for a few minutes. I'll call you when you can come back in. All right?"

  "Certainly, doctor," Richard said, as he held the door open for his father and then followed him out.

  The nurse moved to the bed, yanked the covers back, and grabbed at Beth's nightgown.

  "What are you doing?" Beth protested.

  Andrew interceded by rushing over to the side of the bed where the nurse was, putting his hand on her arm and saying, "Please, let me do that. Just tell me what you need."

  The nurse frowned at both of them, but the doctor gave her a frown of his own and she backed off. "I need her abdomen exposed."

  Drew leaned in, replaced the bed clothes, reached under and rolled Beth's nightie up to just below her breasts, and then folded the sheet back until the nurse gave him a petulant nod.

  Then Nurse Rachet jumped forward and squirted jelly on Elizabeth's exposed belly.

  "Hey!" Beth cried. "That's cold."

  She felt Drew massaging her neck, in an apparent attempt to soothe her building anger. "Just relax," he crooned. "This is the last test, and then we can go home."

  She leaned nearer to Andrew, as the doctor moved closer and pressed some kind of instrument into the gel, and moved it back and forth over her stomach, as he looked at the monitor the technician had brought in.

  Drew moved so he could look at the monitor as well. She was just about to ask what was going on, when she saw a wide grin break across Andrew's face.

  He moved back to her head and took her hand, as the technician negotiated the machine until it faced her.

  The doctor moved the instrument over her belly again, slowly. Then he stopped, looked up and smiled at her, and said, "Elizabeth, I'd like you to meet your son."

  Beth breathed in and blinked. She studied the monitor and clearly saw a fetus, contently sucking his thumb -- and if she moved, he moved as well.

  Still, she couldn't believe this. She looked at the doctor, the nurse, and the technician, and then at Andrew. He wouldn't tease her with this.

  "It's true, Bethy," he exclaimed, excitedly. "We're going to have a baby -- a son!"

  "Me...us...but how? I... A baby?"

  The doctor asked, "Didn't you suspect something? You must have missed your periods. What did you think?"

  She considered the question for several moments, and then in a low voice, admitted, "I don't think I thought about it for a while. And then, I thought I'd started menopause, and didn't want to think about that. So, I kind of ignored it."

  Beth turned back to the monitor, and reached out, as if she could touch this child. Then she asked, "And, he's all right? I mean, don't we need to test him for things?" She looked at Drew and said, "We are...older. At least, we're older than most first time parents."

  "We've done the tests. He's perfect. But you need to choose an obstetrician and start having regular prenatal exams.

  "Now, hurry up and get out of here. We need the room for sick people." As he left, he gestured for Sir Roger and Richard to come in.

  The technician now held the instrument against her. And, Beth could not take her eyes off the image on the monitor. Not even to look at her father and brother. She could see his heart beating -- actually see the blood pumping through his tiny arteries. She counted each one of his little fingers and toes.

  He was perfect. And he was their son.

  After everyone had looked at the new member of the family, the technician removed the wand, and wheeled the machine out of the room. The officious nurse moved forward. And, as Richard and his father studied the pictures on the walls, she wiped off the gel, tossed the covers back over Beth, and stomped out.

  Andrew neatened the covers, before he kissed her sweetly. She just stared up into his eyes. He brushed a wayward curl back from her forehead, smiled, and asked, "Don't you have anything to say? Anything at all?"

  She looked around at her men. "You knew. All of you knew. This entire time. Why didn't you tell me?"

  "Well, the doctors were worried because of...everything," Richard blurted out. "We just thought you'd obsess with worry. And, this way you two just recuperated."

  He father bent over her, smiled, and told her, "I'm so happy for you two...or should I say, three. Now, we're going to wait outside, while you get dressed. Then we're going to take you home.

  "Richard's brood are arranging a grand celebration for you. Although, you have to promise to stay quiet on the couch."

  *****

  Oliver House

  Beech Hill Road

  Barnet, England, United Kingdom

  It was a wonderful afternoon, but Beth was ready for bed. She'd been very good and remained prone on the sofa, while her family fussed over her. She sipped on sparkling cider as they congratulated her. And, even though the champagne flowed like water, she didn't care.

  Andrew beamed at her the entire afternoon. Justin and Ben went out f
or Chinese food. Ruth and Bridget brought a cake. And, the Gleasons arrived with flowers.

  Later, as the party continued in the living room, she and Andrew broke the news to Beth's folks in San Diego. Somewhere during that conversation, Richard picked up an extension and told them he'd send his plane for them -- for Thanksgiving if they wanted to celebrate in London, Christmas, or immediately -- if they just couldn't wait to see Elizabeth.

  But after hours of people and partying, she was ready for bed. As soon as she announced this intention, Andrew jumped up. However, Sarah and Jen seemed anxious to help, so she shook her head and gestured for him to let them.

  They helped her up the stairs. It seemed to take forever, and Beth didn't remember the stairs being so long. Finally, they made it to the master bedroom.

  Once there, she sat down on the edge of the bed, and said, "Well, this was a surprise, wasn't it?" She looked over at Sarah and went on, "I thought one of you would be the one having the baby. I sure as hell never expected this. And, I bet you girls are too old to baby sit."

  "Of course we'll babysit," Jen volunteered.

  "We'll do whatever you need us to do. You know that," Sarah said, as she helped get Beth's blouse and bra off. Jen handed them a nightgown from the suitcase they'd carried up with them.

  Sighing, Beth stood up, and allowed them to unfasten her slacks, and help her step out of them. But, she kept on her panties. While Jen looked as though she was about to protest, Sarah didn't fight this.

  "You girls are very lucky. You're going to be the best-dressed young women for miles around. After this, I'll never get back into all my beautiful trousseau clothes," Elizabeth said. "But, I'm keeping the jewelry."

  Then she shrugged, and conceded, "I suppose I might let you borrow them from time to time. They do set off the dresses."

  Sarah and Jen folded back the spread, and then, while Jen picked up Beth's discarded shoes and set them in the closet, Sarah turned back one side of the bed. They both kissed their aunt. Sarah looked at Jen and said, "Come on. Aunt Beth needs to lie down. And, we need to get back downstairs and make sure things are straightened before we leave."