Duty With Honor Book Five: An Unexpected Pause

by Jordan Bollinger

  "Only you and I will know exactly what you're doing. Bridget, and probably Fitz will figure it out -- but they're trustworthy. And, you may tell Andrew. You are simply to tell everyone else, you are working on a project for me. End of story.

  "You can look around, and then let Bridget know what you'd like -- she can order in some grocery items, as well as get whatever office supplies you think you'll need.

  "You are to compare my personal files -- the old fashioned kind -- to the files in the computer. You'll begin with the personnel files, and then we'll decide where to go from there.

  "Do you accept the assignment?"

  "Yes, sir. I think it's perfect. Especially since I really did think you were going to give me the sack."

  "Elizabeth, how could you think that?"

  "Because I don't think operatives are supposed to get pregnant."

  "I see. Well, go on. I have work to do. And, so do you. Go back to your office and make up a list of things you'd like.

  "Of course, I understand you might find you don't need some of what you ordered, and desperately need things you didn't order. You're not to worry about that. It will all shake out in the end."

  "I understand, sir. I'll take a few minutes to poke around." She started towards the bathroom, when she stopped, turned around, and asked, "Won't it be inconvenient for me to have to come and go through your office, sir?"

  "Ah...well, as I said, there are secret doors and passages. And, there are a couple in there. The first several days I'd like you to enter and leave through my office. But, once people know you're working for me on something, you can come and go through one of the alternate entryways.

  "I'll show you that later, though. Finish looking around. Take your time. I have an appointment outside the building, so you won't be disturbing me when you're ready to leave.

  "Give some thought to what you're going to need, and how you'd like things set up. And then give Bridget a chance to make arrangements for everything. Why don't you plan on starting Monday morning?

  "And, remember to sign your statement before you leave." He again hugged her, and added, "Take care of yourself, my dear."

  Chapter Eleven

  Andrew arrived home Friday evening to find Beth stretched out on the couch, talking to Sarah and Jen, who sat in nearby chairs. They were surrounded by bags, packages, and bundles -- several of them quite large.

  "Well, hello ladies," he said, as he entered the lounge, smiling. He went immediately over to Elizabeth, bent over, and kissed her. Then he went and hugged his nieces. "What have you three been up to?" he asked, gesturing at the clear evidence of their shopping.

  "We've equipped the nursery," Sarah told him. "Aunt Beth has a new job beginning Monday morning. Although, she won't tell us anything about it.

  "So, Jen and I decided we'd better take advantage of her last few days of freedom to take her shopping."

  "A new assignment, hey?" he asked, looking at his wife's face. Then he turned to the others and asked, "Are you all staying for dinner?"

  "Well," Sarah began, "Justin and Dad are coming over to take us all out for dinner."

  "I see," Andrew said.

  "To be fair, Drew," Beth said, "You did say you didn't expect to be home before midnight."

  "Yes, you're right. Now," he told her, "Do you think they'll help me carry all this upstairs. And then, let me accompany you all to dinner?"

  "I think so."

  He fixed himself a drink, signaling to Sarah as he did so. Shaking her head, she said, "I think we have everything. We've even picked out a nice robin's egg blue for the nursery walls."

  "Although, we did talk about going with a green...or even pink," Beth said.

  "Pink!" Andrew exclaimed. "No son of mine is spending his formative years in a pink..." Then he noticed they were all giggling at him.

  "You know," Beth said, "I'm wondering if perhaps I should rethink pink after that chauvinistic outburst."

  "No, Beth," Drew protested. "Not pink. Anything, but pink."

  "I cannot believe you would feel this way. You're so secure about your masculinity."

  "Yes, because I didn't grow up in a pink nursery. Yellow, green, perhaps even a suitable melon. But no pink."

  "Well, I'll think about it. Now, why don't you go get cleaned up? Richard and Justin will be here soon. And your son is hungry."

  At the mention of his son, Andrew grinned. He still found it hard to believe. And he'd had more time to accept it than Beth had. He had to admit, she seemed to have just taken everything in stride -- after the initial shock.

  *****

  Later that night Drew was just about to climb in his side of the bed when Beth called to him, "Hurry! Come here!"

  "What's wrong? Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?"

  "Just come here and give me your hand."

  Elizabeth took his hand and brought it to her belly. "Just wait a minute." She held his hand still, until the baby moved.

  Andrew jumped back like he'd been stung. "What the bloody hell?"

  "It's just James. I'm terribly afraid he's going to take after his daddy and only need about four hours of sleep. I'm sure we'll go through several baby nurses because of it."

  Drew placed his hand against her again, looked at her and said, "Go ahead. Make him do it again. I'm ready this time."

  "Andrew, he's a baby not a trained dog. I don't make him do it at all. It's all his idea. But, I've noticed this last week that he gets more active at night. Just like his daddy."

  "Does it hurt?"

  "No, it kind of freaked me out the first time. But, you get used to it."

  "That reminds me," Drew said, "shouldn't you look more pregnant? Is everything all right? Are you eating enough?"

  "Andrew, did you see how much I ate at dinner? I ate my appetizer, soup, and salad; and picked at yours. Then ate my steak, a huge potato, and broccoli with hollandaise sauce, and finished up with dessert.

  "I did ask the doctor, and he said that it's the way James is sitting. He's due to turn around soon, and the doctor swears that when he does I will look like I have a beach ball under my clothes.

  "What will you think of me then?"

  "I'll think of how beautiful you are pregnant. You aren't starting worrying about that again, are you?"

  "No. I know I was being foolish."

  "Well, I'm glad to see you've come to your senses about me leaving you."

  "Oh, it's not that." she told him, with a little smile.

  "Oh?"

  "No. You see, I know now that if you ever did try to leave me, Father would take care of you. I haven't forgotten you once told me you found Father intimidating."

  "I see," Drew said. "Well, let's at least try to get some sleep. Richard and I unwrapped some of the bigger packages. It seems they were all labeled with those dreaded words 'some assembly required'. He and the boys will be over, with tools, tomorrow about noon.

  "So, I suppose we'll have to plan on another family gathering tomorrow night for dinner."

  "You don't mind, do you?"

  "Oh no. I kind of enjoy being part of a big family. As long as they don't start just popping in any time of the day or night.

  "After all, you two need your rest.

  "Richard spied the bassinette and informed me that that was not for the nursery -- that it was for our bedroom. So, eventually, after James is safely installed in the nursery, I would like to get my wife back." He leaned in and kissed her.

  "Andrew..."

  "No, Bethy. It's all right. That is one thing I do worry about. And I know you do, as well. We're fine."

  Chapter Twelve

  "Andrew," Beth said, solemnly, "This is the last trip for a while, right? I mean, you said the last one was. And, here you are getting to leave again."

  "Yes, Bethy. Sir Anthony swore to me I'm not going anywhere until you and James are safely home, along with the baby nurse. And, I'm only going to be away the one night."

  He stopped placing things in a small carr
y-on bag, looked over at her and added, "You said the doctor wanted to wait another week before scheduling the C-section. Is everything all right? Is there something you're not telling me?"

  "No," Elizabeth assured him. She sighed before she continued, "I'm fine. I guess I'm just getting anxious. I love being pregnant...but I'm really looking forward to not being pregnant.

  "I want to be a mother. I want to hold James. And, I'm really looking forward to seeing you hold him."

  "You don't think I can do it, do you?"

  "Of course you can do it. You can do anything you put your mind to. It's just something I want to see."

  "Why don't you ask Sarah or Ruth to stay the night with you? You won't be lonely. And, I won't worry about you."

  "I can do that. I'll ask Ruth, since she has to come pick me up anyway."

  "Why?"

  "Because I can no longer fit behind the wheel of the Jag. And, even if I did fit behind it, I am not able to get out of it."

  "Exactly, when did that happen?"

  "I'd rather not talk about it."

  "Why?" he asked, "What happened?"

  "Nothing."

  "Elizabeth..."

  "Oh, all right. I drove over to Richard's the other day, and I couldn't get out of the car. I had to phone the house, and have them come help me out.

  "Your son is getting so big. I have to tell you, I'm actually looking forward to the C-section. At least with surgery I'll get pain-killers. And I don't think I'd be too happy if I had to deliver this baby naturally. Since, I'm sure he has your head."

  "Are you implying, woman," he asked, grinning, "that I have an overly-large head?"

  Beth giggled. "Well, you sometimes do have a bit of a swelled head, but--"

  Andrew stopped her mouth with kisses for a moment, before he said, "I know you're getting anxious and tired, but it's only for a few more days."

  "I just want to hold him so badly, Drew." She kissed him and added, "And, I am beginning to mentally pace, if you know what I mean?"

  "Everything will be fine," he insisted. "I don't think there's anything you can't do. Including, giving birth to our son, who apparently has my giant pumpkin head."

  Beth burst out laughing. "I never said you had a giant pumpkin head. Although..." Leaving the rest of her observation unsaid, she pulled him into a hug. How she did love him.

  All she could think of was how wonderful he was, how lucky she was to have his love, and how blessed they both were to be having a son at this late juncture of their lives.

  *****

  Andrew left that afternoon, and Ruth did come to spend the night even though Beth had insisted it really wasn't necessary. After all, the housekeeper and her husband were there. But, Ruth had remained adamant.

  On their way home from the office, they'd stopped for fish and chips and picked up a movie. So, after a leisure evening in front of the television, they'd each retired to their respective rooms early.

  Beth forced herself out of bed the next morning. She had thought she'd slept well the night before, but she wished she could just roll over and go back to sleep. Even though she knew she could have just sent Ruth to work without her, she couldn't. Or, at least she wouldn't.

  She was nearly done checking the first tier of files and really wanted to finish before she'd be home for six weeks of maternity leave. So, she found the loosest dress she had, slipped into flat shoes, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

  Beth had just reached the bottom of the stairs, when she felt a flood of warm liquid running down her legs. The last thing she remembered was hoping she hadn't just ruined the antique oriental rug Richard had given them as a house warming present.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Queen Charlotte Hospital

  London, England, United Kingdom

  Andrew stepped off the elevator, looked around, and silently groaned. Beth's Father, Richard and his children, and Fitz filled the waiting area. All of them sitting silent and looking waxen.

  "What happened?" Drew asked. But, he really didn't want to know.

  "Sit down, Drew," Richard told him in a low and raspy voice.

  "What happened?" he demanded.

  "My boy," Sir Roger began.

  Andrew didn't let him finish. Instead, he collapsed into a chair, started shaking his head vehemently, and cried out, "No! Please, God, no!"

  Sir Roger struggled to stand. He seemed to move painfully slowly, and looked old. "Son," he said, placing his hand on Drew's shoulder, "Beth is in surgery...but...James...James is gone."

  "But why? How? What happened?"

  Sarah moved to the chair beside him and took his hand. "The doctor said it's called placental abruption. Do you understand what the placenta is? What is does?"

  Drew gulped before he answered, "It's how the baby breathes and eats, isn't it?"

  "Yes," she told him. "The placenta is like a mat of blood vessels that's attached to the uterine wall. And then the umbilical cord connects it to the baby.

  "Apparently, the same blow that ruptured Auntie Beth's spleen jostled the placenta enough for a tiny bit to separate from her uterus. A little blood seeped out and formed a clot."

  "But, that doesn't sound so terrible," Andrew said.

  "Here's the problem. The bigger the baby gets, the heavier it gets. And that weight pulls at the little separation. A bit more pulls away, causing a little more bleeding and a little bigger clot forms. Things keep going like that until a tipping point is reached and the entire placenta draws away.

  "James was dead even before Ruth finished calling 999. Without the placenta, he suffocated."

  "But, why didn't the doctors know? Why didn't they do something?" he asked as he fought back tears.

  "Beth didn't show any symptoms," Richard answered. "And they didn't see anything. Remember, Beth was five months pregnant when we found out. The fetus was a pretty good size."

  "What about Beth?" Drew asked.

  "It's not good," Sir Roger told him. "She lost a lot of blood before the paramedics got her here. And she was still hemorrhaging badly. We've all donated blood -- either for her, or to help replace the blood she's using up from the blood bank."

  "But, surely they've stopped the bleeding?" Drew said.

  "They hadn't the last time they updated us. And that was quite a while ago."

  Fitz stood up, and announced, "I'm going to get us coffees. Does anyone want something else?" Bridget rose as well, and asked, "Does anyone prefer tea or soda?"

  But the only answers they received were inarticulate murmurs and shaking heads, so they left.

  Sarah reached out for Drew's hand again. "Andrew, she'll be all right. I'm sure of it."

  "It won't matter. Don't you all realize that? James is dead, and that will kill her. I'd...I'd almost prefer she..." he choked back tears and continued, "that she...die. That way she never has to know."

  "Don't say that!" Richard cried out.

  "Do you remember what happened when I left Connecticut without calling her? You were worried about her depression then. This will destroy her."

  "Please don't say you want her to die, Andrew. Please."

  "I don't want her to die, Richard. But, I don't want to watch her die inside. And that's exactly what this will do to her. She might be alive, but she'll be dead inside."

  With that, Andrew sank further down in the chair, and went silent. At some point, Fitz and Bridget returned, both burdened down with cardboard carriers filled with large cups. He took the one Fitz handed him, and sipped on it without really thinking about what he was doing.

  What would he do if she did die? How would he go on? Somehow Richard had survived Cathy's death. But he'd had Beth to help him. No, he wasn't even sure he wanted to go on. Not without her. And he knew her. She wouldn't want to go on without James.

  The hiss of automatic doors brought him around. A doctor walked towards them. He still had his scrubs and hat on.

  The hat was soaked with perspiration, and the scrubs covered in blood. He untied the ha
t, and swept it off his head as he spoke, "She's alive. But, I won't lie -- I was very worried. We just couldn't get the bleeding under control. In the end, we had to perform a hysterectomy. But, at least the bleeding's stopped.

  "She'll be in recovery for several hours. And then, once she regains consciousness, we'll move her to a room on this floor. And, yes, you'll be able to stay with her." Then he headed back through the automatic doors.

  "Thank God!" Richard said.

  "Yes," his father said, "Thank God."

  "The Morgans!" Andrew cried out.

  "They're already on their way," Richard said. "Fitz arranged to hire a plane and pilot, so they'll be here straight away."

  "What did you all tell them?" Drew asked his brother-in-law.

  "The truth. Well," Richard admitted, "a kind of truth. I told them there had been complications. That Beth was in surgery and things didn't look good. We didn't tell them about James. They have a twelve hour flight. They don't need to be thinking about that."

  "What difference would it make? Beth might be dead by the time they get here."

  "Andrew, you have to think positively," Richard insisted.

  "About what? That our son is positively dead? Or, that my wife -- your sister -- will positively die inside when she finds out?"

  "Son," Sir Roger began, "Please believe me, I know just how you feel. But, Elizabeth is still alive, and I got the impression that now that she's out of surgery, she has an excellent chance of making a full recovery."

  "Yes, sir."

  Andrew pulled inside of himself. He didn't want to talk anymore. He didn't want to hear people tell him they knew how he felt. No one knew how he felt -- including himself.

  He felt numb. Or perhaps, he felt nothing. A part of him wished he was dead.

  *****

  After hours of sitting in the waiting area, the doctor returned. "For whatever reason, Beth isn't coming out of the anesthetic. Her vital signs are good, she just hasn't regained consciousness. So, we're going to move her to a room. But, I'd prefer if only one person at a time sits with her."