All It Takes

by Clare Dugmore

  When we arrived at uni, even though the ceremony wasn’t due to start for another hour, the grounds were already buzzing with activity, as friends caught up with each other, and parents took photos of their graduating children.

  Mum and Dad arrived about five minutes after Kian and me, and once again, I was swept up in a whirlwind of hugs, kisses, and exclamations of ‘congratulations.’

  “And look at the beautiful necklace,” Mum said, holding me at arm’s length as she studied the pendant.

  “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

  We milled around the uni grounds, chatting to other students and their parents, as we waited for Stacey to arrive.

  Always one to make an entrance, she bounded towards me – God only knows how in nine-inch heels – and I caught a glimpse of pink sequins beneath her graduation robes.

  She pulled me into a tight hug, and we twirled around in a circle, the two of us oblivious to the rest of the world.

  “We did it,” she whispered in my ear.

  “We did!”

  When we finally broke apart, her parents, my parents, Kian and Josh were all shaking their heads, laughing with amusement.

  “Come on then. Let’s get a picture of you two.”

  Stacey and I huddled together as Mum took a picture, then Kian and Josh joined us for another. We spent the next ten minutes swapping positions and cameras so that both my parents and Stacey’s got photos of every combination possible.

  Before the bell rang, announcing it was time for the ceremony to begin, I handed out tickets to my parents and Kian. Graduates were seated at the front of the hall, separate from their guests, so everyone would need a ticket to get in and claim their seats.

  “Good luck, love,” Dad said, kissing me on the check.

  Mum pulled me into another hug, and I could tell by the way she held onto me she was fighting tears. I blinked away my own, knowing if I started now, I’d never stop.

  My parents went ahead to the hall, giving Kian and me a moment alone together.

  “You’ve got this,” he said, rubbing my shoulders.

  I kissed him lightly on the lips, careful not to get lipstick on him, then took his hand and we walked towards the hall. We made our way to the row where Mum and Dad were seated. Kian dropped down next to them, and I turned to join the student body.

  The ceremony began and I fought to stay focused as each student was called up to the stage and presented with their degree certificate. The mixture of lack of sleep and the stuffiness in the room made it hard for me to keep my eyes open, but when a sharp pain shot across my abdomen, I jolted upright in my seat.

  “You okay?” Stacey whispered.

  “Yeah. Yeah, just a Braxton Hick.”

  My stomach was tight and my back ached. I took a deep breath, held it in for a few seconds, then let it out slowly until the pain subsided.

  Finally, my name was called, and I made my way to the stage. My legs wobbled as I climbed the few steps and my vision blurred. Feeling dizzy, I paused for a moment to steady myself and then crossed the stage to the dean.

  I was about to shake his hand and take my certificate when my stomach tightened again, and the pain made me yelp. My vision dimmed and I felt my body fall to the floor as Stacey screamed my name.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Please let them be okay. Please let them be okay. Please let them be okay.

  That was the mantra I recited to myself as the ambulance sped from the university across the city to the hospital.

  Even though Meg had come round quickly, and had managed to talk to me and her parents, she was visibly weak, and when the paramedics had taken her blood pressure it was dangerously high.

  The sweat rolled down my forehead as every horrible scenario flashed through my mind.

  Time felt disjointed, one-minute passing too quickly in a blur, the next passing agonizingly slow. My mind couldn’t keep up with what was going on around us, and as the ambulance made its journey, I didn’t notice the change in surroundings until we pulled up outside the hospital.

  The paramedics opened the rear doors, and unloaded the wheelchair Megan was seated in. I followed behind, scanning the car park for her parents, who’d been forced to make their own way to the hospital, but saw no sign of them yet.

  Megan was taken straight through to the antenatal ward, and after signing in at reception, we were taken to a room. I helped Megan into bed, and then the nurse attached the heart monitor to continue keeping track of how Ella was.

  “How are you feeling now?”

  “A little woozy, but otherwise fine.”

  “And Ella? Is she still moving about?”

  I tried not to let the fear show on my face, but in the ambulance, Ella’s heartbeat had been distressed, and I took this as a sign something was wrong with our little girl. But I had to stay strong for Meg. She needed me to support her.

  “I haven’t felt much movement since before I fainted, but I’m sure she’s fine.”

  Megan’s parents burst into the room, and I shuffled aside to let Elizabeth sit down.

  “What have the doctors said? How is Ella?”

  Megan told her parents that her blood pressure and Ella’s heart were being monitored, and now she was waiting for an obstetrician.

  As Elizabeth and Edward digested the news, I watched their faces carefully. Edward turned pale, his forehead wrinkling, and Elizabeth’s lips formed a thin line.

  “It will be okay,” I said, trying to offer us all some positivity.

  Elizabeth wringing her hands told me she didn’t believe me. “Have you been getting enough rest and eating properly?”

  “Mum, I’ve been doing everything the doctors have told me to.”

  Elizabeth stood up and started pacing. “Then you’ve been spending too much time gallivanting around with him.”

  “Kian’s been at work. For God’s sake, this isn’t anyone’s fault.”

  “Megan, pregnant women don’t just faint in the middle of graduation ceremonies. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”

  My temple throbbed. I couldn’t take anymore, and I stood up. “No one is to blame here, and arguing isn’t going to help Meg.”

  “Well said, Kian,” Edward said, and then turned to his wife. “Elizabeth, love. I know you’re worried, but going on like this isn’t helping anyone.”

  Elizabeth’s head dropped. “I know. And I’m sorry, Megan. Just after last time, I’m so worried about you and Ella. If anything happens to either of you, I’ll never forgive myself.”

  “Mum, I’m fine. Ella is fine. It was just too hot in the hall. The doctor will probably say the same.”

  The room plunged into silence as we were all absorbed in our own thoughts. My instinct was to be close to Meg; to hold her, to comfort her, but Elizabeth was guarding her daughter like an angry mama bear. Edward sat on the other side of Megan, his face stony and stoic.

  The waiting was driving me almost as crazy as the atmosphere in the room. What the hell were the doctors doing that meant we had to wait so long? Hadn’t they been informed how serious the situation was?

  I took to pacing the length of the room, stalking backwards and forwards past windows with the blinds half drawn.

  Finally, one of the obstetricians, a locum named Doctor Hill, entered. Megan’s parents excused themselves to give us some space.

  Doctor Hill - a stern-faced woman, much older than our usual obstetrician - looked over Megan’s notes with a critical expression.

  “Okay, let’s take your blood pressure so I can compare it to the paramedics’ results.”

  She attached the monitor to Megan’s upper left arm and took a reading. The digital counter displayed 160/ 90, which I knew wasn’t good. When Meg had been admitted to hospital a few weeks earlier, it had been 140/90.

  “This is far too high. Have you been resting and taking the medication prescribed?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  I could tell by the way Meg’s jaw tightened that she was getti
ng pissed off, and I rubbed her shoulders to calm her down.

  “Well, something obviously isn’t right. We’ll need to take a urine sample to test for pre-eclampsia.” Doctor Hill handed Meg a specimen jar. “The bathroom is just down the hall.”

  As soon as Megan closed the door behind her, tension swallowed up the room, and Doctor Hill turned her attention to me.

  “She needs to be taking better care of herself, for the baby’s sake,” Doctor Hill said. “You need to help her with that.”

  My pulse increased, and I took a deep breath. One, two, three… “I’m doing the best I can.”

  “Then do more. Because if her blood pressure remains this high, she’s going to have to be hospitalised for the rest of the pregnancy. You don’t want that, do you?”

  “I can’t expect Meg to stay locked up indoors for the next however many weeks, can I?”

  I said nothing more until Meg returned with her sample, which Doctor Hill quickly tested.

  “The sample shows traces of proteinuria, which means you have pre-eclampsia.”

  Megan’s face drained of all colour, and she gripped my hand tightly as my heart thumped.

  Maybe this was all my fault?

  I shook the negative thought out of my head.

  “What can we do to make it better?” I asked.

  “I suggest bed rest until its safe enough for labour to be induced. Until then, you’ll be admitted to hospital for regular monitoring.”

  Megan looked at me, her eyes wide with panic. I knew this was the last thing she wanted.

  “I’ll arrange a bed for you on the ward.” Without another word, Doctor Hill scooped up Meg’s notes and left the room.

  “This is all my fault,” Megan said, as I sat beside her and took her hand.

  I climbed onto the bed with her, wrapping Meg in my arms and kissing her forehead. “No it isn’t.”

  “After last time, I should have taken things easier, but I didn’t. If something happens to Ella, it’s all my fault.”

  “Don’t let what that bitch doctor said get in your head. This isn’t your fault.”

  Meg’s shoulders started to shake, and she sobbed into my chest. “What if something happens to Ella?”

  I rubbed my hands up and down her back. “Nothing is going to happen. I promise. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you and Ella are okay.”

  Meg looked up at me, moisture shimmering in her eyes. With the pad of my thumb, I brushed a tear from her cheek.

  “I promise.”

  Once Meg had composed herself, I tracked down her parents so she could tell them what the doctor had said.

  I braced myself for Elizabeth’s reaction. If she’d been on mine and Meg’s case before, God knows how she’d take the news Meg had pre-eclampsia. But before she could say anything, Edward stepped in.

  He wrapped his arms around his daughter, and her head fell on his shoulder. “It’ll be okay, love,” he said, stroking her hair. “You’re in hospital now, so they can get everything sorted. And me, your mum, and Kian are here. Anything you need, you just have to ask.”

  Edward’s words not only comforted Meg, but soothed Elizabeth too, and when Edward stepped away, she took her daughter’s hands.

  “Dad’s right, Meg. We’re all here for you, and the doctors will make sure you and Ella are okay. All you’ve got to focus on is resting.”

  It was almost an hour before a nurse finally came and told us a bed on the antenatal ward was available. Megan was taken down to her new room, which housed five other women in various stages of pregnancy.

  As she had nothing with her, Meg had to borrow a hospital gown. Her parents said they’d go to her flat as soon as visiting hours were over, and collect some stuff.

  Elizabeth and Edward only stayed another thirty minutes, as the visiting hours for non-partners were almost over. Thankfully, the time for partners was less restrictive, and I wouldn’t be forced to leave until nine that night.

  “We’ll be back later with your things,” Elizabeth said, embracing Meg.

  “Thanks, Mum.” Megan kissed her cheek. “Can you call Stacey too, and let her know what’s going on. I can’t get any bloody reception in here.”

  “Of course.”

  Edward took his turn to embrace his daughter, and then the couple left.

  When they’d gone, I pulled up a chair beside Meg’s bed, took her hand and asked, “How are you feeling now?”

  “Hungry!”

  I laughed. “I’ll take that as a sign you’re feeling better.”

  “I was feeling better as soon as I got out of the ceremony hall, but obviously, my body thinks differently.”

  “At least you know what the deal is now, and you can take it easy.”

  Megan sighed. “I’d be much happier at home, in my own bed, with you.”

  I kissed her knuckles. “I know. Me too, but this way they can monitor you and Ella more closely.”

  “I guess. As long as I don’t have to see that cow from earlier again.”

  “She was awful, wasn’t she?” I grimaced and Meg smirked.

  “I don’t know how you kept from punching her.”

  “Me either.”

  A nurse came round with the food trolley and served Megan some unappetising-looking grey slop that was apparently pork and apple casserole.

  “That looks gross. Why don’t I nip down to the canteen and grab us some food?”

  “Hell yeah!”

  “What do you want?”

  After taking Meg’s request for a sandwich, crisps, a chocolate bar, and a can of pop, I walked down to the canteen.

  I was buying a coffee from the vending machine when someone called my name, and I turned to see Marie walking towards me.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked once she reached me.

  “Meg’s been admitted with pre-eclampsia.”

  “Jesus Christ! Is she okay?”

  I took a sip of my coffee and joined the queue to pay for the other things I wanted. “The doctor has insisted she stays here, on bed rest. I don’t think she’s happy about it.”

  “Who’s your obstetrician?”

  “Normally Doctor Stone, but she wasn’t here today, so we got some locum named Doctor Hill. She gave Meg a really hard time about being sick.”

  Marie frowned. “It’s hardly Meg’s fault.”

  “Exactly. That’s what her parents and I said after.”

  “And it’s this Doctor Hill who’s put her on bed rest?”

  My answer was delayed as I paid for mine and Megan’s food, then Marie and I left the canteen and made our way back up to the antenatal ward.

  “Yeah. She seems to think being here is the best thing.”

  We stopped outside the security doors, and Marie chewed on her bottom lip. “Some older doctors think that, but it’s not always the case. Sometimes bed rest can make pregnancy complications worse. I’d talk to your regular obstetrician when she gets back.”

  “Isn’t it dangerous for Meg to be up and about, though?”

  “I’m not suggesting she run a marathon or anything. But I don’t think pottering about at home will cause more complications, as long as she takes it easy and has regular appointments with her obstetrician. Being in her own home with people who care about her around will more likely lower her stress levels and bring down her blood pressure.”

  “Good point. I’ll tell Meg to have a word with Doctor Stone when she’s back.”

  “Okay. Give her my love, and call me if you need anything, yeah?”

  “I will do. Thanks, sis.” Surprising us both, I pulled Marie into an awkward hug.

  “Shut up, you idiot. Don’t get all soft on me now.”

  Marie went back to the lift, and I buzzed in to be let through the security doors. Careful to hide the food I’d bought, I made my way over to the room Meg was in.

  “Everything okay?” she asked as I sat down next to her and handed her a pre-packed ham-salad sandwich.

  “Yeah. I ran into
Marie. She reckons you should ask Doctor Stone about this bed rest thing. She thinks it might be better for you to be at home.”

  “Anything is better than being cooped up in here. I’ll speak to her tomorrow.”

  We both fell silent for a few minutes as we ate our food.

  “God, that was good,” Meg said, draining the last few drops from her can of pop.

  I laughed. “You really must have been hungry if you were that impressed by canteen sandwiches.”

  “I haven’t eaten since breakfast. You could have bought me a microwave meal and I would have thought it was a banquet.”

  “When you’re discharged I’ll cook you anything you want.”

  Megan grinned. “I hope it’s soon. Even spending more than a night in here will drive me crazy. You’d think, given people are supposed to be getting better, the conditions would be nicer. But this bed is like sleeping on a wooden plank, and I can’t relax with the noise from the other people in the room.”

  “Do you want me to draw the curtains to block some of it out?”

  “If you would, please.”

  I stood up and pulled the curtains around so that Megan’s bed was cocooned in a little bubble of seclusion.

  Before returning to my seat, I brushed the hair out of Meg’s face, and kissed her gently on the lips. “You try and get some rest, okay?”

  “Uh-huh.” Her eyelids fluttered closed, and I sank onto the chair next to her.

  I must have drifted off too, because sometime later, I was jolted awake by the sound of someone pulling back the curtains. I sat up in the chair, trying to roll the kinks from my neck, to see Megan’s parents had arrived with a duffle bag of Megan’s belongings.

  Meg woke up too, and pushed herself into a seated position.

  I got off the chair to let Elizabeth sit down by her daughter, and decided to take a bathroom break so Meg could be alone with her parents.

  When I got back, Meg and Elizabeth were chatting animatedly about Stacey.

  “She said she’ll come and visit you tomorrow.”

  The conversation paused as I stepped through the privacy curtain.

  “Do you want my seat?” Edward said.

  I waved him off. “Nah, I’m all right standing.” I squeezed around the bed, and stood on the opposite side from Megan’s parents.