by Sarah Markel
“Sir, I need you to stay calm. What’s your name?”
“Zane.”
“Alright Zane, is your mom breathing?”
“Yes.” he replied, watching Kelly’s chest closely.
“Okay son, here’s what I need you to do.”
*****
Alex snapped the drawer of her filing cabinet closed and looked back at her desk, proud of herself for finally finishing her paperwork on time. When Kelly had left at lunch time, Alex had been determined to finish her task before going home to take care of her wife. Having finished earlier than expected, she smiled to herself and decided to call it a day. After gathering her things and locking her office door behind her, she pulled her phone out of her pocket to call Kelly. Before she could dial her wife, her phone rang and Judy’s picture popped up on her screen. “Hi Judy.” she answered. “Alex, you need to get home now. Kelly passed out. Zane has an ambulance on the way.” Alex felt herself pale and shivered at the cold feeling that shot down her spine. “I’m on my way.” she said before hanging up and sprinting out of the building.
When she reached her car, Alex cursed when she fumbled her keys and dropped them. Once she finally got the door open, she slid into the driver’s seat and took a deep breath to calm herself. There’s no sense in panicking and getting yourself hurt. Kelly will be alright. Alex was surprised when memories of her first wife’s death came flooding through her head. Backing quickly out of her parking spot, she fought to suppress the tears that were threatening.
*****
“Zane, calm down. Your mom is on her way, and you heard the medics, Kelly is going to be alright.” Judy said, holding on to Zane’s arm to keep him from crowding the two men working with Kelly. When Judy and Lauren had hurried into the house, they found the boy sitting on the floor with Kelly’s head cradled in his lap, tears pouring down his face. Within moments the ambulance had arrived, and it had taken all four adults to get Zane to let Kelly be examined. “Let go, she’s my mom!” the boy said forcefully, struggling to get his arm free. Before anyone else could speak, Alex ran through the front door. “Mom!” Zane sobbed, launching himself into his mother’s arms. Wrapping her arms around the boy and holding him to her chest, Alex forced herself to calm down. You’re of no use to anyone if you are freaking out. She chastised herself. Taking a deep breath, Alex pulled back from her son and took his face in her hands. “Zane, relax. Mom will be alright. You need to calm down and take a deep breath. Seeing you so upset is just going to stress Kelly out.” Looking into his mother’s eyes, Zane willed himself to do as he was told. Once the boy had calmed down, Alex led him to the couch and sat him down next to Lauren and Judy. “I will be right back, son. I’m going to go check on Mom.” With a steadying breath, Alex stepped through into the kitchen.
“Alex.” Kelly said softly, the oxygen mask muffling her voice. Alex kept her gait even as she walked over and knelt down next to her wife. “Baby, what are you doing? If you needed me, there are less dramatic ways to get my attention.” she said, pulling Kelly into a gentle hug. Smiling weakly, Kelly shrugged. “You know me, honey. Always the drama queen.” Alex kissed Kelly’s temple and looked to the medics who were busily taking notes. “Is she alright?” she asked. Nodding, one of the medics stood up and tucked his notepad into his cargo pants. “She’s a little dehydrated and her blood pressure is up, but I think she will be fine. We are going to take her in, though, just to be sure.” Alex offered the man her hand and stood, carefully helping Kelly to her feet. Alex let the medics take over and went out to talk to Zane while Kelly was helped onto the stretcher. “Son, Mom is awake and alert. They are going to take her to the hospital to be looked at, so don’t panic when they wheel the stretcher out.” Looking to her friends, she asked, “Can Zane go with you two while I go with Kelly?” Judy nodded and squeezed Zane’s shoulder. “Of course. We will take care of him, you go take care of her. When the girls get home, we will take the kids out for pizza and a movie. Just let us know how it’s going.” she said, walking toward the door with Zane and Lauren.
*****
“I will let you know as soon as I do.” Alex said to Karen before hanging up her phone and walking through the doors of the ER. On the drive over, Alex had debated with herself over whether or not to call the woman, but her heart won out. She would have wanted someone to call if it had been Dej in this situation. “Can you tell me what room Kelly Walker is in, please, she’s my wife?” Alex asked the harried looking admitting clerk. “I don’t have a patient with that name listed.” the woman answered without looking up at her. Alex frowned, “She was brought in a few minutes ago by ambulance.” The woman sighed and picked up her phone. “Just a moment please.” she said to Alex, before speaking to the nurse that picked up the line. “I have a woman out here looking for a Kelly Walker. She says the patient was brought in by ambulance.” While the woman waited on the phone, Alex busied herself on her own. After a moment, the woman hung up and gave Alex a genuine smile. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Walker, your wife is in room six. Go through the doors and take a left. It’s the third door on the right.” Thanking the woman, Alex walked through the indicated door and made her way to her wife.
When she came to the door of room six, Alex took a deep breath before knocking. When she heard Kelly’s weak voice inviting her in, she eased open the door and walked in slowly. “Hey beautiful. How are you feeling?” she asked, leaning down to kiss Kelly on the forehead. Kelly shrugged and offered a faint smile. Alex took her wife’s hand and took a calming breath. She looked over the woman and noticed that there were several wires leading from under Kelly’s blue hospital gown to a monitor on the left side of her bed. “Babe, what’s…” Alex’s question was interrupted as a sharp knock sounded on the door, and a tall, sable haired man walked in. The man looked as if he was nearing the end of a long and hectic shift, but when he spoke, his voice was kind and soothing.
“Mrs. Walker, I’m Dr. Tanner.” he said, extending his hand to Alex. She shook the man’s hand and eased her hip on the bed. “So, what happened? Is she going to be alright?” Alex asked, rubbing Kelly’s knee. “Well, we’re going to run some bloodwork, but I suspect that your beautiful wife here may be suffering from chronic hypertension.” Dr. Tanner turned his attention to the monitor beside him and checked the notes on his clipboard. “When the medics checked her blood pressure at your house, it was one-sixty-one over one hundred. It has come down a little, one-fifty-seven over ninety-six,” he said, pointing to the numbers on the monitor. “I want to keep her for a few more hours, to monitor her BP and give the lab time to get the blood results. Have you been under a lot of stress lately?” he asked, looking to Kelly.
Offering a slight smile, Kelly nodded. “I’m a pregnant doctor with two teenagers. I’m always under stress.” Dr. Tanner chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, I’d say you’re under some stress. I wasn’t aware that you were a doctor, what’s your specialty?” he commented. Alex answered for her, noticing the fatigue on her wife’s face. “She’s a private physician working in house for Serenity Home Complete Care Facility.” The doctor raised his eyebrow and nodded. “That’s a pretty nice facility. My grandmother was a resident there until her death a few years ago. Oh! Alex Walker. As in Alexis Walker?” he asked, recognition sparking in his voice. Alex smiled and nodded, “That’s me.” Dr. Tanner shook his head and sighed. “I didn’t recognize you with the longer hair. I promise, we will have Dr. Walker out of here as soon as possible, I just want to make sure we have everything under control.” he said, squeezing Kelly’s hand before turning to leave the room.
“I just want to go home.” Kelly groaned, attempting to stretch despite the leads that restricted her movement. Alex patted Kelly’s thigh, “Just relax, sweetheart. The more you move around and get yourself worked up, the longer the wait will be. Why don’t you try taking a nap?” she suggested. Kelly gave her a blank stare. “Take a nap? Gee, honey, I think I might, aren’t Emergency Rooms just the coziest?” Alex raised her eyebrow at t
he mocking tone in Kelly’s voice. “Babe, I know you aren’t feeling well, but there is no reason to be sarcastic with me. I am only trying to help.” she said. Kelly let out a long breath and reached for Alex. Pulling her down for a soft kiss, Kelly apologized. “I’m sorry, honey. I don’t really want to be here and I’m in a funky mood.” Alex smiled and stood, pulling out her phone. “I’m going to step outside and call your mom. I promised I would let her know what was going on as soon as I had any information.” When Kelly nodded, Alex kissed her forehead again and left the room.
*****
“I really don’t think Kelly wants any calls right now, Karen. I promise, once we get home I will call you and you can talk to her.” Alex said, stubbing out her cigarette and reaching into her car for a piece of gum and her body spray. “Okay Alex. Please tell her I love her and I will talk to her later. And by the way, Alex,” Karen said before Alex could hang up, “If she finds out you are smoking again, she’s going to kill you.” Alex chuckled. “Yeah, I know. But she deals with stress her way and I deal with it my way.” Alex said her goodbyes and hung up the phone. Tucking it back into her pocket, she sprayed herself with the peach scented spray and headed back inside. She knew that the woman was right. After their wedding, Kelly had made Alex promise that she would find a different way to relieve her stress. She had been doing really well too. This was the first time in over a year that she had dug out the pack she kept in the trunk of her car.
After a stop in the bathroom to wash her hands, Alex made her way back to Kelly’s room. She knocked softly, and poked her head inside. She smiled to herself when her eyes lit on Kelly asleep in the bed. She looked peaceful, and Alex noticed the numbers on the heart monitor had gone down several points in just the last few minutes. She stepped in and sat in one of the hard-backed chairs along the right side of the bed. Alex got as comfortable as she could in the uncomfortable seat, and brought up Candy Crush on her phone. She absently swiped the colored pieces on her screen, keeping her ears trained on the sound of Kelly’s breathing.
Two hours later, after several vital checks by a very attractive blonde nurse, Dr. Tanner came back into the room. Alex set down the old copy of People magazine that she had been perusing and went to her wife. Carefully, she touched Kelly’s shoulder and urged her awake. “No.” Kelly whined, swatting at Alex’s hand. Alex chuckled, “Baby, wake up, Dr. Tanner is here.” she said gently. Kelly’s eyes popped open and she sat up. Dr. Tanner gave her a moment to get her bearings before giving his diagnosis. “Well, Dr. Taylor, it looks like my initial hunch was correct. You have chronic hypertension. I’m going to have a tech come in and do an ultrasound to make sure the fetus and placenta are okay.” Kelly nodded slowly and grabbed Alex’s hand, squeezing it tightly. When the doctor stepped out to order the ultrasound, Alex looked at her wife with concern.
“What’s wrong, babe? What is chronic hypertension?” she asked, edging herself onto the side of the bed. Kelly looked up at her with tears in her eyes. “It means I have high blood pressure.” Alex was confused. “Okay, so you cut down on work and stay at home to relax a little more. I don’t understand why that’s making you cry.” Kelly shook her head and sat herself up a little straighter. Pulling Alex’s hand into her lap, she explained. “It’s not that simple, sweetheart. With high blood pressure in the first twenty weeks, I have a greater risk of developing preeclampsia. I’m pretty much going to have to take a sabbatical from work until the baby is born. Preeclampsia can be dangerous, for both me and the baby.” Alex watched the emotions roll over her wife’s face and felt her heart drop. “Baby, I know you don’t want to hear this, especially from me, but if that’s what the doctor orders, then that’s what will happen. I will ask Jessie to cover the facility while you are on leave, and let Angie do more of the administration stuff. If it comes to it, I will have Mama come in and work the office for me.” she said, squeezing Kelly’s hand to reassure her. “We’re in this together, Kelly.”
*****
“Mom!” Zane shouted gleefully when Alex led Kelly through the front door. Alex had called ahead to Lauren and Judy’s and told them to let Zane take Dej home. Hearing her brother’s excited shout, Dej came flying down the stairs and skidded to a stop next to the couch. “Whoa. Mom you don’t look so good.” the girl said. “I’m alright, sweetheart.” Kelly said giving her daughter a smile. Dej returned the smile, but she gazed skeptically at Alex, who shook her head slightly, indicating for Dej to let the subject drop. “Dej, run upstairs and grab Mom’s pillows off the bed, please.” Alex asked, guiding Kelly toward the couch. “Honey, stop. I don’t need my pillows.” Kelly said, sitting on the couch. “Dr. Tanner wants you to rest, babe.” Alex replied, sitting on her knees to remove Kelly’s shoes. “I know what he said, I was there!” Alex’s head whipped up at Kelly’s sharp tone. “I am six weeks pregnant, Alex, and I am not going to spend the next thirty-four weeks being waited on like some invalid.” Kelly pulled her foot away and stood. “Just because Dr. Tanner won’t let me work, doesn’t mean I can’t do things for myself and my family. If you want to help keep my blood pressure down, then listen up. I know my limits, and if I need help I will ask for it. I’m not going to hurt myself out of stubborn bullheadedness, but I am not going to sit around and do nothing, either.” Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed up the stairs, taking the pillows that a stunned Dej was holding on the landing. Alex shook her head and chuckled in embarrassment as both of her kids stared helplessly at her.
Chapter 8
“Mom?” Dej asked tentatively, poking her head into the bedroom a few hours later. Kelly set down her book and smiled at her daughter. “Yes, sweetheart?” Dej moved slowly toward the bed, fidgeting with her hands as she stood next to Kelly. Kelly noticed the child’s demeanor and reached for her hand. “What’s wrong, Dej?” she asked, unused to seeing Dej so quiet and cautious. “I just… I mean I don’t want you to get upset with me like you did with Mom… but Mom wants to know if you are hungry.” Dej said, looking down at her shoes. Kelly pulled the girl down to sit beside her and pulled her into a hug. “I shouldn’t have gotten so upset, sweetheart. I’m sorry that you and Zane had to see that.” Dej shrugged when Kelly released her, “It’s okay, I just didn’t want you to yell at me. So are you hungry?” Kelly smiled and nodded. “I am, but instead of sending you down with an answer, I am going to come downstairs and eat dinner with the rest of you.” Dej nodded and stood so Kelly could get up. Watching the woman warily, Dej waited until she was sure that Kelly was alright before going down to dinner.
“What did she say?” Alex asked when Dej made her way back into the kitchen. When she didn’t get an answer, she looked over from the stove and started to protest when she saw Kelly enter the room. “Don’t even start Alex.” she warned, raising her hand to stop Alex’s words. Blowing out a breath, Alex turned her attention back to the plates she was dishing out. This is going to be a long pregnancy. She thought to herself, taking Dej’s food out of the oven and setting it in front of her. After handing Zane and Kelly their food, Alex sat with her own food. Sneaking a glance at her wife, Alex scanned the woman’s face as she ate. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she concentrated on her dinner.
After dinner was over and cleaned up, Zane and Dej bundled up and left the house. Once the kids were off, Alex went to the couch and tentatively took a seat at the end opposite of where Kelly was curled up with her book. Alex sat quietly, watching the news with the volume down low, for almost an hour before Kelly spoke to her. “Where are the kids?” she asked, noticing for the first time that the kids had left. “Zane’s meeting Colton and the girls for a movie, and Dej is at Lauren and Judy’s for a sleepover with Carrie.” Alex replied, keeping the conversation light. “So it’s just us tonight then?” Kelly asked. “Pretty much. Zane won’t be home until midnight.” Alex replied, her attention on the local news program. “Are you mad at me for something?” Kelly asked curiously. Keeping her eyes on the television, Alex shook her head. “No
pe. I’m not mad.” A loud silence followed Alex’s answer, making Kelly uneasy. She studied her wife for several moments, noticing Alex’s rigid posture and guarded expression. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier today.” she tried, hoping that Alex would look at her. “Nothing to be sorry for. I thought I was helping, but you felt differently. You’re a doctor and you know your own body better than anyone else, I was out of line by trying to take over.” Alex replied flatly, her gaze still on the television screen.
Alex’s words made Kelly realize how mean she had been earlier. She’s just as scared and concerned as you are. She thought to herself, closing her book and scooting down next to Alex. She was grateful that Alex hadn’t pulled away when she laced their fingers. “Honey, please look at me.” she said, pressing herself against Alex’s side. It took a moment before Alex glanced at her, but when she did, Kelly saw the hurt on her wife’s face. Guilt shot through her. Leaning in to flick her tongue over Alex’s ear, Kelly whispered to her, “Can I make it up to you with a few hours of mindless lust?” she kept her voice soft, as her hand slid onto Alex’s thigh. Fighting her emotions, Alex brushed Kelly’s hand away and stood quickly. Without looking at Kelly, Alex turned to go upstairs. “I prefer making passionate love to my wife over mindless lust offered as an apology.” she said, her voice threatening to crack as she spoke.
*****
An hour later, Kelly eased cautiously into their bedroom. She stood in the doorway for a moment, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dark, and heard the faint sound of crying coming from the bed. Oh Kelly, look what you’ve done! She thought to herself as her guilt grew. She made her way quietly to Alex’s side of the bed and eased down beside her. Alex had her back to Kelly and her head under the pillow. Kelly rubbed her hand tentatively up and down Alex’s spine. “Honey?” she asked softly. She thought, briefly, that Alex wasn’t going to respond, and was surprised when the woman sat up in bed and turned on the bedside lamp. Alex’s eyes were red and swollen from the tears, and her expression was closed off. “I am really not in the mood for sex, Kelly.” she said, her tone cold. “That’s not what I came up here for, sweetheart.” Kelly replied, her eyes downcast and her voice soft. “I wanted to apologize sincerely for how I acted earlier. I have always prided myself on my health, and finding out that I am not as healthy as I should be, well, it upset me. That’s no excuse for how I acted though. I know you are scared, for me and the baby, and I didn’t take your feelings into consideration. I’m sorry, baby.”
