Part 242
Nick was first to arrive at the hospital, having been whisked away by Eddie into a waiting car. Somehow he'd managed to make contact with Denise during costume changes, enough to know that Becca was holding on. Her condition was serious, but so far stable. Security was tight as the hospital staff escorted him to Becca's room.
Pushing open the door, he was greeted by darkness and the steady beep of the monitors. The light from the hallway spilled in as he entered and Denise turned to him with a finger over her lips.
"She just dozed off," she whispered.
Becca lay deathly still on her left side, facing the window. Nick walked around to pull a chair close to the bed and in the faint light form the monitors could see traces of dried tears on her face.
"What's going on?" he whispered.
"They're trying, Nick, but they can't get her blood pressure to stay down. They've used as many drugs as they can without harming the baby."
"It's so dark-"
"They had to get her quiet. They have her on her side to ease the strain on her heart and they turned off the lights, but look at her pressure."
Nick watched as the numbers registered automatically: 210/160.
"Damn, Denise, that's higher than it's ever been."
"Nick, they're afraid to wait too long. If it goes any higher she could have a stroke."
"The baby?"
"The baby's fine. It has a good strong heartbeat. The doctor says that so far there's no sign of fetal distress, it's Becca they're concerned about."
As if on cue, the alarm on the monitors began to sound, bringing the nursing staff running through the door. Feverishly they worked, checking Becca's vital signs and making notes on her chart.
"Mr. Carter? I'm Dr. Anthony, I'll be taking care of your wife tonight." The tall gentleman, who couldn't be much older than Kevin, patted Nick on the back. "If you'll step outside for a couple of minutes, I'll be able to tell you a little more about what's going on."
Denise pushed him through the door where he leaned wearily against the wall.
"She's going to be fine, Nick, you have to believe that."
"It wasn't supposed to be like this."
"No, but it *is* and you can't change it. She's strong, Nick."
"No, she's not, Denise. She puts up a brave front, but even Sarah always said-" he turned to Denise and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Sarah! Denise, she's here!"
"What? How?"
"It turns out-" the sudden activity from Becca's room cut short his explanation. The call light over the door was flashing as the doctor emerged, tossing his scrubs into the waste bin. "Doc?"
"Mr. Carter, we can't wait. Your wife is being prepped for surgery."
"Is she-"
"So far she's all right, but if we don't deliver this baby now she might not make it. She's insisting on remaining awake. I can allow that, just to keep her calm, but if necessary I'll put her under. You may accompany her, but if there are any further complications then you'll be asked to leave the delivery room. Standard hospital policy, understood?"
Nick nodded mutely, his face pale. "Can I see her?"
"Just for a minute. You need to sign the surgical consent forms and get scrubbed and gowned. Make it fast."
Becca's hair was tucked beneath a sterile cap and the anesthesiologist was explaining the epidural when Nick reached her side.
"Hey sweetheart," he said cheerfully. "We're gonna have a baby, huh?" He held her hand tightly, the only outward sign of his nervousness.
"Looks that way, Nicky." Her eyes filled. "I'm scared," she whispered.
"Hey, don't. It's gonna be fine. We just have to change our plans a little, that's all."
"Mr. Carter-" The nurse was at the door motioning him outside.
"Look, I have to go clean up. I'll see you inside, ok?"
Becca nodded as they wheeled her toward surgical delivery. The labor nurse took Nick to the scrub room and showed him what to do, and in no time he was gowned and masked and seated by Becca in the delivery room. He winced as the drugs were injected into her back, smiling only when the Doctor remarked about her tattoo.
"A few more minutes and there'll be three in your family, you ready?" the doctor asked cheerfully, his demeanor helping to dispel the tension in the room. "Just relax Becca, and let the meds do their job."
******
Denise had hugged Nick tightly as he went to be with Becca. "I'll pray for her, sweetie," was all she said. As she walked into the waiting room, the others were just arriving. Howie and Sarah followed Kevin, Brian and AJ.
"Denise?" Sarah took one look at AJ's mom and her legs refused to carry her any further.
"Sarah! Oh, thank God." She pulled Sarah close, holding her up.
"Becca?"
"They just took her into delivery. It's been touch and go all day, she's a very sick girl."
"How's Nick?" Howie asked.
"Not good, but he's hanging on. They're doing a c-section. They're afraid that if they wait any longer she might have a stroke."
"I wish I could have seen her before - -"
Denise stepped back, a huge smile on her face. "Sarah, that's perfect!
Wait here, I'll be right back."