Quite Dubious by Lyla Payne

Author:Lyla Payne
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Author Published
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“What’s wrong?” I blurt, every other thought driven straight out of my head.

“Maybe nothing, but I’m concerned about some of Melanie’s numbers, and the baby doesn’t seem to be tolerating labor all that well.”

Every nightmare I’ve ever had about losing Mel, losing the baby, or being left behind to raise both her and Grant alone attacks me all at once, making it hard to breathe.

“What does that mean? What do we do? How bad is it?” The words tumble out so fast that some of them run into each other. The questions are almost garbled, and I have to wonder whether she could even make sense of them.

Gracie’s hand slips into mine and holds on tight. Just her presence makes it easier to breathe—it’s a reminder that neither Mel nor I are alone in this. Or in anything, really.

“I’m running some more tests now, just to rule out some routine complications. We’re keeping a close eye on the baby, and on your wife, so please do your best to stay calm. I merely wanted to update you in case we end up in a situation where an emergency C-section is in order.”

She glances down at Grade’s hand in mine, a small frown tugging at her lips. “You should stay close.”

“Thanks,” I tell her, even though it seems as if this conversation is happening to someone else while I watch from a few steps away.

The doctor leaves, and Gracie breathes out. Then she nudges me—gently at first, then harder, until I can focus on her face.

“I know that losing Mel is probably the scariest thing you can imagine, but you’ve got to keep your shit together. She’s in labor and she’s going to be scared on top of the hormones and the pain and you’ve got to be her rock, Will.” Her green eyes, still startling in their newness, strike me like lightning. They’re on fire, and after a moment, they melt the icy shock that’s numbing my response.

I gulp air for a few seconds, then nod. “I’m going to get in there. If she’s still asleep, she’ll need me when she wakes up.”

“Good.” Now that I’m functioning, it looks as if Gracie is falling apart. Tears glisten in her softening gaze. “Tell her I’m out here, and I’m not going anywhere. All for one, until the... Until Mary is born.”

We usually say until the end. I couldn’t be more thankful that she chose to close the statement in a different way this time.

“Thanks, Gracie.”

I race down the hall without another thought, skidding to a stop outside Mel’s door so that I can rearrange my face into something less panic-stricken before facing my wife.

It turns out not to matter, since she’s still sleeping. A nurse sits on a stool next to the machine spitting out reams of paper, tracking both Mel’s and Mary’s vitals. I take a moment to grab my phone and text my mother, telling her that it looks like things are going to get complicated and that she should take Grant home.

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