Anymore

Chapter 10

Carrie paced back and forth in the ER waiting room, as Laura approached. "Aunt Laura! Is Marlena okay?"

Lauren rubbed her arm lovingly. "She is resting comfortably right now, we are still waiting on the test results."

"But the blood and pain she was having..."

"The bleeding has stopped and we have given her some mild pain meds. She's in no immediate danger sweetie."

Carrie drew a ragged breath. "Can I see her?"

"Not for a while, we want to see what the test results show. I'll tell ya what, why don't you go take a nap in Marlena's office, I'll come get you when you can see her."

Carrie shook her head. "No, no I'm okay. I want to be here in case she needs me."

Laura smiled gently. "Sweetheart, you won't be any good to her if you fall asleep standing up... you're exhausted."

Carrie giggled after she yawned. "Okay, okay." She turned to go and stopped. "Should I call Roman?"

Laura shook her head. "Let's see what's going on first, then we will leave that up to Marlena to decide." She winked.

As Carrie walked away, Mike approached from the opposite direction. "Mom... I have Marlena's test results." Mike handed his mother the file.

Laura flipped through a few pages and stopped. "Oh God..."

Mike nodded sadly. "Is she awake? I need to talk to her about this as soon as possible."

Laura sighed. "Son, let me do it okay? I think she would be more comfortable talking to me."

Mike nodded. "If you're sure." He walked away.

Laura clutched the folder to her chest. "Lord, give me strength."

.....

Laura pulled the stool up beside Marlena's bed, shaking her gently. "Marlena..."

Marlena groaned and shifted in the bed. "Laura?"

"Yes honey, how are you feeling?"

She shrugged. "A little sore still, but better I guess." She motioned to the file. "Those my test results?" Laura nodded, but said nothing. "Well...?"

Laura drew a deep breath. "Well the test does show something."

Marlena yawned and shook her head trying to shake off the effects of the painkillers. "Let me guess... and ulcer right? I had a feeling I've been stressing too much about..."

Laura took hold of her hand. "Honey... it's not an ulcer."

Marlena furrowed her brow. "Okay then... what is it?"

Laura released a shaky breath. "Honey you're... you're pregnant..."

The color drained from Marlena's face and she stared blankly straight ahead. Laura began to worry after a few moments. Laura stood, "Honey, why don't I call Roman for you..."

Marlena instantly grabbed her hand. "NO!" She looked at Laura pleadingly.

Laura sat back on the stool. "Okay honey, calm down I dont want your blood pressure to spike again." Marlena took a few calming breaths. "Marlena, why don't you want me to call Roman?

Marlena wiped the moisture from her cheeks. "Because..." she shrugged. "Obviously something is wrong... the pains... and bleeding..."

"Well we can't know for certain until they do an ultrasound, but Dr. Bader is worried that... it might be a tubal pregnancy."

"Oh God..." Marlena cradled her stomach and began to sob, curling into a ball away from Laura.

Laura rubbed her back soothingly. "Do you want me to get Carrie for you?"

"Oh God... does she know?"

"No honey, I sent her to your office to get some rest."

Marlena nodded. "Good, just let her sleep right now." Marlena gently rubbed her hand over her stomach and looked at Laura. "Could I have a few minutes alone?"

Laura nodded. "Of course, but Marlena you know..."

She nodded. "Yes, I know I have to find out as soon as possible. I just... need a few minutes." Laura patted her hand and left her alone.

Marlena laid back and closed her eyes, gently drawing circles on her stomach, tears pouring down her cheeks. "I am so tired of losing...". She didn't even bother wiping the tears from her face, as she quietly talked to the baby she knew she was about to lose. "I don't even know what to say... what to think. I need your daddy here so much. And yes baby... I know who your daddy is, without a shadow of a doubt. As complicated as things would have been... we would have been so happy about you. You know before I disappeared, we put in a lot of practice trying for you." She giggled. "And now... we got you and are going to lose you, if we haven't already. I pray this isn't my fault, some sort of karma for the way I have handled everything..." Marlena's sobs echoed throughout the room as she rolled to her side cradling her stomach. "John... I NEED you...please...please..."

Laura heard Marlena's cries from the door, but not the actual words. She knocked and opened the door partially. "Honey, may I come in?" Marlena nodded. She sat beside the bed and wiped Marlena's tears. "Are you ready to go see Dr. Bader?"

"No... but I have no choice."

"Do you want me to call Roman?"

Marlena snorted derisively. "No, thanks."

Laura squinted her eyes. "Honey, you should have him with you."

Marlena's eyes seemed to burn with anger at the mere thought of Roman being there. "Why would I want him here? If anything this is HIS fault!"

Laura gasped in shock. "Marlena! How could you think such a thing?"

She shrugged."It's because of my sense of obligation to him, and my need to be fair to him that I have lost almost everything that ever meant anything to me!" She rolled over facing away from Laura. "Just please go tell Dr. Bader I am ready, I want to get this over with."