John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 111 - Livin' La Vida Sofa

"Well it might be impossible," Dr. Robbins fingered the file on the edge of the trolley, his mind obviously working overtime, "But that's how it is."

"But I *know* when the baby was conceived," Marlena insisted. "I know the night."

"I'm not saying that you're wrong Marlena," he rushed to soothe her anxiety as he perched himself on the edge of the bed. "In fact, I know you are right. It's all here in your notes. From your first exam, ultrasound, and bloodwork. Everything adds up to six months ago. Except for this scan."

"Is there a possibility the machine is faulty?" John's deep throaty voice roused both the doctor and Marlena from their introspection. "I mean look at Marlena, Doctor. I know she doesn't show much, but she barely looks five months let alone over seven months pregnant."

"No there's no possibility," David shook his head. "The machines are checked and calibrated regularly. And the reason Marlena visually looks small is because the baby is sitting a long way back." He gave her a small smile, "I don't know how you manage to squash the little tyke in there, but you do."

"I was small with my previous pregnancies," she said simply, still trying to twist her mind around the unreality that he was suggesting.

"Well, that aside," he crossed one ankle over his leg, "it appears that since we did the last scan at," he consulted his notes, "twenty-two weeks, this baby has put on a growth spurt that would probably make the Guinness Book."

"That's twice as fast as he should have grown," Marlena said thoughtfully.

"Mmmm-hmmmm," David nodded. "And if it continues to grow at this rate, you'd better be prepared to deliver a lot sooner than you expected to."

"Sooner?" John looked at the doctor and then at Marlena.

"Well yeah," Marlena's golden eyes gleamed as she looked up at him. "It's a possibility."

"How can you be so calm about this Doc?" John exploded, "I mean is there a possibility that something is *wrong* with the baby?" He directed the question at the doctor and David Robbins caught the flash of intensity in his dark cobalt eyes.

"No," he shook his head. "The bloods I took from Marlena when she came to see me the other day indicate that the baby is fine and perfectly healthy and normal. So does the scan, apart from the fact that the fetus is larger than expected."

"So, what's caused this then?" John asked, feeling the frustration creep up on him, the heat rising irritably up his neck.

"To be honest," the doctor said candidly, "I have no idea. I'll run over the bloodwork again, but I really don't think that I am going to be able to come up with an explanation for this one." He looked at Marlena with sincere eyes. "I'm sorry."

"You'll let us know if you come up with anything won't you?" she asked quietly.

"Of course I will," he nodded kindly. "And I want you to come and see me weekly from now on so we can keep a close eye on what's going on, all right?"

"Okay," she nodded readily. She wasn't about to risk the health of her child. She'd do all it took to make sure it was safe.

"I think I'm destined to never carry a child to term," Marlena joked weakly once they were back in the car. "How odd that Kristen is overdue, and I may deliver early."

"What did you say?" John blinked as her words rang in his ears.

"I said that Kristen is overdue and-"

"Kristen's baby is small for its gestation date and yours is large," John looked at her, relief suddenly wreathing his face. "Do you see what that means Doc?"