Whisper My Name

Chapter 54

November 5, 1992

Salem University Hospital

Painted across the sky

This moment is yours and mine

Gentle like we'd breathe

Sacred, like we'd bleed

~ One Word ~ Heart ~

Dr. Bader looked at the monitor with concern checking all of the angles she could, and then back to Marlena, saying, "One of the babies is breech, and I'm concerned about your blood pressure."

"I've been resting, and eating right. I know I need to stay pregnant for as long as possible to give them the best chance," Marlena said. "Do you think there's a chance that the baby might turn?"

"Your due date is in about two weeks. You've done better than most twin pregnancies, and all of your previous children were born early. I think we should go ahead and schedule—" Dr. Bader was interrupted when the door flew open, and a very frazzled and soaking wet John was standing there.

Water dripped from his hair into his eyes, and he gasped, "Am I late?"

Marlena thought he looked as if he'd been through a hurricane, "John!"

He rushed to her side, "I'm so sorry, Doc. There was a car accident, and then I couldn't find parking, plus the rain. I'm sorry. Did I miss anything?"

"One of the babies is breech, and my blood pressure is still high," Marlena told him, catching him up quickly. "Baby B is cooperating, and Baby A has decided that she prefers to kick my bladder."

"I've been making her rest, Dr. Bader," John said. "It's not helping?"

Dr. Bader smiled, "Sometimes taking it easy isn't enough, but since her blood pressure is elevated, and Baby A is breech, I think we should go ahead, and schedule a cesarean section. It would be the safest route."

John was worried. He'd never been through this before, "But her due date—"

Marlena found it endearing that he worried about her so much, "John, it's okay. I'm close enough to my due date that it won't matter." She turned to Dr. Bader, "When were you thinking about scheduling it?"

Karen knew that Marlena wasn't going to like her answer. "Honestly? I'd like to get you admitted now, and do the surgery this afternoon."

"This afternoon?" Marlena asked in shock. "I'm not ready! My bags not packed, I have to have someone watch the children–"

Karena cut her off, "--your blood pressure is concerning, and with the risk of preeclampsia, I would feel much better doing it as soon as possible."

John leaned over, kissing Marlena on the forehead, and said, "Looks like we're having some babies, baby."

"Real funny," she said with a smirk. Marlena started formulating a plan in her head. She obviously wasn't going anywhere. With a sigh she asked John, "Can you call your mother, and see if she can check on Carrie and the twins?"

"I sure can, pretty lady. I'll be right back," he said, kissing her again, and leaving the room. "Don't go anywhere."

"As if I could," Marlena muttered with a grin. When John had closed the door behind himself, she looked at Dr. Bader, and asked her, "Why are you rushing this?"

"Your blood pressure has been elevated for weeks, Marlena. With preeclampsia there is a risk of seizures. You know that. I'd simply like to err on the side of caution," Dr. Bader told her.