It all fell down

Chapter 9

She breathed a sigh, the house was quiet. Winter had reluctantly gone to work. But she was fine, everything was in order.

She clutched her cup of tea and looked out of the kitchen window. It was a cold autumn day, the sky was overcast with dark clouds, soon it would rain.

A slight ache ran through her side, and she immediately put her hand on her stomach. This feeling had been with her for days.

"I know you finally want to come into the world, but can you maybe not kick me in the rib?" she said gently.

The morning dragged on, and she decided to do some work.

She could still answer emails from home, and from the look of the email inbox, Marjorie hadn't had time today.

She drank her tea and listened to the rain pattering against the window. Another pain went through her lower stomach. She stopped to catch her breath and stayed in her position, waiting until the pain slowly disappeared again.

It hadn't even disappeared completely when another wave of pain came.

She looked at her watch and waited. Less than five minutes later, she felt it again.

She reached for her mobile phone, and it wasn't even ringing properly when Winter picked it up.

" Are you ok, my love?"

"Winter, come home. I think it's time."

She didn't get an answer.

" Winter?"

"Oh God!" he shouted in panic. "I'll be right there!" he already hung up.

She had to smile slightly. "Why is he the panicky one when I'm the one having the baby," she said.

When the car came to a halt in the driveway with a loud screech, she slowly got up and made her way to the front door.

She had to stop in the corridor when the pain shot through her again. The door was pulled open.

"I'm here! " He turned white as a sheet when he saw his wife.

"Don't feint now. Come and help me," Autumn spoke calmly. She didn't want to make Winter panicked even more.

Autumn grabbed Winter's arm. They had been at the hospital for hours. Her brother was waiting outside, and he wasn't allowed to enter the delivery room.

Winter was worried, not only about the sudden secrecy of the midwife and the head doctor. But also about Autumn, he could see your fine sweat covering her whole body. He also had the feeling that she was too warm.

Autumn let out a soft cry. The pain was unbearable and drained her of all strength.

The doctor came back to the bedside, his look very serious.

"We have a problem. The child must have turned in the last few days."

"She's lying... upside down?" Autumm managed to get out in a hushed voice.

" Yes. Normally, we would recommend and initiate a c-section immediately. But there is another problem. The placenta is anchored at the back of the uterus, very close to the main abdominal artery. The operation would be very risky. "

"What does that mean for us now?" asked Winter.

"Well, we can wait and see if a natural birth is still possible. But if this is not the case. Then the decision is up to you. Risk the child's health with a long labour, which could lead to damage or death. Or a caesarean section, which is an increased risk for the mother."

"I can't choose between my wife or my child!" cried Winter desperately.

"Winter!" Autumn managed to speak through her pain. "No matter what happens. You choose our daughter."

Winter looked at her. The words she had just spoken had not yet fully sunk in. " Autumn..."

"Winter, promise me, our daughter comes first!"

He couldn't answer her. He could only nod slightly.

After another hour, Winter still stood next to his wife. Holding her hand while she could only squirm in pain. Autumn began to tremble slightly, also becoming pale. The midwife put her hand on her forehead.

"She's running a fever." She looked at Winter. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Winter kissed Autumn's hand. " I'll be right back..."

" She's about to go into shock. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it will be for the baby. I recommend a c-section now," said the midwife.

".... Ok..."

"We'll do everything we can to ensure that mum and baby are healthy."

Winter came back to the bedside. "My love... there would start the operation now..."

" Ok." Autumn spoke weakly. "I'll see you later..." she smiled slightly at him.

Winter was not allowed to enter the operating theatre. He was waiting in the patient room. Reece was next to him.

"Winter, not even the plague can bring my sister down. Everything will be fine."

Every minute felt like several hours. The uncertainty consumed Winter. He couldn't tell how much time had really passed, but it was getting dark outside.

The door to the room opened, and the midwife and doctor entered. The woman was carrying something in her arms. She put his daughter in Winter's arms.

Reece jumped up from his chair. "What about my sister?"

The doctor cleared his throat. " I'm sorry. The blood loss was too great. She didn't make it."

"Dad? Why is my birthday the same day as the day Mum went to heaven?" the little girl asked.

Winter knew that day would come. He was just about to tie her shoes.

"Well, your mum was.... sick and when you were born. Unfortunately, she had to go to heaven..." He couldn't think of anything else at the moment. He had always imagined what he would tell his daughter, but now he was at a loss for words.

The little girl looked sad. "Is it my fault?"

"No. It's nobody's fault. I'll tell you everything when you're older. But I want you to know that your mum did everything she could to bring you into the world safely. And she wouldn't have wanted it any other way."