OUR LITTLE SECRET

Part 27

It was several hours later when, finally, you regained consciousness. Hearing monitors beeping rhythmically in the background, you slowly opened your eyes, blinking several times to adjust to the dim light. Your senses were overwhelmed by the antiseptic smell and the cold metal surfaces beneath you. A sense of dread washed over you as you struggled to recall what had transpired since you gave birth by the side of the road.

"Hey," Cillian murmured softly, his voice a warm whisper that immediately brought comfort to your weary soul. Turning your head toward the sound, you saw him sitting by your bedside, holding your hand gently.

"Where is my baby?" was the first question that escaped your lips, your voice hoarse and weak. Fear gnawed at your gut, making you ache with worry.

"Mara is in the NICU, but she is fine. She is doing very well actually, considering the circumstances," Cillian assured you, his voice warm and comforting. "They will monitor her for a few days to ensure that she is safe and healthy," he added, smiling down at you reassuringly.

"I want to see her," you croaked, shifting in the bed, trying to sit up.

"Easy, Y/N," Cillian murmured, gently laying you back down. "You are still in the ER. You had emergency surgery and need to rest," he explained, his voice soft and caring.

"I need to see her Cillian, please," you implored, your voice trembling slightly, but he remained firm.

"Y/N, you had surgery! You almost died," Cillian exclaimed, his voice trembling with concern. "The doctors told me that you lost a lot of blood due to complications during childbirth," he revealed, his gaze flickering between you and the small TV mounted on the wall across from the bed.

"Is Mara okay though?" you asked, your voice low and strained as you struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

"Mara is perfectly fine," Cillian assured you, his voice warm and comforting.

"She doesn't actually need to be in the NIC unit, but they insist on monitoring her progress as precaution because she was born prematurely," he continued, his gaze flickering between you and the television once more. "They say it's routine for babies born under 36 weeks," he explained, his voice soft and steady just as your treating doctor came in, holding a clipboard.

"Miss, how are you feeling?" the doctor asked, his voice crisp and professional while Cillian tightened his grip on your hand.

"I am fine. I just want to see my daughter," you replied, your voice still weak but determined. "Can you let me see her?" you implored, your gaze flickering between the doctor and Cillian.

"Y/N," Cillian began, his voice low and cautious, "you need to rest right now," he said just before the doctor spoke up again.

"Miss, we understand that you're concerned about your child, but it's crucial that you regain your strength before we allow you to visit Mara," the doctor explained, his voice calm and patient. "We need to ensure that your condition stabilizes, and you're medically cleared to leave the ER," he added, his gaze locked onto yours.

"But, Doc," you protested weakly, your voice barely audible, "I need to see my baby. She needs me," you insisted, your gaze flickering between the doctor and Cillian, both of whom remained firm.

"You lost a lot of blood, ma'am, and we had to perform an emergency hysterectomy I am afraid," the doctor explained, his tone matter-of-fact while Cillian ran his hand over yours gently in order to comfort you.

"You what?"you cried, your voice rising in pitch and volume. "You removed my uterus?" you exclaimed, shaking your head in disbelief. "But...why?" you asked, your voice trembling as you looked up at the doctor, pleading for answers.