Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 45: Comfort in a time of need

"I know you're scared baby. But I promise you. This'll be quick ok?"

Cara held her tears in and kept her eyes on Juliet as Jack and David worked together to take the tubing out of her throat. Juliet tried not to look at the black and purplish hole occupying Cara's throat. David was the first to speak as a nurse and Jack covered the hole with fresh gauze and tape.

"She won't be able to swallow food for a while by mouth. We'll have to insert a feeding tube into her side. It's only temporary though. I promise Jules."

James chuckled at Juliet but then paled himself.

"What? I thought blood and guts didn't scare you?"

Juliet snapped her eyes up to him and she frowned, staring.

"Delivering babies is different. That's bringing life into this world. This is putting a hole in someone's throat so that they can breathe. If you think this is gory, then I've got stories for you. Do you know how many gunshot wounds I treated during my third year of residency?"

James shrugged his shoulders and gave her a dimpled smile.

"How many?"

Juliet held onto Cara's small hand and kept a smile on her face.

"'98 was a banner year. 96 people. One man got a bullet lodged in his left lung. It was touch and go for him. But he made it."

James frowned and grimaced.

"Ok, I take that back."

Juliet rubbed Cara's arm and fixed the bracelet around her wrist.

"Just keep your eyes on me sweet baby girl. We're almost done. Just one more minute."

Jack directed a nurse to give Cara something to help her sleep. Juliet squeezed Cara's hand and watched as her eyes got heavy. Running her other hand through Cara's blond curls, she kept her calm and stayed with her until her breathing evened out and she knew she was asleep.

"Shh. Just close your eyes and go to sleep sweet girl. Mommy's not going anywhere."

Juliet's shoulders slumped and she sunk into the chair.

"How much longer can we do this James? I can't keep putting walls up. This is our baby lying in that hospital bed."

James pulled Juliet into his arms and kissed her hair.

"Everything's gonna be fine blondie. Cara's getting better. Jack said that all she needs is some medicine and she'll be as good as new."

Juliet slid back into the chair next to the bed and ran a hand through the seemingly tiny child's blond curls.

"I fought so hard to bring Cara into this world, even if it was on the island. I hadn't intended for her to be born under that weird looking tree. But when you're giving birth, you can't control what your body is going through. You are at the disposal of nature."

James took another chair and placed it next to her. Sitting down, he put a hand up to her cheek, and ran across it.

"Remember what we said when we were stuck on that rock? 'We're in this together.' Never forget that blondie. I've still got your back. Now I don't know everything that goes on in life, but we gotta stay strong for our girls."

Juliet corked her emotions back up and smiled when Hayley entered the room.

"Here mama. I brought you and daddy some coffee."

James smiled and took the steaming cup from Hayley.

"Thanks for the coffee little genius."

A nurse came into the room and stood in the doorway, getting Juliet's attention.

"Doctor Burke? Mrs. Ericcson is asking for you."

Juliet straightening out her white lab coat, vacated the chair. Walking towards the door, she gave James a quick peck to the cheek.

"Back to the salt mines handsome. Make sure Hayley is in bed at a decent time tonight. Hopefully I'll be home before 4 a.m."

James frowned at Juliet's statement but knew it was part of her job. Exiting the room, Juliet made her way towards the elevator. Sucking in a breath and letting it out as she pushed the number 3 on the elevator, she realized that Mrs. Ericcson was going to be a challenge. She could handle a challenge. This was almost cake compared to what the island used to throw at her. Once on the third floor, she entered the first door just off the elevator.

"Hi Stacy. How are we doing in here?"

Stacy Ericcson was a petite woman with long brown curls and hazel eyes. A paraplegic at birth, she found most things to be difficult. But starting a family had been something she'd wanted for as long as she could remember.

"Everything is just peachy now that I have that epidural. Can you promise me that everything will go smoothly?"

Juliet turned back to Stacy as she pulled on a pair of gloves.

"I will do my absolute best Stacy. You have my word. Besides, there's another doctor here that's going to help me. Doctor Jacobson is the best in this hospital. We're going to work together to bring your baby safely into the world. Ok? Now I need you to relax."

Stacy took in a breath and looked to her husband Jake.

"I can't believe our baby is coming."

He smoothed back her hair and wiped some sweat away. Juliet turned when she heard David come into the room. Her back to the expectant couple, she lowered her voice and spoke to David in a hushed tone.

"Ok David, how do you want to do this? I'm tall, but your taller. I'd still need a ladder to get to her. Should we lower the sling a little more?"

David nodded and lowered the sling a few inches and sat down next to Juliet. Juliet was worried, David could tell.

"Everything's going to be just fine. We can get this baby out safely."

Turning her attention back to Stacy, Juliet nodded.

"Ok Stacy, are you ready to have this baby?"

Stacy stared nervously but swallowed and blinked twice.

"Yes."

Juliet was ignoring the sweat that was beginning to collect on her forehead. David was helping her concentrate.

"Ok, the head's out. Looks like we'll have to rotate the baby slightly. The left shoulder could be problematic."

Juliet blew out her own breath and reigned in her nervousness and traded it for confidence.

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Juliet found the sheets and the covers of the bed she shared with James comforting. James pulled her into his arms and kissed the back of her neck.

"Mmm. You smell good blondie. You have a shower?"

Nodding, Juliet wiped at her eyes.

"Just hold me James."

Opening his eyes, James ran a hand through her curly locks and asked her what was wrong.

"Somethin' happen?"

Turning to James, Juliet recounted her story of what happened with Stacy Ericcson.

"I lost a patient today and her husband is threatening to sue me, David and the hospital. I went over the risks with both of them. Everything might have gone better if I'd done a C-section. But the variables are unpredictable. We're not on that stupid rock anymore, but I feel like it's still trying to punish me."

James took Juliet in his arms and kissed her hair. What she needed was reassurance and comfort.

To Be Continued...