I Don't Even Know Your Name

Fight for It

*Ruth's POV*

*10 months later*

I stared in shock at the red plus sign, written on the thin, cream-colored stick that I laid in my hand. Joy overflowed within my body, and my heart raced faster than it ever has before. I couldn't believe this was really happening to me.

"Shawn!" I yelled from the bathroom.

"What love? Are you okay?" He said, racing in, a little worry in his voice.

"Look." I said, turning around and showing him the test. He took it in the palm of his hand, observing it very closely.

"It's positive.... Oh my God Ruth it's positive!" He said, instantly picking me up and twirling me around in a circle.

"We're pregnant!" He yelled, then placed me back on my feet. "I guess we're going to have to move out of this apartment pretty soon then, aren't we?" He said with a huge grin.

"Haha! Yeah I guess we need to make room for one more!"

"I'm so happy for us honey." His voice breaking, and eyes welling with water.

"Me too!" I beamed, giving him a kiss. "You're gonna be a great father."

~

*Shawn's POV*

*7 months later*

"Ruth, I'm home!" I yell, as I walk into the doorway of our new house. I had just gotten back from my show in Toronto, and I was exhausted. The crowd was exhilarating, but now, all I wanted to do was fall asleep next to my wife.

I stood at the door for a minute, waiting for an answer, but no one did. I wonder is Ruth was already asleep? But... She couldn't be, I just talked to her on the phone while I was at the airport; she said she was going to wait for me.

"Love, Where are you?" I said again, now at the bottom of the steps. But there was still silence.

I went upstairs to check our bedroom, but only to find it empty. Then I looked in the basement to see if she was watching T.V, but no one was there either. Where could she be? I felt a panic beginning to develop in me, as I ran back upstairs to check the bathroom. I saw that the door was closed, and the light was shining through the crack at the bottom. Thank God, I think I found her.

"Honey, I've been looking everywhere for you." I said, knocking on the door.

"What are you doing in there?" I heard the water running from the sink, but still no answer form Ruth.

"Please open the door Ruth, you're scaring me." I was really starting to freak now.

"Okay babe, I'm coming in, I hope everything is okay." I said, turning the golden knob on the white, wooden door. 

I opened the door, and stepped slowly onto the tiled floor. My eyes fell to floor, to see Ruth laying there, sideways, with her eyes shut.

"Ruth!" I screamed, crouching to her level. What's going on? Why is she passed out on the floor?! 

I gently shake her, to see if she'll wake. "Ruth, hun wake up!" I continue shaking her, but she still lay there, lifeless. I placed my two fingers on her neck to find a pulse. Thankfully, I felt a steady beat.

"Thank God." I spoke in shock. I quickly pulled my phone from my pocket, and dialed 911.

"Hello? Yes, I came home to find my pregnant wife passed out on the bathroom floor, and I'm really concerned, can you send someone please?"

"Does she have any signs of injury on her body?" The woman asked.

I searched every inch of her, looking for any kinds of cuts our bruises.

"No, she doesn't look like she's hurt." I said, my voice on the verge of breaking.

"Okay, we're sending an ambulance now. Stay where you are."

"Okay, Thank you." I said, now trying to contain a sob.

The other side went silent, while I sat on the floor, cradling her until the ambulance arrived.

~

"We don't know why she fainted, but she is experiencing preeclampsia. It can be passed down through genetics." Doctor Smith said.

"What is preeclampsia?" I asked, not ever hearing of this before.

"Basically, It's when the mother's body is rejecting the baby. We're not quite sure why it happens, there is still research being done on it." Her words hesitated, as she watched the concern grow in my expression. "When she wakes up, she will need a C section. But we will monitor her for twenty-four hours before that, so we know that she will be okay for surgery. The sooner the baby is out, the better chance your wife has of survival."

I felt my heart sink as I heard these words come out of Dr. Smith's mouth. "A C section? But she's not full term, will the baby make it? Why can't we wait until the due date?" I thought it was a stupid question, but a baby being born two months early, that's dangerous.

"We don't know. We will have to see how the baby does after it is born." She answered.

"O-Kay." I said with hesitation. This was a lot to take in. Our doctor had no idea if our baby would make it, I didn't even know if my own wife would make it. I felt sweat beads beginning to form on my forehead. I couldn't live without her, I didn't know what I was going to do if she didn't live. Even if our baby survives, it would be too painful to raise someone that reminds me so much of her.

 "Okay, thank you." I replied.

"Your welcome, if you have any questions, or need anything, just let me know." She said, turning the knob on the door of the hospital room.

"I will." And she walked back into the hallway.

I sat at Ruth's bedside in the hospital, waiting for those hazel eyes to open. I held her fragile hand in both of mine, as I had my head turned to the T.V. I thought that maybe it would take my mind off of everything, but no matter how hard I concentrated, my thoughts still spun around in my head like a hurricane. I couldn't stop thinking of the possible outcomes of this. 

I stared at the television for a a minute or two more, then realized I needed to call Ruth's parents and tell them the situation. Maybe they could give me some reassurance too.

"Hi, Amy?" I said to her mother over the phone.

"Hi Shawn how are you?" She asked.

"Well, not too good. You see, Ruth is in the hospital and she has preeclampsia."

"Oh no, Shawn, I had that when I was pregnant with her." She responded, worriedly.

"Yeah, they said it can be passed through genetics." I said, connecting the pieces together.

"Yes, I don't know if Ruth has told you, but she was born four weeks early. She had to be put on a ventilator because her lungs weren't fully developed yet."

"Oh no." I said, tears streaming from my face.

"It's okay Shawn, obviously Ruth and I both made it through. But, every situation with disease is different." She spoke, as her panic escalated.

"Right.... Yes, of course." I spoke, not feeling reassured at all.

"Mark and I will be getting the next flight to Ontario as soon as we can.We will let you know when we leave."

"Okay, thanks. Be safe."

"We will see you soon, goodbye." She said, as she hung up the phone.

I slid phone back in my pocket, and laid my head over Ruth, sobbing.

"You and our baby will make it though this Hun. Fight for what you love, like you always do."