Forget Me Not

Chapter Four

To make her parents feel happy, Victoria booked her appointment with her midwife for her scan. Lillian and Timothy reassured her that they would find her if anything changed. Arthur had also not left the ward but he had moved from Nathan's bedside to the waiting room to give Nathan's parents time to themselves with their son.

Jude went to the Carter household with Aurora and Sienna came back for the appointment the next day. She also came back with a change of clothes for Arthur and for Victoria which was a relief for them both. Arthur was so thankful, he bought her a chocolate from the cafeteria which made Sienna laugh.

The appointment was just before lunch so Sienna and Victoria made their way there together. Victoria wouldn't sit down in the waiting room, she had to pace it made her feel better for some reason.

"Victoria Carter?" Victoria's midwife was a kind, curvy lady with curly blonde hair that was always cut short. She had been Victoria's midwife and Nancy's midwife. She was lovely. Victoria followed Freya Ward into the examination room. Sienna came too and took a seat near the bed where she would be able to see what happened.

"So, Victoria. I've heard what happened with Nathan and I am so sorry." Freya said as the door shut closed.

"Thank you, Freya. That means a lot." Victoria said quietly as she laid down on the hospital bed.

"I'm glad you didn't skip your scan, it's an important one. We need to check how everything is developing."

"Okay." Victoria lifted her shirt and allowed for the cold jelly to be put on her bump and the scanner like machine to scan her womb for her baby. She closed her eyes as Freya moved the scanner around, tapped on the computer, scribbled something down and handed her a paper towel. Victoria wiped away the gel as Freya turned the monitor around to show a frozen picture of her womb and her growing baby.

"Your baby is growing absolutely fine. We know the sex of your baby if you want to know." Freya said gently. Victoria looked at her mother. Sienna smiled softly.

"Nathan wouldn't kill you for knowing before him." Victoria took a deep breath and nodded.

"Go on then Freya." She smiled and printed out a picture. She then pointed out bits and bobs of the baby.

"Head, arm, legs... And a willy. You're having a baby boy." Victoria's heart swelled and broke at the exact same time. She was in such shock that she couldn't speak or cry, she just stared at the photo. She remained like this as Sienna thanked Freya, as Freya said she would see them again in two weeks. She didn't speak as Sienna took Victoria by the elbow and led her to the cafeteria where she bought them both a strong cup of tea and sat down at a table. Only then did Victoria seem to snap out of her trance, placing the photograph between them on the table top.

"Please, Vicky... Tell me what you're thinking." Sienna begged.

"I don't know, Mum... I'm... I'm lost. I wanted everything to be alright and I don't see how. I want Nathan to keep fighting and I'm scared, so scared that this isn't going to be okay."

"You're not alone, Victoria. You won't ever be alone no matter what happens. You have us and Arthur and Nancy. It's going to be alright, I promise." Victoria cupped her tea in both hands.

"Aurora is three years old. I married Nathan five years ago. We've known each other ten years. Since we were nineteen and in university. I've never looked back. Not once. I have no regrets. What if this is it? All the happiness I'm allowed?"

"Don't think like that, Victoria. You can't think like that." The pair of them sat in silence, sipping their tea and looking at the photograph. A baby boy. Victoria did not know what to think of that. She should have been happy but she couldn't be happy until she knew what would happen to Nathan.

To change the subject, Sienna started to tell Victoria about a shambles of a holiday she had taken with Jude a few months ago when everything seemed to go wrong. Victoria was genuinely smiling when it all changed.

Everyone looked up at Arthur who burst into the cafeteria running, ignoring the comments of other people. He went straight to them, a smile on his face.

"He's awake." Arthur gasped. Sienna and Victoria both jumped to their feet and they were all in a rush, though Victoria couldn't really run, she didn't have the energy. They took the lift and it seemed to drag as the lift slowly went up. When the doors finally opened, they truly went into a sprint, Sienna a little behind them and puffing and panting. Victoria burst into Nathan's room where Dr Smithson, Timothy and Lillian was. They were by Nathan's bed where Nathan was lying on the bed with his eyes open. Those beautiful, beautiful eyes. Victoria's knees turned to jelly as she cried out.

"Wait-" Dr Smithson tried to interrupt as Victoria pushed her way past the doctor and to Nathan's bed where she threw her arms around her husband and sobbed. It was going to be alright. It really was.

"Victoria." It was the first time Dr Smithson had called her name and that alone should have been a reason to panic. But Victoria was lost in the fact that yes her husband smelled like hospitals and yes he was still sick but he was awake and alive and he was going to be okay!

"What the hell...?" Nathan pulled away and Victoria felt a bit rejected at this but she had to remember Nathan had been under sedation for quite some time.

"Oh, Nath! I'm so glad you're alright! I've just had a scan and I'm having a baby boy! Your son!" Nathan looked absolutely horrified.

"I'm sorry, what the hell is this? Who the hell are you?"

Victoria took a deep breath.

"This is a joke. I'm your wife, Nathan. Don't be ridiculous, we've been married for five years. We have a daughter and I'm pregnant with your son!" Victoria's heart was beating quite fast... Too fast... Nathan was looking horrified, confused, disgusted and that was an expression that just did not suit Nathan's usually kind and loving face.

"Victoria... Nathan is having some memory loss." Dr Smithson said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"No kidding," Sienna muttered.

"This has to be a joke. Nathan... You know me... You know me!"

 "No. I don't." Nathan's face was stern this time. Victoria took a step back. Another. Her ears were stuffed with cotton wool, she felt so hot. She needed to get out. She turned to leave when she lost her footing. Her vision turned black before she hit the floor.