Settling in Seattle

Chapter 47- Results

"Please, go and get yourselves some coffee or something. Don't stay here worrying. As you know, it will take approximately five hours, so I would either go out and get breakfast, or go home. She will be fine. The surgeons will pull through, they have so many times before." Dr Fringe reassured the two trembling parents. Rachel had her hand firmly on Mike's thigh, to which his hand was above, and calmingly rubbing her thumb with his. It was the only attempt of seldom, temperate feeling in the air. The doctor walked away following a quick nod from Mike, leaving them to their own thoughts.

"Mike, I can't leave here." He placed his other hand on top of hers too, looking her deep in her perfect, sorrowful eyes.

"I know babe. Come on, let's go to the coffee shop on the other side of the building. We can get you some decaf, and maybe something to eat." He moved both hands to her face, gently swiping her hair free from her face, revealing more of her cheek, spotted with the beautiful freckles he adored. Rachel nodded, and he heaved himself from the uncomfortable chair, pulling her up with him. She slipped her hand through the crook in his arm, and held tightly, lead silently by her husband.

"Are you alright? You look like you're going to pass out." He looked at her as the coffee smell filtered through his senses, concerned with her pale face and deep, long-drawn breaths.

"Yes. I'm okay." She dodged the usually comfortable eye-contact by contemplating the price list displayed above the counter.

"Are you sure? Shall we just sit down first?" Rachel simply nodded and placed her hand to her forehead in an attempt to calm herself. Biting her lip, she knew that the tears were placing a strong argument to stream down her face. They took the nearest two-chair seats, Mike looking terribly concerned at his distressed wife.

"I just want everything to be fine. I want the surgery to be over, when it's just started. I want this baby that I'm carrying to be out of me and healthy, not making me feel so unbearably sick. My head is pounding Mike, my baby is undergoing a craniotomy. I... I... On top of all that, I haven't even checked to see if you're okay today." Rachel's face reddened rapidly, half with embarrassment of the tears, and half with the tears themselves.

"Rach... Woah, firstly, you don't need to worry about asking if I'm okay. You focus on you and the child you're carrying. I'm fine, totally, except worry, I'm fine. Secondly, Rosalie will be good. She's got the best surgeons and the statistics are on our side here. Okay?" She nodded as he attempted to wipe away the accumulating tears.

"Now, what is going to make you feel less sick?" 

"I don't know. I don't want to eat anything, neither really drink." She apologetically peered into Mike's blue eyes, to which he responded verbally.

"Don't feel bad Rachel, come on, do you want to go and get some fresh air?"

"Yes please. Sorry we went all the way here to leave." 

"It's fine Rachel, don't apologise... The exit is closer anyway, let's go for a little wander." She complied, and they got up again, heading towards the greenery and open space outside.

Rachel's eyes flicked between her phone time, to the clock ticking on the wall, back to her phone, then to the doctor's office. Every now and again there was a twinge in her stomach, hearing a door swing open, or the genuine sickness caused by her pregnancy. The two-hour walk had eased it, but then the two and a half hours sitting in a coffee shop had mixed things up. In the midst of focussing on removing the sickness, Mike placed his hand on hers and rubbed gently. Rachel glanced upwards to be met with the familiar face of Doctor Fringe.

"Would you like to discuss in the office?" He had a face of neutrality, not giving anything away. Rachel gritted her teeth at his cool demeanour. They followed him into his office in no time and were soon sat, ready to know the truth.

"Right, the surgery has been successful. Rosalie is responding well, the tumor was removed safely, and is now being transferred to the children's recovery ward. She is awake, and if you make your way over now, you can see her. Reviews and assessments in the coming days will determine how long she will stay here, I can assure you it will be no longer than a week and a half." Rachel felt the happiness rise through her, looking at Mike, who was grabbing her shoulder and rubbing it.

"Thank you, Doctor Fringe. Thank you so much." Mike uttered, before they both stood up.

"No need. She's healthy, however has a big bandage around her head. She will be sleeping a lot in the coming days, most definitely head pain and may experience nausea."

"That makes two of us." Rachel attempted a joke, and Mike smiled.

"She will also be wired up to a drip, which also contains painkillers and anti-nausea drugs. Visiting hours are lenient, you can come and see her from seven in the morning to eight at night. Other than that she's under the watchful eye of all the nurses." They both cringed over having to leave her.

"Okay, thank you Doctor." He placed his firmly out, and they shook hands.

"Oh she looks exhausted." Rachel murmured as they neared their child, led in the hospital bed, with the expected bandage wrapped around her head. A final back rub and lunge forward attempted to gear her up.

"Hi baby." Mike walked a pace in front. She smiled up at her father, whose hand was now lovingly brushing her small, chubby face.

"How are you feeling Rosy?" Rachel smiled weakly, leaning onto the bed, not expecting an answer.

"I'm okay mommy." She said in a tiny voice. Hearts shattered at her slight cleft in her cheek.

"That's so good baby."

"Did the doctor take the naughty bit of my brain out?" She enquired, stunning her mother with how aware she seemed.

"Yes, the doctors did. You have no more naughty brain." All three of them smiled.

"Good." She yawned, placing her head back on the pillow, and closing her eyes. Rachel had received the reassurance she needed and took a breath. It was all going to be okay. Rosalie was okay.