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The Bleeding

Benjamin

"Thank you for tonight, Benjamin," Charlie says once we get into my room. "I'm so sorry that I've been a burden for you and your family."

"Charlie," I disagree. "Don't say that. We're happy to have you here. You're part of our family now."

Charlie doesn't give any responses. I think I might say something wrong, remembering the last time we visited her family on Christmas.

"I can't thank you enough," Charlie turns around and walks closer to me. She pulls me into a hug. The hug feels strange because we're separated by her belly but it feels nice.

"I know you must be tired. Let's go to bed," I say, giving her a kiss on her head.

We break our hug and I stare deep into her brown eyes for quite a long time. I cup her cheek that's slowly turning red. I smile at her before slowly I leaning into her. My heart is beating so hard I could feel it tries to escape from my ribs. I love her and I need to tell her right now.

"Charlie," I say caressing her cheek. "Charlie, I..."

Suddenly, she pulls me for a kiss and our lips touch. Sparks fly in every direction, and the world is slowly disappearing around us, along with all of our worries, our troubles and our problems. She makes me feel like none of that matters. It is a small yet warm kiss. I honestly never know a kiss so innocent could be so intimate yet electrifying like this. Her lips are moving in perfect sync with mine, my hands feeling her waist; I pull her closer, the kiss deeper, more passionate. I feel her hands on the back of my neck play with the ends of my hair. A smile grows on my face as it started to tickle and then we pull apart.

"Let's go to bed," Charlie says, grabbing me by the hand, pulling me to the bed and sleep next to her.

Seems like it was yesterday when I accompanied Charlie doing the pregnancy test on a chemist loo. Now, the baby is about to born. Well technically, she or he still has a couple of weeks in Charlie's womb but I'm super excited and also scared, remembering I'm not the father of this baby but I swear I have every love that I could give for him or her.

I feel like I could burst in happiness anytime soon, thinking I get to wake up next to her every morning. I always hate waking up. Especially when the dream is better than reality. But since Charlie's here, finally, my reality is better than my dreams and I guess I don't have to tell her how much I love her. I'm willing to give her everything.

"Benjamin," suddenly Charlie wakes me up. "Benjamin my stomach is hurt."

"What is it, Charlie ?" I say half-awake.

"Benjamin," Charlie grunts. "My stomach hurts."

I wake up immediately like thunder just strikes inside the bedroom, turning on the bed lamp next to me. "Let's go to the hospital."

"Benjamin," Charlie whines. "I don't feel so good."

I pull the duvet over us to find a pool of fresh blood in our sheets. My heart skips a beat at once. The picture of my mum covered in blood just an hour before Melody was born appeared in my head.

"Fuck," I curse under my breath. "We need to go to the hospital now."

I jump off of the bed, running to her side, helping her to stand.

"Benjamin," seems like she doesn't have any energy left on her. Her face turns white and the blood is running to her thighs and feet.

I put my arms under her and trying to lift her up. "You're going to be okay, Charlie. You're going to be okay."

I rush myself outside the bedroom, calling out for Alex.

"What the fuck, mate!" Alex says grumpily.

"We need to go to the hospital right now," I say, climbing down the stairs. "Now Alex!"

Alex seems to understand what is happening. The minute later he follows us to the parking lot with the car keys.

"What happen?" Alex asks as he jumps to the driver seat and starts the engine.

"She's bleeding," I answer, taking a seat behind him with Charlie. "Please hurry up."

Alex doesn't have to be told twice. He pushes the pedal and we're on the road.

"You're going to be okay, Charlie," I can feel my voice starts to shake. "Stay with me, stay with me."

Charlie doesn't give any signal that she's with me. "Charlie, hang on, we're almost there."

The tears start streaming down my face. I remember when my mum was laying weak on the back of the car like this while my dad was driving and Alex was sitting next to him.

The moment we arrive at the hospital, I jump out of the car and call for help. "Please, help her. She's bleeding."

A group of the emergency team rushes to the car, helps Charlie out and lays her on the bed.

"She passes out," says one of the nurse. "We need to bring her to the ICU now!"

It happens so fast. First, we're outside the hospital and now Alex and I are following her from behind.

"I need you to stay here, Sir," says another nurse as she leaves me and Alex outside the ICU room.

I can't feel my heart. It feels like it just stops the moment she gets inside the ICU room.

"She'll be okay. She's a strong one," Alex tries to comfort me. "Let's wait over there."

Alex gives a signal with his head. I can't move my body until he drags me to wait in the waiting room.

It feels like forever to sit here waiting for someone to come up. I just realise that Alex and I are in our sleeping clothes. Boxers and ugly T-shirts.

"We look like a homeless man," Alex tries to cut the tension around us. I smile a little.

Suddenly, someone opens the ICU door and I jump from my seat followed by Alex.

"Mr Newton," a familiar face approaches me.

"Dr Carter," I walk fast toward him. "How is she?"

"We've stopped the bleeding," he says, giving me a huge relief. "But,"

"But what ?"

I can see Dr Carter is taking a deep breath. "We need to deliver the baby right now."

"What?" I gasp. "But the baby's not supposed to come until 5 or 6 weeks later."

"That's true," Dr Carter continues. "She's too weak to carry the baby and if we keep insisting, neither of them will be saved."

Seems like the ground under me is crumbling down. I don't even know what to say and what to do.

"Is the baby going to be okay?" Alex covers me.

"We hope so," Dr Carter answers. "She or he might spend some time in an incubator but the baby will be fine."

Alex puts his hand on my back. "It's the best decision."

I take a deep breath, wiping the tears from my eyes and toughen myself.

"Do what's best for her, Doc," I say.

"Alright," Dr Carter nods. "We will do our best."

Dr Carter walks away from us.

"Excuse me, Sir," a nurse comes with a chest board. "We need you to fill a few forms."

"Okay," I agree and follow the nurse to the reception table.