How To Save A Life [A Robert Downey Jr. Fan-Fic]

Chapter 16: Grace

I sat on the big blue chair in a small room of the emergency room, anxiously holding my belly. Robert stood right next to me, holding my hand as he gently stroked my belly, his caramel eyes looking at me with this sad expression.

"I'm afraid, Robbie", I whispered.

He softly kissed my still wet hair.

"I know", he mumbled against my forehead, "I know, darling."

I closed my eyes, trying to keep back the upcoming tears in my eyes.

"She'll be okay", he tried to talk me down with his soft voice, "She's our strong little princess. She'll make it, Kate."

I really wanted to believe his words but all those bad thoughts came to my mind.

Suddenly, the door opened and a young woman in a dark blue scrub, a white lab coat and a stethoscope around her neck entered our room. She had red hair and piercing blue eyes that regarded us closely.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Downey", she greeted politely, "I'm Addison Montgomery."

She smiled slightly and sat down on the chair next to me, preparing the sonographic unit.

"Are you from the neonatal ward?", Robert wanted to know.

"Yes, I am", she replied with a welcoming voice, "But you don't have to be afraid. I'm just going to check if your little..."

"Girl", Robert and I completed her sentence in unison.

"Right, your little girl. I'm just going to check if she's alright", she explained and half smiled at us.

I nodded slightly and recognized Robert pressing my hand against his chest where I felt his rapid heartbeat. I looked up to him and he forced himself to smile but failed. He was as nervous and anxious as I was. But he tried to cover his true feelings, trying to make me feel safe. He always wanted to make me feel safe. Even if he was unsure, he simply covered his feelings because he thought I'd panic less if he stayed calm. And he was right.

I felt the cold ultrasound transducer on my belly and shivered as Dr. Montgomery stared at the monitor.

"I'm so clumsy", I mumbled, trying to distract Robert who watched the doctor intensely, "I was just showering and then I slipped and fell down. I should have waited for you, Robbie. I can't even see my own feet!"

He grinned and his eyes crinkled in this cute way that made him appear even more attractive than usually.

"We can take a shower together when we're back home, honey", he countered smirkingly and made me blush immediately.

Suddenly, the doctor paused and I recognized an expression of compassion in her eyes.

"Is everything ok, doc?", Robert asked anxiously.

She hesitated for a second but it felt like ages.

"You're having a premature placental separation", she said calmly, "I'll have to perform a cesarean delivery on you as soon as possible."

I swallowed hard and anxiously looked from her to Robert and back to her.

"But she's only in her 24th week of pregnancy", Robert insisted immediately.

"I know, it's risky but it's the only choice", she explained and took turns at looking at us, "We'll try everything to save your little girl's life."