Baby Can I Upgrade You?

18. Complications

Imani

"Candi get that out of my face!" I push the steaming smelly herbal concoction in the cup in her hands, causing some of it to spill on the table. "My baby isn't a new age experiment. I don't think your herbs are making him any smarter, if anything your last mixture gave me diarrhoea and Munchie didn't like that at all." I screw my face up at the memory and pop another jelly baby into my mouth. I don't know, I feel kind of weird eating candy babies but they're just so good I can't help it!

"Whatever! I have to flush out all the junk you keep feeding him. We are growing a future president not a rapper!" She scolds me, scrunching up her nose as she takes a whiff of the nasty brew. "But I must admit this smells terrible. Just promise me you'll lay off the junk food. He doesn't need all the artificial flavourants and what not." Candice speaks seriously as she grabs my half eaten bag of jelly babies, looking at the ingredients list.

"Okay, okay, okay, Dr. Oz!" I roll my eyes at her and take a bite of the sliced apples she placed before me earlier for emphasis.

"You're gonna thank me when you pop out a genius!" She pushes my shoulder playfully. "Anyway I've got to go. I'll see you for lunch again tomorrow." Candi plants a kiss in my cheek and gives my belly a farewell rub before she sashays out of my office.

"I'm sorry that crazy lady is your aunt." I speak to Munchie as I lean back in my leather chair, caressing his home.

I spin around so I'm looking out on the beautiful city view that my office has. This view is why I chose this location. It makes me feel like the world is at my fingertips and I can have it all. Looking at this view with the new life growing in me has me wanting to do it all not for myself anymore but for my unborn child.

"It's all for you Munchie." I smile down at my growing belly, basking in the joy of motherhood.

A sharp pain stabs at my lower back and I gasp in surprise and pain. What the hell? I rub my hand firmly against the pained area hoping to ease the discomfort. It seems to work and I breathe a sigh of relief. Pregnancy woes...

"Aaaaah!" I groan doubling over as my stomach cramps painfully. What is happening?! I pant heavily as the shooting pain in my back returns and it feels like my whole torso is spasming. Oh God, please don't let this be early labour. I pray silently as I try to breathe through the pain and think over all the pregnancy books I've read. It could just be Braxton Hicks, right? I try not to panic as the pain subsides. Oh, thank God!

I stand up to get a glass of water from my kitchenette and I feel warm liquid trickle down my legs. What is that? I look down and my eyes bulge out as panic clogs my throat. No! No! Please God no! I beg as I touch the blood flowing down my legs.

I can't lose my baby! I can't lose my baby! I chant in my head as I grab my bag and start to make my way to the door. As I walk the cramping returns with a vengeance and I drop to my knees groaning in pain. Oh God!

"MARCEL! FELICIA! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!" I scream at the top of my lungs as I lay on my side in a foetal position as unbearable pain radiates throughout my body. Tears silently brim out of my eyes and a choked sob escapes my lips as the reality of the situation really sets in. "HELP! PLEASE! MY BABY!"

I'm sorry God! I'm sorry! I know I didn't want him at first but please don't take my baby. Please! Please don't take him. I beg broken heartedly as chaos erupts around me when Marcel finds me on the floor in a puddle of my own blood and shouts out commands as he pulls my upper body onto his lap.

"It's going to be okay Imani. The ambulance is on its way." He tries to reassure me as he strokes my hair but the panic and fear is clear in his strained voice.