Eye of the Storm (Hudson 3)

The nurse came in to check my medications and my temperature and shortly afterward, the doctor arrived. Austin stepped aside, waiting near the door.

I was surprised to see my doctor was a woman who looked to be no more than in her late thirties. She had hair almost as dark as mine and a very soft, friendly smile. Her glasses were in an attractive pearlcolored frame. She didn't look to be much taller than five feet one, yet she did carry herself with authority and confidence.

"I'm Sheila Baker," she said. "How are you feeling?"

"Numb," I replied. She laughed, check the charts and then began to examine me. As she listened to my heart. I spoke.

"I think I'm pregnant." I said.

She stopped listening, studied me for a moment and then glanced back at Austin.

"Oh? And why do you think that?" she asked. I told her my symptoms.

"Okay. we'll see if that's the case," she said.

"If it is, what sort of complications would I experience?" I asked. "I mean, in my present condition?"

She lowered her glasses, which she kept on a jeweled tie.

"Well, I've got your charts and your history, so I can tell you some things. There's a chance you'd experience what we call autonomic hyperreflexia, uncontrolled reflex motion. This syndrome's effects range from mild, annoying symptoms to the fatal possibility of intracranial hemorrhage. Usually, bouts of hyperreflexia don't harm the fetus. A little more care must be taken to be sure the fetus doesn't suffer hypotension or hypoxernia. which is lack of oxygen in the blood. It's best you give birth in a hospital equipped to handle the complications.

"The site of your spinal injury makes it less likely that this would occur," she added with a smile.

"But not completely unlikely?"

"I hate to say never, ever," she replied.

"What else?" I asked. There had to be more. I thought.

"Premature delivery is more common for women in your condition. You'll be able to perceive the beginnings of labor and you need some education about what to look for. You'll have to have weekly cervical examinations and late in the pregnancy, you'd have to be in a hospital setting.

"However. I would not expect you to require Cesarean section. Sometimes forceps delivery or vacuum extraction are used through the final stages.

"In short, nothing is as easier for you now as it is for someone without your injuries, but I wouldn't tell you not to get pregnant."

She looked at Austin. "Is this your husband?"

"Soon to be," he said. "Soon to be, husband and, I hope, soon-to-be father."

We locked our eyes so intently. Doctor Baker felt uncomfortable being anywhere in between.

"Well, okay. You're doing fine for now. I'll see you later," she said and left us.

"Are you sure about all this. Austin?"

"When I leave here. I'm going right to the printer to start on the invitations," he said as a response.

I laughed.

And then I thought a wedding. What would that be like?

Late in the afternoon, two police detectives came. One was so short and overweight. I couldn't imagine how he could be a policeman. In my mind I envisioned television detectives and saw him trying to chase a thief or killer. The other detective was tall with very short dark brown hair and a very

businesslike manner and seemed more like an FBI agent.

I described what had happened. The tall detective took notes and then they left, giving me the impression they were just going through procedures and weren't looking for any surprises.

They both seemed very uncomfortable talking to me in my hospital room anyway and looked grateful for my cooperation. I was just as eager to have it all over. I didn't want to ask any questions or hear any gruesome details about Aunt Victoria's death.