The NICU was a terrifying place to be. All the sounds of machines attached to tiny, defenseless bodies. The sadness mixed with hope that hit you as soon as you walked into the special care unit was like a gut punch. It was almost too much, and I nearly made a run for it. But I wouldn’t let either my friend or my niece down.
Tubes were placed in Justice while I stood back and watched. Tests were done, and the doctor was encouraging, yet grim, as if afraid to hope or give me hope as well.
When she’d been pinched and poked, with tubes and wires coming from everywhere on her teeny tiny body, they finally allowed me to touch her. I stuck my hand through the incubator hole and caressed a fingertip over her palm. Her hand fisted around my digit, her grip so strong it pulled a sob from deep inside me.
“That’s my strong, brave baby,” I cooed softly. “You’re a fighter, Justice. You come from a long line of amazing women, and we won’t let you down, sweetheart.”
They didn’t allow me to stay long before I was told I had to leave, but they said I could come back soon, once they had Justice more comfortable. It was agony leaving her there, but I knew I needed to check on Cali.
Back downstairs, I found Mom pacing in Cali’s room. Guzman was standing quietly in a corner, his hands balled into fists at his sides, his head lowered and his mouth moving silently in prayer.
The moment I opened the door, they both surrounded me. “How are they?” Mom demanded.
“What happened to Cali?” Guzman growled.
I lifted my hands. “Calm down. Give me a moment to breathe, okay?”
“Sorry,” Mom murmured and gave me a quick hug. “I’ve been so worried, Nova.”
“Me too,” I told her with a tired sigh. “They did an emergency C-section. Cali was under for it, but I was able to stay with her. Justice was born in no time. She weighs one pound, four ounces. And I think they said she was exactly twelve inches long. The nur
se said she was on the longer side for twenty-four weeks’ gestation. I went with her to the NICU.” I blinked against the sting of tears. “She’s tiny, but fiercely strong. There are so many wires and tubes, Mom.”
“Ah, honey, I know. It was like that when you were born. You weren’t quite that tiny, but it was still terrifying to see how small you were.” Mom gave me a quivery smile. “She’s going to be okay. You’ll see. Our girl is a fighter.”
I nodded, needing her to be right, and turned to Guzman. “Cali was fine when I left. I-I didn’t know what I should do, stay with her or go with the baby. But I figured she would be pissed if I didn’t go with Justice.”
“She would have been,” he agreed. “You did the right thing. But we should find out what is going on. It’s been over an hour since you left with her.”
“I’ll go speak to the nurses at the desk,” I promised and turned to do just that, but before I could reach the door, it swung open and the doctor stood there. Sweat was soaked into his clothes, and his face was pinched.
My heart contracted at the graveness on his face. “Tell me she’s alive,” I commanded.
He was quick to nod. “She’s in recovery now. Once she starts to come out from the anesthesia, she will be brought back to her room.” He pulled off his surgical cap and combed his fingers through his sweat-dampened hair. “That young woman is a miracle,” he said. “How she carried that baby this long without bleeding out, I honestly can’t explain. There was so much trauma, so much scarring, and still, there were bruises. Dr. Ortega told me about her history, the auto accident and the beatings. As I said, it was a miracle she didn’t miscarry.”
“She was determined,” Mom murmured with pride.
“We ran into some complications,” the doctor said, his face tightening even more. “We couldn’t contain the bleeding, and with all the scar tissue and unhealed trauma, we had no other choice but to perform a full hysterectomy.”
“But she’s so young,” Mom whispered in a pained voice.
“Mom, Dr. Ortega warned us this might happen,” I reminded her. “Cali knew it was a big possibility.”
“I know, but…”
“I’d rather she was barren than dead,” Guzman cut her off, and Mom’s shoulders slumped.
“You’re right,” she agreed before shifting her gaze back to the doctor. “She’s going to be okay?”
“I don’t foresee any complications. It’s the baby that will have a difficult time, but I’ve been told she’s already a stubborn little princess.” His lips twitched into a ghost of a smile. “I will be by to check on Calista later tonight.”
I shook his hand. “Thank you, Doctor. We appreciate everything you’ve done for Cali.”
His grip was firm before he released my hand. “Take care of her. That girl…she needs a lot of love and special care.”
He left, and we all seemed to let out a collective relieved breath. Guzman practically flopped into a chair, scrubbing his hands over his face. “Thank God she’s okay.”
“Nova…” Mom pulled me over to the window. “We need to tell Garret.”