Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Intensity

By Mama4Dukes

Chapter 31:

Bella ‘ s POV

“She’s stable,” Randy stated. “We’re going to have to deliver the baby.”

“I know.” I turned to the nurse and ordered her to start a magnesium drip stat. “How long do we have?”

Randy and I both stared at the monitor. After stabilizing Sue, we had given her a sedative so she could get some much-needed rest. Currently, we were giving her an ultrasound.

“I’m worried about the positioning of the placenta. Luckily, the baby’s heart rate is still strong.”

“The longer we can keep the baby in there, the better it will be.”

“My dad is on the way.”

“Good. Maybe he can be in the delivery room.”

“I hope so.” Randy checked the monitors one last time. “There’s nothing more we can do for now. We need her blood pressure to stabilize a little more before we can deliver.”

“I know. I’m just worried.”

“She’ll be fine, Bella.”

“Of course she will be.” I nodded, trying to reassure myself as we walked out of the room. Sue was still in a lot of danger. Randy and I both knew it. We approached Paul and Emily who were sitting in the waiting room looking glum.

“How is she?” Paul asked, anxiously wringing his hands.

“She’s out of immediate danger,” I replied. “We’re monitoring her closely.”

“And the baby?”

“The heartbeat is still strong. The baby is healthy.”

“So, what’s next?” Emily asked.

“We’re going to have to deliver the baby after her blood pressure goes down,” Randy replied. “Right now it’s dangerously high.”

“But the baby will be premature.”

“Yes, but we’re close enough to full term so the baby should not have any serious complications.”

“But she’s only at 34 weeks.”

“I know, but this pregnancy is taking a major toll on her health, Emily. She’s fifty-two. At this point, we need to weigh the options carefully.”

I decided to change the subject. “Paul, honey, is Daddy on the way?”

“He is. Collin just called me. The plane will touch down in Phoenix a little before eight a.m. There will be a limo waiting for them at the airport. By the way, we’ve got visitors coming. Seth and Leah hopped on the flight with Dad, and so did Allison Uley. We’ll have to put them up in a hotel since our house is still uninhabitable.”

“Don’t worry about my mother-in-law, she can stay with us,” Emily offered. “Sammy and Emma miss her so much. It’ll be good for them to spend time with their grandmother.”

“Are you sure? It’s not a problem to put her up at a hotel. I know that your apartment is small.”

“It’s not a problem at all, Paul. She can sleep on the pullout couch.”

At this point, we all agreed to go upstairs to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. We needed to keep our strength up. Paul and Emily were resolute about staying at the hospital even if there was nothing they could do. The nurses kept Randy and me informed on Sue’s condition at regular intervals. The magnesium drip was working wonders to stabilize her blood pressure and the sedative we’d given her was allowing her to rest so her body could recuperate enough to deliver the baby.

Around eight-thirty a.m., my panicked father arrived at the hospital demanding to see Sue. Truth be told, I had never seen my father so unhinged. Right on his heels were Leah, Seth, Allison, and Collin. What in heck was Collin doing here? I’ll have to address the issue later.

“Daddy, you can’t see Sue right now. She’s sleeping and needs her rest.”

“Damn it, Bella! That’s my wife in there! If she’s had a seizure, I want to see her.”

“Yeah, and Sue is my stepmother. I care about her, too. Right now, as her health care provider, I’m telling you that you can’t go in there all hyped up with worry because she needs to be able to recuperate without having to worry about you, too. This is for the sake of your baby, do you understand? Now, you can see her after she wakes up, and after you calm down!”

My father turned to me with a scowl. “I swear Bella! Only you… only you…”

“I know you’re concerned. I am, too, but I swear Randy and I will do everything possible to make sure Sue and the baby come out of this healthy and whole. I love you, Daddy.”

My father wrapped his strong arms around me and tipped my chin up to meet his eyes. “You are as strong as your mother and brave, too. Thank you for taking care of Sue. I love you, Isabella.”

“Stay strong,” I told him.

Randy and I took turns explaining Sue’s condition to everyone. They were worried, of course, but we assured them that she was out of any immediate danger. We promised we would do everything possible to ensure she and the baby stayed safe.

Paul turned curiously to Collin. “What are you doing here?”

“Are you kidding me? I thought Charlie was going to beat up the pilot in his rush to get here. I came along to keep the poor guy safe. Besides, I was worried about Sue.”

“Fair enough. I’ll make arrangements for everyone to stay at the hotel we’re staying at.”

A few minutes later, Randy and I went to check on Sue. She was alert and awake. She beckoned me to her side. “Bella, you need to get some rest. You’re not a hundred percent yet.”

“Oh, pshaw, nothing will keep me from your side. You need me to protect you from Daddy’s ranting. He’s in the waiting room, by the way. Leah, Seth, Allison, and Collin are here, too. Paul and Emily have been here all night.”

“Oh, my. I can’t understand why everyone is so concerned about me.”

“Because you matter to them, that’s why. You’ve kept all of us sane. Besides, you’re the only one who can put up with Daddy and Billy simultaneously.”

“This is true. I deserve a merit badge for that.”

“You sure do.”

She looked at me with worried eyes. “Is the baby, okay?”

“The baby is perfect, but I’m not going to lie to you, you’re not out of danger yet. Your blood pressure is dangerously high still, and we’re worried if you continue with this pregnancy, you could suffer from another seizure.”

“You’re probably also worried about placental abruption, too, aren’t you?”

“We are. It’s why Randy and I are monitoring you so closely. We want to keep the baby inside your womb for as long as possible, but at this point, I’m afraid that the risk of delivering your baby prematurely may actually be the wiser course in order to preserve both your health and the baby’s health.”

“Randy, what’s your take on this?” Sue asked.

“I feel the same way as Bella, but-ultimately-it’s your call. Delivering your baby early will alleviate your symptoms and take pressure off of the baby. And I’m going to be blunt with you, the positioning of the placenta in relation to the baby was not to my liking when I looked at the ultrasound.”

“Jesus. I never went through this when I had Leah and Seth.”

“You were at prime childbearing age then, Sue. There are more complications as you age.”

“I’m not that old.”

“No, you’re not. You’re still beautiful.”

“So are you, Dr. Kayani. Alright, you can deliver the baby provided you do it shirtless.”

“Sue!”

“Bella, I might be old, but I know a good looking man when I see one.”

“I swear you’re just as bad as Leah is.”

“Of course, I taught her well.” She sighed. “Alright, let’s bring the masses in to see me before the baby comes. Bella, are you staying with Randy?”

“Absolutely. I’ll assist. We’re going to do another ultrasound before determining whether to induce labor or schedule a caesarean section. We’d prefer to induce, but it may not be possible.”

Sue nodded. She looked thoughtfully at me. “Honey, I’m speaking as your stepmother. You need to go back to work. Look at how happy you are. You’ve had all of us worried and on pin and needles with your state of mind before getting shot. You seem to be in a much more comfortable place when you’re working.”

“It’s because she’s in her element.” Randy winked at me.

We took Sue’s vitals and gave her another ultrasound before allowing her to have visitors. We discussed the options and let her decide the best course of action. “I think I would like to attempt to deliver the baby vaginally. It would be safer for the baby.”

“It would, but it will be harder on you.”

“I’m aware of that, but the baby’s health must always come before mine.”

Randy nodded pensively to me before turning to Sue. “Alright, it shall be as you wish, but at the first sign of distress, you will hand over the decision making reins to Bella and me.”

“Fair enough. Now, you’d better call my husband in before he starts breaking down walls. I can hear him making a ruckus in the waiting room.”

Sure enough, my father’s patience had come to an end. He was ranting and raving to the receptionist demanding to see his wife and speak to me. We had the nurse call him in while Randy and I prepared for the delivery. By now, the entire pack had assembled in the waiting room both with worry about Sue, and to see Jenny Cameron who was still recovering from giving birth to Little Susie last night. The pack was having a veritable picnic in the waiting room. Everyone brought food in to share while they waited and it was not unwelcome. Home-cooked food was so much better than bland hospital fare.

After my father, Leah, Seth, and a few others spoke to Sue privately, it was time to induce labor.

My father approached me, pulling me outside of the room. “Bella, is she going to be okay?”

“She’ll be fine, Daddy. I promise.”

“But it all sounds so complicated.”

“I know it sounds complicated, but it’s something Randy and I have dealt with before-particularly with older patients.”

“Bella, she had a seizure.”

“I know. It was an unexpected complication, but we took care of it. The best thing for her now is to deliver the baby.”

“But the baby…”

I had only seen my father so unhinged twice before. Once, when I landed in the hospital after the vampire James attacked me, and more recently, after Vandenberger shot me. Both times it was my mother who calmed him down, but she wasn’t here.

“Dad, everything is going to be okay. You trust me, don’t you?” I asked.

“Of course I do.”

“Then trust me to do this. It’s what I do for a living. Besides, Randy is a great doctor. He knows what he’s doing. He’s my personal physician. That’s how much I trust him. Now, I need you to put these scrubs on and then I’m going to take you to scrub up.”

“Why do I need to scrub up? She’s not having an operation, is she?”

“No, this is just a precaution in case we have to do an emergency c-section.”

Dad took in a deep breath. “When did you stop needing me, Bella?”

“Daddy, I still need you. It’s just that today, you need me more than I need you. Now, pull yourself together. We’ve got a baby to deliver.”

Six hours later…

“Jesus Christ! How much longer is this damned baby going to take!” my father griped.

“Dad, be nice. Sue is in labor.”

“Make it stop! God damn it! Take it out now!”

“Sue, you know we can’t do that.”

“I lied! I don’t want to give birth vaginally. Just cut me open and yank the thing out, Dr. Kayani!”

“Sue! It’s not a thing. It’s your child,” Randy told her.

“Well, I’m sick of being in labor. It hurts, god damn it!” She glared at my father. “You! You put it in there! You god-damned bastard!”

“Me? Oh, sure, it was me. ‘Ooh, Charlie, why don’t you put your handcuffs on me and spank me? You can arrest me,’ ” my father said in a sing-song imitation of Sue’s voice.

“Oh my God! I’m going to have to bleach my brain!” I cried. “Seriously? I know I’m delivering this baby, but can you spare me from stories of your bedroom antics?”

“This is your fault, Bella!” my father stated.

“Mine? How could it possibly be my fault?”

“If you hadn’t been such an adorable baby, I wouldn’t have agreed to have another one.”

“Really? You’re going to turn this on me because I was adorable as a baby?”

“Yes!” Sue and my father both yelled. Honestly, I would rather deliver another one of Leah’s babies than attend this birth. This was sheer hell. I noticed Randy was chuckling. I glared at him.

Sue’s breathing became erratic as another contraction hit her.

“Slow and easy breaths, Sue. You can do it,” I coached.

“Oh, God! I feel like I have to push,” she groaned.

“Let’s check to see how far dilated you are.” We had broken her water about two hours ago so I was confident that the labor would move right along. I knew the Pitocin drip was making the pain more pronounced for her. “You’re fully effaced and at a little over nine centimeters dilated.”

“What? I still have a centimeter to go?” Sue cried.

“The contractions are coming one on top of each other. Start pushing with the next one. Go with what your body is telling you to do.”

With the next contraction, a determined Sue started pushing. My father was holding one thigh back for her while Randy held the other. Apparently, he was going to allow me to be the attending practitioner for this birth.

After the seventh push, an exhausted Sue started sobbing. My father lovingly wiped the sweat off of her brows and whispered words of encouragement in her ear. “One more push, honey. You can do it. Just one more.”

And with the next push, I was able to deliver my youngest half-brother for my father and stepmother. I fell in love with him instantly. He was tiny at five pounds even and stared directly into my eyes. Oh my God! He has my eyes.

“Congratulations! It’s a boy!” I chimed. I handed the bundle to Sue who cradled him lovingly to her chest.

My father cooed at his new son, “Why you little rascal? You’ve got Bella’s eyes. Oh, you’re going to be a troublemaker. I can tell.”

“I thought you said I was adorable.”

“I lied.” My father winked at me.

Unfortunately, as the baby was premature, the neonatologist who was present in the room had to take him for an evaluation. “Overall, he’s healthy, but I’m concerned about his lung development. While they appear to be fully developed, he might not yet have the surfactant, which will allow him to breathe in and out. It’s quite common for a baby born at 34 weeks. A few days in the NICU should do the trick,” he declared.

“What? What do you mean NICU? Why does my son have to go to the NICU?” my worried father burst.

“Charlie, it’s to be expected. He’s premature by a few weeks. It’s precautionary,” Sue explained.

“But…”

“Charlie, he’s going to be fine,” Randy assured. “Bella and I will both keep an eye on him. You and Sue can visit him at anytime. He won’t be in there long. We just need to monitor him because he was born early.”

“You can go to the NICU with Dr. Zand now if it’ll make you feel better,” I told my father.

“Okay, I’ll go with him.”

“Good.”

After my father left, Sue turned to Randy and me. “He’s going to be a wreck, isn’t he?”

“Yep, he is, but that’s my dad for ya’. He worries. My mother calls him the biggest worry-wart on the planet.”

“I think Renee pegged him right.”

“Yeah, my mom likes men who worry. You should see Phil. He gives my dad a run for his money. When I was in college, he once ran into me while I was out on a date, and decided to join us. At the end of the evening, he told my date that he would drive me home and sent him away. The guy never called me again.”

“Oh, poor Bella. You’re surrounded by overprotective men.”

“I am. Isn’t it awful?”

“Not really. You’re just very loved.”

“I know.”

We left Sue to rest after congratulating her again. There was a massive crowd gathered in the waiting room anxious for news.

“Well?” my husband asked. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“A boy,” I replied. “Sue is doing fine and Dad is at the NICU with the baby.”

“What did they name our brother?” Leah asked.

“You know something? I actually have no idea.”

“Shouldn’t you go and ask?”

“Nope, I’m going home. I’m exhausted and I need to rest. I’ll be back later. You can take over from here.”

I started walking towards the elevator with Paul and Randy by my side.

Seth stopped me. “Hey, Bella. Thanks for taking care of my mom. And thank you, too, Randy.”

“Anytime.” I smiled and gave him a hug before hopping into the elevator.

We said goodbye to Randy in the parking lot. We wanted to get home quickly. As soon as I got into the car, I fell fast asleep. Hours later, I woke up in my comfortable hotel bed in Paul’s arms. I was content, but tired-too tired. Something dawned upon me at that moment. I enjoyed delivering Sue’s baby and Jenny’s the night before, but I didn’t want to do it constantly. Did I want to go back to work full-time? Absolutely not! I wanted to work part time only in an office. I still wanted to deliver babies as well, but I decided to only take on a limited number of patients. I no longer wanted to be a slave to my job. Besides, I wanted to devote more time to the charities Paul and I were supporting. I also enjoyed playing golf and tennis, and I wasn’t willing to give up those activities. I was fortunate that work was not a necessity for me. Paul certainly earned more than enough to support us comfortably. Even if he gave up his business now, we were set for life. I decided to look at nursing as a side job-a hobby if you will. I vowed never to let it consume my life anymore. I smiled happily, realizing I had finally reached a decision regarding my career.