Page 91 of Mending Scars

Meredith hung up the phone, then grabbed some supplies from a drawer and swabbed Kaiya’s inner elbow with an alcohol wipe. “Normal fetal heart rate is between one hundred twenty and one hundred eighty beats per minute. Anything over or under that puts the baby at risk.”

My mind was all over the place, unable to register what either of them were saying. I finally was able to come up with a coherent thought. “Are they going to be okay?”

Meredith hesitated before answering, “They’ll be fine. There are always risks when it comes to any surgery, but the sooner we act, the better. The doctor will probably want to get the baby out as soon as possible.”

The doctor entered as Meredith wrapped a band around Kaiya’s belly. Kaiya writhed in pain on the stretcher and moaned again. Meredith addressed the doctor. “Fetal heart rate is 85 bpm.”

The doctor looked at the monitor that was hooked up to Kaiya. “Let’s monitor for a few minutes. Start the IV and get some fluids in her.”

Meredith inserted an IV into Kaiya’s arm. She winced in pain. “Ryker.”

Rushing to her side, I grabbed her hand. “I’m right here, baby.”

“What’s going on? Is Hayden okay?” She gritted out as she tightly squeezed my hand.

“He’s going to be fine. His heart rate is a little slow so they may have to do an emergency C-section.”

“What? No,” She moaned. Suddenly, her grip on my hand loosened. “I don’t feel good.”

The monitor started beeping wildly. Meredith rushed to Kaiya’s other side. “Blood pressure is dropping.” Her voice was urgent.

Kaiya’s skin went pale, and her eyes slowly closed. Her words were slurred and barely audible. “Ryker, I—”

Kaiya’s head lolled to the side.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

Please, God, no.

I shook our joined hands, trying to wake her. “Kaiya! Kaiya!”

“Get her to surgery now. We have to perform an emergency C-section.” The doctor said, then directed his attention to me. “Are you the father?”

I couldn’t process what was happening. My eyes burned from tears as I stared down at Kaiya.

The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder. “Sir, we have to go now. Are you the father?”

I looked up at him, my sight blurred. “What?”

“Are you the father?

My voice cracked. “Yes.”

“Do we have your consent for surgery? We need to get the baby out now.”

I looked down at Kaiya, then back at the doctor, still trying to take in everything. “Do whatever you need to do. Please save them.”

The doctor nodded, then walked toward the door. “Let’s get her into surgery.”

Jake pushed the stretcher as Meredith guided it out of the room behind the doctor jogged beside it, keeping Kaiya’s hand in mine as we rushed down the hallway.

When we reached the set of double doors at the end of the hall, Meredith turned and looked at me. “There’s a waiting area back down the hall, to the right. The doctor will come speak to you following the surgery.”

My heart rate increased as anxiety set in. “I can’t come with her?”

“I’m sorry, but due to the complications she’s experiencing, no.”

I reluctantly nodded my understanding before leaning down and kissing Kaiya on the forehead. I brushed the sweaty hair out of her face. “I love you, Warrior.” My voice was strained by emotion.

---