Page 39 of Hook, Line, Infinity, Part 3

“The Royal London.”

I don’t recall how I left the school, or how fast I’d been driving to get to the hospital, the only thing I remember clearly is the immense fear of the possibility of losing Rein, I can’t lose her, I wouldn’t survive if I lost her.

I rush over to the help desk and startle the young receptionist typing away at her computer. “Rein Valdez, I was told she she’s been brought here by ambulance.”

“Date of birth?”

“May twenty-first, two thousand and one.” I wait impatiently while she imperturbably types away on her computer. The blasé look plastered on her face infuriates me, so I pace back and forth to avoid snapping at her.

“Maternity, second floor,” I take off running through the corridors not even bothering with the elevator. I skip up the steps two at a time, my eyes scan the plain beige hallway my eyes roaming the area in search for any sign to lead me toward the maternity ward. I stand in the middle of the hallways, panting, the distinct smell of disinfectant and bleach lingers in the air, and it makes my stomach churn. I watch an orderly rush by me with a crash cart.

“Excuse me, where’s the maternity ward?” I ask one of the nurses that is walking by. She smiles politely, her eyes tired and sunken likely from working a long shift. She points to the right side of the corridor.

“Down the corridor, follow the blue line.”

“Thank you.” I race off in the direction she points in and eventually find the blue line that leads me to the maternity. When I run over to the nurses station, the older lady looks up at me and smiles, “Rein Valdez.” I pant. “She was brought in by ambulance, where is she, is she okay? Is the baby okay?”

“Whoa, whoa, lad, calm down and take a breath. What’s her date of birth?”

“May twenty-first, two thousand and one. She’s thirty-four weeks pregnant, she’s bleeding, she shouldn’t be bleeding, right?” I question frantically while the nurse types away on her computer, her eyes narrowing. I place my hands on the desk and take a couple of deep breaths to calm my pounding heart.

“What is your relation to Miss Valdez?”

“I’m her...” Shit, what am I to her? Am I her boyfriend? “I’m the father of the baby.” I utter glumly and she looks up at me and nods in understanding.

“Right, well I can’t give you any information as you are not a direct relative. Please take a seat in the waiting room at the end of the corridor and a doctor will be with you shortly.”

“What do you mean you can’t give me any information? The woman I love, and my baby are in there possibly fighting for their lives! I don’t want to wait in a waiting room, I want to know what is going on? What happened to her? I want to see her,” I demand irately.

“Sir, I can’t give you information regarding a patient. You’re not married, and you’re not registered as her next of kin, therefore you obtain no legal rights until that baby is born. Miss Valdez has only just been brought in, the doctors will know more once they examine her. She’s in the best possible care, I promise you. Unfortunately, I cannot help, the only person that can give you information is her next of kin.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale to calm my rage. I know the nurse is only following protocol, but this is total bullshit, “Have her family even been notified?”

“Yes, they’re also in the waiting room.”

I nod and slowly walk through toward the waiting area at the end of the corridor. When I walk in, I see Rein’s aunt and grandmother sitting side by side. Daniella is perched forward in her seat, her head in her hands while Rein’s grandmother is clutching prayer beads to her chest and muttering prayers under her breath.

They both look up at me when they sensed someone walk into the room. “Talon.” Daniella stands and walks toward me. “Have they told you anything? What happened to her?”

I shake my head glumly, “No, they won’t tell me anything because I’m not a blood relative or married to her.” Daniella’s shoulders drop and she hangs her head.

“Weren’t you with her?”

“No, I was teaching, I found out after class that she collapsed.” I inform her and she nods, pushing her hands into the pocket of her jeans. “I take it they’ve not said anything to you either?”

“Not really, she’s in there all on her own, probably terrified. They won’t let us go in to see her.” She sobs into the tissue clasped in her hand. My gut twists painfully at the thought of her being all alone in there.

“She’s going to be fine, they both are. Rein has suffered worse, she’s a lot stronger than we give her credit for.” I do my very best to reassure her, but I know the wavering tone of my voice does nothing to comfort her or me. I look over at her grandmother, she’s watching me, her gaze full of sorrow and eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

An hour goes by painfully slow, until finally the automatic doors open and the doctor walks in, still in his scrubs. “Rein Valdez’s relatives?” We all jump to our feet, and he walks over to us. “I’m Doctor Khan, I’m the senior consultant obstetrician assigned to Miss Valdez’s care.”

“How is she? How is my granddaughter, doctor?” Rein’s grandmother enquires beseechingly.

“She and the baby are both stable for now. Rein’s being prepped to have an emergency c-section. Unfortunately, she suffered a placental abruption. This means the placenta that provides oxygen and the vital nutrients for the baby has separated from the inner wall of the cervix, which is causing her to haemorrhage, and cutting off oxygen to the baby. While this is uncommon, it can occur in the third trimester and can be life threatening to both baby and the mother if not treated immediately, which is why we must deliver the baby right away.” He explains.

“They’re both going to be okay, right?” I ask fretfully and he sighs.

“We’ll do everything we can to save both Rein and the baby. They’re both putting up a strong fight so we’re hopeful. Our priority right now is getting the baby out as soon as possible and then we can control Rein’s bleeding.”

---