Page 23 of The Doctor's Twins

“Good morning, Dr. Taylor. I’m Doctor Forbes. Please, have a seat. How can I help you today?”

“Good morning,” she said once she was seated. “I’m four months pregnant, but I fell down a flight of stairs, and I wanted you to check on my baby, please.”

“When did this happen?”

“Two days ago.”

I wondered why she’d waited so long before seeing me. Dr. Taylor answered me as if she anticipated my question.

“I wasn’t able to make an appointment right away. I was traveling. I’m new in town.”

“I see. Any bleeding or spotting?”

“No.”

“Okay, let’s have a look. The ultrasound will tell us what we need to know. Please, disrobe behind the screen and make yourself comfortable on the bed.”

The beautiful doctor got up and followed my instructions while Patricia, my assistant nurse, entered the room and took her place next to the bed. I gave Dr. Taylor a few minutes to get undressed before I joined the two women.

“Did you have your first ultrasound?”

“Yes. The baby was normal and healthy.”

“Good.”

I squirted the gel onto my patient’s smooth abdomen before I glided the transducer over the area where her uterus was. It didn’t take me long to discover that the child inside Dr. Taylor’s womb was dead. Damn. I hated this part of my job.

Patricia glanced at me for a second before she turned her gaze back to the monitor. I looked down at Dr. Taylor. She was quiet, but I saw a lone tear trickling down to her ear as she lay on her back, staring at the ceiling.

“Just tell me, Dr. Forbes,” she said softly.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Taylor,” I said, conveying all the sympathy I allowed myself as a professional, “I can’t find a heartbeat. Your baby has passed away.”

My being was flooded with an unexpected primal urge to protect this woman. That had never happened to me before. The intensity of it took me by surprise.

Patricia pulled a Kleenex from its holder and handed it to the woman who was doing an excellent job of being brave.

“I’ll give you some privacy so you can get dressed,” I said, then settled at my desk.

I had to wonder what the circumstances were surrounding her fall. Not that it mattered at this stage. Her baby was dead and now I had to talk to her about the next step. Patricia left the room.

“A DNC?” she asked as soon as she sat down.

“Yes, that would be best. I’m going to book you into the hospital. Mandy will call you with the details.”

“Thank you, Dr. Forbes.”

“My condolences, Dr. Taylor. You mentioned you were new in town. Do you have anyone here who can support you? I realize that this is a very emotional time. The baby’s father perhaps?”

“I’ll be fine, thank you.”

Something told me the father of the dead child wasn’t in the picture. Surely, if he were, he would have accompanied the poor woman sitting across the desk from me to this crucial appointment. This was a big deal. But it wasn’t my job to snoop, so I let it go.

“Alright. I’ll see you this evening. I think it’s best if we do the operation sooner rather than later. Again, my condolences for your loss, Dr. Taylor.”

She nodded and wiped away a lone tear from her cheek before she got up and headed for the door.

I watched as she walked away with poise. This was a strong woman. I had no idea what she’s been through, but instinct told me it had been a doozy.

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