Page 183 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

"It's true. I'm pregnant! Chase, I'm carrying our baby," I said, beaming ear to ear as a grin stretched across my face.

He looked slightly surprised, but then his face softened with joy. "It's a miracle!" He said as he grabbed my hand and kissed it tenderly. "Something just told me that was what was going on when I finally got Joyce's message."

"So, I take it you're okay with being a daddy?"

Chase moved closer and playfully requested, "Scoot over — I need some love! I'm getting in there with you." Then, lowering the side rail, he scooped me into his arms and slipped into bed with me. After carefully adjusting the covers and IV line, he sweetly kissed my forehead. "One thing I have to know is if my Megs is going to be okay. I mean, you can't be very far along, and you mentioned the medications could cause problems if you ever got pregnant. That's why you got the implant, I thought!"

I ignored what he said and bolted upright. "I have to tell the doctor...."

"Tell him what? Calm down, Megs..." Chase stroked my hair.

"I need this damned thing out of my arm today before it can cause problems." I pointed to the tiny scar where the implant was inserted.

"Shhh... settle down. The nurse said I could visit if I didn't upset you," Chase cajoled, glancing toward the door.

"It's not working right anyway, or I wouldn't have gotten pregnant." I sucked in a breath. "Oh, no, I don't mean I'm disappointed or upset about having a baby. It's just giving off whatever it gives off...and that can't be good."

"Well, that's certainly something to discuss with the doctor. But please understand, my concerns are for your health first."

"Chase, it's not my health we have to worry about. That's why I'm here — to get weaned off the meds without having a seizure. So, after that's done, I'm good to carry our baby."

Before Chase could answer, the nurse stepped in and quirked an eyebrow the moment she saw us grinning, both in my hospital bed with the rails up. "You two are incorrigible. I'll play like I didn't see this," she chuckled, taking my vital signs. "It's time for me to start the next round of your sedative."

"No!" I help up my hand. "I don't want to go back to sleep!"

"Oh, no worries. This dose is less than before. As long as you do fine, every twelve hours, the dose will decrease."

"How long will I have to stay here? When will I be ready to go home?" I asked, watching her fiddling with the IV.

"Not sure. That's a question for the doctor. He'll be in sometime after noon."

In an instant, she was gone, and the medication had taken effect. An overwhelming feeling of lethargy set in, but it was completely different from before when I could hardly keep my eyes open. Chase moved over to a recliner nearby, instantly falling asleep. His calming presence always made me feel a sense of ease — even today. After watching him sleep for some time, I snuggled into my pillow and drifted off to find solace in peaceful slumber.

It seemed like a short time had passed when the doctor stopped by, waking Chase and me from our naps. Dr. Rodriguez was wearing a white coat over blue scrubs, and his gaze rested on me as he warmly greeted us. "How are you feeling, Meagan? Looks like you're getting plenty of rest," he smiled and examined my IV bag.

"I feel fine, just a little drowsy," I answered, glancing over at Chase.

Chase stood, and they shook hands. "Chase Stratford here. I'm Meagan's significant other. Please to meet you."

"Let me guess. I assume you two have questions for me," Dr. Rodriquez said with a warm smile.

"Ah, yes! First, is Meagan going to be alright? She tells me you're weaning her off the medications to keep her from having seizures..."

As the doctor spoke, his eyes flitted between Chase and me. "Meagan's at a delicate point, but she's doing well so far. I don't see any previous history of seizures before your head injury… Do you have a family history of epilepsy, Meagan?"

After answering his question with a firm no, the doctor spoke plainly. "The anti-seizure medication may pose a risk to your unborn child. However, if you remain seizure-free in the weeks and months to come, you'll never have to take it again. Please understand, however, a severe seizure itself can be a source of harm to the baby too."

Chase inquired anxiously, "What's the best plan for Meagan's health? Would carrying the baby to term pose a risk?"

"No, not at all. The threat is to the baby."

I started to open my mouth to tell Chase, 'I told you so,' instead, I closed it again when the doctor continued, "Since Meagan has indicated her wish is to carry the baby, I have a proposal. Why don't we do this? How about we go ahead and wean her off all the medications, including the Keppra and the anti-anxiety ones too? I want to see Meagan weekly for the first two months. We will also schedule regular ultrasounds to monitor the baby's development. Then if Meagan does have a seizure, we can reassess the situation. How does that sound?"

My chest rose and fell with a deep breath. "That sounds perfect," I said eagerly, holding Chase's hand with my free one.

"It certainly does," Chase agreed.

The doctor nodded a sign of approval. "You two have endured so much already," he said reassuringly, "but this should help you progress on your journey to becoming parents. In the event that those panic attacks return, I'll write a referral so your therapist can keep helping you work through them together — avoiding medication."

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