An Hour Later ……
Jean and Pablo stood in the waiting area at the hospital. Their eyes turning to the treatment room doors watching, waiting for any news about Kris.
"Jean." Pablo said seeing junior coming through the spinning doors to the emergency room.
"Where is she?" Junior asked frantically. "Where's Kris?"
"She's with the doctors, honey." Jean answered "They're doing everything they can."
"What about the baby?"
"We haven't heard anything yet. She's been here a while so we should hear something soon." Pablo answered.
"Oh God, the baby. It's too soon. I can't lose them, I just can't." Junior choked.
"She'll be all right. She's a strong girl. We all know that." Pablo said putting a hand on Junior's shoulder.
"What happened?" Junior asked. A sick feeling crept into his stomach.
"She was helping get one of Mr. Chillingham's new mare out of the trailer. The mare reared and hit her in the head. Kris fell underneath the horse. The hands pulled her out but it took a few minutes.They got her out as fast as they could." Jean explained her voice showing her emotions.
"Why was she there? Why did she even try to do that? It was too dangerous." Junior said confused.
"Because Kris loves horses and because she's stubborn." Pablo replied.
"Oh God." Junior breathed.
"Mrs. Kenneth Davis Junior?" The nurse asked coming out of the treatment area.
"I'm Kenneth Davis." Junior said wiping away the tears that were in his eyes and meeting the young blonde nurse at the doors. "Is my wife all right?"
"Mrs. Davis is stable. The doctors are monitoring her."
"What about the baby?" Jean asked the unspoken question.
"You need to speak to the doctor if you have specific questions about your wife's condition." The nurse said tersely. "Please wait in here."
The nurse indicated a small room with a desk and a few chairs in it just off of the hallway.
After what seemed like an eternity they doctor finally entered the room.
"Mr. Davis?" He asked.
"I'm Mr. Davis." Junior said looking at him nervously.
"My name is Dr. Hawking and I'm taking care of your wife." The elderly doctor said offering his hand to Junior. He continued. "I'm not going to lie to you. From all we have seen your wife is very lucky to have survived these injuries. She must be a very strong willed woman to have held on despite all of her injuries."
"She is" Jean choked.
"Kris has a concussion, the cat scan shows a small crack in her skull. We're monitoring her progress. If she has any increased pressure in her skull we will have to operate to relieve the pressure. She also has spinal cord and injuries to her chest that we can't assess until the baby arrives. We have three priorities. The first one is the subdural hematoma in her skull, the next the spinal injury we're still unsure how much damage the spinal cord has suffered but from preliminary tests she is showing that she will lose the use of her legs."
Junior sat down quickly looking very pale.
"Are you all right son?" The doctor asked.
"Yes, please go on." Junior said weakly.
"Our third priority is the health and welfare of mother and baby. Kris is unconscious but her body is in active labor. Her water has broken and labor is starting to progress."
"But its too soon." Jean interjected.
"We have to take the baby surgically so we can move her into regular surgery for her other injuries. Once the stress of labor is eliminated she should be able to pull through surgery with flying colors. But right now everything is touch and go. The neonatal ICU is getting ready to receive the baby. We have some of the best doctors in the country at our hospital and your wife and child are going to receive the best care possible."
"Can I see her?" Junior whispered.
"Yes, but just for a few minutes we need to get the baby delivered as soon as possible.I'll have the nurse take you back."
The doctor's beeper went off. He looked at it.
"I'm sorry you need to return to the waiting area right away." The doctor said.
"Wait you just said I could go see Kris." Junior asked confused. "What's happening?"
"I don't know." The doctor said heading quickly for the door. "The only thing I know is that your wife's condition has deteriorated. I'll have the nurse advise you of what's going on as soon as we know what her condition is."