Chapter 8
A few days later...
"I still can't believe that you're pregnant." Max grinned at Zoe as the couple made their way into work. Zoe had made an appointment with an obstetrician, which was in a few weeks.
"Me neither." Zoe smiled, squeezing his hand. "I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart." Responded Max, kissing her on the cheek. "Are we telling people?"
Zoe subconsciously placed a hand on her tummy. "Only Ruhma, Mo, and Serena. Possibly Essie, if I see her today."
"Okay." Max replied, sensing that she was nervous. "It'll be okay, you know."
"I hope so."
Zoe got changed into her scrubs, and made her way onto AAU.
"Zoe." Serena greeted her. "You're needed on Keller today, Sacha's off sick."
"Okey doke. What about Bernie?" Zoe frowned.
"She's got the day off."
"Can't she come in?"
"I've tried her mobile but she's not answering, I'm afraid."
"Okey doke. By the way, I've got something to tell you at lunch time. 1:45 at Albie's suit?"
"Okay, as long as you're not resigning."
"Far from it! See you later."
"See you."
"Max, I've got to go up to Keller. I'll see you later." Zoe said to her husband, kissing him on the cheek.
"Okey doke." Max replied. "You're not feeling sick or anything?"
"No Max, I'm not made of glass. See you later."
"Yes dear."
"I'll get you back for that!"
Zoe made her way up to Keller, and went to the nurses' station.
Essie was at the desk, typing away. Zoe cleared her throat.
"Zoe!" Smiled the nurse, standing up.
"I'm filling in for Sacha, Bernie can't make it."
"Okay, Serena's let you out for a bit?"
"You're her friend as well, she's all right underneath!"
"I know she is, I was only kidding. Right, Dom and Arthur should be along any minute. And Zosia, she's taking a break from Cardiothoracics just for today-Jac and Mo are working on the stent project."
"Okay, fair enough." Zoe replied as she caught sight of the three trainee doctors.
Essie handed her some case files. "Here you are. Ric is in theatre this morning, the plan is for you to swap this afternoon."
"Okey doke." Said the consultant, turning to Zosia, Arthur, and Dom. She handed the case files out to each of them. "Zosia, kidney transplant, bed 4. Arthur, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bed 7. And Dom, there's a colon surgery in bed 3."
The three doctors went off-Zoe herself was going to prep a kidney transplant patient for theatre, along with Essie.
The morning went by quickly, Zoe loved working on Keller just as much as AAU.
"Essie." Said the consultant when she had a few free moments. "I've got some news. Don't worry, I'm not leaving."
The pair were sat at the nurses' station, Essie checking some patient notes and Zoe typing up a report.
"Yes?" asked the nurse, turning to face her friend with a smile.
"Firstly, do not tell the trio." Zoe faltered, not quite knowing what to say. She absent mindedly placed a hand on her middle, as if to calm her unborn child and herself.
Essie's eyes widened. "You're not..?"
"Yes." Said the other woman, realising that she'd caught on. "Max and I found out a few days ago."
"Congratulations!" Essie smiled, giving Zoe a quick hug. "How far along are you?"
"I'm not sure, I've got an appointment with obs and gyne in a couple of days. Max and I are surprised, obviously, but in the best way. Mia's very excited about being a big sister."
"Aww! I'm so happy for you." Grinned Essie..
"Thank you. I'm quite nervous." Zoe admitted.
"I'm sure that everything will go smoothly."
"I do hope so." Replied the other woman, standing up. "Myself. Ruhma, Serena, and Mo are meeting up for lunch at 1:45-d'you want to come?"
"I'm sorry, Ric is in theatre then for the second kidney transplant."
"Okay, another time then?" Zoe suggested.
"Definitely." Smiled Essie.
"Doctor Walker, the colon patient is ready for surgery." Said Dominic.
"Okay, would you like to observe?" The consultant asked.
"Yes please."
Zoe and Dominic made their way to the operating theatre, discussing the operation. Zoe loved AAU, yet Keller was often the relaxing change of pace that she needed.
"Right, we're done. Doctor Copeland, would you like to close up?"
"Okay." Dom smiled.
Zoe set down the dirty instruments onto a metal tray, and made her way to the scrub room. She took her gown and gloves off and began to wash her hands.
After that, she made her way to Pulses, and spotted Mo and Serena.
"Zoe!" Mo called her over.
"Hello, where's Ruhma?" Said Zoe, sitting down.
"She's on her way. What's your news?" Asked Serena. "I've got to get back to AAU."
"I'll tell you when Ruhma gets here. What're you having?" Zoe asked.
"Come on Zoe, we're dying to know! I'll have a cappuccino and a muffin please." Said Mo.
"I told you, when Ruhma gets here! Serena?"
"Just a latte please." Said Serena.
Zoe bought two muffins for herself and Mo, a latte and a cappuccino, and a bottle of water. She bought a latte and a banana muffin for Ruhma-she knew the midwife's usual.
Ruhma arrived just as Zoe was returning to the table.
"Ruhma, finally! Zoe's been keeping us in suspense." Said Serena.
"Ah, I've been wondering about her news too. Go on Zoe, spill." Ruhma said as Zoe handed out the drinks.
Zoe sat down. "Right, you are not to tell anyone else."
"Yes, alright, just tell us!" Ruhma insisted.
"Well, a few weeks ago I was telling Ruhma about how I haven't been feeling that well recently. And Ruhma being Ruhma, she encouraged me to take a pregnancy test. I took 3 in all, every single one positive. Max and I are expecting." Zoe announced.
"Oh my goodness! Congratulations Zoe!" Mo said, giving her a hug.
"See, my instincts were spot on!" Smiled Ruhma. "Congratulations."
"Congratulations, Zoe. How has Mia taken it?" Serena asked.
"Oh, she's delighted." Smiled Zoe.
The three women chatted for a while longer, then Serena and Ruhma had to get back to AAU and Mo to Darwin, Zoe to Keller.
"Keep us all updated, yeah? Remember, if anything goes wrong, we're here for you." Said Mo.
"Thank you, it means a lot." Zoe smiled at her friend.
