Chapter Fourteen

The emergency room doors at Mercy Hospital slid open. Bo quickly followed the paramedics who were transporting Nora's tiny son in an incubator. Police had called the emergency squad to have the fevered baby transported to the hospital safely, and they arrived with a police escort. At the door to the sterile examining room, Bo was stopped.

"I'm sorry, Sir," the doctor told him, "only medical personnel beyond this point. I assure you, we'll do everything we can to help your baby. While you wait, you need to report to the desk clerk about admission."

With that, the glass doors slid shut leaving Bo helplessly separated from the child. He said a silent prayer, then turned to locate the desk clerk.

"You're next, Sir. Are you here for yourself or did you bring someone in today?" the clerk asked.

"I brought someone in...the baby that just arrived…"

"Yes, Sir. The baby's name please," she asked as she typed the information.

"Uh...well," Bo hesitated, "he doesn't have a name yet. He's actually not my baby. He belongs to a patient here in the hospital...Nora Buchanan…"

"Ohhh...I've seen this story on the news," the clerk responded. "I'm glad the baby was found," she added, giving Bo an encouraging smile. "I'll just use the same information that we have on file for Nora Buchanan to complete these records then. You may be seated."

"Actually...Can you tell me where to find Nora please? Her room number?"

She typed in some information. "She's in room 427."

"And the baby...how will we..." Bo began.

"When there's news of the baby's condition, they will contact Mrs. Buchanan. You may go on up to her room and wait. The elevator is just around the corner. Fourth floor, take a right when you get off the elevator."

"Thank you," Bo replied. He couldn't wait to see Nora.

427 read the placard on the door.

Bo opened it slowly and peered inside. He saw Nora leaning against the wall by the window. She looked deep in thought but turned when she heard the door unlatch. Her mouth dropped into an O and tears immediately welled in her eyes. Crossing the room quickly, she threw herself into his arms, tears flowing unobtrusively.

"Oh Bo...I've been so worried about you." She clung to him desperately. "Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry, honey. I'm so sorry…" He held her close and consoled her. She pulled back a little to look at him. "Are you okay? Let me look at you. What happened?" She wrapped her arms around him again and held him tight.

Bo rubbed her back comfortingly. "I'm okay, Red...I'm fine."

"The baby, Bo…" she sobbed against his chest, "someone took my baby..."

"I know," he said calmly, "but honey? Red, look at me…" He held her face in his hands. "Look at me, Red. Listen. I found the baby. I found him. He's being evaluated in the ER and..."

"You found him?! Is he alright?!" she asked, her eyes panicked.

"They told me they'd give you a report after they've evaluated him…"

"I want to see him! I want to see him now, Bo!" she exclaimed breaking out of his arms and making her way quickly to the door.

He pulled her back to him. "Nora…"

"Let me see my baby," she cried. "I need to see him…." Her words were muffled against Bo's chest.

"You will. I promise. I'm sure they'll bring us some news soon."

As he consoled Nora, the door opened and Sam entered with two cups of coffee. He was startled to see Bo.

"Bo!" he said in surprise. "Uh...good to see you...glad you're alright."

Bo nodded in Sam's direction. He wasn't happy to see him, but this wasn't the time to worry about Sam Rappaport.

Nora turned toward Sam. "Bo found the baby, Sam. He's in the ER."

"You found him? Where? What happened? Is he alright?" Sam said with both relief and concern.

"It's a long story," Bo answered, "for another time."

"Well…" Sam stuttered. "I'm relieved...and grateful. We've been so worried...Nora's been so worried about you and the baby..."

The awkward moment was interrupted when a doctor entered the room.

"Mrs. Buchanan?"

"Yes!" Nora answered rushing to his side. "How's my baby? Is he alright? When can I see him?"

"One thing at a time, Mrs. Buchanan. Why don't you have a seat?"

"I don't want to sit. I just want to know what's happening with my baby. Is he going to be alright?"

The doctor sighed. "Mrs. Buchanan...please sit down. I'm going to tell you everything, but I need you to listen calmly. Have a seat."

Once Nora complied, the doctor began. "First, let me assure you, we're doing everything we can to help your baby. I promise you that. But he has some challenges before him. First, he's very small...only 5 pounds and 3 ounces…"

"But...that's okay, right?" Nora asked. "I mean...much smaller babies have been known to survive…"

"That's right. The weight is not a big issue as long as we can get him to eat and begin gaining. My main concern right now is the infection that he's acquired. When the umbilical cord was cut, it was not clamped tightly. This caused some blood loss as well as allowing bacteria to set in. We have the baby on antibiotics to fight the infection, but we also need to replace the blood lost."

"I'll donate," Nora said quickly, "whatever he needs…"

"Well, under normal circumstances, a blood donation from the mother would be the most logical solution to the problem. Unfortunately, you can't be his donor because your blood types are incompatible. The next logical donor would be the baby's father…" The doctor looked at Bo and Sam expectantly. "Mr Buchanan…?"

Sam shifted his weight on his feet and cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I'm the baby's father," he stammered. "My blood type is B positive."

Bo turned away from the group to look out the window.

The doctor looked at Sam, then back at Nora. "Hmmm...that makes no sense," he said, puzzled and flipping through his charts.

"What do you mean?" Nora asked, fear welling up inside her once again.

"Well, Mrs. Buchanan, you're A positive and your husband here," he said indicating Sam, "is B positive, yet your baby is AB negative. That's a very rare blood type...only a small percentage of the population has AB negative blood…"

Bo turned around quickly, eyes wide. "I have AB negative blood."

The doctor looked confused.

"He's not her husband. I am," Bo explained quickly, "and I have AB negative blood."

"You're Mr. Buchanan?" the doctor asked, perplexed.

"Yes," Bo answered.

The doctor looked back at Sam and Nora. He was confused but turned back to Bo to continue his questioning.

"So, Mr. Buchanan," he continued, "are you sure you're AB negative?"

"Yes," Bo answered. "I had to have a blood transfusion after an injury in Vietnam. I'm AB negative." Bo glanced past the doctor to look at Nora. Her eyes were wide. Both their hearts were beating fast at the realization of what this could mean.

The doctor interrupted their thoughts. "I don't mean to question your word, Mr. Buchanan, but it's extremely important that this little guy gets the proper blood. We'll have to test your blood before the transfusion."

"Of course...whatever you need to do," Bo replied."

The doctor closed his chart. "Come with me then. I'll take you to the lab so we can get this procedure rolling."

"Doctor, wait," Nora interrupted. "One more quick question...being premature and everything, are his lungs..." she began, but the doctor interrupted.

"Premature?"

"Yes," Nora explained, "my baby wasn't due for another month..."

The doctor peered at her then shook his head. "Your baby's small, Ma'am, but I assure you he's not premature. Someone must have made a mistake estimating your due date." Then turning to Bo he said, "Now if you'll come with me, Mr. Buchanan…"

Bo glanced at Nora as he followed the doctor out the door. Unconfirmed hope lay in his eyes. That very same hope lay in her own.

To be continued...