Laura arrived a short while after he sedated Rachel. Sarah Carter saw Willie's panic and came as well. Albert wasn't going to let them operate. Just be assistants, Neither are medically educated but at this point nothing mattered.
A few minutes after Laura and Sarah arrived Albert made the first incision. He cut through a few layers before he reached her cervix. There he saw tiny hand reach up. He gently tucked the tiny hand back in. The baby's hand was proof the cervix was dilating. With his gloved hands he held the cervix closed then Laura handed him the stitching equipment.
In pen dropping silence. He removed his hand and took the needle and slowly very slowly stitched the cervix. It took him an hour. Then Lauren disinfected a tiny rubber band handed it to him and he slowly stitched the rubber band on top of the first set of stitches. Then he slowly layer by layer closed her up. Then bandaged her.
Laura covered Rachel with two blankets. And a gently lifted her head and placed a extra pillow under her
Through the IV he gave her a dose morphine, for post op pain after she woke up.
Then without a word to Laura he walked outside and closed the door behind him. After he closed the door he fell down on his knees in a sob the stress and riskiness of the operation just now hitting him in the gut.
The scary part was he didn't know how she would do. He'd have to do a repeat operation in two or three months to remove everything. But when he did he feared scar tissue would be a problem.
Would a natural birth be to risky?!, When he went to remove everything should he just do a C-Section.?!
So Many questions. No Answers.
Like it would help anyone. Albert stayed on his knees, outside his office door sobbing.
It seemed like an hour before he gathered his strength. Stood up. Wiped his eyes, walked inside.
When he entered Laura gave him a sad smile. He knew she heard him sob. He could tell by the look on her face. But he sure didn't say anything.
He walked behind the curtain and saw Rachel. She seemed to be doing well. He walked closer to her bedside. And that's when her eyes fluttered open.
"Willie ?!" She whined
"No No.. it's just Albert." He replied. He was thankful she didn't open her eyes fully. His red tear stricken face might've startled her and made her think something happened to the baby.
Rachel started to move her legs. And Albert gently laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Suh suh don't move, not that soon anyway." Albert whispered to Rachel
Rachel listened and drifted off to sleep.
It was then that Albert heard the door open. And a voice that appeared to be Willie's. With his tear stained face Albert walked through the curtain and faced Willie.
"She's okay. She's wonderful actually. Baby is too. Just stressful." Albert spoke through a exhale.
"So The baby is okay?!" Willie replied in a shaky tone
"Yes. I saw the hand. I don't know the gender though." Albert replied through a sad smile.
"I don't care. As long as they are okay. Anything I should know. Like how are the next few months going to go?" Willie asked
"The Doctor I trained under put the woman on strict bed rest. That's what I'm going to do with Rachel. I don't want her working at the diner or picking up and holding you're other two children. I know that will put a lot of stress on you. I'm sorry." Albert replied
"Oh No.. it's fine Albert really." Willie stated in a relieved smile.
Without warning Willie walked to Albert and hugged him. They embraced and both cried together.
"Thank You so much." Willie stated in a deep sob
"You're so welcome." Albert replied in a the same sob filled tone.
"Let's Pray. Men." Laura stated
It was then Laura led them in a wonderful prayer. A prayer for Rachel's recovery. The baby's safety and Rachel's for the next few months. And to guide Albert's hand on anything regrading Rachel and the baby.
When the prayer was done. Albert truly felt a burden lifted because he realized he wasn't in control. His aiding of their survival didn't depend on his ability alone. But the ability that only god gave him today and would in the months to come.