November 2021
Two weeks later, John and Anna found themselves once again in Dr Turner's waiting room. The last two weeks had been pretty uneventful. There had been no more bleeding or pains for Anna. She had dutifully rested, under John's attentive watch, and the nausea and vomiting had got a lot better, thanks to the medication. She still threw up every morning when she woke up, but now seldom during the rest of the day, and never during the night. Her appetite was still not at its best, but she had managed to regain part of the weight she had lost in the previous weeks. The hardest part had been to escape Timmy's questions, who had not seen his mother ever not going to work for two weeks in a row, outside of vacation time, and apart from the time when she was ill with Covid. It seemed the boy started to wonder what was going on. John and Anna had agreed to tell him, and the rest of their family and friends, after their control appointment, when they could be sure that things looked good.
At last the secretary called them into Patrick's office.
- Good morning, Anna, Mr Smith-Bates, said the OBGYN. So, how are we doing today? I have not heard of you in the last two weeks, I hope it's a good sign?
- Well, not too bad, answered Anna. I feel much better. That anti-nausea treatment was very effective. I still have morning sickness, but nothing compared to before. It's like night and day really.
- Good, good. And has our patient taken enough rest? asked Patrick, looking at John.
- She has, doctor. I've been inflexible. She has regained some of the pounds she had lost.
- Perfect. And there was no more bleeding?
- No.
- Alright. Things look rather better then. Let's go and have a look at these two little beans!
The three of them settled in the exam room as they had done two weeks ago, and Dr Turner started performing the ultra-sound. After looking and taking measurements silently for a few minutes, he looked up to them and smiled.
- Well, every one is still up and about.
He showed them a view where the two embryos were well visible.
- See? Two heartbeats, and eight little limbs.
- Oh, wow, said John.
He couldn't believe the babies had grown and changed so much in the space of two weeks. What looked like two small shrimps two weeks ago now resembled much more actual babies, with recognizable heads, legs and arms. He took Anna's hand and looked at her in awe.
- I just can't believe your body is creating all this. No wonder you're exhausted.
She laughed.
When there were back to the doctor's desk, Anna started:
- So, can I go back to work? I'm loosing my mind with inactivity.
Patrick smiled.
- I guessed you would say that. I'm OK with allowing you to go back… BUT…
- But what?
- But only on day shifts. No more nights. You need your sleep.
- Alright.
- AND, on a half-schedule.
Anna frowned.
- Only half?
- Yes. Only half. You have to take it easy.
John smiled, relieved that the OBGYN had not allowed her to go back full time. He was so worried about her and the babies, and knew she wouldn't slow down if a doctor didn't order her to.
- So, continued Dr Turner, I'm writing you a half-time leave for a month, and we'll set up another appointment in a month. We'll do a monthly ultrasound. And if anything comes up meanwhile, you call me. Alright? Can I trust you?
- Yes, Patrick, sighed Anna.
- Thank you Dr Turner, said John.
Back in John's car moments later, both had taken their seats. Anna looked sideways to John when she noticed after a few seconds that he was not starting the engine. When she turned to face him, she noticed he was silently crying, looking in front of him.
- John?! she asked, alarmed. What's wrong?
He chuckled and wiped his cheeks.
- Nothing. I'm just being silly. I've been so scared for the last two weeks, telling myself everyday not to get my hopes up and that anything could happen… Now I guess I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that we're probably really going to have two babies.
She smiled as she handed him a tissue from her purse. Seeing him get so emotional when it came to their babies made her heart melt.
- It's alright to be afraid. I am too. And technically, anything still could happen. But yes, I guess it does start to look good.
John gave her back her smile, and bent towards her, until they kissed.
- One day at a time, remember? said Anna.
- Yes, one day at a time. I love you Anna.
- Me too. Now could we go home, I'm starving.
- Well, we can't have that, he said, sending a crooked smile.
x x x x
Mid-April 2022
John, Anna and Timmy walked up the courthouse's stairs, meeting everyone in front of the great doors. The Carsons, Eileen Smith, Matthew and Mary were all there, waiting for them. All wanted to bear witness to the judge's audience that would finally seal Timmy's adoption by John. It was a rainy and cold day as Yorkshire spring often provided, but sun and warmth were plenty into all their hearts, and especially John, Anna and Timmy's. The boy, who would soon celebrate his seventh birthday, was beside himself with happiness and excitement. It had been about nine months since he had enthusiastically accepted John's offer to become his legal dad, and he had had a very hard time understanding why it would take such a long time. When all greetings had been exchanged, the group made its way into the courthouse, in search for the audience room where they were supposed to be auditioned.
An hour later, they were out again, John officially being Timmy's father.
- Let's go and have a drink to celebrate, suggested John, leading them towards the pub across the street.
When they had known the date of the judgment, they had immediately settled another date, for their formal wedding/adoption party the following week. It would not be anything too spectacular, since Anna was thirty-weeks pregnant, and her belly had grown to a respectable size. But Mary had secured with her father a private salon in Downton Abbey, with a nice buffet by Mrs Patmore. Anna was glad they had planned nothing more extravagant, because as days went by, she felt more and more tired, and had frequent headaches. She had stopped working for about six weeks now, but even being at home, she had a hard time getting through her days. It made her very frustrated how much harder this pregnancy was on her, compared to when she was expecting Timmy. At that time, she had worked until two weeks before her due date, and although she had been a little tired, it had been nothing compared to this pregnancy. It did seem to make a great difference whether one was having one or two babies.
- Are you alright love, discreetly asked John to her when they had all settled in the pub.
- Yes, yes. Only a mild headache.
She smiled to him, trying to reassure him. She knew he worked hard on containing his worry and on not fretting too much around her, and she was grateful for that. But she also knew that he was scared to his bones, and that he would not relax until they held the two babies safely in their arms.
- You're having a lot of those headaches lately. We'll have to mention that to Dr Turner next time.
He had been with her to each and every appointment since the beginning, and made sure she always told everything to her OBGYN colleague.
- I will.
He smiled to her, as the waiter came to them to take their order. When the drinks had been served, Mary lifted her glass, and called out:
- Let me propose a toast, to Anna, John and, Timmy, as of this day known as the Smith-Bates family!
- The Smith-Bates family! repeated all the others, lifting their glasses too.
Timmy lifted his orange juice glass and proudly announced:
- My name is Timothy Smith-Bates!
Both John and Anna laughed, but their eyes were shining with emotion.
x x x x
Two days later, Anna and John were back into Patrick Turner's office. Anna was quite worried, because her headaches had got worse over the last few days, and since the day before, she had noticed that her ankles looked quite swollen. She had not told John, not wanting him to freak out, but she told it to the doctor. When Dr Turner had conducted its examination, he looked thoughtful.
- Anna, your blood pressure is higher than we'd like it to be. There's indeed a swelling on your ankles and calves. You'll go down to the lab right now to have a blood and urine test done. I'll phone you tonight when the results have come. And we'll be putting you on an anti-hypertension treatment.
- Oh God I'm having a pre-eclampsia Patrick, that's it?
- You're having high blood pressure, that much is obvious. The headaches come from that. The lab results will tell us if it's more than that.
- God I'm only at thirty weeks, I can't be delivered now.
- Now, Anna. It's too soon to make any plans. There might not be any need to deliver now. Let's calm down and wait for the results.
- Er, doctor, is this dangerous? This condition you're talking about? asked John.
- It can be if it's not managed properly. But we will do what's necessary so that it is managed properly.
- We have our wedding/adoption party planned next week. Should we call it off?
- What? No, John! exclaimed Anna.
- Don't do that just right now, said the doctor, trying to sound reassuring. But let's do the tests, and we'll talk again tonight. Alright? And I'll order a midwife to visit you at home everyday to check your blood pressure, and the swelling, and the babies heartbeats.
- Alright, agreed Anna.
- Thank you Dr Turner, said John.
He was scared, but Dr Turner's attitude did reassure him. The man seemed trustworthy and to take things seriously. John was confident he would do what was necessary for Anna.
Later that day, Patrick and Anna talked on the phone as planned. There was indeed some proteins in Anna's urine, which was a warning sign for pre-eclampsia. But the doctor was confident that with more rest and the effect of the blood-pressure lowering medication, they could hold on for a little more time, letting the babies grow a little more. He hoped to be able to keep the pregnancy going for at least one or two more weeks, so that the babies wouldn't be too much premature. The mid-wife was to come visit Anna everyday, and call the OBGYN at any sign of things getting out of control.
At night, when Timmy was put to bed, John and Anna lay on the couch, curled up next to each other.
- Anna? started John.
- Yes?
- I've been thinking, for later, when the babies are there and you want to go back to work…
- Hmm?
- I'd like to be a stay-at-home dad.
Anna startled in surprise and looked at him, bemused:
- Really?
- Yeah, why not? I've missed Timmy's first six years, so I want to make the most of our babies' first years…
- You do realize that you're going to go out of your mind?
John chuckled. Anna continued:
- You really want to give up your job? I thought you liked it, working with Robert…
- I do. Maybe I won't give it up completely, but I feel I need to reassess my priorities. And our babies will be my new priority. And I know you won't want to quit you work. And I wouldn't want you to. It's too valuable.
- No, I don't feel like a stay-at-home mum myself…
- I'd guessed that, he smiled. So, what do you think?
- Well, I had not thought about it, but if that's what you want, that's fine by me. That'll be less expensive than paying a full-time nanny or twice a daycare. And I know I won't need to worry about our babies being well taken care of.
John smiled happily:
- I am touched by your trust.
- Of course I trust you.
- Even though I've never taken care of any baby in my life?
- You'll learn… Every parent does.
He kissed her head and concluded:
- Well. I'm glad that's settled. I'll tell Robert and Mary next time we'll see them.
x x x x
Three days later, the mood was tense in the Smith-Bates household. They were waiting for Dr Turner's call back with Anna's blood test results. Since the previous days, she had started vomiting again, and the midwife had looked quite worried that morning. The blood pressure was not under control, and the swellings were increasing. Anna had gained 3 pounds in three days, which was too much.
- Shouldn't he have called by now? said John nervously, checking his watch.
- Calm down John, replied Anna. He's probably busy with something more urgent. Like doing a C-section or anything.
John sighed loudly, just as Anna's phone started ringing. She hurriedly picked up.
- Yes, Patrick?
- Anna, sorry, the news aren't that good. The blood tests show you're starting a HELLP syndrom.
- Oh shit… she moaned.
- What? What is it? asked John nervously.
Anna put down her phone and put the loudspeaker on so that John would hear the rest of the conversation.
- Patrick says I'm having a HELLP syndrom.
- Jesus what is that?
- It's a complication that can occur from pre-eclampsia, explained Dr Turner on the phone. There are several abnormalities on Anna's blood tests, a haemolysis, some elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. It's a condition that can be very serious unfortunately, so we need to keep Anna and the babies under close watch, and we might have to deliver soon. So, Anna, I've talked to the Head Nurse in the High-Risk Pregnancies Unit, they're waiting for you. You come here immediately.
- She has to stay in hospital?
- Yes, and we'll check the tests again tomorrow, and if anything gets worse, we'll have to deliver the babies. But we hope to be able to let them grow for a few more days. Anna, you come right away, and I'll see you in the afternoon, once you're settled.
- Alright Patrick, thank you.
She hung up and hid her face into her hands. John came to her and encircled her shoulders, whispering in her ear:
- It's alright darling. Everything is going to be alright.
Anna suddenly put her hands away from her face, and John saw that her cheeks were wet with tears. She shouted:
- What do you know?! Oh Jesus I hoped so hard everything would be fine! I'm getting really scared now.
John had the "chance" to have no medical knowledge, and thus not to know what her condition could lead to. She herself knew it very well, having had several times to treat young mothers suffering from that very condition in her own unit.
- I know my love, I am very scared too. But we trust Patrick, don't we? He's going to do everything that's necessary. We only need to listen to him. Now come, let's get you a bag and drive to the hospital.
- I guess we're really cancelling the wedding/adoption party now, she said, spitefully.
- I don't see how we can do otherwise. But it doesn't matter. We'll have it later, instead it'll be a wedding/adoption/twins-birth party. What matters now is to take care of you and the babies. Alright?
She smiled ruefully.
- Yes, alright.
- Remember darling, life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. We must take it one day at a time.
- You're right. Thank you for being so calm. Can you call Mary and Elsie while I prepare my bag?
- Do you want me to do it for you? And you can call Mary?
- No, you wouldn't know what to put in it.
- OK.
She kissed him and turned away to the bedroom. As she left, John let out a shaky breath. It had taken all his energy to stay calm and composed in front of her, when really he was downright terrified to lose her or the babies. He quickly passed his hands on his face, and pick up his phone, dialling Mary's number.
- Hey Mary? It's John. Yeah, sorry, bad news.
Things are getting somewhat complicated for the Smith-Bates twins...