Chapter 3
Sleeping in a chair next to Anna in the hospital wasn't comfortable at all. However, John was just grateful they hadn't made him leave at nighttime. He couldn't or wouldn't leave his wife's side. His entire body was stiff from the chair and he often woke because he was uncomfortable.
They had been there for two nights and still had been unable to see their daughter. Anna refused to speak much to anyone. John could tell she was giving up any hope of a life with their child. The only request she had had for John was for him to go and check on Jack today. He had promised her he would as soon as she had eaten breakfast.
Anna didn't eat much. Dr. Clarkson said that was typical. She was still very weak. The main thing she needed was fluids and rest. Seeing his wife like this tore out John's heart. He felt as though he had failed her and their daughter somehow. Had he been there, maybe this wouldn't have happened.
"Go check on Jack," Anna murmured to John. John sat up at her voice and gave her a gentle smile.
"I am, my darling. We need to wait for the doctor. He said he would be in shortly after you had breakfast."
Almost as though he had been summoned, Dr. Clarkson walked into the room. He had a kind smile on his lips as he came toward them.
"I want to see my baby," Anna told him sharply. Dr. Clarkson's smile faltered. He had explained to them how they had created an incubator of sorts for the baby to stay warm. They didn't have an actual one, since they were rare. It was unmovable.
"You are too weak to go and see her, Anna. But soon," he promised. Anna's eyes glistened with tears. John could see the despair within her eyes. If only he could take it all away.
Once the doctor's examination of Anna was over, he pulled John aside.
"She's not improving as quickly as I would like." John swallowed hard.
"What….what does that mean?" He asked. His eyes glanced over to Anna who had fallen back asleep. She did that often. Her body was just so incredibly tired.
"I still believe she'll improve, but it's not happening as I expected. I need you to beware that this will be a long process."
John nodded. "Thank you, doctor. I need to go to Downton to check on our son, Jack. Please, ring if anything changes. I will not be gone long."
-X-X-X-X-X-
When John walked into the Servant's Hall, he was surprised to find Jack and Daisy sitting at the table. Jack was eating some treats, while Daisy folded some napkins.
Upon seeing his father, Jack jumped out of his seat and ran to him. His hands reached up and asked for his father to hold him. John obliged.
"Shouldn't you be with Nanny?" John questioned the small boy. Jack just leaned his head on John's shoulder in response.
"Mrs. Hughes has been having him stay with us. We don't mind. We love the fun of him being here during the day," Daisy informed him. John smiled at her. Although he was curious why Mrs. Hughes thought it better for Jack to be underfoot downstairs instead of with Nanny in the nursery.
"Oh Mr. Bates, I am so happy to see you. How's Anna? The baby?" Mrs. Patmore asked, poking in her head.
"Both are still fighting," he replied. It was the easy answer.
"So glad to hear it. I'll run and get Mrs. Hughes."
A few moments later, Mrs. Hughes was downstairs with Lady Mary. John hadn't expected to see Lady Mary, but he could tell she was just as anxious as Mrs. Hughes to learn about Anna and the baby.
"Let's go to my office," Mrs. Hughes suggested.
"Why isn't Jack with Nanny?" John curiously asked. He wanted to make sure he didn't sound accusatory, for he was so grateful he was being so well looked after.
"Jack's been struggling a little bit being away from you both. He's been much happier down here with the staff," Mrs. Hughes said. John suddenly felt guilty for not being able to be there with his son. He held Jack a little bit tighter. While he had been away from Jack for a few days at a time, Jack had never been away from his mother. Even when she traveled with Lady Mary, Jack got to tag along. It was part of the deal they had made when Anna chose to stay on as a Lady's Maid.
"How's Anna?" Mary asked, cutting straight to the case.
"Slightly better. Dr. Clarkson said he was hopeful she would be further along in her healing by now. He still expects a full recovery from her, though," He added. "I wish I had better news to tell about them both. The baby is still struggling. We haven't been allowed to see her yet. I feel Anna would start doing better if she could see her child."
"We are all so very worried about them both," Mary replied.
"And we are so very grateful for your fast action. They might both be dead had you not realized how quickly she needed help," John informed her.
"I don't know about that."
"Well, I do." John kissed the shell of Jack's ear. "I am going to take Jack outside to play for a little bit. I will have him back in time for lunch. Then I must be getting back to the hospital." John gave both ladies a small nod, and then took Jack outside to the gardens.
-X-X-X-X-X-
When John returned to the hospital, he was quickly brought aside by Dr. Clarkson. John easily read Dr. Clarkson's face. Something was terribly wrong. John braced himself for what Dr. Clarkson was about to say. However, no matter how much he could prepare himself for what would be said, he wasn't really prepared.
"I am so sorry to tell you, but Baby is fading quickly," Dr. Clarkson told him gently. John's heart felt as though it was being ripped into a million directions. He blinked back the tears behind his eyes and swallowed deeply.
"What? Does Anna know?" His mind went directly to Anna. This could end her. Jack would be the only thing that would be able to keep her alive.
"No, she does not. I wanted to let you know first, Mr. Bates. Baby is refusing to eat any of the milk Anna has expressed for her. She hasn't had any wet diapers in nearly twenty four hours. Her breathing is labored. I fear she only has a few hours left."
John nearly faltered. A few hours.
"You can come and see her. I'm afraid Anna is just too weak."
"No," John disagreed, his jaw tightening. "You need to bring the baby to her. Anna needs to hold her daughter before her time with her is up."
"That would only make the girl fade faster. In the setup we have…"
"No," John stated strongly again. "You said the baby was going to die. I think both Anna and our daughter would rather have those moments together."
"Very well."
Dr. Clarkson went away to fetch the young babe. John took a few moments to compose himself and then walked to Anna.
"Anna," John whispered. Anna stirred. "Dr. Clarkson is going to bring the baby," he told her. He watched as Anna's face brightened. His heart fell. He decided not to say anything, not yet. Anna deserved some precious moments with their daughter before her world faded away.
When the baby was brought in, John immediately noticed how tiny she was. Jack had been an averaged sized baby, but next to their daughter, he had been huge. Dr. Clarkson carefully handed the baby over to Anna. John watched as Anna's eyes lit up. She pulled the tiny girl to her chest and kissed her head.
"She's going to die, isn't she?" Anna questioned. John should have known his wife was more intuitive than he had given her credit.
"I'm afraid so," Dr. Clarkson answered for John. "The best thing we can do for her now is keep her warm and feeling safe."
A few tears ran down Anna's cheek, but she still glanced at the small girl with joy on her face.
"We must name her and christen her," Anna informed them both. John nodded. He went to sit down next to Anna and placed his hand on the baby's small head. Just for this moment, the three of them would have their time together.
Dr. Clarkson left to give them that time.
"What shall we name her?" John questioned. Anna sighed.
"I want to name her after Mrs. Hughes. But perhaps, as a middle name? I have always liked the name Madeline," Anna told him. The baby began to stir in Anna's arms. Anna unbuttoned her top and unwrapped the baby from her blanket. Then she laid the baby on her bare chest, before wrapping the blanket back around them both. The baby quickly settled against her mother's chest.
"Madeline Elsie Bates, I like it," John smiled. His finger stroked the small babe's cheek.
And then something they hadn't expected began to happen, the baby began to root against her mother's chest. Anna's eyes widened, but she didn't miss a beat. She adjusted the baby onto her breast and with fervor the baby began to nurse.
"John," Anna cried. "She's eating." John's eyes brightened. Maybe this didn't mean anything, but it had to be a good sign.
To be continued...
