A Scent of a Woman
by Shaolin Kitten
Part 17
"What? Are you sure?" Laura's eyes became wide. So that was why she had been feeling sick for so long. Then a smile spread across her lips. She could not wait to tell Kwai Chang. Laura thought back over the last two to three months. She tried to remember when she started to feel this way. It had been about two weeks after they had come home from their honeymoon. At first it was simply a queasy feeling. Her energy level had also felt somewhat drained. Then one day she'd had a salad and her whole body had seemed to rebel. Normally she liked salads, but something told her that she should not eat them again for some time. She had not thought about it that much until, one morning she woke up and found herself heading for the bathroom, her stomach rebelling again and again. The only thing that seemed to appease it were crackers. Even the tea that Kwai Chang had tried to give her had not seem to help much. Finally she'd made an appointment to see a doctor. It was during times like that she wished her father were still alive.
"Are you sure you wish to do this?"
"Sure, what do you mean?"
"I advise against it."
"Doctor, why are you so bent on telling me not to? What's going on that you're not telling me?"
The Doctor gave a sigh and told Laura his findings. Laura became quiet and weighed what the Doctor said against the man that she loved. If what the Doctor said was true, any amount of stress could cause her problems. She might live longer, but what about her husband? Would it be fair to him if she were to . . . No, she would not do as the doctor advised. It would not be fair to Kwai. This way he would at least have something that was a part of them both. If it ended her life sooner, than so be it.
Laura made it home to find Kwai Chang working in the kitchen. It hadn't taken long for the house to be filled with all kinds of plants. It seemed every window had some kind of plant hanging in front of it.
"Kwai, what is going on?"
"I am studying to be an apothecary. My skills are limited right now. Master Ping Hai is allowing me to complete some of my training here without the need to be at the temple."
Laura shook her head. This was not going to do.
"What happened to the job at the hardware store?"
"Mr. Lawry had to let me go. Something about a recession? He was quite disturbed."
"What about the mechanics job? I hope you still have that."
"No." Kwai Chang bowed his head with a saddness.
"What happened." Laura was beginning to be annoyed.
"Thomas had to close the business. His father died. He will not be reopening for some time."
"Oh that poor man. I know how much him and his father loved working on cars. Did he say when the funeral will be?"
"Wednesday."
"That's day after tomorrow. Oh Kwai we're going to have to do something for the family. I knew Thomas since grade school."
Laura thought about telling her good news but decided it could wait. The thought of Mr. Hansen dead left Laura feeling depressed and thinking about the death of her own father. She wished he had been able to see her get married and even been able to enjoy grandchildren. Now there was no one. Even Kwai Chang had no other family. His father long gone after 15 years, his mother dead for who knew how long. He never talked about her. Laura absent-mindedly rubbed her soon to be swollen belly. If only there were more family members. It was going to be difficult with only the two of them, but they would have to manage some how. Then Laura thought about what the doctor had said. 'Oh, I hope the doctor is wrong.'
"Laura, are you all right?" Kwai Chang had noticed his wife's distracted look and could feel the disturbance in her chi. Concern shown in his eyes.
"I was just thinking about my father. Well, I'm going to see what can be done for Thomas."
Laura picked up her purse and keys and headed out the door to visit her friend from school. Right now, she did not want to face Kwai regarding what the Doctor had said. There would be time for that later. Kwai Chang watched her go. There was something not quite right with his wife's chi. It was as if it was being splintered in two. He would have to see what he could do to help strengthen her. She was going to need it for the weeks and months ahead, although he was not sure why or how he knew.
It was another week before Laura was even able to say anything and when she did, it wasn't under the best circumstances. Laura and Kwai Chang had been invited to several special functions in one day. In the morning, they visited with a friend who was having a birthday party. That afternoon they had gone to a wedding but did not stay during the reception. That evening they were due to attend a function up at the temple, something to do wih celebrating the day the Shaolin order came into fruition. By this time Laura had been on her feet for several hours. As the procession of priests walked by, Laura suddenly fainted. Kwai Chang became alarmed and tried to grab her before she hit the floor. He lifted her in his arms and noticed a difference in her weight from the last time he carried her. It had not been that long ago when he had carried her over the threshold of their home after they returned from their honeymoon. Master Ping Hai and several other priests gathered around the pair, concern in their eyes.
"Quickly, take her to the infirmary." Ping Hai commanded attention.
"Kwai, I'm all right. I just fainted."
"Laura, do not argue. Master, please make sure she is all right." Kwai Chang laid his wife on a raised platform and placed a pillow under her head.
Ping Hai placed a small leather pillow beside her and turned her left wrist upward so he could check her pulse. He ran his hands along her body and checked her chi and suddenly understood. He glanced over toward Kwai Chang and tried to hide the sudden sadness that entered into his eyes. He took comfort in knowing that, for at least this time, her chi was strong enough to bare this, but what would come after would not be easy.
"Please, don't fuss. Women faint for all kinds of reasons."
"It has been a very long day. You have been ill. Do not lie to me about this. It has been going on for some time. Do not think that I have not noticed it. Let Master Ping Hai examine you." A hint of anger was present in Kwai Chang's voice.
"It's nothing that 6 to 9 months won't cure."
"I will have no argue . . . what did you say?" Kwai Chang became suddenly quiet, his anger forgotten. What was she saying to him?
Laura took his face in both of his hands and said, "I'm pregnant."
Kwai Chang stared back at his wife with surprise and wonder. He reached out with his chi and his left hand suddenly came to rest on her rounding pelvic area. This had been the source of that second chi force that he had felt. It was not because her chi was splintering, it was because a new force was being formed and it was mingling with hers. Kwai Chang took in this new life. Even within this tiny being that was being formed, he could sense a strength of will crying to be born.
"This is wonderful news. I must tell the others." Ping Hai rushed out, a smile broad on his lips like a Cheshire cat, though inside he felt like crying for his friend.
"Laura, when , how . . ." Kwai Chang had not felt this tongue tied since when he had first met her.
"You know how. As to when, I think about two or three months ago. The last time you and I really . . ."
Kwai Chang got the message. So that's why he had been feeling rather protective and saying the things that he had. For some unforeseen reason, deep down he'd known. Yet, he had needed to hear those words to confirm what he knew to be true.
"So how does it feel to know you're going to be a father?"
A father. The words rang out in Kwai Chang's mind. He had never thought that this would happen to him so soon. They had talked on occasion about having children, but Kwai Chang seemed reluctant at first. It was not because he did not want children, he just felt that he would not make a good father. Being a priest and helping others had always been in the forefront of his mind. Children had not figured into his plans, yet. Now those plans would change again. Then Kwai Chang thought on his own words just weeks ago. He had this feeling that their lives would change and now he understood how. Kwai Chang turned to look into his wife's eyes. Deep love shone out and he knew that he would not have his life any other way. She was honoring him with this new life.
"If feels wonderful. Just do not call me Pop."
Laura stifled a laugh, "Okay, spoil sport. Can we go home now?"
End of Part 17
