Chapter 7: What We Wanted
SCENE: ANDREW AND AMBERS APARTMENT
(Amber gets her hair in a ponytail when Andrew wraps his arms around her waist and trails kisses on her neck)
Amber: (Giggles) Down boy, you'll have plenty of time to do that in an on-call room but right now we need to leave. Based on the article Grey wrote Bailey is probably gonna fire us for being a minute late just to take her anger out.
Andrew: The article was about the whole health care system in general not Grey Sloan.
Amber: Andrew nobody is gonna look past the headline, least of all the Chief. Now come on we're gonna be late for rounds so zip up.
Andrew: (Groans and releases her) Why do you like to hurt me?
Amber: (Grins and turns to face him) Will this make you feel better?
(Amber grabs his collar and pulls him in for a quick kiss)
Andrew: (Sighs) Okay I'm better now, we can go. I'm on the pit, you?
Amber: (Turns and grabs her backpack) I'm with your sister today.
Andrew: (Confused) You're on OB today?
Amber: Well, your sister's job is to take babies out of women's vaginas so yes, I'm on OB. Why?
Andrew: A-Are you sure that's a good idea? Working closely with pregnant women and babies?
Amber: Yeah, and again why?
Andrew: (Looks at her) You know why.
Amber: (Inhales sharply) Andrew just because I want a baby but can't have one doesn't mean I can't handle working at OB. Did you tell Carina about…?
Andrew: No, I didn't, I didn't think you would want me to.
Amber: Good because I didn't tell my own siblings or even Levi.
Andrew: Really? You haven't told Jo or Alex, why?
Amber: Because they've got enough problems as it is both mentally and professionally, I don't want to burden them with my busted uterus. You worry enough for the both of them anyways.
Andrew: Amber I'm just trying to help that's all.
Amber: (Grabs her keys) Well don't, okay? I'm not gonna stop and cry every time I see a baby or a woman with an expanding uterus. You know me better than that, now are we going or not?
(Andrew nods and follows her to her car)
LATER IN THE RESIDENCY LOUNGE
(The residents talk about Meredith Grey's article)
Levi: (Reads the article out loud) "Healthcare is a $ 3.5 trillion industry for a reason."
Sam: (Sits with Casey) "Drug companies aggressively influence doctors to write you prescriptions, which sometimes make you even sicker."
Casey: Is there an explanation or something at the end of the article?
Sam: Nope. It ends with number 40, "Thanks to Big Pharma, it's cheaper for you to travel out of the country to buy the medicine you need than to get it in your own hometown."
Taryn: God, Grey is such a badass.
Blake: (Laughs) She torched this place.
Taryn: Did you actually read it? It's about the whole healthcare system, not this place.
Blake: Yeah, no one's gonna look past that headline. Ah, well, fortunately for me, I have Hopkins on my résumé and Tom Koracick as a mentor. Y'all, good luck getting any jobs after…
(They all quiet down as Amber and Andrew enter the lounge. Amber rolls her eyes at the obvious awkwardness)
Casey: Qadri got a job…Michigan.
Amber: (Grumpy) I read the article. And in case you forgot let me explain it like your five-year-old's; me related to Alex Karev no related to Meredith Grey. Did that go through your cement heads?
Andrew: (Rubs Amber's shoulders to calm her) Guys I think it's better for all our sakes if you don't stop.
Levi: (Awkward) I-I'm, uh, late for rounds. I-I'm gonna...
Sam: Yeah.
(Sam and Levi leave the room to escape Amber's wrath who inhales and exhales as Andrew keeps rubbing her shoulders)
Blake: (Smug) Don't sweat it, dude. Being liked is overrated.
Amber: (Points at door) Get out.
(Blake quickly leaves the room. Amber grabs her scrubs and puts them on)
Andrew: It's gonna be okay.
Amber: No, it's not.
(Amber walks out of the lounge in frustration)
LATER IN OB
(Amber walks up to Carina at the station ready)
Amber: Hi I'm on your service today, what do we have?
Carina: Uh it's a pretty slow day actually. All of our scheduled births are going smoothly and the babies are plump and healthy in the nursery. If anything comes up, we will be-
(Their pagers beep)
Amber: Trauma room 4, OB is requested.
Carina: Let's go.
(They both run to the trauma room where they find Jo working on a heavily pregnant woman who is breathing heavily)
Carina: What do we have?
Jo: Ingrid Ward, 35 weeks pregnant and contracting. Paramedics brought her and her kids in after she started laboring in the grocery store.
Amber: Ingrid how many kids do you have?
Ingrid: (Panting) I have two girls.
Jo: I had nurses send them to the daycare while we work on her.
Carina: You are in good hands Ingrid, we're gonna take really good care of you and your baby.
Ingrid: I-I can't have this baby, it's not due for another two months.
Amber: We're gonna figure out what's wrong Ms. West. BP is 142/90.
Carina: It's probably from anxiety or the pain, but we should order labs just in case. I am going to do a pelvic exam Ingrid so lie back and relax.
(Carina spreads her legs and pulls the blanket revealing blood staining her gown in the pelvic area. Amber looks at Carina in worry)
Carina: (Puts on gloves) Your gonna feel a little pressure. (Does an exam) She's bleeding from the cervix, grab six mag bolus and page OB, tell them we're coming up.
Ingrid: (Panics) Wait, what's happening?
Jo: Ms. West we believe you have an abruption; your placenta is separating from the wall of your uterus. This is a sign of pre-eclampsia with HELLP syndrome.
Ingrid: What does that mean?
Amber: It means we need to deliver this baby now before you go into shock.
Ingrid: (Panics) No, no, no, you can't do this.
Carina: Ingrid I know that 35 weeks is more premature than you were hoping for, but right now your baby is more likely to survive outside your body than inside.
Ingrid: I can't deliver this baby premature; this is not my baby. I'm a surrogate I'm carrying this baby for someone else.
Amber: Even so Ingrid you are in great danger for-
Ingrid: I need to carry this baby to term or I won't get paid.
Carina: If we don't deliver this baby now your condition could be fatal for you and the baby.
Ingrid: (Stubborn) I need the money.
Jo: Ingrid-
Ingrid: No! We just got out of the shelter, okay? I got an apartment and a job as a waitress. I am not putting my girls through another Seattle winter inside a building with no heat so please, help me.
(Amber and Carina look at each other in worry)
CUT TO INTRO
SCENE: THE PIT
(Amber and Jo talk by the station while Carina attends to Ingrid who refuses to give birth)
Amber: Can we get a court order? Override her request and save her and the baby?
Jo: (Sighs) By the time we get a judge who will sign she could be dead. We need to figure out a plan.
Amber: She said she needed the pay out what do you think she meant by that?
Jo: I don't know I guess she gets extra if she delivers to term.
Amber: God this is a mess what the hell are we gonna do?
(Amber grips the station inhaling and exhaling. Jo notices)
Jo: Are you okay? You and Alex both do this thing where you ignore what's bothering you by brooding, it's a family trait. What's going on?
Amber: (Snaps at Jo) What's going on Jo is that there is a woman in that room who is willing to kill herself and an innocent child over some money that a questionable pair are giving her. And when she dies her girls will be orphans and, in the system, because we can't do anything under the orders of a highly hormonal and unstable woman. Can we override due to insanity?
Jo: Amber, you and I know the signs of irrationality and that woman in there is not displaying any of them.
Amber: She is willing to risk the life of her baby, does that sound stable to you?
Jo: She's a gestational surrogate she has no genetic connection to that baby she's carrying. For her it's about making enough money to take care of her kids. I know it's hard for you but we have to respect her wishes.
Amber: (Scoffs) Jo, you can't seriously expect me to sit back and watch her die, there has to something we can do.
Jo: Okay, okay, let me think…okay you call the surrogacy agency see if they can help us find a solution and we can ask Bailey to step in.
Amber: Okay. I'll go back in and ask what agency she's a surrogate for.
(Amber goes back inside the trauma room)
LATER ON THE SECOND FLOOR
(Amber joins Jo walking down the hall)
Jo: Did you call the agency?
Amber: Yeah, their attorney is in the conference room, right now. Bailey?
Jo: About to ask her to join us.
(They beat Andrew in getting to Bailey first)
Jo: Dr. Bailey we need your help, we need you in the conference room.
Bailey: (Ignoring them) 'Not enough residency positions to train doctors, and with an aging population and overwhelmed workforce, we are stretched too thin, and patients are paying the price.'
Jo: So, is that a yes?
Andrew: Hey, uh, Chief, uh, some of the residents are a little confused.
Bailey: (Still ignoring them) 'There's a nationwide epidemic of physician burnout, increasing the risk of medical error, lowering your quality of care, and costing patients and doctors their lives.'
(Amber looks at her watch impatiently and, on an impulse, snatches the tablet from Bailey's hands shocking Andrew and Jo)
Bailey: Karev, what are you-
Amber: I'm sorry Chief but time is of the essence right now. I'll give you the CliffsNotes, there's a surrogate with pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome in trauma who's refusing to give birth. She is 35 weeks pregnant and says she needs to carry to term or she won't get paid. Now I've called the surrogacy agency and their lawyer is in the conference room now and we need your help to put the fear of God in her so we can get Ingrid to deliver saving her life and that of the baby. Can you help us?
(Bailey looks at Amber with a scowl scaring her into giving back the tablet)
Amber: Please?
Bailey: …Tell the lawyer I will be there in five minutes.
(Jo runs out to do that)
Amber: (Exhales) Thank you and sorry for that it's just-
Bailey: DeLuca you go now.
Andrew: L-Link was supposed to be with Qadri, and Simms was supposed to have Hunt. They're all just a little lost, so…
Bailey: That sounds like a chief resident problem.
Andrew: There is no chief resident.
(Amber and Bailey look at Andrew confused)
Andrew: Dr. Kang quit this morning.
Bailey: Because of this list?
Andrew: I'm guessing.
Bailey: Well, congratulations. You are my new chief resident. Maybe you can fix what Meredith Grey broke.
Andrew and Amber: (Shocked) What?
Bailey: You heard me. Do you feel that this article is an accurate representation of our hospital?
Andrew: No, I do not.
Bailey: Good. Go. Lead. Bye. She-Karev, join us in the conference room when you can.
(Bailey leaves the floor. Amber goes down the hall with Andrew following her)
Andrew: Hey are you okay to do this?
Amber: Andrew, I am fine.
Andrew: You just snatched a tablet from the chief of surgery so I think that warrants me to worry a little bit about you and whether you can handle this case or not.
Amber: (Groans) Andrew I am trying to keep a woman and a baby from dying. I do not have time to be coddled by my boyfriend so please just go and be the chief resident and stop asking me if I am okay.
(Andrew stops following her but is still worried about her)
CUT TO BLACK
SCENE: CONFERENCE ROOM
(Amber, Jo and Bailey speak to the surrogacy's attorney, Sarah Nefoy. Amber reads the contract thoroughly)
Sarah: Ms. West's clients are a couple who are desperate for children and they have turned to her help in making that dream come true.
Jo: But her life is in jeopardy.
Bailey: Ms. Nefoy, please explain this arrangement between Ms. West and the couple.
Sarah: Well, she has graciously allowed out client's baby to develop inside her womb. In turn they give her a living stipend for every week she nurtures that baby.
Jo: She specifically says she needs the payout, what's that?
Amber: (Finds it in the contract) It's right here on page 8. They promised a bonus of 15,000 dollars if Ms. West carries to at least 40 weeks. If she doesn't, they don't pay, this is what she's killing herself for.
Bailey: Ms. Nefoy, this contract is incentivizing our patient to put her health at risk. Is there any way to alter this?
Sarah: How so?
Bailey: Perhaps Ingrid would be willing to deliver the baby if she knew that she was still eligible for at least a part of that bonus.
Sarah: Unfortunately, our clients have stipulated that they do not wish to adopt a premature baby.
(Amber looks up from reading the contract in shock over this revelation)
Amber: It's their baby, they hired a surrogate out of desperation to get pregnant. They can't just abandon their child.
Sarah: According to the law, my clients are under no obligation to adopt this child.
Jo: Wait so who is responsible for this baby?
Sarah: If the bio parents choose not to adopt, Ms. West is welcome to keep the child or turn it to the state.
Amber: (Scoffs) Welcome to keep it? This is a human being not a dog.
Bailey: Dr. Karev. Ms. Nefoy, this contract seems to protect everyone except Ms. West and that baby.
Sarah: (Stands up) I'm sorry but that is the arrangement she willingly agreed to. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call my office.
(Sarah leaves the room)
Jo: This cannot be legal.
Amber: (Sighs) She signed it so technically it is. Damn it!
(Amber slams the contract on the table loudly)
Amber: We can't just do nothing, we have to do something, we have to talk to Ingrid.
Jo: She doesn't want to hear it.
Bailey: Not from you two but maybe she'll hear it from another mother. Show me to her.
CUT TO THE TRAUMA ROOM
(Amber and Jo enter to find Carina taking care of Ingrid who is still pregnant and in pain)
Carina: Her BP is at 160/100 and baby is having rapid heartrate.
Jo: Ms. West we can't delay this delivery any longer, we need to do a c section now.
Ingrid: (Stubborn) No please.
Bailey: Ingrid, I'm Dr. Bailey, I'm so sorry you're going through such a rough time right now. I know when my water broke, I was a mess, my husband was in an O.R. there was a bomb threat and I didn't want to deliver either.
Ingrid: (Panting) I told Dr. Karev and DeLuca; I can't have this baby now. My girls are counting on me to keep a roof over their heads.
Bailey: I understand, I have a son. I would do anything for him but do you understand what's happening to you and the baby right now? The proteins from your placenta are poisoning your blood, and at any moment you could have an eclamptic seizure that could kill you and this baby.
(Ingrid shakes her head crying)
Bailey: Ms. West, your girls would rather spend another Seattle winter in a shelter than a lifetime without their mother. Do not orphan them for this money.
(Amber notices Ingrid slowly coming to terms with this)
Amber: Ingrid, look at me.
(Ingrid looks at her)
Amber: I grew up in and out of the system because my mother had an illness that she could barely handle. I was resentful because a part of her choose to ignore the meds and leave me to fend for myself. Your daughters need you to make the choice that can save your life and theirs. If you don't, they will grow up alone and angry that their mother chose to kill herself over some cash. Don't deliver this baby for the money do it for your girls, please.
(Ingrid cries but nods her consent to their relief)
Amber: Okay.
Jo: (To nurse) Call OB tell them we're on our way.
(Carina, Amber and Jo wheel out a sobbing Ingrid)
AN HOUR LATER IN THE O.R.
(Amber works on suction as Jo retracts the open stomach while Carina slices open the stomach)
Carina: We have fetal bradycardia. It's not getting oxygen.
Jo: We're almost there, come on.
(Amber suctions the blood as Carina takes the baby out of the uterus with Jo retracting. The baby comes out with Carina cutting the umbilical cord)
Carina: He's apneaic. Amber, suction.
(Amber puts the nasal aspirator in the baby boy's mouth trying to get him to breathe)
Amber: Come on baby, come on.
(The baby lets out a weak whimper before crying to Amber's relief)
Amber: (Exhales in joy) He's good, premature but healthy.
Carina: Let's get him to the NICU.
Amber: Wait, just hold on.
(Amber carries the baby gently to Ingrid's viewpoint who is awake and crying. She turns her head away from the view of the baby)
Amber: It's a boy.
Jo: Do you want to see your baby?
Ingrid: (Desperate not to get attached) I ca-I can't.
Amber: Ingrid-
Ingrid: No.
(Amber looks at the crying baby in sadness over his situation)
Ingrid: (Sad) Take it away.
(Amber takes the baby to the incubator wrapping him in a blanket as he cries. She feels tears down her cheeks as well)
LATER IN THE SCRUB ROOM
(Amber wipes her tears away as Jo goes in to scrub out)
Jo: You did really good today. You helped Ingrid to deliver and because of you that baby is alive and her kids are-
Amber: I can't have a baby.
Jo: (Startled) …What?
Amber: (Inhales) After the exam Lachman called me back in to run more tests and um…there were a lot of big words but the main thing is that I can't have kids. My chances of having a baby grown in my uterus are at 10%.
Jo: (Shocked) Oh my god Amber. Is that why you've been acting strange today?
Amber: Yeah, and you know what the worst part is? (Voice breaking in anger) It took this for me to finally realize I want a family. Like the world just loves to punish me with cruel irony.
Jo: (Rubs her arm in comfort) Why didn't you come talk to me? Or Alex?
Amber: You guys have enough problems as it is, I didn't want to bother you.
Jo: Hey, listen to me, you never have to think that you can't unload on us. No matter how many times Alex complains about Pac-North or how many mental hospitals I visit, you can always always come to us in your time of need. That's what family is for.
(Amber nods feeling slightly better)
Jo: Does Andrew know?
Amber: Yeah, I told him.
Jo: And what did he say?
Amber: He uh he said he wanted kids before I told him and then after he said he would love me no matter what and…I want to believe him but I feel like he just said it to make me feel better. What if I can't have a baby with him and he doesn't want to stay? What happens then?
Jo: Well, at least then you'll know he's not the one for you. And if that happens, you have me do you hear me? You will always count on me being in your life no matter what.
(Amber tears up at this)
Jo: Do you need a hug?
Amber: …Yes please.
(Jo hugs Amber who appreciates having her sister)
Amber: Thank you.
Jo: Anytime.
(They stop hugging and scrub out running into Carina outside)
Jo: How's the baby? Are there any issues?
Carina: He was born shy of four pounds and his lungs are a little underdeveloped but a few weeks in the NICU will help.
Amber: That's good.
(They are approached by Sarah Nefoy)
Sarah: I'm sorry but I have some unfortunate news. Our clients have pulled out.
Carina: What?
Sarah: They don't feel equipped to deal with the complications of a premature baby.
(Amber closes her eyes in frustration)
Jo: The baby is healthy, he just needs a little extra love and attention.
Sarah: I understand and my heart goes out to Ingrid after all she went through.
(Amber shakes her head at the lawyer)
Sarah: But don't worry I'm sure we can find an adventurous couple willing take on that little bundle of joy and who knows maybe get a little something for Ingrid.
Amber: (Spiteful) Anything to make sure you get a fee as well, right?
(Jo and Carina look at Amber as Sarah looks on in shock over the comment but remains composed)
Sarah: Excuse me.
(Sarah leaves them. Amber has a blank and void look on her face from the events)
Jo: Amber-
(Amber turns around and leaves them)
CUT TO BLACK
LATER AT THE NICU
(Amber stands outside the room looking at the baby inside the incubator with sadness and tears in her eyes. Andrew goes up to her)
Andrew: Amber.
Amber: (Sniffles) I should've listened to you, why didn't I listen to you?
Andrew: Jo told me you told her and I came here to check on you, make sure you were okay.
Amber: (Crying) Look at him, he's so little and he has no one.
Andrew: That's not true.
Amber: His parents don't want him because he's a few weeks premature and Ingrid…she has enough kids to take care of with barely enough ends meet she shouldn't have to take care of another kid that isn't even hers. This beautiful and healthy baby is all alone.
Andrew: He's not. Carina is calling a former patient of hers right now, they had a miscarriage a few months ago and are looking to adopt. If all goes well that baby will be theirs to foster and then adopt.
Amber: That's good. (Voice breaking) I would give anything to have a baby period, I don't care if he's premature I would take it if meant I could have one.
Andrew: (Rubs her back) You will, you will have that someday.
Amber: …Would you stay with me if I didn't?
Andrew: What?
Amber: (Inhales and turns to face Andrew) You said that you would be glad to have kids with me before I told you and after I did…you told me you would love me no matter what so…I need to know which is the truth.
Andrew: Both.
Amber: (Doubtful) Andrew don't lie to me please.
Andrew: I'm not lying. Amber, I do want kids and I want to have them with you in the future but…I also know now that that may not happen the way we want it to. I'm saying that I love you and if you want to do IVF, I will be there through the crazy hormones and jacking into a cup. If you want to adopt, we can adopt and I will love those kids like they're my own because they are. I love you and I will love whatever kids we decide to bring into this world, okay?
Amber: (Crying) You promise?
Andrew: I promise. Now come here.
(Andrew pulls Amber in for a hug kissing the top of her head as the babies in the NICU cry in the background)