Chapter 8: Near Miss
Susan leant over the pan and gagged, a fire-y, thickness rushed up out of her belly and deposited itself in the bowl. She retched again but nothing happened and so slowly, wiping her mouth, she straightened herself up. Suddenly an immensely crippling pain filled her abdomen and Susan passed out in the cubicle.
Chen had followed Susan to check that she was okay. There was no noise from the washroom so she made her way forward to wash her hands when in the mirror she spotted Susan laying on the floor of the stall, unconscious. "We need a gurney in here. Now!" She yelled out the door then she ran over to Susan and checked her airway, breathing and pulse. Susan remained unconscious as she was loaded onto the gurney. Several members of staff rushed to her aide as she was rushed through admit. Kerry practically beat them off with her stick and selected Yosh and Chuny to come in. "Susan, can you hear me? Open your eyes." Kerry ordered. Obediently Susan blinked open her eyes. "Let's get her into a gown." Chuny helped her out of her clothes while Doctor Weaver prepared to give Susan a full exam. "Susan, do you know why you passed out?" Weaver asked. Susan explained that he had just received a phone call from the police and that they were coming to collect her, she mumbled something about the disappearance of her sister and bad news. "Umm. Doctor Weaver." Chuny beckoned Weaver down to the bottom of the bed. Kerry sighed, patted Susan's wrist reassuringly and moved over to Chuny. "Susan, you're spotting. Are you due?" She asked. Susan gasped and her face flushed, she shook her head and sighed. "Are you pregnant?" Kerry whispered. "I've lost it haven't I?" Susan replied avoiding Kerry's eyes. "You know it's not uncommon for women to suffer from spotting when they're under a lot of stress. Just relax. I'm going to get the ultrasound scanner. How for along are you?" "Nearly two months. I think." Susan muttered. "Susan, you'll be okay. I know it's tough but just do your best to relax. Can I call anyone?" "Oh God! The police. Chloe. I have to go." Susan made to get off the gurney. "Susan. Don't be ridiculous." Gently she pushed Susan back down. "You know the risks." Kerry turned to Chuny. "Can you get the scanner and get Frank to call the police to let them know Dr. Lewis can't make it?" Chuny nodded and left. "It's okay Susan. I'm sure everything will work out." Kerry was trying to be reassuring but to Susan it just sounded hollow. "Doctor Weaver." Yosh looked up from drawing blood and nodded towards the door. Two police officers were standing outside. "Thanks. I'll handle it." Doctor Weaver patted Susan's wrist and left.
"What's going on?" Luka walked up to the admit desk. Everyone seemed to have gathered there. "What's going on?" He smiled faintly. Carter was the first to reply, he looked pale. "Susan's in there." He gestured towards the room. "Suspected miscarriage." Luka felt cold and hot at the same time, his chest was tight and he could feel himself trembling. It was like losing his wife and kids all over again. "Weaver's in there right now." Abby told Luka, laying a reassuring hand on top of one of his. Luka nodded. His mouth was too dry to speak. Several people were looking at him pityingly. Without even thinking he began to make his was towards the room where he knew Susan was. "What? Luka? What are you doing?" Carter started to follow him and reached out to haul him back. "Carter no!" Abby took hold of Carter's wrists. "Let him go. He's the father." She whispered. The assembled group watched him go.
Luka entered the room silently. Susan lay on the bed; a pale-faced Weaver sat beside her trying to find a fetal pulse. The door clicked shut behind him and both Susan and Weaver looked up. Tears were running down Susan's cheeks that gave Luka a strange pang of guilt. "Oh. Luka. Really, we don't need you here." Doctor Weaver began. "No." Susan stopped her. She reached out a hand, which Luka grasped and squeezed gently before letting go of Susan's hand and taking a step away from the bed - he wasn't sure if he could take this. Surreptitiously Kerry watched them and in doing so she allowed her hand to drop, she was convinced that Susan must have lost the baby even though there had been very little bleeding. Suddenly a strange, pulsating noise filled the silent air of the room, it sounded like someone steadily punching their way through a room of jello. Everyone looked at the monitor, including Chuny who had been hovering near the doorway. A beaming smile spread across Weaver's face and she adjusted the monitor so that Susan and Luka could watch their tiny, unborn child's heartbeat. "Strong Fetal Pulse." Weaver announced, "Luka?" She turned to face him but said nothing. Susan looked at Luka and gently lifted a hand to beckon him forward. He reached out a hand and took hers in his but didn't dare take his eyes off the monitor in case his child disappeared from the screen. "Chuny, can you call up to OB and see if they have that bed ready yet? Susan is that okay?" Weaver asked, "I'll just give you a moment together." She indicated towards Chuny who slipped out of the room to continue the phone call. Susan looked deep into Luka's eyes and sighed, then relaxed and let her head drop onto his shoulder. "Can you go round to my place and get some stuff for me? You still have a key, don't you?" Luka nodded as Chuny, Malik and Weaver came in to take Susan up to OB. "I'll come up and see how you're getting on later." Then to Kerry he said, "Kerry, I'll stay on for an extra couple of hours tonight, you don't mind if I go get some stuff now."
As she was wheeled off to the elevator Susan gave Luka strict instructions of what she needed, where it could be found and what Hannah (Susie's babysitter) needed to be told, Kerry also told Luka what needed to be said to the police before hurrying into the elevator with Susan and the nurses.
Luka was gone less than an hour. When he returned he found Abby sat in the ambulance bay taking a sneaky cigarette. She seemed to be looking out for someone. "Abby, you shouldn't be doing that, should you?" He joked, creeping up on her, "I'll have to tell Carter." Abby smiled a little and stubbed out her cigarette. "Don't." She threatened. "Carter told me to wait for you here. Susie's on her way in, suspected broken wrist. We haven't told Susan yet because we don't want to worry her." Luka took all this in. "Here. Take this up to Susan. Tell her I'll be up in a bit, with Susie." He handed her a small blue holdall. Abby nodded and started towards the entrance, "Luka, she's right for you. Just hat you've always wanted, and needed. You love her. Don't throw it away." Luka watched her go and turned round in time to see Susie being helped out of Miss MacPherson's car.
"Where's Auntie Susan?" Susie asked Luka innocently. "She's upstairs. I'll take you up to see her soon. Now look here." He pointed at a spot on the X-ray. "See that little black line. That means your wrist is broken." "Do I get a cast?" Susie asked excitedly. "I'm afraid so." Susie nearly bounced off the bed with delight, Luka was worried she'd fall and break the other wrist. Half an hour later Luka was escorting Susie (and her brand new, blue plaster cast up to OB to see Susan. "Luka. Is Auntie Susan having a baby?" She asked, bouncing around and almost knocking herself out with her arm. "I don't know. I do know that she has something to tell you, and Susie - " He paused and knelt down in front of her, putting both hands on her shoulders to keep her still, " - I don't think it's good news. Okay?" Susie nodded earnestly and then looked up to see a policeman and woman emerging from a room. "Is that Auntie Susan's?" Luka stood up and peered through the door. He nodded. Susie sighed heavily and relaxed her shoulders. "Are you ready?" He asked her, she nodded. "Be gentle with her - " He gave her a slight nudge through the door. " - go on."
At the sight of her niece coming through the door Susan's face lit up and her eyes glowed brightly against her pale skin. Behind Susie was Luka. He came in and stood at the foot of her bed and explained what had happened to Susie's arm. "I'll go no." He muttered and made to go. "No. Stay." Susan replied and pointed to a chair in the corner. Obediently Luka took a seat. "Susie. Come here." Susan patted the bed with the arm that wasn't attached to the various monitors and IV drips. "I'm afraid I have some bad news about your Mommy." Susie's face remained emotionless. "Is she dead?" Susan's eyes welled up and her voice stuck in her throat. She croaked a little and then nodded. Susie nodded too and fumbled with the bed sheets. "IS she here?" "No, she's somewhere else." Susan managed. "Was she sick?" Susan choked again. Then nodded. "She got really sick and the doctors couldn't make her better. She was too broken, Susie." "So I won't see her any more. Like Daddy?" Susie asked quietly. Susan nodded. "So you can stay with me now. If that's okay with you." She forced a smile and brushed a tear from the child's cheek. "But you're sick!" Susie burst out jumping off the bed. She whirled round to face Luka. Everyone she had ever loved and trusted had got sick and now they were all leaving her alone in this big scary world, Auntie Susan couldn't get sick as well, she couldn't leave her too. Susie made a sudden dash for the door but Luka grabbed her, lifted her up and whispered a reminder in her ear before setting her back down on the bed. "Susie. I'm having a baby. I'm not sick." She reached out and tapped Susie's plaster cast. "We're gonna need to look after each other." Susie looked puzzled for a few minutes, then she hugged her Aunt; catching Susan by surprise. They hugged for sometime until a nurse came in to tell Susan that there was someone to see her and to take Susie off to play. Once the nurse had gone Luka sat down on the edge of the bed. "I can take her tonight. If you want." He told her. Susan nodded and opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. Finally Luka broke the silence. "Are you keeping it?" He asked slowly in a cracked voice. Once again Susan opened her mouth but thought better of it and conceded to make do with a nod.
"Susan." Kerry Weaver said as she entered the room. "I should go." Luka announced jumping up. "I'll come by with Susie tomorrow." He told her as he left. "How are you feeling now?" Kerry asked, seating herself in a chair by Susan's bed. "Fine. Better." She replied. "Why didn't you tell me that you're pregnant? I could have been easier on you. given you an easier schedule." "I didn't tell you because I didn't know what I was going to do. I was scared Kerry." Susan explained. "But Susan - " Kerry interrupted " - if you'd told us then." "Kerry. I'm pregnant. I'm trying to raise my sister's child. I'm juggling work, life and relationships and I can handle this by myself." Susan trailed off. "You obviously can't if this is where you end up. Look this has been quite a shock to you, take the next week off then you can come in and we'll adjust your schedule. Do you need any help with Susie? I'll be happy to watch her if you need me to." "I'm okay. Luka's taken Susie. She's not good with new people, she knows Luka." Susan told her. "What about the baby's father?" Kerry asked. Susan looked her right in the eye and raised an eyebrow. "Luka? I didn't know you two were together." "We were." Susan sighed. "Oh. I'm sorry. I should probably go. Sorry if I've." "It's okay. I'm fine and he's fine. We're going to work everything out." She patted her belly gently, "anyway, look's like I have the future to think about." Kerry smiled at Susan. "You'll be fine Susan. I'm sure everything will work out for the best." With that she left, closing the door quietly behind her. Leaving Susan alone.
Susan leant over the pan and gagged, a fire-y, thickness rushed up out of her belly and deposited itself in the bowl. She retched again but nothing happened and so slowly, wiping her mouth, she straightened herself up. Suddenly an immensely crippling pain filled her abdomen and Susan passed out in the cubicle.
Chen had followed Susan to check that she was okay. There was no noise from the washroom so she made her way forward to wash her hands when in the mirror she spotted Susan laying on the floor of the stall, unconscious. "We need a gurney in here. Now!" She yelled out the door then she ran over to Susan and checked her airway, breathing and pulse. Susan remained unconscious as she was loaded onto the gurney. Several members of staff rushed to her aide as she was rushed through admit. Kerry practically beat them off with her stick and selected Yosh and Chuny to come in. "Susan, can you hear me? Open your eyes." Kerry ordered. Obediently Susan blinked open her eyes. "Let's get her into a gown." Chuny helped her out of her clothes while Doctor Weaver prepared to give Susan a full exam. "Susan, do you know why you passed out?" Weaver asked. Susan explained that he had just received a phone call from the police and that they were coming to collect her, she mumbled something about the disappearance of her sister and bad news. "Umm. Doctor Weaver." Chuny beckoned Weaver down to the bottom of the bed. Kerry sighed, patted Susan's wrist reassuringly and moved over to Chuny. "Susan, you're spotting. Are you due?" She asked. Susan gasped and her face flushed, she shook her head and sighed. "Are you pregnant?" Kerry whispered. "I've lost it haven't I?" Susan replied avoiding Kerry's eyes. "You know it's not uncommon for women to suffer from spotting when they're under a lot of stress. Just relax. I'm going to get the ultrasound scanner. How for along are you?" "Nearly two months. I think." Susan muttered. "Susan, you'll be okay. I know it's tough but just do your best to relax. Can I call anyone?" "Oh God! The police. Chloe. I have to go." Susan made to get off the gurney. "Susan. Don't be ridiculous." Gently she pushed Susan back down. "You know the risks." Kerry turned to Chuny. "Can you get the scanner and get Frank to call the police to let them know Dr. Lewis can't make it?" Chuny nodded and left. "It's okay Susan. I'm sure everything will work out." Kerry was trying to be reassuring but to Susan it just sounded hollow. "Doctor Weaver." Yosh looked up from drawing blood and nodded towards the door. Two police officers were standing outside. "Thanks. I'll handle it." Doctor Weaver patted Susan's wrist and left.
"What's going on?" Luka walked up to the admit desk. Everyone seemed to have gathered there. "What's going on?" He smiled faintly. Carter was the first to reply, he looked pale. "Susan's in there." He gestured towards the room. "Suspected miscarriage." Luka felt cold and hot at the same time, his chest was tight and he could feel himself trembling. It was like losing his wife and kids all over again. "Weaver's in there right now." Abby told Luka, laying a reassuring hand on top of one of his. Luka nodded. His mouth was too dry to speak. Several people were looking at him pityingly. Without even thinking he began to make his was towards the room where he knew Susan was. "What? Luka? What are you doing?" Carter started to follow him and reached out to haul him back. "Carter no!" Abby took hold of Carter's wrists. "Let him go. He's the father." She whispered. The assembled group watched him go.
Luka entered the room silently. Susan lay on the bed; a pale-faced Weaver sat beside her trying to find a fetal pulse. The door clicked shut behind him and both Susan and Weaver looked up. Tears were running down Susan's cheeks that gave Luka a strange pang of guilt. "Oh. Luka. Really, we don't need you here." Doctor Weaver began. "No." Susan stopped her. She reached out a hand, which Luka grasped and squeezed gently before letting go of Susan's hand and taking a step away from the bed - he wasn't sure if he could take this. Surreptitiously Kerry watched them and in doing so she allowed her hand to drop, she was convinced that Susan must have lost the baby even though there had been very little bleeding. Suddenly a strange, pulsating noise filled the silent air of the room, it sounded like someone steadily punching their way through a room of jello. Everyone looked at the monitor, including Chuny who had been hovering near the doorway. A beaming smile spread across Weaver's face and she adjusted the monitor so that Susan and Luka could watch their tiny, unborn child's heartbeat. "Strong Fetal Pulse." Weaver announced, "Luka?" She turned to face him but said nothing. Susan looked at Luka and gently lifted a hand to beckon him forward. He reached out a hand and took hers in his but didn't dare take his eyes off the monitor in case his child disappeared from the screen. "Chuny, can you call up to OB and see if they have that bed ready yet? Susan is that okay?" Weaver asked, "I'll just give you a moment together." She indicated towards Chuny who slipped out of the room to continue the phone call. Susan looked deep into Luka's eyes and sighed, then relaxed and let her head drop onto his shoulder. "Can you go round to my place and get some stuff for me? You still have a key, don't you?" Luka nodded as Chuny, Malik and Weaver came in to take Susan up to OB. "I'll come up and see how you're getting on later." Then to Kerry he said, "Kerry, I'll stay on for an extra couple of hours tonight, you don't mind if I go get some stuff now."
As she was wheeled off to the elevator Susan gave Luka strict instructions of what she needed, where it could be found and what Hannah (Susie's babysitter) needed to be told, Kerry also told Luka what needed to be said to the police before hurrying into the elevator with Susan and the nurses.
Luka was gone less than an hour. When he returned he found Abby sat in the ambulance bay taking a sneaky cigarette. She seemed to be looking out for someone. "Abby, you shouldn't be doing that, should you?" He joked, creeping up on her, "I'll have to tell Carter." Abby smiled a little and stubbed out her cigarette. "Don't." She threatened. "Carter told me to wait for you here. Susie's on her way in, suspected broken wrist. We haven't told Susan yet because we don't want to worry her." Luka took all this in. "Here. Take this up to Susan. Tell her I'll be up in a bit, with Susie." He handed her a small blue holdall. Abby nodded and started towards the entrance, "Luka, she's right for you. Just hat you've always wanted, and needed. You love her. Don't throw it away." Luka watched her go and turned round in time to see Susie being helped out of Miss MacPherson's car.
"Where's Auntie Susan?" Susie asked Luka innocently. "She's upstairs. I'll take you up to see her soon. Now look here." He pointed at a spot on the X-ray. "See that little black line. That means your wrist is broken." "Do I get a cast?" Susie asked excitedly. "I'm afraid so." Susie nearly bounced off the bed with delight, Luka was worried she'd fall and break the other wrist. Half an hour later Luka was escorting Susie (and her brand new, blue plaster cast up to OB to see Susan. "Luka. Is Auntie Susan having a baby?" She asked, bouncing around and almost knocking herself out with her arm. "I don't know. I do know that she has something to tell you, and Susie - " He paused and knelt down in front of her, putting both hands on her shoulders to keep her still, " - I don't think it's good news. Okay?" Susie nodded earnestly and then looked up to see a policeman and woman emerging from a room. "Is that Auntie Susan's?" Luka stood up and peered through the door. He nodded. Susie sighed heavily and relaxed her shoulders. "Are you ready?" He asked her, she nodded. "Be gentle with her - " He gave her a slight nudge through the door. " - go on."
At the sight of her niece coming through the door Susan's face lit up and her eyes glowed brightly against her pale skin. Behind Susie was Luka. He came in and stood at the foot of her bed and explained what had happened to Susie's arm. "I'll go no." He muttered and made to go. "No. Stay." Susan replied and pointed to a chair in the corner. Obediently Luka took a seat. "Susie. Come here." Susan patted the bed with the arm that wasn't attached to the various monitors and IV drips. "I'm afraid I have some bad news about your Mommy." Susie's face remained emotionless. "Is she dead?" Susan's eyes welled up and her voice stuck in her throat. She croaked a little and then nodded. Susie nodded too and fumbled with the bed sheets. "IS she here?" "No, she's somewhere else." Susan managed. "Was she sick?" Susan choked again. Then nodded. "She got really sick and the doctors couldn't make her better. She was too broken, Susie." "So I won't see her any more. Like Daddy?" Susie asked quietly. Susan nodded. "So you can stay with me now. If that's okay with you." She forced a smile and brushed a tear from the child's cheek. "But you're sick!" Susie burst out jumping off the bed. She whirled round to face Luka. Everyone she had ever loved and trusted had got sick and now they were all leaving her alone in this big scary world, Auntie Susan couldn't get sick as well, she couldn't leave her too. Susie made a sudden dash for the door but Luka grabbed her, lifted her up and whispered a reminder in her ear before setting her back down on the bed. "Susie. I'm having a baby. I'm not sick." She reached out and tapped Susie's plaster cast. "We're gonna need to look after each other." Susie looked puzzled for a few minutes, then she hugged her Aunt; catching Susan by surprise. They hugged for sometime until a nurse came in to tell Susan that there was someone to see her and to take Susie off to play. Once the nurse had gone Luka sat down on the edge of the bed. "I can take her tonight. If you want." He told her. Susan nodded and opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. Finally Luka broke the silence. "Are you keeping it?" He asked slowly in a cracked voice. Once again Susan opened her mouth but thought better of it and conceded to make do with a nod.
"Susan." Kerry Weaver said as she entered the room. "I should go." Luka announced jumping up. "I'll come by with Susie tomorrow." He told her as he left. "How are you feeling now?" Kerry asked, seating herself in a chair by Susan's bed. "Fine. Better." She replied. "Why didn't you tell me that you're pregnant? I could have been easier on you. given you an easier schedule." "I didn't tell you because I didn't know what I was going to do. I was scared Kerry." Susan explained. "But Susan - " Kerry interrupted " - if you'd told us then." "Kerry. I'm pregnant. I'm trying to raise my sister's child. I'm juggling work, life and relationships and I can handle this by myself." Susan trailed off. "You obviously can't if this is where you end up. Look this has been quite a shock to you, take the next week off then you can come in and we'll adjust your schedule. Do you need any help with Susie? I'll be happy to watch her if you need me to." "I'm okay. Luka's taken Susie. She's not good with new people, she knows Luka." Susan told her. "What about the baby's father?" Kerry asked. Susan looked her right in the eye and raised an eyebrow. "Luka? I didn't know you two were together." "We were." Susan sighed. "Oh. I'm sorry. I should probably go. Sorry if I've." "It's okay. I'm fine and he's fine. We're going to work everything out." She patted her belly gently, "anyway, look's like I have the future to think about." Kerry smiled at Susan. "You'll be fine Susan. I'm sure everything will work out for the best." With that she left, closing the door quietly behind her. Leaving Susan alone.