As they approach the entrance to the special care unit the charge nurse rises from the desk. She offers a concerned glance, and stern instructions. After thorough handwashing Hecate reluctantly enters through a sliding door. She transfers from the wheelchair to a rocking chair. A physician, and nurse greet her. Julie moves across the room to join Ada. Hecate attempts to tamp down all emotion as she faces a tiny baby inside an iso-let tethered to a ventilator with a host of tubes.
"She continues to try to extubate herself. We are concerned…"
Hecate cuts the physician off, "Take the tube out."
"Extubating her is an incredibly risky move. We do not have confidence that she will be able to breathe on her own. We can certainly offer supplemental oxygen, but it does not offer…"
Hecate locks eyes with the neonatologist. "I fully understand the risks that you are suggesting. If time is limited I reserve the right to preserve her quality of life. An entire life spent in a plastic bubble tethered to machinery is unreasonably cruel," her eyes brim with tears, "Please remove the tube, and remove her from the iso-let."
After several required signatures from her they grant her request. The nurse applies supplemental oxygen, and turns to Hecate.
"Are you familiar with the concept of kangaroo care?"
"I am not lacking in knowledge on the subject. I have spent an inordinate number of hours reading every piece of literature available to me on the subject of infant care. Please just relinquish her," She insists as she carefully unbuttons the shoulder of her gown.
The nurse lifts the little girl from her plexi-glass prison. Hecate readily accepts the newborn. Sensing the need for privacy the nurse makes herself scarce. Hecate rhythmically rocks as the newborn's skin is pressed against hers. Soon the sheepish little one's eyelids flutter open to reveal dark blue eyes. Hecate's hand is nearly as large as her four pound frame. As the minutes tick by eyes shift in their direction. The nurse waits on the edge of her seat for vital signs to begin plummeting. Baby "B"'s eyes widen as the time passes. Her skin begins to shift to a pink hue. Her face contorts, and what starts as little more than a mew transforms into a wail. Instinct kicks in, and the sound of a wailing newborn is replaced by vigorous sucking, before the nurse can even manage to venture across the room. By the time she arrives a second wail can be heard from across the room.
"How would you like to proceed?"
"I believe the source of that wail emanates from the other human who belongs to me," Hecate responds without a single upward glance.
"I can retrieve her. Your colleague has been dutifully offering her company for hours. I do not wish to overwhelm you, though."
"Please retrieve her."
Ada carries the sprite newborn across the way to her colleague. The nurse offers logistical assistance to HB. Julie nudges Ada, as they look on.
"We should go find some caffeine."
Ada nods, "Sounds like a prudent thing to do. They are in capable hands."
Hecate is utterly engrossed in the task at hand. As her nurse charges into the room like a bulldog hardly a blip is made on her radar. The special care nurse stops the OB nurse in her tracks.
"I just obtained vital signs on your patient. She is otherwise occupied at the moment. She is unavailable at this time."
Baby A stretches her leg until her foot rests on her sister's leg. The scene is quite strange Hecate realizes, as the sound of vigorous sucking proves to be music to her ears.
In the cafeteria the silence between Julie, and Ada is broken as they retire to a table with fresh cups of high octane caffeine. Ada pushes her glasses further up the bridge of her nose.
"I know that none of them are out of the woods yet, but quite frankly I am relieve to see Miss Hardbroom out of that bed. It as gut-wrenching to watch her lying there utterly unaware of the world around her."
"I must agree. I felt like an interloper holding her daughter while she recuperated. I am certain she wouldn't have wanted me to leave her side, but it wasn't my place. It is hers, and I hate that she wasn't afforded the opportunity from the onset."
"How do you think Baby B is going to fare?"
"She is a Hardbroom. Obstinate resolve to defy odds will likely prevail, in my opinion."
"I was worried HB might not be up for the task. I was having great difficulty picturing her in such a role given the circumstances, and that was before today."
"I have known her the majority of her life. I have never doubted that she has the skill to carry out any task, but I've had my fair share of concern that she would ever give into the vulnerability that is intertwined with parenthood."
Julie grins, "I think she gave vulnerability a knock on the chin."