Here is the last chapter of this story. The sequel is Discord. I will be posting the first chapter of that shortly. Amber
Chapter 30
Callie looked at Frank. They had decided to start trying but didn't expect it to be this soon. She had a period last month or so she thought. She found her voice. "So I have HG again."
Joe nodded. "Yes your potassium is critically low. I'm going to run some more labs. Your heart rate is irregular right now. It's most likely due to the low potassium but I have to check your heart. I also want to watch your magnesium level; it is very low. So we're going to start a second line and give you some magnesium as well as the potassium. Guess who's being admitted for a bit until your levels improve and you're not symptomatic."
Callie stuck out her tongue. "We need to call Dr. Wagner immediately."
"Already done. He's doing a delivery but is going to come down. He's ordered an ultrasound."
The ultrasound tech came into the room. Joe clapped his brother on the back. "Congrats!"
Callie after the ultrasound moaned. "We have to FaceTime everyone."
Frank pulled out his phone. He sat beside Callie on the bed and dialed his father's IPAD on FaceTime. His father answered. "We are playing a game of clue. How's Callie?"
Frank turned the phone. Callie waved at Fenton. Fenton saw the oxygen and was immediately concerned. "What's going on?" The girls and Laura came behind them.
Laura asked. "Why is she on oxygen?"
Frank answered. "She's feeling weak and having chest pains. Her potassium is critically low, her magnesium is very low but not critical. She's being admitted to get her levels back up."
"Is that why mommy was throwing up for the last week?" Claire asked.
Frank turned and raised an eyebrow. Callie slumped. "I didn't want to worry you."
Laura scolded. "Callie Ann Hardy why didn't you tell anyone you were getting sick."
"The upcoming now finished sentencing hearing. There's a reason I'm sick."
Laura said. "Yes."
Frank swallowed 'crap she already knows! Just like when they first made love in high school!'
Frank said. "Callie is pregnant."
The girls squealed in delight.
Brooke asked. "How far along are you?"
Callie answered. "Eight weeks we think. Dr. Wagner will confirm."
At that moment Dr. Wagner came in. "Well hello, your labs aren't pretty right now. They haven't started the second line yet. That will happen very soon. You're nine weeks pregnant according to the ultrasound. That will make your due date December twentieth. You're going up to labor and delivery where you can be monitored."
Jake came back in with his tote. "I'm starting a second line. Do you want it in the same arm."
Callie said. "If you can, yes."
Frank disconnected the FaceTime call. He moved so that Jake could insert the other IV. Jake found another vein in Callie's arm and inserted the second IV. He got some blood in a green top due to needing Cardiac enzymes. Then he started a dose of potassium and a dose of magnesium.
Callie moaned. "My chest is killing me."
Joe came in as she said it. He saw her heartbeat was 180. That would make anyone's chest hurt. He said. "What's your pain on a scale from one to ten?"
"A seven but it spasms up to a nine."
Joe said. "I'll order some morphine. The magnesium is also going to help with that."
Joe went to the computer and entered the orders. "Have they collected blood from her yet?"
"The nurse just did from the IV. He got a green top."
Joe nodded. "Okay. I'm going to make sure that specimen is in the lab. She'll be down here until her heart rate improves."
Laura Hardy stepped into the room. She handed a bag to Frank. "Clothes for both of you. I just reviewed your labs. They aren't pretty. Joe, she needs a urinalysis ASAP."
Joe entered the order. "Order in."
Callie said. "I can pee now."
She went to sit up. Laura Hardy snapped her fingers. "Not a toe out of that bed while your heart rate is this high and you're feeling weak. They can straight cath you for the urine easily enough."
Callie grimaced. This was going to hurt. Laura returned a few minutes later with the items needed. Jake came in as she was setting up. "I have her morphine. We only have one female nurse working tonight."
Laura said. "I'm a certified nurse midwife. I can do the catheter if Callie isn't comfortable."
Callie shrugged. "I don't care. Jake can do it. You and Frank are in the room."
Jake gave Callie the morphine. Her body immediately relaxed. Then he put on the sterile gloves and expertly got the urine. Callie felt a whole lot better. Her chest wasn't hurting nearly as much. She still felt weak though. Laura watched her vitals like a hawk. Callie's heart rate finally started going down.
Joe checked the computer. "Your troponin level is normal. We'll repeat it in four hours and repeat your mag level and your potassium level."
Callie was very sleepy. She said. "Okay where am I going now?"
Laura said. "Up to L and D for monitoring dear."
Callie nodded. "Okay. Who's my admitting."
Ben's father walked in. "That would be me and Dr. Wagner."
Callie nodded. "Hello David."
"They're going to get you upstairs. I'll be in the loop. But Dr. Wagner and his team have point."
Frank slept on the fold out bed in Callie's L and D suite. It had been quite a day. The monster responsible for hurting Brooke was sentenced to multiple life sentences with no parole. Now his lovely wife was expecting another baby. This would be their last one! Though two years ago they wouldn't have considered having another baby. But Ford surprised them and Callie did not develop the psychosis. She probably would this time and they would be prepared. Just like they had been prepared for it after Ford's birth. It had been a miracle really. His wife and children were his miracles. Yes they'd had a lot of heartache this past year and things were desperate for a while. But now they were a stronger family than before. He turned and looked at his sleeping wife. Yes another baby was coming around Christmas. Ford and this child would be exactly a year apart. Unless it came early. Frank couldn't wait to find out.
