That night had not been one of restful sleep for neither Beck, nor Jade. Jade had been moved to her L&D room around 11. While Beck and Jade had silently decided to end the fighting for that night, the tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife. Jade fell asleep around 12:30, facing away from Beck. Beck finally started drifting off around 1:30. Unfortunately for both of them, an all too perky nurse came traipsing in around 2, to check Jade and the baby's vitals. She left around 2:15. They were able to get a couple more hours of sleep, before another nurse came in at 5. This nurse again checked vitals, and left about 15 minutes later. The same routine happened once more at 7, and then Jade's doctor came in around 7:30.
"Good morning, you two. How're you feeling today, Jade?" The doctor greeted, as she walked into the room and turned on the light that sat above the bed.
Jade sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was beyond mad that she'd gotten barely any sleep. "I'm tired and cranky. I didn't fall asleep until 12:30 and then every two hours a nurse came in."
"Yeah, it's protocol. We need to make sure you and the baby are doing well."
"When can I go home?"
"Your vitals are looking good, better than yesterday. The medicine we gave you brought your blood pressure down to a more tolerable level. You haven't experienced any contractions. The baby's heart rate is back up to a comfortable 155. After I check your cervix for dilation, I'd say you can probably be discharged around noon today. When you do go home, you need to be on bed rest. No more than an hour of walking everyday. Really the only time you should get up from the bed is to use the bathroom."
"What happens if I don't stay on bed rest?" Jade really didn't want to be stuck in a bed she shared with her kind of ex-boyfriend all day.
"Your blood pressure could spike, causing contractions to start, causing cervical dilation, causing preterm labor. Your baby could be born premature."
"Oh. What happens if the baby is premature?"
"Well, at this point in the pregnancy, the baby would most likely be fine in the long run. At birth, though, they would most likely need to spend a few weeks or more in the NICU on oxygen. Jaundice is probable, meaning hours upon hours of UV light therapy would be necessary. They would most definitely be born underweight. This could cause growth problems as they age. A premature baby's lungs aren't fully developed, meaning oxygen levels will be low. This can lead to mild hypoxia and possible mental deficits."
"My baby could have brain damage if I don't stay in bed?"
"Yes, it is possible."
Jade sighed. "I guess I'm going to spend the next few weeks on bed rest, then."
"Good. Now, if it's alright with you, I would like to check your cervix for dilation. It's unlikely that your cervix is dilated anymore than 1 centimeter, but we need to know that for sure. If your cervix is dilated over one centimeter, we will need to act immediately. I will apply a gel to your cervix that should stop dilation. If it doesn't, an emergency C-section might be necessary."
"Um, ok. Just do whatever you have to do."
The doctor put on a pair of gloves and then sat down on the stool that had been sitting at the desk in the corner of the room. She put Jade's legs in the stirrups that were connected to the bed. She then sat down in front of Jade. She rolled up Jade's hospital gown and moved Jade's underwear slightly down her leg.
"This might be slightly uncomfortable, but if it is ever painful, tell me."
The doctor carefully inserted her fingers into Jade's vagina. It was definitely uncomfortable. She quickly checked Jade's cervix and then pulled her fingers back out.
"Like I'd suspected, your cervix is only about a centimeter dilated, and hasn't started thinning, yet. This means, barring any complications, you should be able to go home around noon today." The doctor said, as she fixed Jade's clothes and then took off her gloves.
"Ok." Jade really didn't know what else to say.
"Do either of you have nay questions for me?"
Jade and Beck both shook their heads.
"Ok, I should be back by around 11 to check on you. If you need anything, just remember to press that red call button." The doctor gave one last look to Jade and Beck before leaving the room.
The pair was again left in silence. Beck had woken up when the doctor came in, but decided to stay on the couch and remain quiet. He didn't know what to say, anyway. They'd been at a crossroads when they'd ended their discussion the previous night. Nothing had been resolved.
After about 10 minutes of awkward silence, Beck finally decided to bite the bullet. He knew she'd keep the silence going for hours if he didn't say anything.
"Have you changed your mind at all since last night?" Beck asked, quietly.
Jade took in a deep breath and thought over Beck's question. Had anything changed?
"No, nothing's changed. I still don't want to be a mom. I'm still not ready."
That statement brought back all of Beck's anger and frustration.
"So, what are we gonna do? Are we gonna look into an open adotion? Or are you gonna let me keep and raise this baby like I want?"
"I don't think you're ready to raise this baby on your own, Beck."
"That's not really your decision to make, Jade. It's mine."
"How are you gonna raise a baby with no money?"
"What do you mean 'no money'?"
"That 2.5 million is mine, Beck. Since we're not married, you have no legal claim too it. If I wanted to, I could take it all and leave you with nothing."
"What are you gonna do with 2.5 million?"
"It doesn't really matter what I do with it."
"How did we get here, Jade? I really thought this time would be different. I really thought after our last break up, we'd be stronger than ever. I guess I was wrong." Beck really thought things would be different. He really thought they'd finally become a real family with their baby.
"I don't understand why you can't just let this baby go, Beck."
"Because this baby is our child! Our's! Half you and half me. Made out of our love for each other. I already love this child more than anything or anyone else. I would do anything for this child, including raising them on my own, if need be."
"I'd you do anything for this child, then why can't you give them the life they deserve? Why can't you just let us find a nice family and give them the child they've always wanted? Why can't you realize our child deserves parents who will always love them and provide them with everything they need? We can't do that, Beck. We're just kids. We're not even finished with high school. We have dreams. Dreams that would be ruined by a baby."
"I'm willing to let my dreams stay dreams for this baby."
"I just don't see how we can be good parents. We're so young."
"Age really has nothing to do with parenting abilities. As long as we love this baby and do what ever it take for them, we'll make it through parenthood."
In an instant, it was as if a switched flipped in Jade's, well that combined with the strong kick the baby gave her. It was almsot as if the baby was saying "you got this, mom." Jade realized Beck was right. She realized she could do this. They could do this. They just need to love their child unconditionally and be willing to do anyting it took, which they already did.