A Promise Kept
Chapter 6 – It's a Girl!
This is it. Today's the day. You almost gave me a heart attack.
Flashback:
Earlier, we had been going to buy some groceries when all of a sudden, your water breaks. Dropping everything, I go into a state of panic. I was not prepared for this. All I could do was ask you 'what's wrong?' while you lay there on the floor, in pain. There is nothing I could do. My mind is racing. I know that I have to do something, but I just can't think straight. Then I hear someone from behind say to take her to the hospital. Right, the hospital. Of course. Without another moment's hesitation, I pick you up in my arms and drive as fast as I can to the nearest hospital. All of a sudden I hear sirens following me. The cops are on my tail. Wonderful. I'll have to deal with that later. For now, all that's on my mind is you and the baby. I hope with all my strength that you will be okay. Each moan of pain is like a needle through my heart. When we finally get there, I jump out of my car and lift you up. You just keep wavering between states of consciousness. "Stay with me, Michiru!" I call out to you. "Doctor!" …
Now you're in the emergency room and all I can do is pace anxiously with my eyes glued to the floor.
"Haruka, stop walking back and forth!" Hotaru complains in her chair. "You're making me dizzy." I can only force a smile at her and continue my nervous strides.
"I explained the situation to the police and they're going to let you off," Setsuna announces, marching towards an agitated me and an energized, but calm Hotaru. She takes a seat next to the raven-haired girl. "How are you feeling, Hotaru?" Setsuna asks sensibly. "Are you ready to be a big sister"
"You bet!" Hotaru says eagerly, swinging her legs. "Haruka, why don't you sit down?" Setsuna advises wisely. "You can't help Michiru either way. Everything will unfold in due time."
I know what they're saying is absolutely correct, but I just can't help but be distracted. I know I won't be able to sit still even if I wanted to. Not when you're in there. Oh man. The wait is killing me. What's taking so long? Did something go wrong? Is my Michiru holding on to dear life? My paranoia grows until I can't take it anymore. I have to go in and see.
"Haruka!" Setsuna cries, grabbing my arm just in time. "She'll be fine."
"But what if-" I start to complain.
"But nothing. That doctor is the best in Tokyo and she happens to be a colleague of mine. Do you mean to say that you don't trust my judgement?" She got me there. Trying hard to calm myself, I set my pace back in motion, this time in an even more insistent state.
I can't stand not knowing what is going on past that door. It is all I can do to stop myself from going insane. Wow, the thought of us as a family of our own. It is such a novel idea, yet so tangible and so overwhelming. It's like a dream come true. I couldn't be happier. So why am I so nervous? I look down at my hands and notice that they're trembling. Damn it! Get a grip, Haruka! Bam! I hit the wall with my clenched fist. Just calm down. Breathe in. Everything will be okay. Then, I feel a warm hand on my shoulder.
"It'll be okay, you'll see." It is Setsuna. She'll never know how much I appreciate her reassurance at that moment. She really is a good friend.
"Yeah, Haruka," Hotaru pitches in, stepping up beside me. "Don't worry. I'll help with the baby, I promise." Finally, just like that, my muscles relax. I let out a fresh chuckle.
"You guys are right," I say calmly, regaining my normal composure. "All we can do is wait." I look toward the emergency room door as I say this before returning to our seats. But just as I am about to sit down for the first time since entering the hospital, the emergency lights turn off and out comes the doctor. My heartbeat quickens. Ba-dum.
"Ah, you must be Miss Haruka Tenoh," she observes smartly, extending out her hand. "Congratulations. It's a girl." I don't even remember shaking her hand. All I remember is how happy I am at that moment. Suddenly darkness clouds over my eyes and my world turns upside down.
To be continued...