"Please let me talk to her. I need to see my wife." This was the third day in a row Ben had visited the hospital begging to talk to Vivien. He had to see her.
"Mr. Harmon," replied Dr. Jameson, "your wife needs a low stress environment. She has suffered a horrible psychotic breakdown and we are still trying to find the root of the problem. She needs rest. And quiet."
"I promise to not bring up anything controversial. I just want to talk to her. I'm a psychiatrist, I know how to talk to patients. If anything happens, kick me out and file a report. Please."
Dr. Jameson, the gray-haired doctor from day 1, weighed his options. Eventually he consented. Ben gave a huge sigh of relief. "I must warn you, though," he said, "your wife is on heavy medication. It is all safe for the baby, of course, but she will seem detached. If anything happens, just call. There is a nurse standby at all times. And nothing about the house, or your family, or even your friends. If even half of the stories I have heard are true, there is no wonder why your wife is in this state. Remember, she needs no added stress."
Ben nodded. Dr. Jameson opened the door quietly for him and he walked in. Vivien was staring up at the wall. She was completely out of it. She didn't even notice Ben walking up to her. He sat on the side of the bed and held her hand. "Hey, Viv," he said calmly, quietly. "It's me, Ben."
Vivien focused on the wall. She remembered again what Moira told her, about staring at the wall paper. She shook her head to try to get rid of the idea, but it didn't work.
Her mind wandered to other topics. She missed her bed, her family. She missed Moira and Violet and even Constance and… Did she miss Ben? Yes, even him. Even though he was an ass, she missed him.
She thought about the babies and it filled her with dread. What… what were they? She heard a mumbling coming from somewhere in the room. Her breathing intensified slightly.
Someone was touching her wrist, stroking her hand. Please, she wanted to say, please stop. She tried to pull her wrist away but someone wouldn't let her. She inched over a little on the bed, away from the unwanted person. She let out a small cry and turned away.
The noise continued talking at her. It was always at her, never to her. She wanted to leave, wanted to get the hell out of wherever she was. She tried to get away, but could not. Someone was holding her down. She needed the bad to go away.
Vivien was responding, but not how Ben had hoped. "Vivien, relax. It's me. You're ok here. Sh… You're ok."
Dr. Jameson came in and gave her a sedative. She was asleep within seconds. "Dr. Harmon, as you can see your wife is very unstable. Our tests have concluded that she does not have a mental illness like schizophrenia or PTSD. However, she has suffered a very serious psychological break. We want to keep her here for a few days, but after that, you are free to take her home."
"We're not together anymore..." Ben mumbled, not knowing what to say, what to do. "I- I've failed her so many times in the past. I can't be responsible for her entire well-being. She's having twins. And we were going to get a divorce." He looked up to Dr. Jameson, the sorrow and fear in his face visible. "What should I do?"
He felt a reasurring hand on his shoulder. "You try."