Chapter Fifteen

"Promise me, Steve..." Jaime had insisted as she faded from consciousness. Her doctors had overheard her plea to save the babies as they rounded the corner and rushed to her bedside. They would do what they could, of course, but they both hoped the decision hadn't just been wrenched from everyone's hands. Doctor Jeffries increased the flow on the IV and injected additional medicine to relax Jaime's muscles, allowing the doctors to uncurl her body and lay her out flat on the bed. Almost immediately, she let out a deep sigh and went from taut to completely limp. "Pressure's dropping back toward normal," Rudy announced.

"Fetal heartbeats are strong – no distress," Jeffries added. "Looks like we dodged the bullet – for now."

After switching the monitors to 'remote', the men left Jaime alone to rest while they regrouped in Rudy's office to talk. "We may have reached an impasse," Rudy began. "Jaime's body is expanding very rapidly – call it an irresistible force – and hitting an equally immovable object...her bionics. That's what's causing her pain: the nerve endings and the bionic connections are being squashed, sending a sort of shock wave through her entire system."

"We know what your wife's wishes are," Jeffries continued. "What are your thoughts, Colonel?"

"I can't stand to see Jaime suffering like this," Steve told them. "If the twins were delivered today, would they live?"

"Possibly," Jeffries answered. "They'd have about a fifty percent chance of survival. Given another week or two for their lungs to mature, that chance would rise to about 75 percent....but I don't believe your wife has that much time. She's stable for now, but you've seen just how quickly that can change."

"If she was your wife," Steve said slowly, "if this was your family...what would you do?"

"I would tell the doctors to proceed with delivery," Jeffries admitted, "but if Jaime remains stable, we can give this a little time to see how things progress. As long as she's not in immediate danger."

Steve nodded. "Let's do that – for now." When he returned to his wife, she looked very pale but was sleeping quietly. As had become his habit, Steve rested his hand on her stomach and the tiny kicks he felt made him smile. They gave him hope.

---

After 72 hours spent entirely flat on her back, Jaime's condition stabilized enough for her to sit up in bed, and the doctors decided it was time to attempt a full meal After checking her over thoroughly, Rudy and Jeffries left their patient alone with her husband, deciding that the less they hovered over her, the more comfortable Jaime would feel.

"I'm not really hungry," Jaime protested. "Besides, I don't think there's room in there for even a bite of food. This body is stuffed to the gills!"

"You have to eat, Sweetheart," Steve told her patiently. "At least try. It's not hospital food – we ordered it in especially for you – so you know it's edible."

"The turkey does look good," Jaime allowed. Encouraged, Steve speared a piece on the fork and held it to her lips. "You don't have to feed me, you know," she told him, taking the bite and chewing it slowly.

"I like taking care of you. How 'bout some glazed carrots?"

"Maybe a little..."

Oscar watched this sweet, touching scene from the doorway, staying quiet so as not to break the spell. He'd been here many times over the last few days, checking on Jaime and bringing coffee and sandwiches for Steve. Today, seeing them together, Oscar smiled. He couldn't wait to share the good news with Christine.

---

"Oscar, that's wonderful!" Christine gushed. She'd been hoping he'd call, spent most of the day thinking about him, in fact. "I'm so relieved."

"So am I," Oscar replied. "Listen, I know it's very short notice, but are you free for dinner tonight?"

"For you? Always."

Seeing the tender way Steve had taken care of Jaime had warmed Oscar's heart to a point where he finally felt comfortable enough to lay his own feelings bare, whatever the consequences. "I'll pick you up at 7. Christine....I love you."

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