Chapter 49: Pik
Katniss and Peeta have spent a restful night after Pik's birth, keeping him with them while the hospital staff carried on with their other duties. The medical team plan to do a more thorough check on Pik this morning. So far all seems well and he lies peacefully in Katniss' arms while Peeta dozes in the chair beside them. Peeta has not left Katniss' side. He promised her.
A doctor walks in and wakens them, telling Katniss and Peeta he needs to take Pik to examine him. Neither of them want the doctor to take Pik unless they go with him. The doctor decides he can perform part of the examination in the room while they look on. Katniss reluctantly hands Pik to him and. in spite of his fussing, the doctor does a perfunctory physical examination which reveals no problems. He then focuses on Pik's sight. Although newborn babies cannot see well, they react to light and, thankfully, all indications are that his sight is good. The doctor then tells Peeta and Katniss he will need to bring Pik to another area to test his hearing. Peeta tells Katniss to rest and says he will go with the doctor while he completes the examination. Peeta takes Pik in his arms and follows the doctor out of the room.
"I'm Dr. Davies, by the way" he says to Peeta.
Dr. Davies tells Peeta the test will be painless, but he will need to attach leads to Pik's forehead, the back of his neck and behind his shoulder using sticky pads. He is then going to place small earphone 'cups' over Pik's ears. He explains that the earphones make soft clicking sounds and the leads measure the response from the baby's ears. Peeta is watchful as Dr. Davies attaches the leads for the test. As the test is carried out, the doctor gives no indication of Pik's response and he continues to watch the screen while checking the results. When Dr. Davies finally completes his examination and removes the leads, he tells Peeta he can lift the baby off the table.
Peeta asks him how the test went and the doctor looks at him with some concern.
"These are just preliminary tests which can give irregular and inconclusive results. At the moment I would like to do some follow up testing in the next couple of weeks when any fluid in baby's ears may have cleared".
Peeta is confused.
"What does that mean?" he asks.
"Currently there is an indication that your baby's hearing may have been affected, but results are inconclusive at this stage. It will require further testing which I will organize today" says Dr. Davies.
Peeta feels as though someone has just hit him with a sledgehammer. Baby's hearing affected? Inconclusive? Further testing?
"Are you trying to tell me that Pik might have a hearing problem?" prompts Peeta.
"Yes. The test shows that he is not responding to sound but, as I said, we will need to do some follow up testing before we can decide conclusively".
The only word Peeta hears is "conclusively". The doctor excuses himself and suggests Peeta take Pik back to their room for now. He will make arrangements for the follow up testing as soon as possible. Holding Pik tighter, he walks blindly back to the room where Katniss is waiting, all the while thinking he cannot let Katniss see his concern, or even give a hint that anything is wrong, until the follow up testing is done. She will never forgive herself if Pik has been affected by the drugs she was forced to take and it Peeta's job to protect her from adversity. At least as long as that is possible.
"Well" says Katniss as Peeta comes back into the room. "How did it go?"
"Fine" Peeta manages, forcing himself to sound cheerful as she takes Pik into her arms.
"Peeta, that's wonderful" Katniss says smiling at him and then at Pik. Hopefully that means we can go home in a few days".
"I think they want to keep us a little bit longer just to be sure" he tells her.
"But, they have done all their tests and there is no reason for us to stay. I really want to get Pik home and I miss Prim so much, too" Katniss says.
"I know but, since we are here, I think it would be better to stay a bit longer rather than come all the way back for another check up in a couple of weeks" he says.
Katniss does not ask or wonder why Pik might need another check up so soon. She trusts Peeta and he is making sense in a way. It was a long trip from District 12 and the best specialists were in the Capitol. Better to stay a few more days than have to return too soon.
"Can we call my mother today? I would really like to talk to Prim and tell her about her new baby brother" she says.
"Of course. Your mother will want to know all about her new grandson and Prim will want to talk to her new baby brother". As soon as the words are out, Peeta wants to grab them back. Prim can talk, but can Pik hear? The next couple of weeks will be agonizing and somehow Peeta is going to have to find a way to tell Katniss why they are testing Pik again. The doctor had advised it could just be an irregularity, like fluid in Pik's ears, so Peeta is going to hold onto hope and won't tell Katniss until he is tested again. Then she will need to know. Hopefully, the news will be good and there will be no need for Peeta to worry about her reaction.