Bayside Café Chap 4
Success and tragedy
PACFLT – ADM GREER'S OFFICE
"Dixon, Admiral Greer will see you now," the corpsman calls out. Michael stands and walks crisply to the corner office in the suite of navy brass. He enters and salutes. He holds his stance until the salute is returned and he is motioned to take av seat. He sits, his cap in his lap.
"What brings you in today, Dixon?"
"My wife is pregnant, sir."
"Surprised?"
"Well, yes. But we were trying, sir."
"And you are requesting extended paternity leave, correct?"
"Yes sir. Ellen is due April 15. We, I would like leave from March 15 until 4 weeks post-partum."
"Well, I need a firm end date in order to consider your request. You realize 30 days is our standard policy?"
"Yes, sir. I realize that. A firm end date would be May 15, sir."
"Ok. I'll tell you this. I've talked with both Ellen's father, and your father."
Michael hangs his head. This could be bad.
"I was surprised to hear 2 very different stories."
"Different facts, sir?"
"Some, yes." The admiral appears perplexed.
"I . . . ah, don't understand that, sir."
"Let me ask you some of the same questions."
"Absolutely, sir."
"How long have you and Ellen known each other?"
"Since 3rd grade."
"How many girlfriends-
"One, sir."
"Only one?"
"Only Ellen, sir. Swear to God."
"Ok, when did you become engaged?"
"Precisely?"
"Yes."
"Well, it was the last day of school. We went to the mall where I finalized my 2-year enlistment. Then she wanted to get something for each of us to remember the other by. I kept saying no to her ideas, she was getting frustrated. I almost laughed. Glad I didn't. Finally, I pulled out the little blue box, and presented Ellen the ultimate forget-me-not present of them all. SHE SAID YES!" A tear trickles down the cheek of the tough navy guy.
The admiral pauses. "Ok, her father's answers match yours. He didn't know all the details at the mall. Your father-
"Please sir. I would rather not know anything about that, sir."
"Ok, I understand. Michael, this is your lucky day, son."
"Sir?"
"I was in almost the exact same spot as you, way back when. The admiral I talked with literally threw the navy manual at me. She – yes, she – said "Show me the section on leniency! Then I'll listen. Dismissed!"
"Shit!"
"Yeah. Anyway, I had twin sons born w/o daddy in attendance. I never forgot. Return after lunch, I'll have your answer."
Michael has time to drive thru Taco Bell and call Ellen.
"Hi babe."
"Michael, how was it honey?"
"Details later, babe. I feel good about it. I go back after my tacos. Honey, the admiral had the same experience as us. He always remembers how hard ass, by the book he was treated. I just feel like he will give us every break that he possibly can."
"Wow, I'm praying for you. Will you be home for supper?"
"You aren't working today?"
"Nope, took it off to celebrate."
"Yes, I'll be there. Love you."
"You too."
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ADMIRAL'S OFFICE
"Michael, I hope I still have a job tomorrow. I am going to give you all the time I can . . . and then some."
"Thank you, sir."
"Thank me now, you'll pay for it later. I know for myself, I would have gladly paid the price."
Michael mods, understanding.
"I am giving you paternity leave March 1 thru May 30. That's a hard recall. Understood?"
"Understood. That's-
"I can count, Dixon. Dismissed. And take good care of your family son."
"I will, and thank you, sir. May I ask-
"No, you may not ask. DISMISSED!"
Michael exits as directed.
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SUPPER TIME
"He gave you that much?" Ellen is flabbergasted. "Who was this admiral?"
"A Greer, somebody."
Ellen looks at her dad. "Big, black guy?"
"Yeah, so?" Michael is puzzled.
Ellen stares harder at her father.
"R. Greer?" Her mother asks; also staring at her husband.
"Ah, yes. So?" Michael admits.
"This lasagna is extra good dear. Thank you."
Ellen's dad interjects, trying to change the subject. It doesn't work.
Ellen turns to Michael, "Daddy was partnered with Roosevelt Greer on 3 ships. They became best friends."
"And that is the end of that. Let's finish this delicious dinner," dad attempts to close this line of conversation. It works this time. Ellen winks at her husband.
"Hmpf," mother exclaims.
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WARNING: This is going to be a very complicated pregnancy. With a major complication and foetal demise. If such are triggers for you, please do not read. Pick this up in the next chapter. My condolences. My best to you.
DocR47
LEAVE FOR DADDY
Mr. Knight met his son-in-law at the dock. Michael was a little disappointed not to see Ellen. "Is Ellen ok?" He asks.
"Yes, she just is really tired these days. And her doctor has advised that she limit her activity. I'll let her tell the story. Let's go." They jump into dad's car and are off.
Once they arrive, Michael hops out of the car and bounds up the steps, leaving his bag for dad. He hurries into the house, down the short stairs to their living quarters and stops short. He sees his very pregnant wife reclining on the couch. She is very pale, appearing listless. When she sees him, she smiles weakly and opens her arms. He rushes to her side, kneeling to gently embrace her.
"I love you, Ellen! So much," he buries his face in her neck, caressing her soft tresses. She trembles, and feels a little clammy. His worry meter is way into the red zone.
"I am so glad you are here. I love you too, so much." Her voice is weak, it troubles him.
He stays kneeling by the couch, holding her gently. He slowly rocks back and forth, humming a soft tune.
"What can I do for you, baby?" He whispers.
"Just hold me, and love me."
"Always and forever, baby. Always and forever. Just rest, you can tell me all about it later. Just one thing . . . when do you see your doctor next?"
"Tomorrow," she whispers.
"That's good. I got home just in time."
"Yes, I'm so glad. Can we move to the bed, please. I want you to hold me tight."
They do, and soon fall asleep in each other's arms.
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DOCTOR WILKINS
The next day Ellen's dad drives them to Dr. Wilkins office. He has been caring for mother and daughter's Ob-Gyn needs for years. After checking in, the nurse escorts them to an exam room.
"Well, isn't it nice to have daddy with us?" Karen welcomes Michael.
"Yes, I am so glad." Ellen smiles up at him.
Karen helps Ellen get ready for the doctor. After she is undressed, gowned and on the exam table Karen does a finger stick to check a hematocrit (Hct). Her hemoglobin has been low, the Hct will show if an actual blood draw is necessary. Ellen's veins are becoming difficult to access, so the doctor wants to preserve what access is available. The blood will be spun in a centrifuge for 1 minute, then read. Karen exits, "The doctor will be in momentarily."
Dr. Wilkins enters. "Hello Ellen, and daddy is here." He pats Ellen on the shoulder and shakes Michael's hand. He rolls the ultrasound machine into place and talks as he starts the procedure.
"As we found out last time, we're having twins-
"What?" Michael whispers. Clutching Ellen's hand more tightly. She winces. Then she starts to cry.
Dr. Wilkins starts, "Oh, I'm sorry-
"No, no sweetheart. Doc, when was her last appointment?" He's wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Two weeks ago."
"So, I was at sea. You wanted to tell me in person. I get it," he leans down and kisses her cheek.
She cherishes how understanding he is. But it's more than that.
"But Michael, it's . . . it's more than that, my love."
"I think what she's trying to say is that we are looking at a major complication. Your wife and I talked about it – and she decided not to upset you with that news because we were not at a decision point. And you were at sea and could do nothing but worry and lose sleep."
Ellen nodded. "I hope you aren't angry with me." She is down to sniffles now.
Michael pauses, without easing his embrace. "No babe, I'm not. I understand and support your decision. I really do, love. Now, where do we stand, doc?"
"Well, lets take a look," he lifts her gown a bit and puts some warmed blue gel on Ellen's belly.
He moves the US wand around, occasionally clicking the camera. He frowns at times, then hurriedly stills his features. He finishes, puts the US unit away and turns to the expectant couple.
"The verdict, doc?" Michael can hardly take the suspense.
"As I told Ellen last time, we have twins developing in her womb. We also have a condition known as placental steal. The two babies are being nourished by one placenta. In this case one fetus is getting much more nourishment and is growing as expected. The other is lagging behind."
"Can this be corrected?" Michael is near tears.
"No, I'm sorry. There is nothing we can do. And neither of you caused this; nor did the fetus that is growing normally."
"Is it better, or worse," Ellen whispers.
"It's worse, I am afraid. The undernourished twin does not appear viable."
"Is it alive still?"
"Yes."
"You said that last time was not decision time, yet. What does that mean?" Michael holds his breath.
"Maintaining both twins to delivery, makes delivery very complicated; putting mother and the viable twin at more risk. If one will not survive, or dies, it is best to reduce the pregnancy and deliver the healthy twin by c-section."
"Reduce?"
"Abort the non-viable fetus." The doc hangs his head.
"Do we know the gender, yet?" Michael whispers.
"Yes, I do." Doc looks Michael straight in the eyes. "Are you certain you want to know?"
Michael and Ellen look at each other. He kisses her cheek and nods. She slowly agrees. "Yes, we do."
"Ok . . . the healthy twin is a girl. The other is a boy."
"What are the chances the boy will survive?"
"Less than 5%, and dropping."
"So, would this be considered an abortion?"
"In my eyes, and medically – NO. We consider it a reduction; semantics perhaps, but an important distinction I believe."
Michael looks at his wife, tears in both their eyes. He turns her so he can hug her straight on. He buries his face in her long, soft, light brown hair. He joins her in sobbing.
"I will be back," the doc says. "I will give you time to talk it over." The door softly closes.
Doc Wilkins goes about his schedule of patients.
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In the room Ellen and Michael talk. Ellen is very teary eyed.
"Michael, what should we do? This feels like I'm a failure as a mother. I have failed you and our babies."
"No, no, the doctor said neither you nor I caused this. Believe him, sweetheart."
"I'm trying. But listen, down the road if our little girl finds out about this – she will be devastated. I would be."
"We will need to put this in the vault, and throw away the key."
"Can we do that?"
"Working together, yes we can."
10 minutes later Michael peeks his head out the door. Nurse Karen notices and comes to him.
"We have decided."
"Ok, I'll tell doc. He'll be in after this patient."
"Thank you."
10" later Dr. Wilkins enters the room; he sits and waits.
"When would you do the c-section?" Ellen chokes out.
"At 36-38 weeks. So, I would like to see you in 2 weeks, and then we can do the procedure any time after that. Is that ok?"
"Yes," they both agree.
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9 DAYS LATER – 02:00
"MICHAEL! SOMETHING IS WRONG!" Ellen is writhing in pain, clutching at him in their bed. He embraces her, calling for mom and dad.
Mom and dad quickly appear, dashing down the stairs.
"Dad, call for an ambulance," Michael cries. He is holding his troubled wife firmly.
Dad does, Michael rides with Ellen in the ambulance. Mom and dad follow, in their car.
Dr. Wilkins meets them at the ER entrance. He tries to reassure Michael and Ellen, then rushes off to scrub for surgery.
LABOR & DELIVERY WAITING ROOM
35" later doc Wilkins appears. He crouches before Michael, taking his hands in his. "Michael, we have a decision to make. The baby boy had died before we got in. He was non-viable, as we thought. Your baby girl is doing very well. Ellen's womb is bleeding severely. My assistant is continuing to try and stop the hemorrhage. If we need to, the surgical consent allows us to do a hysterectomy. Would you allow us to do that?"
Michael responds immediately, "YES, do what is needed to save my wife. PLEASE!"
"We will," and he rushes off.
Ellen's mom and dad sit on either side of their grieving son-in-law. Dad speaks, "You made the right decision, son. You have a new baby girl, saving her mother was the right thing to do."
"I think so too," mom agrees.
"I know. We will mourn the loss of our boy though. We had a name picked out."
"Are you sure you want to talk about that?"
"Well, maybe not." Michael rises and starts to pace.
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45" LATER
A nurse in dark blue scrubs appears. "Family of Ellen Dixon?"
Michael stops pacing and turns to face the nurse.
"I am Ellen's husband."
She explains "The surgery went well. Dr. Wilkins will meet you in your wife's room, and explain everything. She is in recovery now; she will be in her room in 45". I can lead you there."
"May we stop by the nursery, please?"
"Yes, we can."
They stop at a big window. A nurse picks up a baby and comes to the window. She holds up the baby, and smiles broadly.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Grandma gushes.
"A miracle, truly a miracle!" Michael whispers softly.
They follow the nurse on to room 612.
Later Ellen's bed is wheeled in and positioned. After her day nurse checks vitals, arranges covers and assesses the bandaged surgical incision – she introduces herself as nurse Jane. After she leaves, Michael steps up to the bedside.
"Sweetheart, I am here. Mom and dad too."
He leans over and kisses her forehead.
Mom and dad greet her similarly.
"Babe, do you still want to breast feed?" Michael softly asks.
"Yes, I want to bond with our baby girl. Can you tell the nurse, please?"
"I will," Her mother offered.
20" later Abigail Anne is placed in her mommy's arms. Ellen opens her gown and brings the little girl to her breast. As her nipple brushes Abby's little rosebud mouth, she latches on and begins to suckle. Mommy beams, she looks up at daddy, "Thank you, love!"
"I love you both, so much!" Michael's heart takes flight.
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TBC