Chapter 4 - The Child Born Too Soon
The ceiling lights blurred above Leah as nurses rushed her toward surgery.
Nathan walked beside the stretcher for several yards.
He held her hand.
For one desperate moment, Leah wanted to forget everything.
She wanted him to become the man she had married.
The man who once drove three hours through a snowstorm because her car battery died.
The man who proposed in a nearly empty baseball stadium because Leah hated crowded restaurants.
The man who once told her that becoming a father terrified him because he wanted to do it right.
“Please.”
Leah tightened her grip.
“Stay with me.”
Nathan looked at her.
“I’m here.”
Then Doreen appeared behind him.
“Nathan.”
He looked back.
That was all it took.
His hand slipped from Leah’s fingers.
Mae immediately stepped into his place.
“I’ve got you.”
Leah looked up at her.
“Don’t let them take him.”
Mae understood exactly who Leah meant.
“I won’t.”
The emergency C-section happened quickly.
Leah remembered pressure.
Cold.
Bright lights.
Muted voices.
Then, at 4:17 in the afternoon, a cry cut through the operating room.
Leah began sobbing.
“My baby.”
A nurse lifted a tiny red-faced boy above the drape.
“Seven pounds, one ounce.”
Leah laughed through her tears.
“Is he okay?”
“He’s perfect.”
Mae brought him closer.
Leah touched his cheek with one trembling finger.
The baby opened his mouth and cried again.
“Eli.”
Leah whispered the name she and Nathan had chosen months earlier.
“Eli James Carver.”
Nathan was allowed into recovery several minutes later.
He stood beside the bassinet.
For once, he looked genuinely overwhelmed.
“He’s beautiful.”
Leah watched his face.
“Hold him.”
Nathan hesitated.
Then he picked up his son.
Leah felt something painful inside her chest.
Nathan looked natural.
Careful.
Tender.
Almost innocent.
Then the door opened.
Doreen entered.
Her eyes went directly to the baby.
Not Leah.
Never Leah.
“My grandson.”
She moved toward Nathan.
Mae blocked her.
“Mother needs recovery time.”
Doreen’s smile vanished.
“I’m family.”
“And she is my patient.”
Doreen looked at Mae’s badge.
She read the name slowly.
“Mae Rowland.”
“Yes.”
“I know the hospital administrator.”
Mae nodded.
“Then I’m sure he’ll be happy to explain visiting policy.”
Leah nearly laughed.
Doreen turned toward her.
“We’ll talk later.”
“No.”
Leah’s voice was weak but clear.
“We won’t.”
Doreen stopped.
Leah continued.
“You stay away from my medical paperwork.”
Nathan frowned.
“Leah.”
“And nobody takes Eli anywhere without me.”
Doreen looked at Nathan.
Then back at Leah.
Something almost satisfied appeared in her face.
“There it is.”
Leah felt her stomach twist.
“What?”
Doreen sighed.
“The paranoia.”
Mae immediately stepped forward.
“She just had emergency surgery.”
Doreen raised both hands.
“I’m only concerned.”
She left.
Nathan followed her.
Again.
Mae waited until the door closed.
May you like
Then she turned toward Leah.
“They’re moving faster than I expected.”
