Page 53 of Surgeon's Surprise Baby
“It was twenty-two a couple of years ago but it’s come down.Still far too many.”
“You think I should forgive him, don’t you?”
“It’s not my place to tell you whether you should or shouldn’t forgive him.But let me ask you something.What do you gain by not forgiving him?By not taking the time you have left with him and having a relationship?”
“I don’t know.It’s not like I get pleasure out of it.But on the other hand if I can forgive him how do I deal with the pain I lived with all these years?”
*
Aria started feelingbad mid-morning.Whitney was there but she had to leave early for an appointment.The woman never asked for time off so Aria didn’t feel like she could ask her to stay.Besides, what was Whitney going to do for her?Take care of the baby?Surely she could manage that.It was probably just an upset stomach.
As the morning wore on she felt worse and worse.She hoped she didn’t have the flu again.She hadn’t felt this bad with the flu.Had she?
She put her mask on and made sure to wash her hands before she fed the baby or picked her up.She wanted to call Ryan.It worried her that she turned to him so readily.But it didn’t matter if she wanted to talk to him.He’d told her he had a full schedule of surgeries today.Which meant she needed to suck it up, take some aspirin or something for her stomach, and get on with it.
She tried.But as the day wore on she only felt worse.It was all she could do to feed and change the baby.She lay on the floor, curled in a fetal position, and watched Sophie play with her baby gym.The only respite she’d had for hours was when Sophie finally managed to roll from her back to her stomach.Ryan was the one who’d first seen her trying.If she’d had the energy she’d have found her phone and taken a video.Sophie was so pleased with herself, she could see the pride in her baby’s face.
Finally, in the late afternoon, the pain subsided a little.She was at least able to get up and walk around and care for the baby.She’d never thrown up, even though she’d felt terrible and wanted to, but it hadn’t happened.Then the pain started again.Mostly on the right side of her stomach, down low.It finally dawned on her what she’d heard about appendicitis.Right lower quadrant pain.Nausea.Fever?She didn’t know and, besides, she couldn’t have found her thermometer if it was in front of her face.
Surely Ryan would be home soon.
But it’s not his home.Maybe he’ll go to his place instead.But he’s been coming here after work every day when he could.
She had to call Ryan or, God help her, 911.But if she called 911 she’d have to take the baby to the hospital, which was the very last place she wanted to take her.God only knew what germs floated around ready to jump on her precious baby.Of course, the same thing applied to Ryan.He’d have to bring the baby with him if he came to the hospital.Maybe she could convince him to stay here with Sophie.
Rock.Hard place.She lay on the floor patting the baby’s back and tried her best not to cry.It seemed like hours later when she heard the back door open and close.
“Aria, I’m home.Where are you?”Ryan walked into the den saying, “Damn, it was a busy day.I haven’t had a bite to eat—” He broke off and stared at her.“What’s wrong?”
She burst into tears.
Chapter Nineteen
What in thehell was wrong?Aria looked like death warmed over.She lay on the floor, curled in a ball, with the baby beside her, sound asleep.“What’s wrong?Did you hurt yourself?Are you sick?”
“My stomach.Hurts… so bad.”
He knelt down and gathered her into his arms, then stood.“Why didn’t you call me?”He carried her into the bedroom and lay her on the bed.
“Sophie.”
“She’s asleep on the floor.She’ll be all right for a little while.She’ll cry when she wakes up.”He put his hand on her forehead.“You’re a little warm.Can you straighten out so I can examine you?”
“Don’t… want to.Hurts.”
“I know, baby, but I need to examine you.”He finally convinced her to stretch out as much as she was able.Gently, he pressed on her stomach in different places, leaving her right lower quadrant for last.When he pressed on it she screamed.Unsurprised, he said, “We need to go to the hospital.Where is Whitney?She’s usually here until I get home.”
Aria was having a hard time answering him so he called Whitney.He explained what was wrong and that he needed to get Aria to the hospital.She said she’d had an appointment but she was home now and could come take care of Sophie.“I have no idea how long we’ll need you to stay.Possibly overnight.”
“Whatever you need.Don’t worry about me and Sophie.”
“Thanks, Whitney.I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”
Luckily, she didn’t take long to get there and he was able to leave for the hospital quickly.In the meantime he called the ER and got hold of one of the ER docs he knew well, Sean Gallagher.“Hi, Sean.Ryan Hunter here.My”—what to call her?—“girlfriend is presenting with symptoms of appendicitis.I’m bringing her in.Who’s the surgeon on call?”
“Samantha Striker.I’ll let her know you’re coming.I’ll need to examine her first, though.”
“That’s fine.I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
