Chapter 16: Chapter 16
Emily's POV -
I slowly open my eyes as the strong smell of anti-bacterial cleaner fills my nose. My mouth is dry and I smack my lips a few times, desperately needing some water. Sunlight streams through the window opposite me, bouncing off the walls. My eyelids are heavy with sleep and all I want to do is close them even though it feels like I've been sleeping forever.
I hear the beeping of a machine and slowly turn my head towards the source of the noise. I groan loudly, the muscles in my neck feeling stiff and sore. Once again I'm hooked up to multiple machines, an IV drip firmly placed in my hand.
"Hello?" I call out, my voice raspy due to the dehydration. I lift my head, inspecting the room. Jake is lying in the hospital chair opposite me, his head resting on his chest as he sleeps. He looks exhausted and I breathe out deeply, closing my eyes.
I don't know how long my eyes are closed for until the sound of the door opening wakes me up. A doctor I've never seen before stands in the doorway, clutching a clipboard. He appears to be in his late twenties with chestnut dark hair and friendly eyes. When he acknowledges my presence, he smiles widely, showing off a set of straight white teeth.
"Good morning Miss Wentworth or can I call you Emily?" He asks, his tone soft. I nod slowly —
"Emily is fine."
He nods before walking over to the other side of the room, turning his back to me. He turns to look at Jake before pouring me a glass of water.
"Here. . . have a drink," he smiles, walking over to me and handing me the glass. I give him a small smile in return before clutching the glass tightly and taking a gulp of water. The relief is immediate and I drink it all.
"How long has Jake been here?" I ask him, talking quietly so I don't wake him. He looks like he needs the sleep.
"The entire time, he hasn't left your side." The doctor responds, standing beside me. I nod my head slowly, my heart expanding with love for him. It can't be easy for him to always see me in hospital, hooked up to multiple wires with my future unknown.
"I'm Dr Lee, I'll be the one taking care of you. It seems you had quite the eventful night." He mumbles, reading the text on his clipboard.
"And you're pregnant." He adds, glancing up at me for my nod of confirmation.
"Is my baby okay? I just want some answers please." I mumble, fidgeting with the covers on the bed. I look up at him pleadingly and he takes a seat in the guest chair next to my bed. The doctor's own smile vanishes at the mention of the baby and I frown, feeling a wave of dread run through my body.
"Doctor Lee?"
"I'm afraid it's bad news," he replies softly, his eyes staring deeply into my own.
"My baby is alive though, I know it!" I panic, my hand instantly clutching my stomach protectively. How could I have been so wrong?
"You're right. The baby is alive but the strain it's putting on your body is very dangerous Emily. You have scarred internal tissue from the shooting you were involved in. The baby is growing therefore pressing against this scarred tissue which is causing your pain, the dizziness, sickness." Doctor Lee explains. I stare him dumbfounded, my eyes widening as he speaks —
"What does this all mean? What choices do I have?" I ask him, my voice timid and full of fear.
"Ultimately, it's your decision. Speaking from a professional point of view, a termination is the best outcome for you to survive this. It's very unlikely that both you and the baby will pull through this pregnancy with no lasting health conditions." Doctor Lee says quietly, reaching forward to place a hand over mine.
The affection does little to comfort me.
I stare at his hand until it began to blur, my body feeling numb. His words ring through my ears over and over again on a loophole. Termination?
"You want me to get rid of my baby." I whisper, the realisation finally dawning on me.