A Special Summer(41)
That’s my baby in there. I’m going be a daddy.
That’s what he wanted his son or daughter to call him. Not father like he was forced to call his dad. The title father always felt so cold, so distant. He definitely, under any circumstances, did not want his child to call him father. He or she would call him daddy. Daddy. The very thought had elicit a lopsided grin. Funny how things change, last year this time the thought of being anyone’s daddy was the furthest thing from Nick’s mind.
What in the world is he looking at me like that for? And why does he have that goofy grin on his face?
Unconsciously, Summer matched his goofy grin. “What are you grinning for?”
“I was just thinking that I’m going to be a daddy soon.”
Turning serious the grin evaporated from her face “Are you okay with that?”
“I have―”
Nick was about to tell her that he had come to terms with his soon to be status of fatherhood, however, the doctor barging into the room interrupted him.
Summer wanted to scream. Dr. Neil had horrible timing
The doctor walked over to Nick and offered his hand, “Good afternoon, I’m Dr. Neil. You must be the soon-to-be proud papa.”
Nick accepted the proffered hand as Dr. Neil vigorously pumped his hand and smiled with much animation.
Nick eyed the middle-aged balding man who was slightly taller than Summer by an inch or two. He reminded Nick of a cartoon character. “That would be me. I’m Nick Stiles.”Turning his attention to his patient, Dr. Neil said, “Miss Jackson, I thought we were all done with these premature contractions. You were doing so well.”
Nick’s head snapped back as if he were slapped. All done with these contractions? I thought this morning was the first time she had them? Nick felt annoyance creeping into his bones. He cursed under his breath. Here we go again.
Summer felt the stare emanating from Nick. Nervously she glanced at him then averted her eyes back to Dr. Neil. Nick’s disposition changed as quickly as the Chicago wind. Summer swore she heard him cursing under his breath.
“I was doing fine until this morning.”
Dr. Neil’s walk was animated as he bounced over to the fetal monitor to study the strip of paper that hung from it. “The medication has stopped the contractions for now.”
Summer breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, can I go home now?”
The little man pressed his lips together as if in deep thought. “Mmm, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
”Why?” Summer asked with tears filling her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to be in the hospital hooked up to a fetal monitor and IV fluids. Why should she have to when the contractions had stopped?
Reading her thoughts, Dr. Neil expressed his reservations. “Summer, I’m concerned about you being at home alone. If I were to release you home you would need to be on bed rest with very limited activity. That means no going up and down stairs and only getting out of bed to bathe, use the bathroom, and maybe sitting up in a chair for no more than thirty minutes at a time. I know you live alone and you would definitely need someone at home to help you.” He paused in giving his speech. He felt terrible because Summer was quietly sobbing. What was he
to do? His main concern was that of the health and welfare of the unborn child. Keeping the mother safe and contraction free was the best way to ensure the delivery of a viable infant.
Both men rushed to her side as she expressed being distraught. Nick stood by her side while Dr. Neil sat on the bed and took her hand in his.
“Summer, I’m sorry, but I have to do what’s best for the baby. As you know you’re thirty-six weeks pregnant, we have to get you to at least thirty-eight weeks so that the baby’s lungs are fully mature.”
Covering her face with her hands, Summer continued to sob. She felt like she was losing what little control she had. She’d never been sick a day in her life. The worse she ever experienced was having morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy.
As a nurse she comprehended everything the doctor was saying, she too wanted a healthy baby. However, there had to be another way to continue her pregnancy without being confined to one room for a month. At least at home, she’d be in her own environment. In between sobs she pleaded with her doctor.
“I know all of that Dr. Neil, but I want to go home. I don’t want to stay in the hospital for a month. I promise not to do too much.”
Summer’s mind ran wild thinking of someone, anyone who could sit with her during the day so she could go home. Starr and Ava couldn’t do it, they had to work. Maybe she could call her mom to come stay with her. When she learned Summer had begun to have premature contractions she’d been itching to get back to Philly. Summer frowned and nixed that idea. Her mother would drive her nuts!