Page 53 of The Golden Hour

Dr. Farah’s jaw tightens.

“Dr. Mortimer didn’t go over pregnancy complications during your appointments.”

It’s a statement, not a question, but Honey shakes her head anyway.

“He said it was just first-time mom jitters,” Honey bites. “That we get emotional and… hysterical.”

Mason pales and presses a hand to his stomach like he’s sick.

“Piece of shit hack doctor,” Phil hisses under his breath.

Dr. Farah shoots him a look that says she agrees with his words, before looking back at Honey.

“What were the symptoms you told him you were suffering from?”

“Headaches and nausea mostly,” Honey says, before adding. “But I was also having these black spots in my vision and swelling. My feet would swell so badly, I could barely wear shoes. I felt pain in my abdomen sometimes and…”

Dr. Farah’s eyes narrow and her jaw only tightens more. Her father grumbles, shifting from foot to foot and recrossing his arms, while her mother next to her looks like she’s seconds from tracking down Mortimer and skinning him alive.

Out of the corner of her eye, Honey sees Mason scrub his hands through his hair as his face collapses in on itself.

She barely resists the urge to snap at him. He wasn’t around when it was actually happening, so this is just irritating to her. Not having her daughter in her arms is making her skin itchy. She feels impatient for anyone but her doctor, her mother, and her father.

The ones who actually helped her and her daughter.

“I know it sounds crazy,” Honey whispers, “but I felt wrong.”

“It is not crazy,” Dr. Farah says firmly. “Absolutely not. Mothers know their bodies better than anyone.”

Dr. Farah takes a deep breath and folds her hands in front of her.

“I do think you had hyperemesis gravidarum,” Dr. Farah says. “And some of those symptoms can overlap or distract from other complications, especially if someone is not looking closely enough. But the headaches, the visual changes, the swelling, the pain, and elevated blood pressure… I would have ordered a preeclampsia workup. Immediately.”

Dr. Farah actually looks incredibly miserable, as if she were the one at fault.

“I am so incredibly sorry that we failed you⁠⁠—”

“You didn’t fail me,” Honey protests instantly. “You saved me! You saved my daughter. I am nothing but grateful to you. Thank you, Dr. Farah.”

Dr. Farah’s face shifts and softens slightly.

“It’s my pleasure, Honey.” Dr. Farah smiles gently. “Speaking of, I think it’s about time that you met your little girl.”

Honey’s pulse skyrockets, the machine next to her monitoring the rhythm kicking up and making Dr. Farah smile when her eyes flick toward it.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Dr. Farah says, before softening her voice. “Do you feel ready?”

“Yes,” Honey practically yells the best she can.

Melissa and Phil share a smile, while Mason just continues to look wrecked.

“Give us about twenty minutes,” Dr. Farah says. “We’re going to get her in a transport isolette and bring her here.”

“Can I hold her? Please, I need to…” Honey begs, her voice cracking with desperation. “Please⁠⁠—”

“I am strongly recommending skin to skin with you,” Dr. Farah says, gently cutting Honey off before she can work herself up again, and smiles brightly. “You will be able to hold your baby very shortly. I promise.”

Honey’s entire body deflates back into the bed. Closing her eyes, she sighs in relief.