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Dr. Jagdeo closes the door with a slight click. Samuel gives him an appreciative nod for not disturbing Eden.
“I’ll let you know when her blood results are back. The obstetrician will be here soon to take an ultrasound of the baby. From there, we’ll decide if further tests are necessary. As for Eden—”
“Can you write up some forms for fecal samples? I want to cover all bases,” Samuel says impatiently.
Dr. Jagdeo places a hand on Samuel’s shoulder. “Patience, Samuel, you know some blood results take longer than others. We’ll cover everything on your list.” Dr. Jagdeo pauses and meets Samuel’s gaze. “Do you want her to speak to a psychologist when she wakes?”
Samuel had told his friend every detail, as he’s one of the few medical specialists aware of Samuel living with the Ularans. He was working with Samuel when he voiced his desire to do voluntary work with the remote Indigenous communities.
“I’ll assess her first. She’s stronger than anyone I know.” Samuel turns to the woman who has captured his heart and soul. Lord knows what he’d do if he lost her. Watching her battle through the fever was difficult, but he knows something more sinister could be swirling in the depths of her mind. He’s barely held onto his own sanity through the ordeal, not knowing what they did to her and if he was ever going to find her. Waiting for the tests is torture. His mind grows silent with panic as though he’s trapped in a car as it plunges into a river, the water immersing the space. Every minute drags him closer to drowning.
Opening her bag, he retrieves her photocopied travel papers and finds copies of the yellow fever certificate and vaccinations she had before her venture with her girlfriends. If only he could rewind time and stay the hell away from her. He was the worst thing to happen to her, and yet she was the very best thing that’s happened to him. She thinks he’s strong, and yet time and time again, she has proven her resilience and love with an open heart without fear.
“I think this is everything.” He hands the documents to Dr. Jagdeo.
“Thank you. I’ll come back and check on Eden soon.”
Samuel releases a long breath when the door thuds closed.
His eyes sweep over the bones of her face. She’s a beautiful woman, only he notices the gaunt cheeks, her chapped lips, and slight scratches above her brow. He clamps his eyes shut, knowing what has to be done. He has to protect the two most precious loves in his life.
“I’m going to miss you every day,” he whispers.
A squeaky wheel disturbs him. He opens his eyes and greets the doctor in a white coat pushing the machine on a trolley.
“Eden,” Samuel says gently to wake her.
Her eyes flutter open. “Hi,” she says wearily.
The obstetrician checks her identification wristband. “I’m Dr. Vásquez. I won’t disturb you for long. We need to check on your baby.”
“Thank you.” She pushes up onto her elbows and groans, gripping her abdomen. “Argh. This pain… I keep getting these contractions.” She stares up at Samuel and grimaces.
“I assume she’s having Braxton Hicks contractions,” he tells Dr. Vásquez.
“Have you learned breathing techniques at antenatal classes?” Dr. Vásquez asks.
“No,” she murmurs.
“I can teach her,” Samuel adds. He squeezes her hand reassuringly and then counts with her as she takes some deep breaths.
“Thank you,” she says and rolls closer for Dr. Vásquez to examine her.
The doctor squeezes gel over Eden’s abdomen and prepares the wand.
She giggles. “It’s cold.”
Samuel grips Eden’s hand when a soft whoosh echoes from the monitor. He bows his head and sighs in relief at the beautiful sound of their baby’s heartbeat.
“There,” Dr. Vásquez turns the screen so both parents can view the image of their baby.
"Oh, wow,” Eden says and gasps. She swipes tears from her eyes and then meets Samuel’s gaze.
He shakes his head in wonder. For years he believed he was destined to live out his life alone. Seeing their baby for the first time is similar to an out-of-body experience with a sensation of floating from the pure joy pumping through his body. He leans down and kisses Eden’s lips, the woman who has saved him. “I love you,” he whispers.
Her happiness bubbles through muffled sobs. “I love you too.”
Dr. Vásquez focuses on hitting buttons. “I’ll print a sonogram for you to keep.”
