— Wonderful. I packed my hospital bag, made lunch, sorted through the baby clothes, and made a list of what we still need.
Those simple words hit him hard. By then he already knew he was going to do what his mother wanted. He told himself it was for the best — that their lives wouldn’t become one endless grind, that they wouldn’t lose their friends, that they could still be happy. But the price of that happiness was almost too much to look at.
The due date drew closer. Edward stopped traveling for work so he could stay nearby, and Eleanor became unusually attentive to her daughter-in-law. One day, during a visit, she said:
— Natalie, I really think you should check into the hospital a couple of days before your due date. If labor starts fast, Eddie and I may not get there in time. I don’t want you taking even the smallest risk.
Natalie was surprised. Her OB had never mentioned anything like that. But Eleanor’s warm, concerned tone persuaded her. A week later Edward drove her to the women’s hospital.
— Don’t worry, sweetheart, — he said, leaving her in her room. — I’ll keep my phone on me, and I’ll come every day.
— I’m not worried at all, — Natalie said with a smile, glancing around the private room. — You do remember I’m pregnant, not terminally ill, right?
But before the day was over, she had reason to worry. After examining her, Dr. Miller was quiet for a moment, then asked:
— Did your doctor mention that you might need a C-section?
— No, — Natalie said, startled. — I was told everything looked fine.
— That can change. Babies shift position late in pregnancy. It’s a good thing your mother-in-law insisted you come in early so we could monitor you. Of course, things may still change. Will your family be visiting tonight?
— Eddie definitely will. My mother-in-law, I’m not sure. She’s always busy, — Natalie said.
— Good. Then we’ll talk more this evening.
After leaving the doctor’s office, Natalie felt uneasy. It seemed to her that Dr. Miller wasn’t saying everything. She paced the room, glancing at the tiny bassinet waiting for her daughter, imagining the baby there. Whenever she thought of her little girl, a soft smile came to her face and the worry eased. She decided not to call Edward and upset him. Maybe the doctor was just being cautious.
Near evening Natalie spotted her husband and mother-in-law walking up the path toward the building. Edward carried a huge bouquet of flowers, and Eleanor had a shopping bag from an upscale market. Natalie rushed to the mirror to freshen up. She lined her eyes, touched up her lipstick, pulled her hair into a high ponytail — and still they didn’t come. Where did they go? she wondered, returning to the window. They were gone from sight.
She was just about to call Edward when he and his mother entered the room with Dr. Miller. Natalie’s heart tightened.
— Hi, Natalie, how are you feeling? You look wonderful, — Eleanor said first.
Edward handed her the flowers and hugged her.
— Honey, don’t get upset, but we all need to talk and make a decision, — he said. — We spoke with Dr. Miller, and she recommends…
— Better to hear it from the doctor, — he finished.
