A pathologist examines two dead young women and passes sections of organs to pathology for examination. The pathologist examines the specimens and questions the accuracy of the collection of tissue. When the collection has been confirmed the answer is devastating. The impact of this finding stretches far beyond the lives and families of the two women.
Joan rolled over and looked out the window. It was snowing. Today she didn’t have to go out, she could stay home with the girls. One year ago today at this time she was in labor, giving birth to Lori’s child. Today she was again at full term and more than ready to deliver. This time, she would keep the baby, it was hers. Gary was still snoring but she had to go to the bathroom. She had gone into semi-retirement about a week ago, not wanting to take on patients she couldn’t handle. When she left the bathroom, Jacki was in the hall.
“You OK mom?”
“Sure, I just got up to pee. Pregnant women get that way.”
Jacki started to cry. “I’ll never know about that, will I?”
“Not unless something happens. There is work on uterine transplants and artificial wombs but they are years in the future. If I had to guess you will have your babies before any of them come. We’ve talked about this, you’re womb is really messed up. I did the exam myself to be sure. So’s Judi. But don’t you worry, you’ll have kids, you’ll just not do it the same way I did. Having a baby is really something but there are parts of it that really suck.”
“But it’s not the same. I’ll never know what it’s like to carry a baby inside me.”
She held her daughter’s head to her chest. “I know, I can’t fix that, but let me ask you, would you like to go to the delivery room with me this time? I think I can make that happen. Being a doctor’s daughter should have some perks.”
Jacki nodded. “I’d really like that, mom.”
Joan looked up and Judi was standing in the hall also crying.
She pulled her to herself. “You can go too if you like. You will understand when this is over why I’d rather not have an audience. But moms need to do what is good for their kids.”
As she hugged her daughters she felt something warm run down her legs. She released the girls and moved to the bathroom. Both of them looked stunned at the way she had pushed them away. “Call your father, get yourselves dressed. My water just broke. Last time we had three hours till I had a baby after this happened. This time it’ll most likely be faster.” She grabbed a robe and moved to the bedroom to dress. About two steps toward the bathroom door the first contraction hit her. She held the doorway till it relaxed. She grabbed clothes while Gary and the girls dressed. He called Joan’s partner who told them he would meet them at the hospital. “Tell her not to do anything she doesn’t need to do. Last time she almost had it in the elevator.”
Within ten minutes they were pulling out of the driveway on the snowy road. Joan was gripping the dash during a contraction. This promised to be exciting.
A quick conference ensued in the admitting room but after a few minutes the girls were gowned and allowed to go to the delivery room. Both stood in awe as they saw their sister emerge. She was named Joni.
Alpha Four Chapter 01: Two Autopsies
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