Complications: Fear, Love and Bruises
The condition mentioned in this post is a real one, although I have adjusted some details to fit the story and the setting. If you wish to know more about this condition, please follow the link at the end of the post. Thank you. Again, tissues may be needed.
Fear, Love and Bruises
“Our apologies for the wait.”
At the sound of Dr Banefre’s voice, Iella raised her head from her husband’s shoulder, where she’d been hiding from the galaxy ever since the tests had ended. Neither of them had spoken even a word to the other - what was there to say?
Wedge shifted from where he’d been standing between her knees, but with Iella’s arms around his neck, he couldn’t go far. He kept his arm around her waist, though he avoided touching her belly.
Iella wondered if that was for her sake, or if he found the thought of it as repugnant as she did now. She gazed at her husband, trying to gauge his thoughts, but Wedge’s eyes were fixed on the doctor.
“What’s wrong with Iella?” His tone was just short of a demand, and his arm tightened around her.
Banefre let out a quick sigh, almost a snort, and leaned her long arms on the end of the table. “We are sorry that we took so long over the results, but we wanted - needed - to be sure.”
“And?” Iella reached down, taking Wedge’s hand and gripping tightly.
Banefre’s large ears were held flat against her head once more. “We’re afraid Iella is carrying a hydatidiform mole.” At their startled looks, she clarified, “Also known as a molar pregnancy.”
Molar pregnancy? “Are you saying that this was going wrong the entire time?”
“Yes. It begins when a non-viable egg implants. Usually, it is an egg that has lost its DNA that has nevertheless been fertilised. This results in the sperm replicating itself; this ‘complete’ mole never develops as a true embryo.
In this case, however, it appears that two sperm have fertilised the same, functional egg. Such a ‘partial’ mole can develop some attributes of a fetus. However, the extra genetic material means that the cells double much faster. If this is allowed to continue, the mole can become a tumour.”
Iella struggled with the clinical language, and the very concept of what was happening within her. “My baby is a tumour?” she half-sobbed.
“It is not likely - it is only a possibility.” Banefre straightened, her long face pulling into solemn lines. “We know this is horrifying for you, but you must understand this - despite the beating heart, this pregnancy was never viable.”
“But we still have to deal with the loss!” Iella felt her voice cracking, even as she felt herself coming apart. She clutched at Wedge, and he pulled her close once more. Sobs hovered in her throat, but she didn’t dare let them out. “We still have to deal with the death of the baby we thought we were having!”
Wedge cradled her head against his chest, but still his focus was pinned on the doctor. “This… [i]tumour[/i].” He almost spat the word, so distasteful he seemed to find it. “Could it be dangerous to ‘Ella?”
“If it were to develop that far? Yes.” Wedge’s fingers tightened against her scalp, but Banefre wasn’t finished. “Which is why we need to operate as soon as we possibly can. We will enter the uterus, remove the mole and the placenta, and ensure that Iella is free of any remnants of it.” She laid a warm furry hand on Iella’s ankle. “There’s a very good chance that we have caught this before it has progressed that far.”
Iella just sniffed. “I’m not at all sure I care about that right now.”
Wedge cupped her cheek, forcing her to look up at him; his expression was almost forbidding. “I care.” Dark eyes intense, he continued. “It breaks my heart that we’ve lost this child - but if I were to lose you, that would break all of me.”
Iella, at a loss for words, just leaned up and kissed him, briefly but deeply. “I love you,” she whispered against his mouth, before breaking away and turning back to the doctor. “Karsha, will I-” She stumbled over the words. “Am I unable to get pregnant?” There it was, her greatest fear of the moment - that she would never be able to bear the children that Wedge - and she - so desperately wanted.
“Love, that doesn’t matter ri-”
“It does matter!” she cut off his murmured protest. “I want to have your baby!”
Tears slipped onto his bruised cheeks over a trembling smile. “Even after all of this?”
She rested her forehead against his. “Especially after all of this.” You’ll make such a fine father, Wedge Antilles. She tilted her head to look at Banefre. “Well, Karsha?”
“One - the pair of you are adorable.” The Thakwaash smiled at them, baring her wide square teeth. “Two - you should find yourself perfectly able to produce wonderfully adorable babies.” She sobered fractionally. “We will check during the procedure, and we recommend waiting at least a year before attempting to conceive again, but after that,” - a wicked grin - “have at it.”
“I fully intend to,” Iella stated firmly, and was rewarded by Wedge’s blushing grin as he ran a hand through her hair.
The vicious little knot of pain, tension and horror hadn’t gone away. Iella still felt like yelling, screaming, crying, hitting something.
But looking at Wedge, seeing all his fear, love and bruises - she couldn’t. Not now, not to him. Perhaps later, when they were home. Perhaps later, when the nightmare had been completed, and they could look forward once more.
Banefre’s medical student stuck her head into the room. “Karsha, Dr Korvawl says that the operating room will be free for you at 1800. He’s also requested to observe, if that’s agreeable to all parties.”
“Ah, thank you, Melli. Perhaps you could arrange for Iella to be prepped, yes? We will go handle the paperwork ourselves.” At the young human’s nod and departure, she turned back to her patient. “We will leave you in the capable hands of Miss Thurven. General Antilles, we would not dream of ordering you to leave; however, we will require you to have someone waiting with you.” Her large ears flickered. “Otherwise, we fear that we will have to sedate you to keep you away.”
Wedge half-laughed. “You’d have to knock me right out, doctor. And even then, I can’t guarantee it would work.”
“Just so.” Banefre headed for the door, but turned back. “We admire you both for your strength and courage. We are honoured to be your doctor.” Before either of them could reply, she’d left the room.
“I really like that one,” Wedge said absently, before dropping a swift kiss onto Iella’s lips. “I hate to leave you, but I need to step out and call Tycho. Is there anything I can get him to bring for you?”
Iella shook her head, fighting hysteria again. They were going to cut her open and slice her dream out of her. What could she possibly ask for that would help with that?
“All I need right now is you.” And our baby back, she added silently, and she couldn’t stop the tears anymore.
*****
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydatidiform_mole