“She’s getting it. She also needs immediate prayer. And right now, it’s all I have.”
She crossed her arms and sighed, looking around as if she’d find a nurse to help her make her point.
He narrowed his eyes at her, suddenly feeling kicked in the guts. “You’ve shut that door so tight, Kate, I don’t even know if you can hear me anymore. If I lost this grandchild and my daughter in the same breath—and you, the woman I love, still won’t even look at the possibility that God is real, that He could actually work a miracle—” His voice broke. “Then what are we even doing?”
Silence fell between them like a dropped stone. Kate blinked fast, once, but didn’t speak.
Eli turned away, placing both hands on the windowsill. He bowed his head, not caring if she stayed or walked away or rolled her eyes.
Footsteps echoed, pulling his attention as a tall, dark-haired woman in scrubs moved briskly toward them, white coat flapping. Eli straightened.
“Are you the doctor?”
She smiled. “Yes, I’m Dr. Sabine. I’m the attending OB and I’ll be taking care of Meredith, who I assume is…”
“My daughter. The nurse is helping her go to the bathroom,” Eli said. “She didn’t see anything on the abdominal ultrasound.”
Dr. Sabine took a step to the door. “Why don’t you wait out here while we do the transvaginal ultrasound. The minute we can, we’ll let you in.” She added a smile. “Breathe, Mr. Lawson. And, if you’re that kind of man, pray. It always helps.”
As she opened the door, he looked at Kate, who wore a wry, sad smile.
“Doctor’s orders,” he whispered.
She just sighed, a glint of emotion in her eyes.
He believed in miracles.
She didn’t.
Who would be right this time?
When the door opened again,Charlene walked out, looking very serious. “Dr. Sabine can talk to you now,” she said.
Eli took Kate’s hand and walked into the room, his gaze going straight to Meredith, pale and small.
Dr. Sabine snapped off her gloves and let out a sigh. “Meredith has a suspected ectopic pregnancy. It’s likely ruptured.”
Eli’s stomach bottomed out. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Unfortunately, this pregnancy is not viable. The embryo implanted in her fallopian tube, not the uterus, posing a potential risk to her life,” the doctor continued, calm and clinical. “It’s rare, but serious. There’s free fluid in the abdomen—we believe that’s blood. Her vitals confirm internal bleeding. We need to operate immediately.”
Eli felt himself swaying. Kate steadied him with one hand, even though her own face had drained of color.
“What exactly is the surgery?” he asked, vaguely aware that the nurse and another aide had returned.
“A laparoscopic procedure, if her condition remains stable. We’ll remove the pregnancy and stop the bleeding. If possible, we’ll preserve the fallopian tube. Honestly, time is of the essence if there’s been a rupture.”
In other words, get out of our way and let us do our job, Eli thought. He was about to do just that when Meredith whimpered, her hand flailing slightly. Eli rushed to her side and caught it in his own.
“Daddy,” she whispered, “I’m scared.”
“You’re going to be fine,” he choked out. “I’m right here. I’m not leaving.”
Charlene had already started the second IV. The aide gently placed an oxygen mask over Meredith’s nose and mouth.
Dr. Sabine leaned in. “We’re going to take you upstairs now, okay? You’re in good hands.”
Everything moved in a blur after that—orders called out, Meredith being wheeled down the hallway, her hand slipping from Eli’s as the stretcher turned a corner and vanished through a swinging door.
