‘Well, Amy, you have what we call a placenta praevia, which means the placenta has developed low down in the uterus. Sometimes, it can completely block the cervix, but in your case there is a partial blockage. The bleeding you experienced was from a tear in a blood vessel.’
‘That doesn’t sound good,’ Amy said in a shaky voice.
‘Cases of placenta praevia can, and do, resolve themselves as the pregnancy progresses, in which case normal birth is possible. Otherwise, a C-section is advised.’
‘So that’s the positive stuff; what about the scary stuff?’
Leo did not often feel humble, but he did now as he watched Amy face this situation head-on, even though he could feel she was shaking with terror.
She was the strongest person he knew, he thought as possessive pride surged through his body.
‘Well, premature labour is a possibility, especially at this very early stage, and a rupture of a major blood vessel is a danger for mother and baby. However,’ he added quickly to forestall Leo’s interruption, ‘that is the worst-case scenario. Further pregnancies would need to be carefully monitored.’
‘There is a risk to Amy?’ Leo asked hoarsely.
‘Future pregnancies could be perfectly normal,’ the doctor said, with what seemed like unnatural cheer to Leo.
Leo set his jaw firmly. There would not be any more pregnancies. Amy was his family; she was all he needed. Losing her wasn’t a risk worth taking. Would Amy be OK with adoption?
‘Many cases resolve themselves at this stage. Most don’t even require bed rest, just not activity that puts strain on the pelvis. However, in your case, as there’s still a small amount of bleeding, I personally would prescribe bed rest.’
‘That means I have to stay in hospital?’ she faltered, the idea filling her with horror. But she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders; she would do anything to save this baby.
‘Actually, when circumstances allow, we are quite happy for the situation to be managed at home, monitored, obviously…’
‘Yes,’ Leo said immediately, then turned to Amy, who gave a small nod of tentative relief.
‘I’ll leave you to discuss things in private. If you have any questions, I will be available.’
Amy waited until the door closed and they were alone. The room contained one less person but now they were alone it somehow felt smaller, or maybe Leo felt bigger. Ignoring the urge to clutch his hand, she unwrapped her fingers from his and pulled her hand away.
She sighed. ‘You’re being supportive, incredibly supportive, and I appreciate that, I really do.’ Because of the sort of man he was, he’d put his own feelings on the back-burner.
‘I know you won’t believe me, but I really didn’t know about the baby.’
‘I do believe you,’ he shot back.
‘Oh…w…well, that’s good,’ Amy stuttered out, thrown by his swift, unequivocal response. ‘I’m still in shock,’ she admitted. ‘I mean, I think it must have been that first time. I mean, we were in such a rush…’
‘I can identify with shock.’
‘Look, I can see you were in an awkward position there with the consultant, but I understand that you don’t want your life disrupted to this extent. I’ll be fine in hospital.’
He pressed his hands palm down on the bed and leaned in towards her, capturing her tear-filled eyes with his dark, intent stare.
‘Well, Iwon’tbe fine with you staying in hospital. In fact, the only way you’re staying here would be if I moved in with you.’
‘But…’
He placed a finger to her lips and looked at her from under the sweep of his crazily long, dark eyelashes. ‘You are carrying my child, Amy. I wasn’t there for you last time and I will never, ever forgive myself for that, but this time I’m fully on board. I owe you an apology for the way I reacted when you told me about the first pregnancy. I didn’t mean any of it, but it was still unforgivable.’
Her heart fluttered in her chest as she studied his face and saw total sincerity.
‘You have forgiven me for not telling you?’
‘There’s nothing to forgive you for, but I’m not sure I’ve forgiven myself for being so judgemental.’ His lips curled in a grimace of self-disgust. ‘It was my guilt talking and I took it out on you. It seems that being in love does not make me any less a coward or a bastard.’
‘Inlove?’
