Looking at the page, Ben said, “That is easy.I can do it right now.”
Shaking her head, Ella said, “No.You need to really think deeply about this.This is important.I think it might be what helps us figure out what to do after the baby is born.”
Giving Ella a look, Ben said, “I thought that was what couples therapy was for.”
Ella gave him a sheepish grin and said, “Touché.Maybe you are right about that.But I still think it has been good for us.I mean spending time talking and reflecting on our relationship can only help it, right?”
Yawning, Ben sighed, “I guess.”Reaching over and giving Ella a kiss before scrunching down under the covers, Ben said, “Thanks for going with me tonight.I know you did not want to.”
Shaking her head, Ella said, “It wasn’t that I did not want to be with you.I just feel so out of place at that country club, especially now that I am basically Shamu.”
Ben reached over and pulled Ella close.“Hey, that is my wife you are talking about.She is beautiful.Don’t you forget it.”Yawning once more, he added, “Babe, I am beat.Love you.Good night.”
Ella reached over and gave him a soft kiss on his shoulder.Then she said softly, “I really want you to do this circle nonnegotiable thing.We’ll talk more about it tomorrow.”
Ben nodded with his eyes still closed.
Ella clicked off the light and settled back under the covers.The more she thought about the nonnegotiable thing, the more certain she was it would be the way they would figure out their future.
Chapter 33
Searcy, Arkansas
When Ella woke the next morning, Ben had already left for the club for the second day of the tournament.She vaguely remembered him kissing her as he left.She sat up feeling groggy and dizzy with a raging headache.Her mouth was parched, and she needed a drink of water badly.She pushed herself out of bed, almost fainting as she stood.All she could see were stars.Collapsing back onto the bed, she tried to get herself together.Nausea rolled through her.
Ella knew something was wrong.Forcing herself to slowly sit up, then stand, she made her way to the door of the room, then down the hall and stairs to the kitchen, where she found Poppy making breakfast.
Seeing Ella, Poppy gave her a large smile and said, “Good morning, sunshine.”
Ella did not immediately respond.Instead, she reached out for the nearest chair to catch herself just before she collapsed in a faint on the floor.
Ella came to as she was being loaded onto a stretcher.Poppy held her hand and assured her that Ben was meeting them at the hospital.Ella had an oxygen mask on her face and could only nod.She was so out of it that she had no idea what was actually happening.She lost consciousness again and did not come to a second time until she was in the emergency room at Unity Hospital.
Ben was with her.Ella realized that because she heard his voice before she even opened her eyes.She was trying to focus on what he was saying, but the words made no sense.The doctor was talking about her needing to deliver immediately, but Ella knew that was not possible.John was not due for another four weeks.Over the next thirty minutes, Ella drifted in and out of consciousness.
When they wheeled Ella into the operating room to do an emergency cesarean section, Ella came fully awake.The bright lights penetrated her foggy brain.She looked over and saw Ben.He was holding her hand and gently kissing her forehead.Ella had never seen him looking so terrified with tears in his eyes.Looking up at him, she asked, “What is happening?”
Trying to sound calm when he felt anything but, Ben replied, “It’s okay.You have something called toxemia.Your blood pressure is too high, and they have to take the baby now.You are about to have a C-section.I am right here with you.It is all going to be okay.”
Ella could tell by looking at Ben that he did not totally believe that, but he was trying to be strong for her.At that point, a doctor she had never met introduced herself as Dr.Harper Eaves.She calmly explained to Ella what was about to happen.Ella tried hard to listen and keep up, but her mind kept zoning out.
All Ella really understood was she was in trouble and needed to deliver immediately.At that moment, everything started happening all at once.In what seemed like a split second, but probably was longer, Ella heard the doctor announce, “Here he is!”She held up the baby, and Ella saw her tiny, ruddy, naked baby covered with sticky yellow vernix.It was a beautiful moment, and Ella knew she should have been happy that her son was here safely, but she could tell something was wrong.Even in her incapacitated state, she could tell something was not right.Then it dawned on her what it was: Where there should have been crying, there was silence.
Instantly, a nurse whisked John away to another part of the room.While Dr.Eaves worked to put Ella back together, a team of doctors rushed in and began to work on John.Realizing the severity of the situation, Ben stepped over to see what was happening with his son.
After only a few minutes, one of the doctors who had been working on John pulled Ben off to the side and said, “Your son is not breathing correctly.We have him on oxygen, but we don’t have a neonatal unit here.He needs to be airlifted to Children’s in Little Rock.We have already called for transport.Your wife will not be in any condition to travel for at least a few days.Are you able to go to Little Rock and be with your son?If so, is there anyone who can stay here with her?”
Ben, who had been listening intently, nodded his head, “Yes.I will leave when he does.My parents are here and can be with Ella.How bad is it?”
The doctor gave Ben a look, then said, “Your son is premature.He is having trouble breathing on his own.There are a lot of reasons for that.The doctors at Children’s are fantastic.They will run the necessary tests and put together a care plan for him.His best chances are there.I give you my word.He will be in great hands.That is all I can tell you.”
Ben nodded and replied, “Thanks.I am going to tell all of this to my wife.I will leave the minute John does.”
“John, is that his name?”
Ben nodded, barely holding back tears.“Yes, John Bennett Carrington.”
“That is a strong name.I will get back with you when the helicopter is here.”
