"Damn you Leanne. Why?"
"Please. Just call the doctor."
*****
"She's running a temperature and spotting." Christos glared at the hapless doctor and nurse. "What's wrong and please don't tell me it's nothing to worry about."
"An infection."
"Infection?" He looked at the man in surprise. "What kind of infection?"
"Listeriosis."
"What the hell is that?"
"It's caused from food poisoning."
"Food poisoning? She drank some soup. What the hell are you talking about?"
"Any seafood today Leanne?" The doctor preferred to deal with the woman lying on the bed.
"Yes." She moaned, pressing a hand on her stomach. "Shellfish. Just a small amount." She reached for Christos' hand. "How serious is it?"
"It can be serious. We'll start you off on some antibiotics." The doctor took a chance at glancing at Christos and swallowed nervously. "But ideally, you should be in the hospital."
"Get it done. When is the next port stop?"
"In two hours."
"I'll get the pilot to meet us there. We're getting off the ship and don't even think about putting up an argument." He told hergrimly. "Try and keep her and my babies alive until then." This was said as a dire warning to the medical personnel as he left the cabin to make some calls.
*****
"Darling. Any word?"
Christos felt the weariness pressing down to the bones. They had been traveling forever and even though a nurse had accompanied them, he had never been so scared in his life.
"They're running a series of tests. She was still spotting and the fever was not going down. I'm just waiting. Mother, there was no need to come, and you brought the entire family."
"Stop this nonsense, where else would we be?" Her heart turned over at the look of utter hopelessness on his face.
"I could not keep them away."
He nodded to his brothers and their wives who trooped into the private waiting room of the clinic.
His father came to sit at his opposite side with his mother on the right.
"What are they saying?"
"It's a bloody infection that could cause a lot of damage to her and the babies."
They all turned towards the door when it was pushed open.
"Well?" Shaking off his mother's hand, Christos rose. "How is she?"
"The fever is going down."
"Oh, thank the good Lord!" Mary-Ann exclaimed.
