|
Chapter 33: Lucky held Elizabeth as their baby fought for her life. Lucky heard
a disturbance outside the room. "What do you mean I can't go in!" an angry voice
exclaimed. "I'm sorry Mr.Spencer, but you just can't," the nurse said
in a calm voice. "Now listen here...." Lucky pulled himself from Liz' arms, "I'll be right back honey,
I need to go talk to my parents." Liz nodded silently, her attention focused on the table where her
baby was being wroked on Lucky pushed open the doors. Luke was still arguing with the nurse
in front of the door. Laura saw Lucky and rushed over to him. At the look of misery in his
eyes she took him into her arms. "How are they Lucky?" Luke asked quietly, coming up to
them. "Liz is fine, but my daughter is..." Lucky let out a
heart-wrenching sob. "She might not make it. She's 2 1/2 months premature,plus hte
ambiical cord was wrapped around her neck. She was born not breathing. They're trying to
resusitate her right now." "I'm so sorry sweetheart," Laura said comfortingly,
holding her son tighter. "Let's think positive," Luke said, "THe girl's a
Spencer,she'll make it." "I hope you're right dad," Lucky said, wiping his eyes and
pulling away from Laura, "It'll kill Liz if ehr baby dies, she thinks this is all her
fault. Hell, it'll kill me if the baby dies." "Listen, I gotta get back in there. I'll come tell you if
there's any news okay?" "Okay Cowboy," Luke said, Lucky turned and walked back in. Bobbie met him with a somber look, "We've managed to stabalize
her Lucky, that's the good news. Unfortunately seh ahs too be hooked up to a incubator.
Your daughter's lungs are so small, she needs help breathing for now until they develop
more fully." Lucky sihged, "At least she's alive." "ANd has a good chance of surviving," Bobbie added,
"She's a tough little baby, she'll pull through." Lucky walked over to where Liz was. Wordlessly he took her into his
arms. He was crying tears of relief that their baby was alive. THeir little girl would
survive. Liz squeezed him tightly, not wanting to let go. "I was so scared
Lucky," she whispered against his shoulder. "I know Elizabeth," he said comfortingly, "Me too.
But guess what, you're now a mom!" "I know, it's a scary thought," she laughed shakily,
"But you're a father." "An even scarier thought," he quipped, causing LIz to
laugh quietly. Bobbie walked up to them, "We've taken your baby to the ICU
where she can be monitored at all times. We're going to take you to your private room Liz,
I'm sorry though that your daughter won't be coming along." Liz nodded, "Can we go see her?" Bobbie looked uncertain, "You really should be in bed resting
Liz." "PLease Bobbie," Liz said desperately, "I want to see
my daughter." "Allright. Lucky, you push her in the wheelchair." They followed Bobbie onto the nearby elevator. AS she pressed the
button for the 3rd floor, she said, "When you see her, try not to be shocked. She's
in a little box with all these machines hooked up to her. You'll be able to touch her, but
not pick her up." THey nodded adn followed her to the room on the ICU floor especially
for newborns. "there she is," Bobbie said gently, pointing to a baby in the
corner." Lucky pushed Liz over to where their baby lay. It broke her heart to
see her baby lying there so helpless. It ahd been bad enough when it was Lucky hooked up
to all those machines, nut an innocent little baby? "Hey sweetheart," she said softly, touching her baby's
arm,"It's your mother and father. We came to see you. You gave us quite a scare
there." "HAve you picked out a name yet?" Bobbie asked. "Audrey Spencer," Lucky said softly. "Waht about a middle name?" "How about Laura?" Liz asked Lucky suddenly. "Are you sure?" Lucky was surprised. Liz nodded,"Yes I am. In honor of your mother, this baby's
grandmother. Besides, it's not like we're saddling her with a middle name like
Emmajean." "Whatever you say," Lucky said. Liz ran her fingers absently up and down Audrey's arm. "Hello
Audrey Laura Spencer. I hope you like that name. You're named after two very great people,
your great-grandmother and your grandmother. You won't be able to get to know your first
name-sake, but I promise I'll tell you lots and lots of stories about her." "I hate to interrput this Liz, really I do," Bobbie said,
"But we really need to get you in bed." Liz looked longingly at her daughter and Lucky laughed, "Come
on now honey, who kept me in bed for 3 weeks for my own good." "Oh, allright." Liz said grudgingly, "I'll see you
soon Audrey." Lucky promised them he'd be up in a few minuted, "I just want
to have a few words wiht my daughter." Bobbie nodded understandingly and pushed Liz away in her wheelchair.
Lucky turned to his daughter, "Hey sweetie, it's your father. I just wanted to talk
to you for abit by myself. Didn't you remember waht I said about being healthy so you
wouldn't worry your mother? Well, when you get healthy we'll ahve to work on that little
rebellion problem of your's Audrey." "I'm so happy you're okay sweetheart. You worried me so much.
Why did you have to be so impatient to enter the world? it would have been the same in 2
1/2 months. Anyway, I'm going to go talk to your mother now, so I just wanted to tell you
somehting. I love you Audrey Laura Spencer, you're my daughter and I promise to take care
of you. Now get better soon soon so you can see things beside the ceiling of this
room." Lucky leaned down and kissed Audrey's forehead. He left the room adn
went in search of Liz's room. It owuld be on the maternity floor, he really should haev
asked Bobbie which number. Fortunately he saw his aunt leaving a room up ahead. Bobbie saw him and walked over, "liz is in room 201." "THanks BObbie," Lucky nodded, "Oh, and would you go
tell my aprents waht is going on?" "Sure Lucky," Bobbie said. And as he began to walk towards
Liz room she called out, "And Lucky?" He turned abck to face her, "Yeah Bobbie?" She smiled, "Liz's grandmother would ave been proud." Lucky smiled his thanks adn turned away. He entered Liz's room, to
find her lying on the bed. "How's it going Liz?" he asked her, pulling up a chair
beside hte bed. "Did I mention I hate hospital rooms?" Liz asked,
"THey bring abck bad memories. Besides, thiis room is so sterile and
impersonal." "It'll be better as soon as it's filled with flowers,"
Lucky promised. "Sure," Liz said, "Where am I going to get flowers
from?" Lucky began to list off names, "Me, Mom, dad, Bobbie, my cousin
Carly, Bobbie's husband Jerry, I bet Sarah will send some. Maybe some kids at school, who
knows? Nik will send, I bet Emily will from her modeling shoot in NY, Nik called her the
other day. Maybe even Stefan." "I get the picture," Liz said, "So Audrey's still
okay?" "Yup," Lucky said, "I was just telling her she
shouldn't haev scared us like that." "Lucky," Liz said, "She's been in this world for an
hour and already you're yelling at her?" Lucky laughed, "No, it wasn't yelling." "Whatever," Liz said wearily, "I'm completely
drained, can we talk later?" "Sure Elizabeth," Lucky said. He stood up to close the
drapes on the window. When he turned back Liz had already fallen into a deep sleep. "Sleep tight Elizabeth," he whispred softly and kissed her on the forhead. He switched the lights off on his way out of teh room. |