Birth and Rebirth

Jessica’s water broke on the way to the hospital. The babies would be delivered four weeks early, and their mother was in critical condition. She had not awakened, but to Jake’s utter misery, she began convulsing as they wheeled her into the hospital. Dr. Barber was waiting for them when they arrived, and the paramedics filled her in on Jessica’s condition. “Blood pressure’s 210/105. Positive tonic-clonic seizures.”

Dr. Barber began barking orders at once. “Okay, people, it looks like we’ve got eclampsia on our hands. I want an O.R. open now! Get a magnesium sulfate drip into her arm, and add hydralazine at ten-minute intervals. Jake, is she allergic to any medications?”

“No.”

“Okay, here’s the deal. When she had the high blood pressure and abdominal discomfort from before, that was what we call preeclampsia. We weren’t sure of that until now, but we treated her accordingly just in case. She’s been through a lot, and it’s sent her pressure over the edge. The seizures make this a more serious condition called eclampsia. It’s dangerous, but we can treat it. If we can stabilize her, we’ll try to induce labor, but if not, we’ll need to perform a cesarean to remove the babies from danger. There’s also a chance that in stabilizing her, we may lose one or more of the babies.” Jake’s eyes were hollow and unaffected. Dr. Barber gently squeezed his shoulder. “Jake, do you understand?”

He nodded. “Do what you have to do to save as many of them as you can.”

She nodded in understanding. She looked seriously into his eyes. “We’ll do everything we can for her. Once we have her stable, we’ll let you know what’s going on.” With that, she ran off to the operating ro Jak Jake watched her retreating form with intense concentration, then closed his eyes and turned away. He’d never felt so tired or alone, even with all his friends around him. He desperately wished that his father were there.

It suddenly dawned on him that he hadn’t told his dad any of what had happened since they’d asked for the dematerializers. He really needed to hear his voice, so he pulled out his calling card and went in search of a payphone. Eddie met him in the corridor by the maternity ward nurse’s station.

“Jake, where is she? What happened?”

“She went into labor in the ambulance. Her water broke. She was having seizures.”

“Like in epilepsy?”

“Yeah. Something called eclampsia.”

Eddie looked grief-stricken. “Is she? I mean . . . ” His eyes welled with tears.

Jake smiled sadly at the man who had always been more of a brother to him than just a friend. “I wish I knew. They may not be able to save them all. It may come down to it being either Jessie or the babies.” Jake’s face did not seem to register the gravity of what he was saying. He reported it as his wife might have reported the evening news. “I was just gonna call Dad.”

Eddie was very worried about Jake’s apparent lack of emotion over this new development in his wife’s condition. “Want some company?”

“No. I’m okay. Really.”

Eddie didn’t believe that for a second, but he respected Jake’s need to be alone. And if he didn’t come to the waiting area in fifteen minutes, he was coming back to get him. “Okay. Well, don’t forget to call Madame. She’s worried sick. I’ll just go tell the others what’s going on.”

“Okay. Tell them . . . tell them I said thank you. We could never have gotten through this without them.”

“Tell them yourself. We’ll be waiting for you when you finish with your phone calls.” Eddie said it in a tone that indicated that this was not a suggestion, but an order. He then turned to head in the opposite direction down the hallway, calling back over his shoulder, “Tell Pop and Uncle Jake I said hi.”

As Eddie entered the waiting area, all eyes were on him. Egon asked, “Did you find Jake?”

“Yeah. He’s calling home to give an update. Jess is in labor.”

“How is she?” Ray was almost afraid to a
E
Eddie lowered his eyes to think of an answer, but Futura spoke up. “No.” She looked Eddie square in the eye. “Don’t you dare lie about this, not to them, and especially not to me. How is she . . . truthfully?”

Eddie sighed in resignation. “Not good. There . . .there’s a chance that she may not survive even if the kids do, or vice versa.” At that admission, Futura’s eyes filled with tears. She and Jessica were best friends. Despite her own history with Jake, Jessica had asked her to be her maid of honor. She didn’t want them to lose their babies, but she didn’t want any of them to lose ica ica either.

Futura drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, dropping her face down onto her arms to weep. She felt two strong arms wrap uncertainly around her shoulders. She looked up to find Eddie staring back at her with unshed tears in his own eyes. She saw her own fears mirrored in his face.

They silently prayed together that Jake would not have to make that choice.