Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(15)

I look around the table expecting to see someone from the hospital end the meeting, when Mr. Reed, the attorney for the Sinclairs, says, “As you can imagine, my client is very upset by this. They aren’t willing to part with their daughter, Madison.”

I run my fingers over my lips and across my jaw. I get a text and it’s from Bobby.

I say, “Just a moment, please. This is about Leah’s contractions and it cannot wait.”

Bobby: Leah’s contractions aren’t stopping.

Bruce: What do you need me to do?

Bobby: Pray.

Bruce: What floor are you on?

Bobby: Third, I called our parents. They are on their way.

Bruce: Be there shortly.

I put my phone away and say, “I’m sorry. It looks like Leah’s contractions are getting stronger. We’ll need to reschedule this meeting for a later date.” I stare at the stack of gifts and say, “These are for Madison. Would you please see that she gets them?” I slide them over to their attorney, Mr. Reed. I also remove the envelope from inside my suit jacket and hand it to him. “Please see that Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair get these.”

“I will, thank you.”

“They also brought this for…” he stops mid-sentence.

“For Jamie. Her name was Jamie. Thank you and I’ll see that Leah and Bobby get it,” I say as I stand up and when no one says anything, I add, “I’ll be in touch and let you know when a better time will be to resume this meeting.”

Drake Sinclair

Just before we pull up at home. Madison asks, “Daddy, did their little girl die?” My heart breaks for the little girl, for the family who raised her, and for us. Madison really doesn’t know what death is. Other than my mother, her grandmother, she has had no other dealings with death.

Chelsea looks over at me and I say, “Yes, Madison, their little girl died.” Our little girl died.

“Is she an angel in Heaven, like Grandma?”

“Yes, Madison. I’m sure that she is.”

“That’s sad,” she whispers.

Chelsea says, “Yes, Madison. That is very sad.” I watch as Chelsea wipes away her tears as she stares out the window at the passing cars. I look in the rearview window and Madison has her eyes closed. I wonder if she is praying for the family or for the little girl. I look back at the road and think I could learn a lot from her.

I get a text from our attorney, Ryland Reed, and I tell him I’ll meet him at my office. I know what he says will be upsetting and I don’t want to upset Madison, Caden, or Chelsea anymore today. I’m still working on controlling my anger and I know I have a long way to go.

Robert

After I fill out the damn admissions paperwork and speak briefly to Bruce about the meeting, I try to see Leah. “The doctor is still with your wife, Sir. It’ll be just a few more minutes,” a nurse says from the other side of the nurse’s desk.

“Look. If you don’t tell me what room she’s in, I’m going to walk in every room on this floor.”

“It’s okay, Nurse Greene. What room is Mrs. Grether in?” I look over and one of the guys from the meeting are walking up to the counter.

“Hello, Mr. Morrow. She is in room 317. The doctor is still with her.”

“Thank you, I’ll take Mr. Grether to his wife’s room. Follow me, please.”

I follow behind him and I feel like I should apologize for being rude or thank him for helping me, but I don’t. I’m still pissed about the whole baby swap. He opens the door and says, “She’s in here, Mr. Grether.” I nod and walk into Leah’s hospital room. He closes the door quietly behind me. I thought he might come in, but he didn’t.

The curtain is pulled, but I can hear faint talking coming from the other side of the curtain.

“Leah, it’s me. May I come in?” I don’t want to walk in on her. Although we are married, she is still very modest at times. I have a feeling this is one of those times.

“Come on in, Robert. He’s done.”

I slowly open the curtain and walk further into the hospital room. Leah’s doctor, Dr. Fouch, is standing at the sink washing his hands and Leah is in bed adjusting the covers. She smiles when she sees me.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m better now that you’re here. Dr. Fouch just examined me.”

“Are you in labor?”

“I’m afraid so. I have already started to dilate.”

I’ve heard this word when Jamie was born and I’m not sure what it means. It was good news then when Jamie was full term. I’m certain this can’t be good. “So, your water did break?” I ask sitting next to her on the chair nearest her bed.


“It did.”

“Are they able to stop your labor?”

“I’m going to do everything I can to prolong the birth as long as I can.” The doctor says as he stands at the foot of Leah’s bed. “She is already dilated, which means her cervix has begun to open. If we can stop the contractions, we can schedule surgery and sew her cervix closed. This procedure will give us some more time. But we need to get the contractions stopped first.”

Leah moans in pain and I ask, “How will you do that?”

“We’ll give Leah some medication through an I.V. It should stop her contractions.”