Storm Dreamer

Chapter 3

3

“You can get dressed now. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” The doctor left the examination room, shutting the door behind her.

Chelsea sat up and slipped off the side of the examination table. She dressed and pulled a brush from her shoulder bag and ran it through her chin-length blond hair. Perched on the edge of a chair in the corner of the room, she rubbed her hands together, partly because it was chilly in the room but mostly out of concern about the results of her examination. Convinced the symptoms she’d been experiencing were signs of menopause, she had mixed feelings.

Aren’t I too young for menopause? The idea she was ageing slapped her in the face. Not that I ever expect to have more children. But knowing that part of her life could be over reminded her of all the years she’d been lost in captivity with Arne. She was grateful he was sterile from a childhood case of the mumps. Childbirth under those conditions would have had added complications. She caught her breath and let out a sigh. But still. She extended her fingers, studied her painted nails to pass the time and distract her thoughts from the depression weaving through her.

The door opened and Dr Anna Carson slipped in. She shut the door, pulled her stool over, and sat facing Chelsea. A slight smile creased the corners of her mouth. “Well, I can tell you what we’re dealing with here and it’s not menopause.”

“Okay. What’s wrong with me?”

“I’d say you’re about four months pregnant.”

Chelsea gasped. Her hand flew to her chest. All she could say was, “No way.”

“I’m surprised it took you this long to come in.”

Her brain couldn’t function. Pregnant? “My God, how is this possible?”

“It’s unusual at your age for sure. Less than ten per cent of women after forty ever get pregnant with their eggs. But there it is. How do you feel?”

How do I answer that? Like I know. “I … I’m … it’s a shock, to say the least.” Tears filled her eyes and the doctor handed her a box of Kleenex. She blew her nose. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

“Raging hormones for one thing, along with an unplanned pregnancy. There are a few things we need to discuss if you choose to have this baby—or if you don’t. There are some potential problems associated with pregnancy and birth with women in their forties.”

“Such as?”

“You can develop diabetes and high blood pressure, experience a difficult birth, and usually a pre-term pregnancy. Eighty per cent of post-forty aged women have caesarean sections at around thirty-seven weeks. There can also be extensive bleeding post-delivery, which means you may need transfusions. And a fifty per cent chance you can miscarry. Although, I’d say you’re close to the safe zone for a miscarriage.”

“That’s a lot to take in. I thought you were going to tell me I was in early menopause.”

Dr Carson nodded. “It’s certainly a game-changer.”

Chelsea expelled a deep breath. “And what are the risks for the baby?”

“A preemie baby would have to remain in the hospital until a certain development level. There’s the risk of jaundice. Then there’s the uncertainty of genetic defects. As a woman ages, her eggs begin to break down. There’s no guarantee the baby will be born healthy without chromosomal abnormalities.”

“You mean like Down syndrome?”

“That’s one consideration. Now, there is a test we can do that will tell us if there are any chromosomal issues.”

Chelsea’s stomach knotted. “I read once those tests are pretty invasive and can cause miscarriages and infection.”

“True. But luckily for you, there’s a new non-invasive procedure. It’s a simple blood draw. Researchers discovered that a baby’s cells are discharged through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. They float freely within the mother’s blood. Usually, it’s done at ten weeks and then again around sixteen weeks. You’re past the first period so we can do one right away.”

Chelsea hesitated. “I guess.”

Dr Carson leaned into her and squeezed her arm. “I know this isn’t what you expected to hear today and, since I don’t know what your moral or religious beliefs are, let me present your choices. If the test result is positive, you still have the option of terminating the pregnancy—or not. I’m also ordering an ultrasound. They’ll get you in within a few days. If the results of the blood work are negative, then you’ll need to decide if you want to have a baby at this stage of your life. You don’t have to decide right now but I want you to think about it.”

“Okay. I guess until we know more, I have some time to think about all of this.”

“Is the father part of this decision?”

That gave Chelsea a start. Chaz! What’s he going to think about all of this? “Umm, he’s part of my life, so I guess Chaz should be part of all of this.”

“I suggest you discuss it with him. But, ultimately, the decision is yours to make. I know I’m hitting you with a lot all at once, but because you’re so far along, we have a short window to work with.”

I can’t imagine how I’ll bring the subject up to Chaz. “What a strange conversation that’s going to be,” she mused aloud.

What is it about me and surprise pregnancies? First Sydney and now this.

Dr Carson turned to her computer and printed out two requisitions. “Let’s get the results of the blood test and ultrasound so you can make an informed decision. Take this to the lab at the hospital. We might as well do all your blood work. Take this one to imaging. Once I have all the results, we’ll get you back right away.”

“I’ll go as soon as I leave here.”

“Okay. Meanwhile, get some rest and try not to stress about this.”

As if.

Chaz ran his hands through his hair. He was sitting across the kitchen island from her, sipping coffee when she told him. She’d been to see the doctor that afternoon and this wasn’t the news he’d expected when he arrived this evening. He was aware she was studying his face as he digested the information. Surprise, shock, and then confusion engulfed his mind. God, I might as well be sitting in a minefield. He studied her face in return. One wrong word and this whole thing could go sideways. Trouble is I’m not sure what the right or wrong words are.

“Are you sure? Yesterday, you thought you were going through menopause. How can you get pregnant?”

“I guess I’m one of the ten per cent who can … do … and did.”

“Wow.”

Their eyes locked and they stared at each other in silence. He dove in with the first coherent thought that came into his head. “What do you want to do?”

Her eyes stared past him. “I don’t know.”

“Oh.” It was all he could think of to say.

“I’m sorry, Chaz.”

This snapped him out of his apparent state of disbelief. “Sorry? Don’t apologize. We created this baby together. It’s not a matter of blame.” He reached across and took hold of her hand. “How do you feel about it?”

Chelsea snorted. “I have no idea. Like you, I’m flabbergasted. I wasn’t going to tell you until I had all the facts. But you asked me how my doctor visit went today, and I couldn’t lie about something like this. For the record, I was saying sorry for just blurting out, ‘Surprise! I’m pregnant’.”

“What do you mean about having all the facts?”

“I had a blood test at the hospital to see if the baby has any abnormalities. It does happen with women who conceive in their forties.”

“Okay. You mean like Down syndrome. And if there are? How does it help to know that at this point?”

Chelsea looked down. “I could abort.”

That startled him. “How far along are you?”

“Sixteen weeks.”

“Don’t you want to have this baby?”

She lifted her head, her eyes full of anger.

Uh-oh. Wrong question. Brace yourself.

“Yes … maybe. I don’t know.” She pulled her hand from his. “I did some research online on Down syndrome before you came tonight. They can live long lives but are more prone to infections that can affect their lungs, and they can develop early-onset Alzheimer’s. Even if I lived to my nineties, I’d be leaving a middle-aged child alone with possible health issues. Is that fair? And understand Down syndrome is what everyone thinks of first, but other things can go wrong, too. It’s so confusing.”

“Did the doctor talk about the dangers to you if you go through with this pregnancy?”

“She did.” Chelsea filled him in on the possible complications for a woman her age. “There is another point to consider here too. If I remain healthy and the baby survives, it will change our lives. God knows I’ve struggled the past two and a half years. You’ve been so patient and given me time to heal and learn to trust in people again. Having a baby scares the hell out of me. How will a baby affect us? And you?”

Chaz felt puzzled. “Are you worried I wouldn’t want this child?”

“No. It may be a shock, but I know you well enough to know you’d step up to the plate on this. It … it’s more complicated than that. It’s hard to find the words.”

He was aware that she’d pulled back from him. What he saw in her eyes was fear. She appeared to him like a caged animal, waiting for a chance to bolt. Be careful what you say next, old man.

Chaz stood and walked around the island. Sitting beside her, he turned her stool to face him. She stared into his face as he took her hands into his. “My first concern is your health. I wouldn’t want you to go through this pregnancy if it becomes a health risk for you or the baby. On the other hand, if the test is positive and you decide to terminate, it’s your decision and I’ll respect it.”

Chelsea slipped off the stool and into his arms. “Thank you.”

They hugged in silence until Chaz pushed her back gently. Her eyes were misty. “But understand one thing: if you decide to go through with the pregnancy, even with abnormalities, we’ll raise this child and deal with whatever comes our way together. You don’t have to do this alone.”

He saw her body tense. She started to say something, and he put his fingers to her lips. “Shhh. We’ll figure it out.”

Chelsea stared deep into his eyes. “I’m willy-nilly and all over the place with my emotions. But I do know one thing and you need to know it too: if I decide not to have this child, it won’t be because the baby has abnormalities. It would be about immediate life-threatening issues for the baby or me.”

Chaz pushed her hair back from her eyes. “Then one step at a time. Okay?”