Try as she might she couldn’t reach through the haze. Oblivion pulled her under.
Her sister’s voice pounded in Anna’s head.
“She’s moving. She’s waking up.”
Anna struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, and when she finally succeeded, she awoke to a group of people gathered around. She wondered why. As bits and pieces of information returned she remembered … Her hands reached for her stomach, the large mound was gone. Terror ripped through as her heart began to beat wildly.
“My baby, where’s my baby?”
Her sister patted her hand. “You have a healthy baby girl, but you sure gave us a fright.”
“Where is she? I need to see her.”
The doctor pushed his way through the crowd.
“You’ll all have to leave. Go home, get some rest. You’ve been here a long time and need some sleep. Mrs. Clarke is safe now, but she needs time to recuperate before she can handle this many people.” He spoke in a firm, deliberate tone that didn’t allow room for argument.
He turned to Anna and said, “I’ll send for your baby immediately.”
One by one they kissed her, said a few words, and left the room. She felt exhausted.
The doctor stood like a sentinel on guard. He shuffled the last one out before he spoke.
“Anna, your baby is healthy and strong. She’s a real fighter, just like her mom. We almost lost you. You hemorrhaged heavily and your little girl was stuck in the birth canal with the cord wrapped around her neck. Even with our modern-day technology, it was a miracle that you both survived.”
“How long have I been unconscious?”
“Three days.”
Anna was shocked. It felt like a couple hours.
“You had us worried, that’s for sure.
“On another note, Anna, I have to ask you something more of a personal nature. Matt and I are friends, but you’re my patient. He’s told me a little of your story, but I have to ask, are you okay with him in here? It’s apparent your family seems to think otherwise.”
“Yes, doctor, Matt is welcome.”
He smiled. “Good. Then I’ll bring them in directly, but your visit must be short. Let’s raise this bed and get you propped up a bit.
“I’m going to order some blood work, and we’ll work hard at getting you home as soon as possible.”
“Oh, and make sure that you don’t try to hold the baby yourself just yet. Let Matt help you.”
Anna nodded in agreement. “How long have you and Matt been friends?” she asked.
“Matt and I go way back. Congratulations to you both, by the way.” He raised the bed while he chatted, and positioned the pillow behind her head. “I must say it’s all a bit of a surprise. In fact, the whole hospital is buzzing with the news that Dr. Carmichael is a father.” He laughed and then added, “It’s quite comical to watch the single women literally wilt at the news. Everyone is quite curious about the mysterious woman who finally stole his heart.
“I’ll go get them both. Matt hasn’t slept in the last three days waiting for this moment.”
Tears filled her eyes as Matt carried their child toward her. He looked haggard but somehow different. He lowered the baby in his arms so she could see her child for the first time.
“Oh, Matt, she’s incredible.”
“Incredible doesn’t even come close to expressing how I feel,” he said with conviction.
Anna looked at the two of them together with his smile fixated on their little one and marveled at the play of emotion she could see dance across his face.
“Are you okay if I sit beside you here?” he said, as he patted the bed. “I’ll help you hold her?”
Anna nodded.
He draped one arm around her shoulder and the other cradled her arm that held their sleeping child. The heat from his arm penetrated into hers causing a warmth and comfort.
The two of them stared at their child in wonder.
“I had to come up with a name for the records, but given the circumstances you can readily change it.”
She looked at him expectantly.
“I named her Melody Joy. I know this may sound corny to admit, but she makes me want to sing for joy, and she’s only three days old. I can’t believe how she has affected me, how much I love her already. I’ll never be the same.” His words drifted into a whisper as he stroked a finger softly across the baby’s cheek.
Anna shifted enough to look directly into his warm blue eyes. He met hers full on. What she saw there scared her, and she lowered her gaze. “What a beautiful name, Matt. I love it! It’ll bring special meaning to our daughter’s life when she hears how her father named her. Little girls love those kinds of stories.”
“What do you know about little girls?” He chuckled. “You had two boys.”
“I was a little girl once upon a time.”
“Right you are.”
He smiled.
She smiled.
As if on cue, little Melody Joy opened her eyes. She yawned and stretched her tiny mouth open and then shut. Her scrunched up face sent a warning before she bellowed. The fact she was hungry was evident to the whole ward. Anna laughed and planted a kiss on her tiny cheeks.
The nurse bustled in. “Well, Mrs. Clarke, do you think you’re up to trying to breast feed? The baby’s been introduced to the bottle out of necessity, but if you’re willing to try, we could see if little Melody makes a go of it.”
Anna nodded in agreement, and Matt stood prepared to leave.
“You’ll have to help her hold the baby. Anna is still too weak,” he said to the nurse.
“No,” she said with a point of her finger, “You’ll have to help her. This is something that Anna will need help with in the next couple of days, and there’s not always enough staff to accommodate. Besides, you’ve held that baby nonstop for the last few days, so this shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”
Heat rose from the neck of Anna’s hospital gown to her hairline. There was no
