The Fighter Pilot’s Baby

“I’m sorry, Bianca. Since you were ten minutes late you will have to wait a bit for the doctor to fit you in. Her four-thirty just arrived.” The receptionist explained.

Bianca’s face dropped as another twinge of pain made her bend over. “But what about what’s happening to me?” She asked with fear in her voice.

“Cramping and growing pains are common in the early months. If you’ve not had any spotting or bright red blood you should be alright. Please have a seat and the nurses will call you back as soon as they are able to.” The tone of the receptionist’s voice took on a condescending note and Bianca glared at her through the glass partition.

Once she was seated, Bianca pulled out her phone to text Alex about her cramps. Maybe he could talk her down from the unsettling panic she was feeling.

Bianca: I’m waiting to see the doctor. I was too late for my appointment. I’ve been having some cramping.

Alex: Is it bad?

Bianca: Not unbearable, but enough to double over.

Alex: Round ligament pain?

Bianca: Possibly. I hope she can see me soon.

Alex: I’m walking into my interview now; I’ll text you when I’m on my way. It’s going to be okay, babe.

Bianca sighed and shoved her phone back into her purse. Was she the only one worried about this? Maybe she was being irrational. Her hormones were all over the place right now. For the next hour Bianca watched the door to the exam rooms and checked her phone for Alex’s call, all while having minor to moderate cramping. Thinking that moving around may help ease it; Bianca stood and paced the room, rubbing her non-existent baby bump as she went. Just when Bianca was ready to complain to the receptionist a nurse opened the door and called her name. Sighing with relief, Bianca gathered her purse and followed the nurse down the hall to the exam room. Before entering they took her weight at a scale located outside of the room. Once she was seated on the exam table the nurse took her blood pressure and handed her a gown.

“Everything off from the waist down and use this across your lap,” She said, handing Bianca a sheet and leaving the room.

Bianca undressed with shaky hands, folding her clothes into a neat pile and setting it on the chair. She hopped onto the exam table and checked her phone for the tenth time to see if Alex had texted her.

Alex: On my way, be there in a few.

Relaxing at the knowledge that Alex was on his way, Bianca sat back against the raised head of the exam table. The cramps seemed to have lessened for the moment and she was starting to feel a bit better about it only being some muscle stretching. Another twenty minutes passed and Bianca grew restless again. She had been waiting in the office for almost two hours now and she wanted to see the doctor to make sure her baby was okay. Finally a knock sounded on the door and it swung open. Expecting the doctor, Bianca stilled her fidgeting legs and sat upright. But it wasn’t the doctor, it was Alex.

“I am so glad to see you,” Bianca said, almost forgetting that she was half naked and jumping from the exam table.

Alex rushed to her side and embraced her. The gesture made Bianca’s heart calm and she knew that whatever happened they would get through it together.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, resting his hand on her still flat abdomen.

“I’m okay now, just a twinge here and there. I think it was just growing pains.”

Alex nodded, his face still lined with worry. They sat side by side holding hands until the doctor arrived. As soon as Dr. Gabriel entered the room Bianca wanted to pounce, but she waited until she was seated and had pulled up her file on the computer to say anything.

“So, are we excited to see your baby’s first pictures?” Dr. Gabriel asked before Bianca could tell her about the cramping.

They both nodded. “Dr. Gabriel, I’ve been having some cramping off and on since I got here. I told the receptionist but she said it was normal.”

The doctor frowned, “That’s not really her job. She should have told us right away.”

Doctor Gabriel moved forward and motioned for Bianca to lay back. “I’m going to feel around for a moment and then I’ll get the ultrasound machine.”

Bianca bobbed her head up and down in agreement and pulled her shirt up. Doctor Gabriel pressed on her lower abdomen a few times and Bianca winced.

“Does that hurt?” Dr. Gabriel asked.

“A little.” Bianca answered with alarm. What was happening?

The doctor frowned again but didn’t say anything. Bianca glanced at Alex and he raised his eyebrows at her. She shrugged, hoping that everything was okay. Tears pressed at the backs of her eyelids but Bianca forced them back. Now was not the time to fall apart before she knew what was happening.

“I’ll just run out and grab the ultrasound and be back in a minute,” Dr. Gabriel said, dashing from the room.

Bianca looked at Alex with worry. “I hope everything is okay,” she said, gripping his hand tighter.

“I’m sure it is,” he mumbled patting her hand. “I could always check it out for you.” Alex added, lifting her gown a bit.

Bianca smiled and smacked his hand down. She loved him for trying to lighten the mood with a joke. That was the second time she admitted to herself that she loved Alex. But one look at him, holding her hand as she worried about their unborn child and she knew she loved him long before now, she was just afraid to admit it.

Turning to Alex, Bianca was on the verge of professing to him what she had just been thinking when another cramp, this one worse than the rest, gripped her belly.

“Oh no!” She exclaimed, doubling over on the table.

“Bianca!” Alex yelled reaching for her.

“It hurts so badly this time,” she said, her voice hitching on a sob.

“I’ll get the doctor,” Alex said rushing towards the door.

He didn’t make it far however before the doctor came bursting in with the ultrasound.

“Here we are…” She began before seeing Bianca’s state. “What’s happened?” She asked, rushing to Bianca’s side.

“I don’t know,” Bianca mumbled through gritted teeth, the pain feeling like it was ripping her in two. “The cramping is back and it’s so much worse this time.” She managed to say.

“Let’s get you reclined and check on this baby,” Dr. Gabriel said, taking charge.

Bianca laid back and the doctor began the ultrasound, wincing with pain as she moved the wand. Alex gripped her hand, his face a mask of concern. They both watched the doctor’s face for any sign of what was going on. She gave nothing away and that made Bianca even more nervous. After several agonizing moments, Dr. Gabriel turned to them, regret in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Bianca asked, her voice cracking.

“I don’t see a heartbeat, Bianca,” the doctor started. “And it looks as if you’ve begun to bleed.”

Bianca’s face crumbled and she began to sob silently into her hands. This wasn’t happening.

“I don’t understand?” Alex said eyeing the doctor with incomprehension.

Bianca turned to him, tears streaking down her face and a lump in her throat that made her feel as if she was going to gag. “I lost the baby, Alex. I’m sorry,” her voice breaking on a sob. In only a matter of two hours, Bianca’s bliss turned to mourning and she wished more than anything that she could make the pain go away.