Their Miracle Baby

That night they made love even as exhausted as they were, clinging to one another afterward, talking about the future for the first time in months. “I think it’s time to go home,” Venetia said, her head propped on his stomach.

“I wondered if you’d want to. I’ll stay as long as you want to, you know that,” Lewis said, running his hands though her curly hair draped across his stomach.

“I know, but I feel like we’ve learned what we needed to. Being here together has been wonderful, but I have to admit that I’m worried about what’s going to happen when we get back to our old lives.”

“I can’t say that I haven’t thought about it, but as long as we remember to live in the moment we’ll be okay,” he said, sitting up and digging something out of his backpack. “But, just in case you doubt me, I want you to wear this.”

In his hand was a ring, the diamond gleaming in the light. “I love you, Venetia. I want you to marry me and spend the rest of your life with me.”

Venetia didn’t think she could be any happier than she was right now. “Of course, I’ll marry you. I love you too and I can’t imagine living my life without you,” she said as Lewis slid the ring on her finger.

Once their decision was made to go home, it would still be a month before a replacement could be sent. They were both fine with the time left; Venetia wanted to record as much of Ronnie’s knowledge as she could before they left and Lewis was happy to just enjoy his hunting trips and working in the clinic.

Just days before they were due to leave, Lewis found Venetia in their hut, unsuccessfully trying to pack her backpack. With a huge groan of exasperation, she shoved it away from her and plopped down on the bed.

“Having a problem?” he asked, leaning against the door frame, where he’d been standing watching her.

“How did I manage to accumulate all this stuff? We’re in the jungle for goodness sakes.”

“Here, let me help, it’s all in the way you pack it,” Lewis said, dumping the bag out to start over. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Yes, I’m sure we made the right decision. You’re ready, aren’t you?”

“I’m ready, but I think we should come back someday. If not here then somewhere else. It’s been a life-changing experience,” he said, zipping her bag up.

“In more ways than one,” she said, looking at the ring on her finger and remembering the night they’d shared the heart.

Lewis took her hand and kissed it where the ring rested on her finger. She pulled him over to her on the bed, knowing that their lives could be changed in another way any day now. Lewis had said to surprise him, so she’d kept it to herself that she’d stopped taking her birth control. Hopefully, in another month she’d have a surprise for him. The timing was right, if her calculations were correct.

Later that night, when they were snuggled together in bed, Venetia noticed that Lewis felt hotter than usual. She was accustomed to his normal body heat and this felt different. Sitting up in bed, she reached over and felt his forehead, dismayed to find that he was hot. At least a degree hotter than normal.

“You’re running a fever. Do you feel okay?” she asked, concern on her face.

“I feel fine. It does seem a bit hot in here, but I’m always hot when I’m with you,” he said, as he pulled her under him, pushed her legs apart, hesitating only a second before sliding inside her. “It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful you feel,” he said, capturing her mouth in a fiery kiss.

The next morning, Lewis’ temperature had risen even more and he couldn’t hide the fact that he felt it. She dressed hurriedly and ran to the medical tent, returning with a powerful fever reducer and some cool water. She got the medicine and a good bit of the water down him before he collapsed back on the bed exhausted. Venetia tried to hide her worry, but he read her like a book.

“It’s just a virus, we’re not used to them so it’s hitting me harder. I’ll be fine, I just need to sleep,” He said, closing his eyes.

“I’ll be back to check on you in a little while,” She said, kissing his hot forehead.

Once she left him, she made a bee line for Ronnie’s hut hoping she’d still be there. She pounded on the door, panic taking over when she thought of all the really bad things that could be wrong with Lewis. Malaria was at the top of her list, followed by a host of other worse conditions.

Ronnie threw open the door, her medical bag already in her hands. Then she stepped back in surprise when she saw Venetia standing there. “What’s wrong?”

“Lewis is really sick. I’m afraid it’s malaria or something worse. His fever is really high and he can barely stay awake,” Venetia said, tears running down her cheeks.

“You need to calm down. We have medicine for malaria in the clinic, and if we have to we can get him out of here. You know we can handle this, we’re prepared,” Ronnie said, taking her hands in hers.

Venetia looked at Ronnie, then took a deep breath. Ronnie’s presence was calming her, allowing her to slow her mind. It would be okay, Ronnie was right, they’d successfully treated many cases of malaria since she’d been here. Taking one more breath, she collected her thoughts and pushed her panic away.

Letting the doctor in her take over, she began to make a mental list of all the supplies she’d need. Lewis would have to remain where he was since there were still a few mothers staying at the clinic. Only at that moment did she realize how lucky she was that Ronnie had returned just last night.