Something unfinished

Melanie lay on the hospital bed, feeling like a creature that was being experimented on. There were so many tubes attached to her body. It seemed excessive to her. The doctors assured her that everything was fine and that the baby would be fine. He didn't believe their lies or their fake smiles.1

The door opening interrupted her thoughts. She looked to see her husband, Lee, walk in. He gave a small smile when he saw her.2

"Lee, will you tell me why they have all of these wires and tubes attached to me?" she asked him, hoping that the doctors had at least told him the truth.3

"It's just standard procedure, honey," he told her with a reassuring smile that was every bit as fake as the doctor's and nurse's.4

"Won't you at least tell me the truth?" she pleaded, using her big puppy dog eyes to her advantage. He couldn't resist her cuteness.5

"They're keeping quiet to keep you safe. They don't want you to stress, because that wouldn't be good for you or the baby," Lee explained.6

"But I'm stressing wondering what they're hiding from me," Melanie persisted.7

"Well, it's just that the baby is on the big side, and with your small frame, they're worried about your health during the birth. They also think that you might not have the strength to push him out before he suffocates," Lee said. Melanie couldn't look at him. The pain in his eyes was worse than any pain she had ever seen. She couldn't imagine how horrible he must feel, knowing that he might lose his wife and his first child.8

"Can't they just do a C-section?" Melanie asked, horrified by the scars it would leave, but less afraid of that than death.9

"They've thought of that. That would almost certainly kill you," Lee said, his eyes tearing.10

"Lee, I'm sorry I'm so frail," she said after a long moment.11

"It's not your fault, babe," he said with a small smile.12

And that was when her contractions really started. Her water had broke yesterday, and the contraction were far apart and irregular, so they had decided to keep her in the hospital. Now the contraction were close and about every twenty seconds.13

Lee ran out to the hall and started yelling for the doctor and nurses. Everyone rushed in at once, and Lee took his place next to Melanie.14

Melanie tried to concentrate on breathing and pushing when she was told. No one had ever told her that it would be this painful. But she wondered if part of it was because she was so small. She only five foot one and ninety-five pounds before she was pregnant. She didn't gain much wait after, either.15

Calm started to come over Melanie, and the pain stopped. Melanie relaxed for a moment, thinking that the baby was out. Then pain came back, doubled, and she was nearly hysterical.16

"Doc! I think Melaine is dying!" she heard Lee scream in a mangled, tear srained imitation of his normal voice.