The Pregnant Midwife

by Fiona McArthur

  ‘During the night,’ Abbey said. ‘It must have been an incomplete obstruction because between episodes he looked almost well and I thought it was colic.’ She looked at her husband and Kirsten could tell Abbey had been beating herself up over this. They all looked at Lachlan as he grunted in his sleep and drew his little legs up.

  ‘Rohan’s been on the ward with a prolonged labour for most of the morning and I took Lachlan in to see Scott at morning teatime when I noticed his belly was becoming distended.’

  Hunter arrived but because of the size of the room they left the stretcher outside and Kirsten introduced him to her family.

  Hunter, this is my sister Abbey and brother-in-law Rohan Roberts. Rohan does obstetrics and the anaesthetics here. Dr Hunter Morgan is our paediatrician.’

  They all shook hands and then the referring doctor arrived to meet the team. Hunter’s eyes widened as the second tall man crossed the room and dropped a kiss on Kirsten’s cheek.

  ‘Hi, Kirsten. Bella hoped you’d be here for Abbey.’ He turned to Hunter. ‘Scott Rainford. Another brother-in-law of Kirsten’s.’

  They all turned to look at the baby. ‘And this little bloke is Lachlan.’ Scott switched the boxed X-ray light on and the illuminated X-ray that was already hanging there showed the blockage clear on the screen. He handed Hunter a sheaf of paper that were photocopies of Lachlan’s admission notes, X-ray reports and pathology to take with them to Sydney.

  ‘He became acute this afternoon. He must have been partially obstructed before the full intussusception occurred. As you can see, I’ve put a line in, nil by mouth and sedated him with some morphine until you arrived. The paediatric surgeon at the Children’s Hospital says they’ll operate as soon as you get there.’

  Hunter nodded and Kirsten had begun to record some observations on the MIRA transfer sheet as Scott was talking. She handed Hunter the stethoscope that he was about to grab from the trolley and their eyes met.

  ‘Beat me again,’ he said under his breath, and did a quick examination of Lachlan in the cot. When he palpated the baby’s belly he looked up at the parents and grimaced.

  ‘Sausage-shaped mass, textbook stuff. What was the last stool like? Any blood or mucus?’

  ‘Just starting,’ Abbey spoke quietly. ‘The last one looked like the classic currant jelly.’ Then she glanced across at her husband.

  He squeezed her shoulder and Rohan murmured, ‘Our baby will be fine as soon as they do the operation.’

  Abbey nodded but her voice thickened as she struggled to be calm. ‘He’s been irritable for the last twelve hours or so, and started vomiting late this morning. He’s got a temperature now and Scott’s given the first dose of antibiotics that the Children’s Hospital doctor said to give him.’

  Hunter nodded. ‘We’ll get him down there as soon as we can. You all know that the outcome, when corrected in the first twenty-four hours, is excellent.’ He smiled and the tension lightened in the room. ‘His analgesia looks sufficient at the moment and while he’s covered for pain I won’t give him any more. So let’s move out of here.’ He looked at Abbey and his eyes softened. ‘Are you coming with us in the chopper?’

  Abbey nodded and Rohan glanced at Scott. ‘I’ll follow in the car so I can bring them all home. Bella’s bringing over a few things for Abbey. She should be here in the next minute or two. We can all come back together in a couple of days when Lachlan can drink and has normal bowel function. By then he’ll be able to travel comfortably.’

  Kirsten helped Hunter transfer Lachlan and his IV line to the MIRA stretcher. She spoke over her shoulder to Rohan. ‘You can stay at my place—I’ll make sure Abbey gets a key when she gets down there. It’s close to the hospital.’

  ‘Fine. That’s settled. Let’s go,’ Hunter said as they strapped Lachlan in and gathered the paperwork to take with them.

  Bella arrived with a small bag and smiled at Kirsten, who was too busy to do more than blow her a kiss. ‘I’ll ring you later,’ Kirsten said, and Bella nodded, relieved.

  ‘Good luck,’ she called after them, and Scott put his arm around his wife.

  ‘They’re in good hands,’ he said as they watched the stretcher disappear.

  Lachlan handled the trip well, and Hunter gave another small dose of morphine twenty minutes before they landed to keep the little boy pain-free until he could be transferred to Theatre.

  Abbey held his tiny hand all the way and when he was sleeping she spoke quietly with Kirsten about family stuff.

  To Hunter, the sisters seemed very close. He supposed they’d have to be if Abbey had been the mother figure for Kirsten from fifteen. Apart from her natural concern for her son, Kirsten’s sister was a remarkably restful woman—the complete opposite to her youngest sister, he thought ruefully. The middle sister was different again and even Hunter had to admit she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen, something he hadn’t noticed the first time he’d met them. He’d taken more notice this time because he was trying to learn more about Kirsten. In fact, the five of them seemed to epitomise family support and as an only child of divorced parents he couldn’t help wondering what that would be like.

  Both women were looking at him and Hunter realised that Abbey must have asked him a question. He shook his head to indicate he hadn’t heard her and moved over to sit next to them.

  Abbey smiled. ‘No ill effects from the excitement a few weeks ago?’

  Hunter shook his head. ‘I managed to get out of it the lightest.’

  ‘Nobody gets off lightly in that situation.’ Abbey didn’t understand what the problem was between these two. Anyone could see they were in love, and equally confused. She changed the subject. ‘Kirsten tells me you two met in Dubai before MIRA?’

  He eyed her warily. ‘Yes. I came back a couple of months before Kirsten.’

  ‘And you both ended up here.’ She watched them as they avoided each other’s eyes. They were hopeless. ‘I know Kirsten loves it, but do you plan to work for MIRA long?’

  Hunter looked out the window and then back at Abbey. ‘A few more months. It’s a great service and Kirsten is an excellent flight sister. I think she likes the adventure.’

  Abbey tilted her head and bit her lip. Obviously you both fancy a bit of adventure, she thought, but she didn’t say it. She liked what she’d seen of Hunter and she could see he was no fool. Kirsten’s plan to keep the news of his baby from him in case everything didn’t work out was doomed. The sooner he knew, the better for Kirsten. ‘I see you know her well.’

  The twinkle in Abbey’s eye made Hunter shift uncomfortably and for a horrible moment there he wondered if Abbey knew about the cave. Before he could think of something to change the subject again, she did it for him.

  ‘So, tell me about Lachlan’s surgeon.’ She raised her chin and her voice was firm. ‘Do you know him?’ And then with seeming innocence she added, ‘If you had a son, would you let this doctor operate on him?’

  Kirsten jumped beside him, and her head snapped around to look at her sister’s face. Hunter frowned at her sudden movement, and when he turned back Abbey was watching him. Hunter met Abbey’s eyes and answered her question, but he knew that something else was going on. ‘Without hesitation,’ he said. ‘He’s the best paediatric surgeon in Australia. Which is the advantage in coming to a research and teaching hospital like this one.’

  Abbey sank back in her seat and Kirsten recovered her composure, although she was watching her sister warily. She rubbed her stomach again and he wondered if it still hurt from the fall yesterday.

  ‘Thank you, Hunter.’ Abbey glanced at Kirsten, and there was a touch of mischief in her eyes. ‘You wait,’ Abbey said. ‘Having children is magic but very stressful. It fries your brain. I’ll be pleased when Rohan gets here to share the worry.’ Kirsten frowned at her sister and Hunter had a wild thought that he banished almost immediately. Crazy thought, he told himself, and concentrated on ensuring the paperwork was right. But the idea planted by Abbey refu
sed to go away.

  Lachlan’s transfer to the hospital went smoothly and Hunter arranged for Kirsten to have the rest of the afternoon off so she could stay with her sister. Lachlan’s surgery was scheduled for three o’clock, only an hour away, and Rohan probably wouldn’t arrive until at least six that evening.

  When they’d handed over their patient and Hunter was about to leave, Kirsten laid her hand on his arm. ‘Thank you for suggesting the time off, Hunter.’ He squeezed her fingers and it felt so good just to touch her in this tiny way, but he didn’t answer her. ‘I appreciate it anyway,’ she said. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  He nodded and reluctantly released her hand. ‘Good luck.’ When he left he had a lot to think about. Meeting her family made his erroneous belief in Kirsten’s behaviour even more unforgivable. The bond between the other two sisters and their husbands was strong and obviously Kirsten had developed the same steadiness.

  But Kirsten had been different since she’d come back to work and he wondered if she’d decided he wasn’t worth the risk. Women fell out of love all the time with the Morgan men. Maybe it was hereditary. He must share that pearl with his father. He crossed the courtyard to MIRA headquarters. He’d promised not to revisit past failures.

  That night, after Lachlan’s surgery was over, Rohan sent Abbey home to Kirsten’s to rest for a few hours while he stayed with Lachlan. The two sisters sipped hot cocoa before going to bed, and it was a relief for both women to relax.

  ‘Thank you for being there for me, Kirsten,’ Abbey said. ‘I think I’m going soft and seem to need someone now that I’m used to having Rohan look after me.’

  Kirsten felt her eyes mist. Even Abbey, whom she’d always thought invincible, could be brought low by fear for her child. ‘Any mother would need someone while they were being strong for their baby—and you’re a wonderful mother. I just hope I’m as good when my baby is born.’

  Abbey shook her head. ‘You will be. I see you still haven’t told him.’

  Kirsten sighed. ‘I could have done without your double-edged comments today. You have to have trust before you can have a relationship.’ She looked away and Abbey stared at her thoughtfully.

  ‘Well, it’s up to you to decide if he’s the only man for you.’ She patted Kirsten’s knee. ‘We Wilson girls seem to be late starters and love doesn’t seem to run as easily as we think it should. But I have a lot more faith everything will turn out right for you than I had before I met my Rohan.’ Abbey sipped her cocoa and then stroked the side of her mug. ‘I like him a lot. I think you both operate on another level from the rest of us. That doesn’t happen without reason. Was I imagining it?’

  ‘You never did miss anything.’ Kirsten shrugged. ‘I couldn’t get away with a thing when I was a teenager.’

  Abbey smiled at the memory. ‘I had a good spy network. So tell me what’s happened since you came back.’

  ‘Before the crash I came to accept there was no future in our relationship but then we made love. That was when I realised I still loved him and thought he might love me. I was ready to try again but it doesn’t feel like that any more. Now I’m pregnant it just keeps getting more confusing.’

  Abbey squeezed her hand. ‘Apart from the baby, do you still love him?’

  ‘I’m trying not to.’ Kirsten looked at the clock. ‘You should get some sleep if you’re going to relieve Rohan later.

  Abbey nodded. ‘We’ll talk about this tomorrow. It’s been a big day.’

  The next morning, after Abbey left for the hospital, Kirsten decided that she should go home to Gladstone as soon as she’d worked off her two weeks’ notice. And she’d see Jim unobtrusively and request not to work with Hunter after today. It was too stressful to see Hunter so often and know her dreams would never come true. She owed it to herself and her baby to get on with planning her life without Hunter’s presence. Hearts didn’t break, they just ached for a long time, but she’d made the decision.

  Hunter noticed there was something distant about her as soon as she came in. She didn’t meet his eyes when he enquired about Lachlan and she avoided any chance of them being alone together.

  Their first retrieval wasn’t until after lunch and the day seemed to drag minute by minute. When the call came, it was to another baby with a heart defect—this time a two-day-old girl.

  Considering she wasn’t keen to talk to him, Kirsten asked more questions than usual and he wondered why she was suddenly interested in congenital abnormalities.

  CHAPTER TEN

  WHEN Hunter and Kirsten arrived at the destination hospital, Tia, Amy Masters’s mother, was shattered and her fear wasn’t helped by the fact that, as a single parent, she was without family support. It was a chilling insight for Kirsten to see a mother trying to cope without the person who would most understand her distress.

  Two-day-old Amy had suspected coarctation of the aorta, or narrowing of a section of the aorta at birth, which could seriously decrease the blood flow from the heart out to the rest of the body.

  Kirsten introduced herself and Tia clutched her, almost gabbling with distress, repeating the same story over again. ‘I should have noticed earlier but I thought she was just cold.’ Her eyes darted across to her baby and back again as if to reassure herself her daughter was alive. ‘Just cold! What a fool I was!’

  Kirsten took the woman’s shoulder and steered her into a seat. ‘Tia, sit down. Someone will get you a drink. You really need to stop feeling guilty and pat yourself on the back for noticing so soon. Often babies with Amy’s condition aren’t picked up until day three. So you did really well.’ She caught the eye of one of the hospital nurses and smiled. ‘Could you get Tia a cup of tea, please? I think she’s in desperate need of one.’ She hugged the woman and stood up. ‘I have to go and see Amy. I’ll be back shortly.’

  The nurse came over to help. Kirsten was pleased to see the young woman sit down beside Amy’s mother and put her arm around her while she asked her preferences. As she walked away she heard Tia tell the nurse how guilty she felt that she hadn’t noticed her baby was sick.

  The MIRA crew stabilised Amy as quickly as they could because they were limited in what they could do prior to surgery. During the flight, Kirsten slipped her phone number into Tia’s pocket and comforted her as best she could. ‘If you need to talk, give me a ring.’

  The transfer was completed and Kirsten heard Tia tell the new staff how guilty she felt.

  ‘That poor woman. It must be hard, coping with this on her own.’ Hunter looked back as they left Tia safely ensconced beside her daughter’s crib in NICU. ‘You did a great job supporting her, Kirsten. Any idea what happened to Amy’s father?’

  Kirsten grimaced. ‘Tia told me he wasn’t interested and wanted Tia to terminate the pregnancy. She refused and he walked.’

  ‘She’s better off without him.’

  ‘What a good idea—except Tia still loves him,’ Kirsten said dryly. There was a lot she could have said and she was actually close to forming the words, but Hunter was stopped by the director of NICU and Kirsten walked ahead and out of the unit.

  Hunter gave only half of his attention to his boss as he watched Kirsten walk away. He had the impression she’d been about to say something important and that fleeting, crazy thought swirled in his brain again. She couldn’t be.

  ‘Hunter!’ Professor John James wasn’t used to being ignored.

  Hunter switched back to where he was. ‘Sorry, John. You were saying?’

  Slightly mollified by Hunter’s smile, the director repeated himself. ‘I said I have a fellow in my office who wants to see you. Jack Cosgrove. Said he worked with you in Dubai.’

  The last people he’d expected to see walking across the unit towards him were Eva and Jack Cosgrove, but there was no doubt the doctor he’d last seen in Dubai had business with him.

  ‘Jack! I thought you and Eva were in Canada?’

  ‘Hunter.’ Cosgrove nodded his thanks to the director who bustled away. Cosgrove’s
face was serious. ‘We’re back to see an obstetrician.’ The older man couldn’t hide his pride in his coming fatherhood, but he was obviously on a mission. ‘If you’ve got a few minutes, there’s something Eva needs to tell you.’

  When he looked at Eva, Hunter noticed that, while she looked uncomfortable, there was something different about her. Then he realised the latent bitterness in her eyes was missing and she seemed somehow softer.

  ‘Sure. Come across to the coffee-room.’ He glanced at Gloria Westerland beside the crib and the charge sister nodded that she would ensure his privacy in the staffroom.

  Hunter led the way. He had no idea what this was all about but it must be important if Jack had dragged his wife up here.

  They arrived and Hunter flicked the kettle on in case they wanted coffee. There was silence in the room as the Cosgroves exchanged looks. Hunter cleared his throat. ‘So how was Canada?’

  Eva shrugged. ‘Canada was fine but we’re here because of something that happened in Dubai.’

  Hunter raised his eyebrows as the premonition firmed in his mind. He beat her to it. ‘I know you lied about Kirsten.’

  Eva jumped and glanced one more time at her husband. She must have received the support she needed because she sighed and then straightened her shoulders. ‘I, um, may have given you the wrong idea about Jack’s relationship with Kirsten Wilson.’

  Hunter raised his head and his eyes burned into Eva’s. His voice was very quiet and very cold. ‘Why would you do that?’

  Eva flinched. ‘I knew your past and I knew it wouldn’t take much to turn you off her. Kirsten was only listening to Jack’s complaints about me. I knew they weren’t having an affair.’ She glanced at Hunter as though willing him to understand, but she couldn’t read his expression. She went on reluctantly. ‘But I didn’t like the fact that Jack was leaning on her for support and I thought if I turned you off her, I’d feel better.’

  She looked at her husband. ‘When Jack found out in Canada what I’d done, he made me promise I’d come and tell you the truth when we came back to Australia.’ She looked at her husband as if for approval, and he moved across and put his arm around her.