“Doctor, I’m not leaving my wife’s side. I shan’t get in your way and I’ll remain perfectly quiet and still, but I will not leave.” Hiram’s pale, but determined expression sought hers. When their eyes met, he held her gaze and came to sit next to her on the opposite side of the bed. He pulled her hand into his and refused to let go.
Tears welled in her eyes as the love her husband had for her shone brightly in his troubled gaze. “Please, doctor. Let him stay. I need his support right now.” Her voice warbled with emotion and she squeezed Hiram’s fingers tightly.
The doctor took a deep breath and nodded. “Very well. I prefer you not be stressed, so if his presence helps you remain calm, then I will allow it. Although, I will say most women prefer their husbands out of sight during a time like this.” He huffed.
Aggie turned to look at Hiram. “I am not one of those women, Dr. Davenport.” She offered her husband a weak smile. He leaned down and kissed her. She gladly kissed him back allowing her lips to linger on his. And then they waited for the doctor to finish his exam. She wished he would hurry.
For another forty minutes, the doctor thoroughly examined Aggie from head to toe while she and Hiram waited. Aggie prayed to herself that her child would be born healthy, and today was just another hitch in getting it here.
Finally, the doctor wrote down a page full of scratchings in his journal, and when he was done, he turned to face them. “Mrs. Hanover. Mr. Hanover. I have some good news. You and your baby are in no immediate danger.”
Aggie sobbed in relief and Hiram let out a huge breath. He patted her shoulder and squeezed her hand in delight. He grinned from ear-to-ear and she grinned back, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.
“Not so fast. Mrs. Hanover, you nor your child are out of the woods yet,” the doctor admonished. “There’s still some rather bad news that must be discussed.”
Aggie’s heart stuttered, and she stole a frightened look to Hiram.
Hiram gave her hand a reassuring pat and inhaled a shaky breath. “Tell us, doctor. Whatever it is we must face, my wife and I will face it together,” he informed him.
Aggie couldn’t stop the tears flowing down her cheeks. She didn’t know if they were from the doctor’s announcement that something was wrong or that her husband was beside her, loving her through every terrifying moment. She squeezed her eyes shut and followed Hiram’s lead. She inhaled a shaky breath of her own. “Tell us, doctor. What is happening to our baby?” she whispered.
“You have placenta previa. It happens in about one out of every two-hundred pregnancies. If you have placenta previa early in pregnancy, it usually isn't a problem. However, it can cause serious bleeding and other complications when it occurs later in pregnancy. This can cause severe bleeding during labor and birth, putting you and your baby in danger. This is a serious condition and one that must be carefully monitored.”
Aggie was nearly beside herself with fear, but she knew getting upset would only make matters worse. She forced herself to take deep breaths in order to calm down. “Will my baby…is my baby going to live with this placenta prevuea condition?” she whispered.
Dr. Davenport took a moment before he answered. “Placenta previa. I can’t say for sure, Mrs. Hanover. This condition is fairly rare. I’ve heard of occurrences going either way. But we will do everything we can to save the life of your baby. We must also be cautious with regard to your own health as well. This can cause severe bleeding and could ultimately…cause your death.”
Aggie cut a panicked look to Hiram who looked like someone had just punched him in the heart. To his credit, he recovered quickly and shook his head in denial, once again squeezing her hand in support.
“What must be done, Dr. Davenport? Whatever is called for, no matter the cost, we will do it. Just tell us what we must do. Please.” Hiram pleaded.
“It is very important to keep Mrs. Hanover calm and free from stress. She must remain bedridden until the baby’s birth. From this moment forward, your wife must not leave that bed. For any reason. Do I make myself clear?” the man demanded. His glare stern from underneath his bushy eyebrows.
Hiram was quick to respond. “Yes, we understand completely. From this moment until that baby is born, my wife will not leave this bed for any reason,” Hiram vowed. “I will see to it myself.”
Aggie knew her husband was emotional and was making promises he couldn’t possibly keep. He had to work and there was no way she would allow him to be her nursemaid. It was too personal. Too intimate. Too embarrassing. “But, Hiram. You can’t stay here with me all the time. You have your job. You have to be in court. Your mother and Gladys will—”
Hiram pinned her with a determined glare. “There is nothing more important to me than you and this child, Aggie. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing. My father will carry on at the law office. He can bring work home for me at night if need be, but I will not set foot outside of this house until that baby is nursing at your breast.”
Aggie was taken back by the fierceness in Hiram’s usually jovial personality. She needed to make him see reason. “But, Hiram—”
“There is no further discussion necessary, Aggie. My decision has been made.” He let go of her hand and rose from the bed to stand near the doctor.
“Please write down everything I need to know, doctor. What signs to watch for that indicate I should send for you. What things could happen that we can handle ourselves. Please write down what I should do under those circumstances. Include what Aggie should eat. And drink. Exactly what is not allowed. Is she allowed to sit up at all, such as when we change her bed linens or bathe her? Tell us everything, Dr. Davenport. Every single thing we should watch out for because once we know what is required to keep my wife and child safe, then we all shall follow your instructions to the letter,” Hiram pledged.
The doctor hesitated for a bit before he nodded. “Very well, Mr. Hanover. I can see you are quite determined. I will write everything down in detail. But please know this, as I said, this is a very rare condition and these things can sometimes be out of our control. There is a chance something can go wrong and there will be nothing any of us can do to stop it.”
“Just write it all down, doctor. I will not allow my wife or child to be taken from me. For. Any. Reason. Not while I have a breath in my body.”
Aggie could only stare at Hiram. Never had she seen her light-hearted husband so fierce. He had the courage of a lion in a man’s body. How had she failed to see this side of this amazing man? How had she let this one-of-a-kind man escape her notice for so long? She had been a blind fool, that’s how.
“I will let myself out and finish making my notes downstairs. I’m sure you two have a lot to discuss. Mr. Hanover, I’ll inform your mother and father of the news. They will be worried.” Dr. Davenport gathered up his things and left her and Hiram alone with their thoughts.
Hiram crawled into bed beside her and pulled her under his arm. “Don’t worry, Aggie. There is nothing a Hanover cannot overcome if they put their mind to it, and I can make you this promise, I have never wanted anything more in my entire life than for you, and now this child, to belong to me. And as fierce as you think my mother may be, know that I am one hundred times more determined to keep you by my side. Do you trust me, Aggie?” Hiram whispered near her ear. “Do you trust me to always love and protect you?”
Aggie pushed her worries aside, because the one thing she knew without a doubt was that this man—her husband—would love and protect her until the end of time. “Yes, Hiram. I trust you with my life.” It was at that moment Aggie realized she had never once doubted Hiram. Not for a second.
Hiram’s mind raced while his heart barely beat inside his troubled chest. He couldn’t—he wouldn’t—allow his mind to think of any outcome other than the one he desired…that his wife and child would be safe and healthy. He would protect them with every ounce of will he possessed. And he possessed a great deal when he made up his mind to do something.
“I
should probably go downstairs and make sure Mother and Father are alright. Mother was beside herself when Father and I arrived. She kept saying this was all her fault. Do you know what she was talking about, Aggie? Why would Mother think what happened today is her fault?”
“That’s nonsense. Your mother took charge and ran those women out the door as soon as I collapsed. She has nothing to feel guilty about. If anyone is responsible for the trouble we are in, the blame can be placed squarely upon my shoulders.” Aggie sobbed and he hugged her tight.
“Aggie, my darling. If anyone is responsible for today’s fiasco, it is me. I’m the one who allowed that woman to bully me into letting her past our defenses. I will never forgive myself if anything should happen to you or—”
Aggie placed her hand over his mouth. “Don’t say it, Hiram. No amount of blame will help change this situation for us. Common sense tells me that I have had this condition, placenta whatever, for some time now. That would explain why I’ve been so tired for so long. All we can do now is stay calm, behave cautiously, and take each day as it comes because that is all we have, my dear husband.”
Hiram’s heart hiccupped in his chest at her choice of words. Did she mean it? Had she turned the corner from mourning James to making room in her heart for him? He prayed it was so.
“Why don’t you go check on your parents. Please reassure your mother that she is in no way at fault for today. She stood beside me and protected me like a lioness. I will never forget her fierceness today. She reminded me of her son.” Aggie turned her head to look up at him and offered him a weak smile. He wanted to kiss her, but he hesitated. Why? Was he still so unsure of his wife’s feelings?
“Hiram, what are you thinking about so hard? You have such an agitated look on your face. Tell me. What is troubling you?” Aggie’s beautiful face stared up at him. Her trusting eyes searching for an answer.
“I was—I wanted to kiss you,” he admitted. Was that so awful? A husband wishing to kiss his wife in times of strife.
“Well, what is stopping you? I’m right here, not more than a breath away.”
He looked down to see if she was teasing him, but her face, pale and gaunt, looked up at him. Open. Honest. Sincere. There was no guile in her words.
Joy raced through his body like a runaway horse. He took a deep breath to calm himself for he had to be to very careful with this fragile woman lying beside him. He offered her a tender smile and a glance that lay his feelings bare. It made him even more vulnerable than his letter to her had done, but he didn’t care. He would love her no matter the cost.
Hiram closed his eyes and leaned down until he felt Aggie’s tender lips under his. He deepened the kiss just for a moment, but pulled away when he felt his emotions running wild.
He had never in his life wanted a woman as much as he wanted this woman. He would give his entire fortune to be able to lay her down in this bed and make passionate love to her. But she needed him to take care of her now. To go slow. To put her needs before his own. And he would die before he let her down.
He pulled away from her and slid out of the bed, careful to keep his desire for her hidden. “I think I should go down and see about my mother. I will send her up and you can assure her that you are fine, at least for the time being. It will ease her mind I’m certain of it.”
“Thank you, Hiram. Thank you for all you have done for me, and—”
Hiram’s joy at their shared kiss dimmed a bit. He didn’t want to hear how grateful she was for all he had done. He wanted to hear that she loved him. “It’s alright, Aggie. You don’t have to thank me for—”
“I wasn’t going to thank you, Hiram. Not precisely. I was going to tell you that without your love and support, I know I would not survive this situation. But I would like you to know, that when this is all over and the baby has arrived, I’m going to…I plan to…”
Hiram waited for Aggie to speak what was in her heart. “Go on, Aggie. What do you want to do?”
“I want to take you up on your offer,” Aggie blushed.
“My offer?” He racked his brain to remember.
“The one where you promised to have a whole new wardrobe made for me. Are you still willing to do that?” she asked. He could tell she was unsure of herself in asking.
“Of course, Aggie. Anything you want. Anything at all.” He had to admit he was a bit surprised by her request, but he would give her anything she wanted.
“Don’t you want to know why I want a new wardrobe?”
He studied his wife’s face. He was at a loss to explain this conversation. “I suppose as any woman, you would want new clothes after you’ve had a baby.” He was only guessing, but what other reason could there be?
“I want to shed my widow’s weeds and walk down the busiest street in Boston, on your arm,” she confessed finally.
“But your year of mourning won’t be up until—”
“Next November? I know that, Hiram. I’m done with mourning. I want to begin to live again…with you by my side.” She blushed prettily. “Now, go see to your mother.”
He grinned again and rushed to Aggie’s bedside. He leaned down and kissed her. “It will be my greatest joy to escort you anywhere you want to go, as long as you are on my arm, Aggie. My beautiful, beautiful wife.”
“Now go, before your mother makes herself sick worrying about me.” She teased him and pushed him toward the door.
“I’ll go, but I’ll be back as soon as I can. And you are not to get up. For any reason. Do you hear me, Aggie Hanover?”
“Yes, Hiram. I hear you and I will obey.”
He rushed out the door and down the hall to the staircase. He heard voices in the library below and hurried to join them.
“Hello, Mother. Father. I suppose Dr. Davenport has told you everything we will be dealing with for the next few months.”
His father nodded. “Yes, son. He’s told us and there is nothing to worry about. We will all do our parts to ensure Aggie and that baby remains healthy.”
Dr. Davenport interjected. “I’ve explained to your parents, just as I explained to you, no matter how careful you all are, there is no guarantee that—”
“Doctor, I think I’ve made myself clear. I fear it is you who do not understand to what lengths I…we…will go to for my wife and child. You may not be able to guarantee the outcome, but I will not permit any outcome that does not include my wife and child alive and well.” Hiram kept his gaze forward because he feared one look into the doubt in Dr. Davenport’s face would give life to his fears and crush his determination.
The doctor seemed to sense his inner turmoil and kept silent. “Very well. I will leave you all to make your plans.”
“Thank you, doctor. I’ll be in touch if the need should arise.” His father saw the doctor out the front door.
His mother’s worried face streaked with tears turned to him. “Tell me, Hiram. How bad is it? Please tell me everything is going to be alright. Aggie? The baby?” She cried again and his father came to rest his arm around her sobbing shoulders.
“Now, now, Gertrude. You must calm yourself. Let the boy talk. Tell us what more the doctor said to you, Hiram. How is Aggie?” His father’s usual booming voice was quiet and full of concern.
“Let’s sit down for a moment. But first I want to find Gladys and send her up to stay with Aggie. I don’t want her alone for one moment.” He turned to see Gladys in the hallway.
“I’m sorry, sir. I wasn’t eavesdropping or nothin’ like that. It’s just that all the members of the staff...we were very worried and wantin’ to know if Mrs. Hanover was alright? She’s such a nice person, and we just couldn’t bear it if…if something…” The long-time downstairs maid wiped her eyes with the bottom of her apron.
“Thank you, Gladys. Thank you so much for your kind words and your concern. Mrs. Hanover is resting comfortably, but she is not to be alone. Would you mind going to sit with her until I can get everything arranged for her care?” Hiram wanted to ease the
woman’s mind, along with the rest of the staff, without giving them too much personal information. After all, even the best of employees tended to gossip under the right circumstances.
“Yes, sir. Right away.” Gladys curtsied and rushed up the stairs toward Aggie’s room.
“Now, let’s close the library doors against prying ears. I want you both to know what we are all in for the next few weeks.” Hiram closed the library doors against any curious members of their household staff and asked his parents to take their seats.
He explained in detail the concerns and dangers the doctor expressed. “She is still in grave danger and the doctor was clear that even if we do everything perfect, there’s no guarantee—”
“Oh, Hiram. This can’t be true,” his mother squeezed his hand, her eyes searching his face offering him her support.
“We shall be strong, Mother. And we will not allow Aggie or our child to be taken from us. Now, Father. I must remain here with my wife until the baby comes. She will need care around the clock, and she cannot leave her bed for any reason.
“I will contact an associate of mine from law school and explain the situation. If you need any help with our caseload, I’m certain he will come to help at a moment’s notice,” Hiram assured his father.
“But, Hiram,” his mother spoke. “There’s no need for you to abandon your work. I will be here to care for Aggie. And the staff. We can manage—”
“Mother. I have made up my mind. Aggie is my wife. I will not leave her side until she is out of danger. Please understand my position on this matter.” Hiram hoped his mother would not challenge him on this.
“Of course not, son. Your mother and I will do whatever it is you ask of us. Whatever you need, we are here for you. For Aggie. And for the baby.” His father pulled him into a warm embrace and hugged him hard. Tears stung Hiram’s eyes as his parent’s love swept over him. His fear threatened to overcome him. He was so afraid for Aggie and that precious life she carried. The baby may have been conceived by James Bohanan, but that baby belonged to him and his parents now. It could not be loved more by this family if it had been created by his own seed.
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