The sharp fluorescent lights of the hospital hallway flickered overhead as the paramedics wheeled my gurney through the double doors of the trauma unit. Daniel ran right alongside us, clutching my cold hand with both of his.
Doctor Vance: What do we have here?!
Paramedic 2: Twenty-four-year-old female, thirty-eight weeks pregnant, severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding due to physical stress!
Doctor Vance: Get her into Operating Room 3 immediately! We need an emergency C-section right now!
Clara: Daniel! Don't leave me!
Daniel: I'm right here, Clara! I'm not going anywhere!
Nurse: Sir, you have to stay in the waiting area while we prepare the surgical suite!
Daniel: That is my wife and baby in there! I am going inside!
Doctor Vance: Let him put on scrubs, fast! We don't have time to argue!
The heavy doors of the operating room slammed shut behind us. I lay on the cold operating table, tears streaming down my face as the medical team attached monitors and IV lines to my arms.
Clara: Is the baby okay? Doctor, please tell me the baby is alive!
Doctor Vance: Heart rate is low, Clara. We are going to put you under anesthesia now. Deep breaths.
Daniel rushed into the room wearing a blue scrub suit, taking his place right at the head of my table. He pressed his forehead against mine, his tears falling onto my cheek.
Daniel: I'm so sorry, Clara... I should have protected you from her... I shouldn't have gone to that meeting...
Clara: It's not your fault... I tried to keep the peace...
Daniel: No more keeping the peace. When you wake up, everything is going to change. I promise you.
Doctor Vance: Anesthesia taking effect in three... two... one...
The bright ceiling lights spun out of focus, and my eyes closed as the heavy darkness took over. Hours seemed to pass in a single second before the quiet sound of a heart monitor beep woke me up.
I blinked slowly, my vision clearing to reveal a quiet, dim hospital room. Daniel was sitting in a armchair right beside my bed, his face pale and eyes bloodshot.
Clara: Daniel...?
Daniel: Clara! You're awake! Oh thank God, you're awake!
Clara: The baby... where is our baby?
Daniel stood up, tears springing into his eyes as he walked over to the small transparent crib in the corner of the room. He gently lifted a small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket and walked over to my bed.
Daniel: Meet your daughter, Clara. She's healthy. She made it through.
Clara: Oh, sweet baby... let me hold her...
I cradled our small daughter against my chest, crying soft tears of joy as her little hand reached out and brushed against my fingers.
Daniel: The doctor said if we had arrived ten minutes later... placental abruption would have taken both of you.
Clara: Your mother almost killed our daughter, Daniel.
Daniel: I know. And that is why I called my attorney two hours ago while you were in surgery.