Chapter 70: Decisions to Make

At 9:45 Melissa’s OB-GYN comes in with the Doctor who Jeremy had spoken to the night before. Markus and Mel leave and the Doctors explain the options to Melissa once again. She is shocked as she doesn’t seem to recall any of these things from last night, all she knew was that her baby was safe for now. Both doctors are in agreement that an immediate C-section is not necessary. If she stays on bed rest for the next couple of weeks and is monitored closely, she should be okay to delay her decision and possibly give birth naturally. However, if there are any changes, she will need an immediate section. Melissa says nothing throughout the whole exchange.

Jeremy asks, “If it were you, Doctor, or your wife, what would you recommend?” He looks back and forth between the two.

Melissa’s OB-GYN speaks up, “there are really no risks involved in delivering the baby now. That being said, the longer they are in the womb, the better. If you can guarantee no physical or emotional stress, I would wait. But the decision is ultimately mom’s.” Both doctors are looking at Melissa, who has yet to say a word or even make eye contact.

“If we decide on the C-Section, when would it happen?” Jeremy asks.

The two doctors look at each other, then as if Melissa asked the question, the doctor looks at her as she answers. “It could be as soon as tomorrow or we could schedule it for later in the week. We would like to keep you here for another 24 hours for observation, then decide on a definite time.”

“So, we don’t need to decide right now?” Jeremy questions.

“No, but it would be good if you had a definite plan by the time we release you tomorrow.” Melissa’s doctor answers. She then continues, “I’ll leave you two to discuss it. I’ll be back later to check up on you Melissa. See if you have any questions for me by then. I don’t want you to worry, this is really not anything to be worried about. Your baby is doing great, it's just a matter now of when you want to deliver and how.” She gets no response.

Jeremy steps forward and shakes both their hands, “thank you.” Then they leave. Jeremy goes over and sits by Melissa’s side, taking her hand, which remains limp in his. “Talk to me please, Melissa. We have to decide what to do.” He has never seen her so despondent. She simply rolls onto her side and closes her eyes.

After a few minutes, Markus and Mel come back in. Mel convinces Jeremy to go home and get cleaned up and she will stay with Melissa. Jeremy doesn’t want to leave but knows there are things he needs to take care of. After Markus agrees to give him a lift home, then go on to relieve his mother, who is with Lucas, they leave.

“Thank you,” Melissa says, rolling onto her back. “I just can’t think straight when he is here.” She goes on to tell Mel everything that the doctors said.

“So, what are you going to do?” Mel asks.

Melissa shrugs her shoulders. “If this had happened a day earlier, I would have the baby now. I don’t want to put them in any more danger. But now, how can I bring a baby home when I don’t even know if I have one?” She shakes her head. “I don’t know what the hell is going on!”

“Well, what did Jeremy say?” Mel asks.

“That he wasn’t letting me go or the baby. That Vanessa was in the past and he wanted nothing to do with her. But I know him. He is not going to turn his back on his child.” Melissa tells her friend.

Mel smiles at her. “Listen to what you just said, Melissa. You know him. You know he is a good man. I know you have this crazy notion in your head that his ex is somehow going to get him back but you have something she will never get from you. You have Jeremy’s love and he is not giving up on you. You just need to have as much faith in him as he has in you.”

Melissa decides to bare her soul and share something she never shared with anyone, not even Jeremy. “My mother had a lot of male friends when I was growing up. A LOT. Most would only last for a few months but there was one, Ray, when I was 12. Three years he stayed, the longest by far. No matter what my mother did to try to sabotage that relationship, he always came back. He traveled a lot for work, so he said. We come to find out he had another family just one town over. By then, Mom and I were both in love with him. He was the closest I ever had to a father and I think Mom finally was happy. Hell, she would have stayed with him if his wife hadn't found out about his double life.” Melissa stops to wipe at the tears on her face before continuing. “We were his trailer trash. His walk on the wild side. He had three children with another woman, she worked in a bank. He had a home in the suburbs. I can’t become my mother.”

“Oh, Melissa.” Mel gives her a hug and a watery smile. “You are not your mother and Jeremy is not Ray. You really have to talk to him. He needs to understand where your head is.”

“Why now?” Melissa asks. “Why do I have to deal with this all now?”

“I don’t know but I do know that it will make you stronger,” Mel tells her. “But only if you face it.”

A look of guilt flashes over Melissa’s face. “I can’t believe I said that after everything you went through. God, you are so strong, Mel. I wish I had half of your strength.”

“You do, you have as much strength as me,” Mel assures her. “But, you have something even more powerful that I didn’t have. The love and support of a great man.”

“You are absolutely right,” Melissa tells Mel. “I do have it better than most. I still have my baby. I have to do what is best for them. I’m so glad I met you. Thank you for being my friend.”