Pursuit For Lucidity (Crashing Waves) (59 page)

“
Ugh, just the thought of alcohol is making me nauseous,” I replied.

Alex laughed and gave me a kiss on my cheek and continued to drive to my place.  I began to unpack immediately after we got home
, but Alex stopped me and offered to unpack and do all the laundry during the week, since I wasn’t feeling one hundred percent.  I ate a banana as he had ordered and finished the bottle of water.  It wasn’t long before I began to feel so much better.

“
You’re such a good doctor, Alex.  You’re my sexy doctor,” I winked.  Alex headed upstairs to take a shower and I followed him, so I could change into my pajamas as I’d been dreaming about all day.

“
You know, I haven’t forgotten about that asshole’s email.  I’m going to shove it in his face tomorrow,” he said.  I had forgotten about the email and wished he hadn’t reminded me about it.

“
Oh, Alex, forget about it.  Let me talk to him instead, please,” I pleaded.

“
It doesn’t work when you talk to him, Claire.  He continues to harass you. He needs to hear it from me, so he knows how serious I am about him backing off of you,” he replied.  I knew there was no stopping Alex.

That night I slept like a baby and so did Alex.  He had a difficult time waking up early
, but he had no choice, as he had an early morning surgery.  I slept another hour and got up to pack my dance clothes for class that evening.  I was very sleepy on the way to work and traffic was horrendous.  I must have looked horrible when I stepped into the department for Laura to ask, “Some weekend, huh?”

“
I’m never drinking again,” I replied.  Laura laughed and knew exactly what type of a weekend I had had.  I told her about Alex coming across the email from Mark that I had printed out to show him after the weekend and how he was going to confront Mark that morning.  She was just as nervous as I about what was going to happen.

I refrained from drinking coffee that morning and drank a lot of water and herbal teas to keep hydrated as Alex had ordered.
  I was relieved when I opened my email and didn’t find any from Mark.  I didn’t think I could tolerate any more drama that week.  Lunchtime came before I knew it and I joined Laura at the Cuban deli.  I received a text shortly after we finished eating.  It was Alex.

Mark keeps denying that he sent you that email.  That prick lies so much he probably believes he’s telling the truth.

Maybe he’s afraid to tell you the truth.  After all, he’s trash talking about you in the email and was probably too embarrassed to face you.  I bet he didn’t think I would show it to you.

I think you’re right.  Did you eat?  I’m going to run to the cafeteria and then to the clinic.  I miss you already.

I just ate with Laura.  Do you want me to bring back a sandwich for you?  I miss you too.

No, baby, it’s going to be a busy afternoon, so I will pick up something fast from the cafeteria.  Thank you for asking.  I love you.  See you tonight.

Laura and I walked back to the hospital after lunch, both of us very satisfied and lazy the remainder of the day.  I changed into my dance clothes after work and drove to the studio.  Stefano greeted me with a smile and asked me about the weekend.  I told him about all the surprises Alex had for me and he told me about the wonderful weekend he had with Mandy.  Both of our birthdays had turned out to be the perfect weekend.

“
Sounds like you had a lot more alcohol than I did,” he laughed.

“
I’d have to agree with you on that one,” I replied.

Kristen arrived shortly after I did and couldn’t wait to hear about my weekend with Alex and Stefano’s weekend with Mandy. 
We talked well into the first ten minutes of class and Stefano had to put an end to the chitchat and begin the class.  That class felt like the most difficult dance class since I had joined the studio.  My body just wouldn’t cooperate as it normally did.  My muscles felt so weak and shaky.  I had never had such difficulty dancing.  I wondered if I was coming down with some kind of flu or if I was still paying for the weekend drinks.  I didn’t trust myself to drive home right away, so I hung around the studio for a while after class ended.  Stefano noticed I wasn’t feeling good and even mentioned how unusually pale I looked.

“
Claire, you don’t look so good.  Maybe I should take you to the doctor,” Stefano offered.

“
I have a doctor at home, remember?  I’ll be fine.  I know it’s because I’m really tired from all the fun I had this weekend.  Maybe I should have skipped out on class tonight,” I noted.

“
I know exactly what you mean.  I almost canceled class tonight because I was so tired,” he replied.

The studio was empty and everyone had already left.  Stefano ha
d to lock up after us.  The second I got up from the chair, I felt extremely lightheaded.  I began to see black spots before my eyes.  When I came to, I saw Stefano over me in a panic.

“
Claire! Can you hear me? You totally fainted!  I need to get you to a hospital,” he continued in a panic.

“
No, Stefano, I’m ok,” I said, unsure of myself.  I got up slowly with Stefano’s help, but felt so weak as if I was going to lose consciousness again. “I take that back, Stefano, you’re right.  I think I have the flu or something,” I said.

“
The nearest hospital is only a few miles away.  I’ll help you to my car,” he said, assisting me to the car and making sure I was comfortable.  I felt extremely nauseous and lightheaded again.

“
C-c-call Alex,” I said, barely audible.  On the way to the hospital, I came in and out of consciousness.  I gave my phone to Stefano, since I knew I wouldn’t be able to put two words together and would frighten Alex half to death.

Stefano found Alex’s number on my
cell and called him as he drove.

“
Alex, hey, it’s Stefano.  Don’t worry, everything is okay, but Claire passed out after class, so I’m driving her to Santa Monica Hospital.  She thinks she may have the flu or something,” I heard Stefano say as I continued in and out of consciousness.

“
He’s going to call the hospital because a friend of his works in the emergency department, so we won’t have to wait long in the waiting room.  Claire?  Are you with me?” he asked in a panic.

“
Yeah, just drive and get me to the hospital, please,” I pleaded.

I never imagined it possible to faint constantly while seated
, but it kept happening to me that night.  I was barely conscious for less than a minute before I fainted again and again.  It seemed like an eternity before Stefano pulled up to the emergency entrance of Santa Monica Hospital.

“
I’m going to get you a wheelchair, okay?” he asked.

I nodded, as I had absolutely no energy to utter another word.  I was slipping into a state of unconsciousness once again and felt as thou
gh I was going to die right then and there.  Stefano brought a wheelchair and helped me sit in it and wheeled me inside right away.  While checking in at the reception desk, I heard Stefano mention Alex’s name and the clerk said she was waiting for us to arrive.  I felt someone wheel me inside to the emergency room.  I was still going in and out of consciousness.  I was able to tell them that I did not have any drug allergies.  They began intravenous fluids right away and I somehow began to see more clearly.  The fainting stopped and I slowly felt like I was coming back to life from the dead.

“
Is there any chance you may be pregnant?” asked the nurse.  “When was your last period?” she added.

“
I’m on the pill and take it religiously.  I believe I had a very light period a few weeks ago.  Ever since I began taking the pill my periods have been very light,” I noted.

The phlebotomist came in and took blood to check my electrolytes and whatever else they needed to prove I may have the flu.
  The nurse let me know that the doctor would see me shortly.

A tall m
an stepped into the room and introduced himself.  He was African American with a short gray beard and a receding hairline.

“
Hello Ms. Morgan, I’m Dr. Webb.  I understand you fainted after dancing.  Do you have any history of heart disease?” he asked.  The questions went on and on and I answered them to the best of my knowledge.  “We are just going to give you a few bags of IV fluids and see how you feel why we run your blood results.  I will be back shortly to check on you,” he added and stepped out of the room.

My mouth was so dry and I was so thirsty
, but too nauseous to drink water.  The nurse said I could have ice chips and Stefano offered to get them for me, since he had seen the ice machine down the hall.  I heard Alex’s voice outside the room inquiring about my condition.  He stormed inside the room in a panic, “Claire, what happened, baby?  How are you feeling now?” he asked, looking over everything the doctors and nurses had done and noted.

Dr. Webb
walked back into the room and greeted Alex. “Good to see you, Alex.  Well, I do have some good news for you two.  Your blood results returned positive for pregnancy.  Congratulations,” he said.  Everything after that was as clear as mud.  I noticed Stefano had walked in with the cup of ice chips as Dr. Weber delivered the news.  I was numb.  The results must be in error, I thought.  I felt the blood slowly drain from my body.

Chapter 23

I was in complete shock from the news delivered by Dr. Webb.  I knew it had to be a mistake.  Maybe my blood samples had gotten mixed up with another patient’s blood samples.  Maybe the birth control pills had caused a positive result instead of a negative result.  I had a light period a few weeks prior to my hospital visit.  I was in complete denial.  I looked at Alex who looked just as shocked as I was.  Stefano had a big smile on his face and seemed to be so much happier with the news than we were.

“I’m going to page the obstetrician on call for your ultrasound.  Once again, congratulations and I will check in on you before you’re discharged,” he said and left the room.  Alex greeted Stefano very coldly with just a simple “hello”, without even looking at him.  He walked towards me and gave me the cup of ice chips he brought for me.

“Uh, here you go, Claire.  Congrats, you two,” he said
, looking at Alex uncomfortably.  “I, uh, I’m going to head out,” he said as he hugged me and wished me well.  “I’ll call you later to check on you.  Goodnight, Alex,” he said without looking his way and left.

“
How far along are you, Claire?” asked Alex in a cold tone.

“
How would I know that when I just found out I am pregnant, Alex?” I asked.

“
Please tell me it’s not his.  Is it his?” he asked.

“
Did you just ask me if this baby is Stefano’s?” I asked, my jaw dropping.

“
It’s a possibility, isn’t it?” he asked.

“
You’re unbelievable,” I replied and stopped talking to him.  I couldn’t even bring myself to argue with him as the shock of the pregnancy news was still in my system and his response to the news was like icing on the cake.  The glass door opened as a beautiful Asian woman walked in and introduced herself.

“
Hi, I’m Dr. Tan, how are we all doing tonight?  Congratulations on the pregnancy.  I’m going to do a trans-vaginal ultrasound, so we can see the little peanut in your uterus,” she said as she rolled an ultrasound machine inside the room.  Before she began the ultrasound, I asked if Alex could leave the room.

“
You don’t want me in here, Claire?” he asked, surprised by my sudden rejection.

“
Dr. Tan, I would feel much more comfortable if he stepped out of this room,” I stated, looking directly at Alex.

“
Uh, sure.  Would it be alright for you to step out until we are done?” asked Dr. Tan.  Alex just glared at me for a few seconds with anger in his eyes and turned around and exited the exam room.  He closed the glass door as Dr. Tan pulled the curtains for more privacy.

“
I’m sorry, he’s just not on my good side today,” I explained.

“
That’s perfectly fine.  I want you to feel comfortable,” she replied, smiling.  She protected the probe with a large elastic object that looked like a big condom, lubricated it and entered it inside to get a good picture of my uterus and measure the size of the fetus.  She asked me to look at the monitor at the baby’s fast beating heart.  It really looked like a peanut shell with a rapid heartbeat.  I couldn’t believe there was a tiny little life growing inside me.

“
Hmm, everything looks pretty good in there.  I’m going to do a measurement to estimate how many weeks you are.  I believe the periods you thought that you had were not real periods.  It was probably some abnormal breakthrough bleeding or spotting.  According to my measurements, you are approximately eight weeks along.  It takes a few months for birth control to work effectively.  You may have not waited long enough before having unprotected sex, which resulted in pregnancy.  Looks like this baby is just meant to be,” she smiled.  “Pregnant women get dehydrated easily, so it’s pretty common.  All of your lab results came back normal, aside from your potassium and iron, which are a bit low.  We will give you something for that.  Do you have any questions for me?” she asked.