Page 75 of Sin Wagon
“We have to go to the NICU floor,” a nurse says, wheeling the little bassinet past us.
“Wait!” Delilah calls, her voice cracking. “What’s happening?”
“Your baby’s heart rate is very high, and we need to get down to the NICU immediately.”
“I didn’t know what we were having. Can I at least know?”
The nurse smiles and quickly wheels the bassinet over. “You have a daughter.”
I look down at the chubby little girl in the bassinet, her tiny head covered in the most blonde hair I’ve ever seen on a baby, though it’s slick with goo.
“She’s beautiful,” I whisper, my heart swelling with love.
Delilah smiles and nods, her eyes shining with tears. “Take her.”
And just like that, they leave, taking our whole world with them. I turn back to Delilah, seeing the worry etched on her face.
“We’ll be with her soon,” I say, trying to reassure both of us. “She’s in good hands. Our little Posey Grace is strong, just like her mom.”
Delilah squeezes my hand, her eyes reflecting the same emotions I'm feeling. “I know. I just want to hold her.”
“We will,” I promise, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Soon.”
Chapter 33
DELILAH
Dr. Maud finishes stitching me up, and I’m left lying in this hospital bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion and worry pressing down on me. My body aches, and my mind races with anxiety. They took Posey away so quickly, her tiny form disappearing out of the room because her heart rate was dangerously high. I haven’t even felt the warmth of her tiny body in my arms yet. Every few seconds, I glance at the door, my heart racing with each tick of the clock, desperate for any news.
A knock on the door startles me, and I whip my head toward the sound. The door creaks open, and a nurse steps in, her expression serious, her eyes shadowed with concern.
“Your daughter’s heart rate won’t drop to normal. We’ve tried several interventions, including an ice bath, but nothing is working.”
Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision, and a sob escapes my lips. It feels as though someone is tearing my heart out of my chest.
“What does that mean?”
The nurse’s voice is calm. “We’re going to cardiovert her. If that doesn’t work, she will be life-flighted to UW-Madison. Dad can go with her.”
“I’m going with her,” I insist, my voice trembling, my heart clenching with fear. There’s no way I’m letting her go without me.
“Unfortunately, you can’t do that. With the epidural, you need to be monitored, and your doctor will want to watch you for at least twenty-four hours.” She shuts the door quietly, leaving me with Wells, who looks just as distraught as I feel. She didn't give us much information and her demeanor was less than friendly.
“No way in hell I’m staying here if they take her anywhere. You can go with her, but I’ll have someone drive me. Hand me my phone,” I say, my voice shaking.
I refuse to be left behind.
Wells gives me my phone, his fingers brushing mine, and I immediately FaceTime Derek. He answers quickly, concern etched on his face, his surroundings a blur of motion. “What’s wrong?”
I explain the situation, my voice breaking with each word. “If she goes, could you give me a ride to Madison?” I ask. “I’ll check myself out against the doctor’s wishes. I need to be with Posey.”
“Okay. Let me know. I’m here and ready.” Derek’s calm voice is a small anchor in the storm warring inside me.
I hang up and immediately Google what the hell a cardiovert is because the nurse didn’t explain it. My heart races as I read: it’s a procedure to restore a normal heart rhythm by sending electric shocks to the heart. Tears flow down my face, blurring my vision as the room spins around me.
They’re going to shock my baby’s heart. What if it doesn’t start again?
“Wells, they’re going to stop her heart and restart it by shocking her. What if it doesn’t start again?” My voice trembles, barely audible.
