The Christmas House Page 5

  “Well, there goes the frame to the couch as the washing machine slams into it,” Michael said as he opened the cab door and jumped out to reload the boxes that now laid 20 feet behind the truck.

  “Hurry Michael!” shouted Arianna. Michael having heard her pleas, literally threw the boxes into the trailer and slammed the overhead door shut.

  Back in the truck, Michael shifted the truck into drive and stepped on the gas. He turned to Arianna and asked, “How you doing honey?”

  “Not so good, but it would help if you would calm down,” she responded.

  “Calm? I’m calm. Just relax.... OH MY GOD!”

  Michael took his eyes off the road for only a moment to look at Arianna as a car pulled out of no where, stopping directly in the path of the truck.

  “MICHAEL LOOK OUT!”

  “DAD THERE’S A CAR...”

  Michael couldn’t stop in time due to all of the weight in the back of the truck, so he swerved to avoid the car. The truck jumped a curb and piled through a row of bushes. The jump over the curb opened the roll door on the trailer and boxes were once again falling out of the truck.

  Arianna was now screaming in pain.

  “OH MY GOD! MICHAEL PLEASE DON’T HIT ANY MORE BUMPS!”

  Michael regained control of the truck and was now only a few blocks away from the hospital. He looked over at Arianna and noticed that her legs were now completely splattered with blood. He started to panic and drove a bit faster.

  Michael said in a anxious voice as he pulled into the hospital parking area,“ Emergency room, emergency room. Where in God’s name is the emergency room entrance!”

  “There it is Dad. Behind that white van,” said David.

  Michael pulled the truck over to the right and narrowly missed a parked car. He pulled around the white van and up to the emergency room entrance. In a fast motioned pace he jumped out of the truck and ran around to the passengers’ side. As he opened the door Arianna fell into his arms.

  As she put her arms around Michael’s neck, she said, “Oh Michael, it hurts so much.”

  “Hang on honey, I gotcha,” replied Michael.

  As Arianna was hoisted out of the cab an orderly with a gurney came out of the hospital entrance.

  “What’s the problem here sir?” he asked.

  “My wife is hemorrhaging and she is 9 1/2 months pregnant,” responded Michael.

  “Who is her doctor?” asked the orderly.

  “Doctor Westfield,” replied Michael.

  As Michael laid Arianna on the gurney, the orderly said, “We will contact the doctor, but for right now we have to stop this bleeding. I am taking her to emergency.”

  As the orderly wheeled Arianna into the emergency entrance, she started to moan. Michael walked along side the gurney, as David followed closely behind.

  Michael took hold of her hand and said, “It will be alright Arianna. Just hang in there okay?”

  Arianna’s face was twisted from the pain she was feeling but managed to reply, “I will Michael, I will.”

  The foot end of the gurney pushed open the hinged doors to the treatment room and rolled to a stop as several nurses and doctors flocked to the scene. As Michael and David stood back and watched, a nurse turned to them.

  “I’m sorry, you are going to have to leave this area. Go to the waiting area down the hall and we will come get you when we have further information.”

  Michael started to say, “But that’s my wife and I....”

  The nurse responded, “I am sorry SIR, you must leave this area now!”

  She physically pushed Michael and David with her arms as they walked backwards out of the treatment room area. The stainless steel swinging doors closed in front of them. Michael looked through the window of one of the doors feeling inadequate and helpless as his bleeding wife was moved from the gurney to the treatment table.

  “Dad?” asked David.

  “Yes David?” replied Michael

  “Is Mom gonna die?” he asked in a solemn soft voice.

  “No, David. Mom will be fine,” answered Michael.

  “Promise Dad?” asked David.

  Michael did not answer right away. He thought to himself, how could he make a promise that he may not be able to keep. As he watched the doctors’ work on his wife, David asked again.

  “Dad, do you promise Mom won’t die?”

  As Michael’s eyes welled up with tears he forced the words from his lips.

  “Yes, David... I promise.”

  Michael took David by the hand and led him down the hallway to the waiting area. As they walked, Michael was scared and worried as to what was happening to Arianna. He was praying to himself, “Oh please God, let Arianna live. I beg of you.”

  Suddenly, the door from the emergency treatment room bolted open and a gurney carrying Arianna was being rushed down the hall directly toward Michael and David.

  “What’s happening?” asked Michael.

  A doctor running along side the gurney asked, “Are you the husband?”

  “Yes, what’s wrong?” Michael asked back anxiously.

  The doctor motioned to the attendee and the nurse to continue without him as he grabbed Michael by the arm and led him away from the commotion.

  “Your wife is hemorrhaging and we are taking her to surgery,” the doctor told Michael.

  “Can I come with? I went through the Lamaze classes,” Michael asked.

  “Sir, we are way beyond Lamaze class here. I am afraid you have a choice to make. The baby is in distress and so is your wife. The hemorrhaging has caused massive blood loss to both her and the baby. We need to solve one problem at a time, but there is a chance that the problem that is neglected will intensify,” stated the doctor.

  “What are you saying?” asked Michael.

  “We cannot induce labor. It is too late for that. We have to perform a C-section to save the baby,” said the doctor.

  “So, go ahead and perform the C-section. Is there something I need to sign or what?” asked Michael.

  “Sir, you don’t understand. If we perform the C-section to save the baby, there is a good chance your wife will not survive the operation. If we attend to the hemorrhage that your wife is having, there is a better than 90% chance she will lose the baby,” said the Doctor. He continued, “Who would you like us to try to save first?”

  Michael was faced with the decision of his life. Arianna was the love of his life. The baby was full term and deserved every chance to live. Michael’s heart was beating so fast his chest was actually shaking. He didn’t know what to do.

  Michael put his hands behind his head and started to pace erratically. He couldn’t sort out all of the options quick enough for the doctor.

  “Sir, we need a decision now or we will lose them both,” said the doctor.

  Michael turned to the doctor and at that moment caught a glimpse of David out of the corner of his eye. He remembered the promise that he made. He turned back to the doctor and said, “Save my wife.”

  The doctor responded, “We will do our best, but this situation is critical. Please have a seat in the waiting area. The procedure may take as long as 6 to 7 hours.”

  The doctor walked to the elevator and reached forward to push the call button, when the elevator doors opened in front of him before he had the chance. He entered the elevator and turned forward. As the doors closed, Michael looked into the doctor’s eyes and saw no feeling whatsoever. The eyes of the doctor were clear and emotionless as the doors closed together with a thud.

  May 1st

  2:30 a.m.

  Good Samaritan Hospital

  As David slept soundly on the black leather couch in the hospital waiting room, Michael stared off into space. It had been over 6 hours since Arianna was taken into surgery. Michael heard not a word as to her condition.

  Michael got up from the couch and walked over to a nearby window. A maintenance man was waxing the stark white floors with one of those silver-polishing machines that spun a buff
er pad on the tile. Michael thought to himself how there were two things that he always remembered about hospitals. That distinctive odor that every hospital seems to have and the janitor that was ever present polishing the floors.

  He remembered back just 10 years ago when his parents and younger brother were killed in a car accident. He maintained a silent vigil at this same hospital for over 20 hours. Although his father died instantly in the crash, during those 20 hours of surgery for his mother and brother Michael prayed to God to spare their lives. In the 20th hour, the doctors came down from surgery and informed Michael that both his mother and brother had died. Michael hadn't prayed to God since that terrible evening. That was until today.

  Michael and God's relationship was very special. Michael always said, “If he leaves me alone, I’ll leave him alone.” He couldn’t help but think that here God decided a 10-year hiatus from pain and suffering was enough for Michael. It was time to once again destroy his life by taking away yet two more souls that he desperately needed and loved.

  Michael felt he still had a chance to ask for God’s help before it was too late and began to walk. As he passed the nurse’s station, he informed a nurse that he was going to visit the chapel and if she could keep an eye on David for a few minutes. As Michael stepped inside the empty chapel, he felt overwhelmed with guilt. It had been years since he last visited a church and here he was asking God for a favor.

  He sat in one of the pews near the back of the chapel and stated to pray. He was alone and scared. As he began to cry he suddenly felt a hand upon his shoulder. He quickly looked up to see the smiling face of Martha Kennedy.

  “Michael, have faith in God and Arianna’s strength to survive. She loves you so and will fight with every last breath to remain by your side.”

  “Martha, what are you doing here?”

  “I was in the neighborhood and heard that Arianna was brought in for surgery. I just wanted to reassure you that everything will be fine, but only if you truly believe that in your heart Michael.”

  “I guess I have no other choice but to believe. I just can’t bear to lose Arianna. I have lost everyone in my life that ever meant anything to me. Losing her would be the last straw. But I will keep the faith. I will believe that a miracle will happen. Will that save Arianna’s life?”

  There was no response from Martha.

  “Martha, I asked you if…”

  Michael turned and looked around the chapel, but Martha was gone. He called out her name several times, but she was no where to be found. Michael started to question his sanity. It was late and the stress of the situation took its’ toll on Michael. He shook his head and realized he must have imagined the entire sequence.

  Michael returned to the waiting room area and as he stared out the window he could see the shimmering lights from the nearby buildings as their reflection was mirrored in the massive body of water called Lake Michigan. As he refocused the aperture of his eyes, he could now look at the glass pane instead of through it. He saw the reflection of David lying on the couch in the glass and he smiled.

  As Michael continued to stare at David’s reflection, he started to recall the good memories that he and Arianna shared over the years. Like a slide show on a clear screen, the memories flashed before Michael’s eyes one by one. As he stared blindly at the windowpane he recalled their wedding, their first kiss, David’s birth, etc. He realized that his faith in life itself was once again restored.

  Suddenly, Michael’s daydreams were interrupted by the doctors’ reflection entering the frame of the glass as well.

  “Mr. Carter?”

  Michael turned quickly and without saying a word stared into the doctor’s eyes.

  “If you would like to see your wife now, she is resting in recovery on the third floor. Room 324.”

  Michael bowed his head as tears of joy ran down his face. He walked over to where David was sleeping and nudged him.

  “David? Hey buddy? Wake up. Mom wants to see you,” he said.

  In a state of grogginess, David opened his eyes and said to Michael, “Mom didn’t die?”

  “No, David, Mom is going to be just fine,” Michael said as he picked him up in his arms and hugged him tightly.

  “What about the baby Dad?” asked David.

  Michael turned to ask the doctor about whether or not the baby survived, but it was too late. The doctor had already left the area.

  “I don’t know David, but the doctor warned us that they couldn’t save both. I felt your mother was more important to save. Are you upset with me for making that decision?” Michael asked.

  “No, Dad. Mom can always have another baby right?” he asked.

  “I don’t know if she can or not right now David, but even if she can’t, we still have you right?” he said as he put his son down on the floor and began to walk to the elevator hand in hand.

  “You will always have me Dad. I promise you that. Just like you promised me that Mom wouldn’t die,” said David.

  “I’m going to hold you to that promise,” Michael said as they entered the elevator.

  As the elevator reached the third floor, a “ding” sounded and the doors opened. Michael asked one of the nurses at the nursing station how to get to room 324. She pointed him in the right direction as he took David’s hand and walked toward the room.

  They walked about 25 feet and stopped in front of the door to room 324 and noticed the sign, “No Smoking -Oxygen in Use”. Michael slowly opened the door.

  As they entered the room, they saw Arianna lying in bed with oxygen tubes inserted in her nose.

  “Those tubes are so mom can breath easier. It’s not a bad thing okay?” Michael said to David.

  “Okay Dad,” David replied.

  As they approached the bed, Arianna opened her eyes and smiled. Michael leaned over the metal railing on the side of the bed and lightly kissed her on the cheek. David reached his hand between the railing and Arianna squeezed it tightly.

  “I though I lost you there for a while,” said Michael.

  “Now would I let you off the hook that easy,” Arianna responded with a twinkle in her eye. She continued, “Michael I am so sorry I didn’t listen to you. I should have never picked up that box.”

  “Honey, it’s okay. You were only trying to help. Don’t blame yourself,” he responded.

  At that moment the door to Arianna’s' room opened and a nurse entered the room.

  “Sorry to interrupt you folks, but its time to eat,” she said.

  “Are you up for eating already hon?” Michael asked Arianna.

  “Not me silly, it’s time to nurse the baby,” she responded.

  Michael turned toward the nurse and saw that she was holding a baby wrapped in white linen.

  “The baby!”

  “Would you like to hold your daughter Mr. Carter?” asked the nurse.

  “My daughter? We thought that the baby....” he tried to say the words.

  “She is a fighter that’s for sure Mr. Carter. It was touch and go there for a few hours but she pulled through just fine. Didn’t you, you little princess you,” said the nurse as she cuddled the infant.

  The nurse placed the baby in Michael’s arms. Michael looked into her eyes and saw a myriad of emotion. He saw life itself.

  “Hi there little one,” he said as he held the child.

  His daughter was beautiful beyond words. 7 pounds, 4 ounces, a multitude of thick wavy brown hair and big blue eyes.

  “Is she okay?” asked Michael.

  “She is just fine Michael. Ten toes and ten fingers,” Arianna replied.

  “Arianna, look what you did. I am the proudest man on the face of the earth,” Michael said.

  David moved closer to Michael.

  “Can I see her Dad?”

  Michael looked down and said, “Well sure thing David. You can do that and more.”

  Michael took his daughter and placed her in David’s arms as he looked for approval from the nurse. She acknowledged with a nod
that it was okay and David took the baby to his chest.

  As David stared at the baby in his arms, he smiled and asked, “What’s her name mom?”

  “Well we haven’t decided that yet David. What do you think it should be?” Arianna asked.

  “Hmm, I don’t know. How about Nick because she made it here in just a nick of time.”

  “David, Nick is a boys name. But Nicky is short for Nicole and that’s a beautiful girl’s name. What do you think about that Michael? Is Nicole a good name for your daughter?”

  “I think it’s a wonderful name. Nicole Lucky Carter. How about that?” Michael asked.

  “Lucky?” said Arianna. “That’s a name for a dog! How about Miracle, Mira for short?”

  “Nicole Miracle Carter it is. Welcome home my lovely daughter,” Michael said.

  As Arianna started to nurse little Nicole, Michael and David stood off to the side in silence. Michael looked to the ceiling and said under his breath, “Thanks for listening. I owe you one- no, make that two.”

  Michael looked at his watch and realized the time. He still had to move their furnishings into their new home.

  “Honey are you okay now?”

  “Michael, I will be fine and so will your daughter. Go finish moving our things into our new home and then try to get some sleep okay. We will be here when you get back. I promise,” Arianna said.

  “Another promise that must be kept? I can deal with that. Okay David are you ready to go move some furniture and boxes into your new house?” Michael asked.

  “Do we have to?” David asked.

  “Yes, I am afraid so,” Michael replied.

  Michael kissed Arianna and his daughter, as did David. They both waved good-bye and proceeded toward the elevator to go down to the parking lot to retrieve the moving truck. Arianna looked down at her baby at her breast, who stopped feeding and smiled.

  “All done?” asked the nurse as she re-entered the room.

  “Yes, she’s already nodding off to sleep,” Arianna replied.

  “Well, you will have to get used to these 3 a.m. feedings all over again. I used to hate those the most,” the nurse said.