LITMIR.BIZ

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rushed to the cooler and, taking a bottle of water, undid the cap and passed it to Sienna. ‘Get this into you.’

      Juliet didn’t understand what had happened as she watched the woman stare at the screen as if she had seen a ghost. She said nothing as she sipped her drink and then looked away from the screen and into the distance.

      Charlie’s pager abruptly beeped. ‘I’ve been summoned. Looks like there’s another baby about to enter the world. Will you be all right, Sienna? Should I get Oliver to take a look at you?’

      Sienna shook her head. ‘No, I’ll be fine. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. I really need to go home.’

      Juliet walked Sienna to her car, and made sure the other woman was safely on her way. She thought that Charlie was right, that Sienna needed to look at slowing down as her pregnancy progressed. It was obviously taking its toll on her.

      * * *

      The next day, Juliet managed to meet with the anaesthetist to discuss the change of plans. He agreed that the dual purpose epidural would be the better option and that information would be passed on to the rest of the team. She then headed to Georgina’s room to let her know the change to the preferred anaesthetic and explain the benefits of Charlie’s suggestion of an epidural. The results of the daily scans were emailed through to both Juliet and Charlie and thankfully there had been no change to the TTTS status and Juliet wanted to pass this information on as well.

      She checked in at the nurses’ station and was told that Leo had headed home to let the family know the latest update and have a good night’s sleep at Georgina’s insistence. He had spent a few nights at the hospital since his return from New York and she knew he would fuss over her if he stayed that night and not get any rest himself. Juliet knocked on the door and asked if Georgina would like company.

      ‘If you have time that would be lovely,’ the mother-to-be answered as she invited her to sit for a while. ‘I’ve been here less than a week and I’m going a little stir crazy. I can’t imagine how women confined to bed for months cope.’

      ‘You do what you have to do, and, believe me, if you were told bed rest for nine months to have healthy babies, you would do it. It’s just a mother’s natural instinct.’

      ‘I suppose I would,’ Georgina agreed. ‘But I would still be a little loopy by the end.’

      Both women laughed before turning the subject to something a little more serious. Juliet wanted to know about the supports in place for when the babies finally went home. While it wasn’t her role, she was interested to know how much assistance would be available as she reinforced the fact that four babies would be an enormous workload for the next few years.

      ‘The babies’ grandparents live very close to us, and I have a housekeeper, so I won’t be struggling in terms of running the house,’ Georgina answered. ‘I’m very fortunate, and I know that Leo will be very hands-on too.’

      ‘Leo’s also running the family business, so he may not always be able to help, so please don’t try to be brave if you feel overwhelmed at times. Let those around you know if you are struggling,’ Juliet told her. ‘Get extra help and take some time for yourself, even if it’s just a ten-minute soak in a bubble bath. It will help you to re-energise, regroup and get right back to being a mother.’

      ‘That sounds like you’ve been through it.’

      ‘I have, believe me, but not with four babies. I only had one, she’s four years old now, but it was a full-time job for me for the first few months.’

      ‘Didn’t your husband help at all?’

      Juliet paused before she answered, thinking back for a moment to when Bea was a baby and then to even before that, to how scared she was as the delivery date drew closer. The fear that engulfed her some days knowing that she would be bringing up Bea alone. And how some nights she lay awake worried that she would not be enough for her daughter. That she wouldn’t cope. But she did.

      ‘I wasn’t married. I’m a single mother.’

      ‘And a surgeon,’ Georgina responded. ‘That’s amazing. You’re bringing up your daughter alone and holding down a career.’

      ‘It’s not been that difficult. Bea’s almost at school now.’

      ‘But you’ve done it by yourself and flew all the way over here from Australia to help my babies. I think you’re the one who should take time out and have a bubble bath!’

      Ella stepped into the room as the women were still happily chatting. She was there to take Georgina’s blood pressure.

      ‘I think I will head off and leave you in Ella’s care,’ Juliet said as she stood up to go. She wanted to go back to her office and confirm that everything was on track. ‘I will see you and Leo in the morning.’

      With that Juliet walked back down to her office and as usual she looked into Charlie’s office as she passed by. It was a habit that had formed quickly but she was grateful he wasn’t always there or it might have seemed awkward. This time he was there, sitting on the sofa with his feet up reading. It looked like a report of sorts but she didn’t stop.

      Not until she heard him call her name and she turned back to see him standing in the doorway.

      ‘How are Georgina and Leo holding up?’

      ‘Georgina’s doing very well and Leo’s gone home. She wanted him to rest for tomorrow,’ Juliet told him, still feeling warmed by the affection the parents-to-be shared. ‘They would have to be the sweetest couple, so in love and looking out for each other. Truly beautiful.’

      Charlie didn’t comment and Juliet suddenly felt terrible for bringing up their marital happiness. She felt so insensitive and decided to change the subject rather than add to her verbal blunder.

      ‘What about you?’ she asked to break the uncomfortable silence. ‘Did the baby have an uneventful entry into the world? It must’ve been a quick labour for you to be back here already.’

      ‘It was her fourth,’ Charlie said, clearly keen to move away from discussing Georgina and Leo’s love story. ‘She was a pro. Her baby boy was delivered in forty-five minutes and she has three more at home to match. There will be no shortage of men to mow the lawns in that household.’

      Juliet assumed the conversation would end there and made a mental promise to herself to be more sensitive but Charlie continued the conversation. ‘Is Georgina fine with the change to the anaesthesia, then?’

      She paused mid step and turned back to him, elated that there was no damage from her inappropriate comment. ‘Yes, she understood why you thought it would be best. And I’m sure, because the suggestion has come from you, she feels very comfortable. I think she’s happy we’re working closely together—it makes her feel better about everything.’

      Charlie had heard the overall details the day before but wanted some clarification around a few of the finer details. He invited her back into his office and they talked through everything from the preoperative medication to the post-operative care. He was impressed that Juliet was thorough, focused and left little to chance. It was how he liked to operate. He wasn’t one to ever take unnecessary risks.

      They were winding up the conversation and Juliet mentioned heading down to collect Bea. ‘You apparently said you could look at staying here longer if needed to one of the midwives.’

      ‘That’s right. I’ll stay until the babies are born.’

      ‘And after that?’

      ‘I’m not sure. If there’s a position here, and the need for my skills, I may look at my options. But my family and friends all live in Perth, quite close by, which is a great support for both of us and of course my mother and father still keep watchful eyes on both of us. I’m fortunate but some may find it odd that they still fuss over me at my age.’

      ‘Helicopter parents?’

      ‘You

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