(no subject)
Hippolyta, accompanied by her doctor, waddles back into the doctor's private office. Ramon, busy inspecting his cuticles out of sheer nervous energy, practically jumps to attention when the door opens. Hips smiles at him, but it's a guarded sort of smile. The silent question mark in his head is broadcast by his eyes and his parasite. She just shrugs slightly, as if to say, "Don't ask me, I just work here."
"Have a seat, please."
The doctor goes so far as to even pull the chair out for her, beating her husband to the punch. Awkwardly, holding onto the back of the chair, she lowers herself into it. Ramon follows suit, his worry still evident. No, the man still does not like being in a doctor's office, even in this removed sort of way.
They still do not know the name of their doctor, and from what Hips can tell, he doesn't know their names, either. She's seen this man every single week for the last six months, and can only call him 'Doctor.'
"Well, I have some good news, and some bad news," the doctor begins. His tone is carefully gentle, with a bedside manner that really does indicate concern for his patient. However, even this tone cannot keep the momentary panic off both new parents' faces. The man holds up a hand to try and keep it down.
"The good news is that the fetus is, of course, still healthy and active, with a good strong heartbeat. He's growing faster than a completely human fetus, but is still within the upper side of the curve."
Hips relaxes, Ramon does not. If the good news pertains to the baby, then the bad news can only be about her. Something is wrong with her. Visions of his mother are immediate, overwhelming. All he can imagine is Hippolyta, on her birthing bed, which suddenly and tragically becomes her death bed. He is, however, very very careful to keep all of that locked down tightly in his own mind, and not let the slightest shred of it leak over to her. She doesn't need that, not now.
"After your urine test last week, we noticed a small amount of protein there. We wanted to double check today. That's why we took your blood pressure. Have you had any headaches recently? Or large bruises?"
Hippolyta's eyebrows knit for a second, and she frowns.
"Well, yeah, but just a couple of minor headaches. I figured it was just...headaches. No bruises, though."
"Mmm," the doctor agrees, and glances at her chart. The nanotechnology in her blood would fix those before she noticed. "The bad news is that you've got a minor case of preeclampsia."
Both Hips and Ramon look blank, if worried. The doctor smiles slightly.
"Preeclampsia is also known as Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Your blood pressure is higher than we'd like."
Hips' jaw drops in astonishment, while Ramon looks grim. He knew it. Already the armies of pessimism are marching across his thoughts, and he tears up slightly. Then his jaw clenches. No. Not here. Not now.
"Hypertension? But...that shouldn't be happening!" Hips protests. In fact, she's already having a furious, silent yelling session at her nanobots. The only excuse she gets is that they think they might even be causing the problem, but are too busy at work keeping all her other bits ticking along. Seems that the fact she's carrying a non-human fetus is causing her bots to work overtime.
She blanches as the doctor continues.
"It's very common in first-time mothers," he says soothingly. "And, considering all the other unusual factors in this pregnancy, a very mild case like yours is nothing short of miraculous. So, to help things along and get you back on track, I'm putting you on bed rest. You'll need to cut all salt out of your diet, as well, and drink eight or more glasses of water a day."
"But...I..."
She's been doing all of that anyway. Well, aside from the bed rest part of it. And...the salt thing. She suddenly feels extra super special guilty for that bag of crisps she ate this morning on her way to the office. She shuts up. Part of her wants to argue, to insist that she'll be fine, that she can just go about her business and keep active...but then she thinks about her son. She most definitely will hate not being able to go for her walks anymore, but she'd hate losing the baby even more.
The doctor is continuing in that same calm tone, giving Hippolyta the instructions she needs for her bed rest. She really is listening, but only with half an ear. Because it's finally dawned on her that Ramon is beyond distressed.
{Mi amor..?}
{You have to be all right. Please, be all right?}
{Oh, darling. I will be, I promise. I'll be fine. You heard the doctor, it's just a mild case. I'll just rest at home for a few days, it'll be fine.}
{I can't lose you. Not like this...}
{You won't.} Her mental tone is firm, loving and final.
In the middle of this mental conversation, the doctor drops his final bombshell.
"Now, you may have to remain on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. This has already been taken into consideration, however, and we're preparing to be able to come to you. No more PINpointing here, or anywhere, after you get home."
"...What? For the rest of the pregnancy? Three more months?! Are you smegging kidding me?"
The doctor just blinks, and then smiles a bit more wryly.
"No, I am not, erm, smegging kidding you. If you don't show improvement within the next two weeks or so, then I'll have no choice but to make it indefinite. In fact, it might be easier on you, what with the weight gain. Again, you're within normal parameters, if on the high end, and now with the added bonus that it won't be such a chore to carry around."
"Three months just lying around in bed? Oh, gawd..." She now has visions, of being unable to move around at all, just steadily gaining weight until she balloons back to (or over) her old school weight. One hundred and eighty pounds was bad enough, but to get back up to two hundred and forty...
She turns to Ramon, looking thoroughly miserable. This prompts him to take her hand and hold it tightly. And he makes a promise to himself that he's going to do everything in his power to take proper care of her. He will not risk losing her like he lost his mother.
"My nurse and I will see you in three days. We'll be there to set up some equipment to keep on hand. This does change the plan slightly, you should be aware. Instead of delivering here, you'll most likely be delivering at the castle, Mrs. Salazar."
It's the first time he's used her name, and it snaps her out of her upset.
"So you do know who we are."
The doctor nods.
"I suspected, but was officially informed last week, when I reported that you might be facing this complication. Sharpe is...concerned for you both, and wants you to have the best care with the least interruption. My treating you in Spain is the easiest all around."
"...There's going to be medical equipment in my castle?"
Ramon is just getting all KINDS of good news today.
"Yes, but out of the way, and you need never see it, Agent Salazar. I've been briefed about your aversion." There's another wry smile. "In fact, I was the staff doctor who analyzed your medical data after the mission on the world designated Ganado Planet."
"Oh." Ramon's none too happy about this knowledge either, but bites his tongue again. All part and parcel of the deal to keep him out of prison, he supposes.
"Here's my advice to both of you, if I may. Go home. Relax. Spend today resting with your wife, Agent Salazar." He thinks for a moment, and chuckles. "Although I am going to have to request that you refrain from marital duties from now on. Since Mrs. Salazar has asked about that every time she's been in here."
Both Hips and Ramon blush bright red. Oh, grand. The doctor chuckles again.
"We'll see you in a few days."
Hips carefully stands up to leave, Ramon helping her up. Not for the first time, Hips is grateful for his strength. Then she turns back to the doctor.
"May I finally know your name, too?"
The doctor hesitates, and then shakes his head no.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Salazar, but I can't tell you that. Security reasons."
She sighs. Ah well, it was worth a try.
"Have a seat, please."
The doctor goes so far as to even pull the chair out for her, beating her husband to the punch. Awkwardly, holding onto the back of the chair, she lowers herself into it. Ramon follows suit, his worry still evident. No, the man still does not like being in a doctor's office, even in this removed sort of way.
They still do not know the name of their doctor, and from what Hips can tell, he doesn't know their names, either. She's seen this man every single week for the last six months, and can only call him 'Doctor.'
"Well, I have some good news, and some bad news," the doctor begins. His tone is carefully gentle, with a bedside manner that really does indicate concern for his patient. However, even this tone cannot keep the momentary panic off both new parents' faces. The man holds up a hand to try and keep it down.
"The good news is that the fetus is, of course, still healthy and active, with a good strong heartbeat. He's growing faster than a completely human fetus, but is still within the upper side of the curve."
Hips relaxes, Ramon does not. If the good news pertains to the baby, then the bad news can only be about her. Something is wrong with her. Visions of his mother are immediate, overwhelming. All he can imagine is Hippolyta, on her birthing bed, which suddenly and tragically becomes her death bed. He is, however, very very careful to keep all of that locked down tightly in his own mind, and not let the slightest shred of it leak over to her. She doesn't need that, not now.
"After your urine test last week, we noticed a small amount of protein there. We wanted to double check today. That's why we took your blood pressure. Have you had any headaches recently? Or large bruises?"
Hippolyta's eyebrows knit for a second, and she frowns.
"Well, yeah, but just a couple of minor headaches. I figured it was just...headaches. No bruises, though."
"Mmm," the doctor agrees, and glances at her chart. The nanotechnology in her blood would fix those before she noticed. "The bad news is that you've got a minor case of preeclampsia."
Both Hips and Ramon look blank, if worried. The doctor smiles slightly.
"Preeclampsia is also known as Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Your blood pressure is higher than we'd like."
Hips' jaw drops in astonishment, while Ramon looks grim. He knew it. Already the armies of pessimism are marching across his thoughts, and he tears up slightly. Then his jaw clenches. No. Not here. Not now.
"Hypertension? But...that shouldn't be happening!" Hips protests. In fact, she's already having a furious, silent yelling session at her nanobots. The only excuse she gets is that they think they might even be causing the problem, but are too busy at work keeping all her other bits ticking along. Seems that the fact she's carrying a non-human fetus is causing her bots to work overtime.
She blanches as the doctor continues.
"It's very common in first-time mothers," he says soothingly. "And, considering all the other unusual factors in this pregnancy, a very mild case like yours is nothing short of miraculous. So, to help things along and get you back on track, I'm putting you on bed rest. You'll need to cut all salt out of your diet, as well, and drink eight or more glasses of water a day."
"But...I..."
She's been doing all of that anyway. Well, aside from the bed rest part of it. And...the salt thing. She suddenly feels extra super special guilty for that bag of crisps she ate this morning on her way to the office. She shuts up. Part of her wants to argue, to insist that she'll be fine, that she can just go about her business and keep active...but then she thinks about her son. She most definitely will hate not being able to go for her walks anymore, but she'd hate losing the baby even more.
The doctor is continuing in that same calm tone, giving Hippolyta the instructions she needs for her bed rest. She really is listening, but only with half an ear. Because it's finally dawned on her that Ramon is beyond distressed.
{Mi amor..?}
{You have to be all right. Please, be all right?}
{Oh, darling. I will be, I promise. I'll be fine. You heard the doctor, it's just a mild case. I'll just rest at home for a few days, it'll be fine.}
{I can't lose you. Not like this...}
{You won't.} Her mental tone is firm, loving and final.
In the middle of this mental conversation, the doctor drops his final bombshell.
"Now, you may have to remain on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. This has already been taken into consideration, however, and we're preparing to be able to come to you. No more PINpointing here, or anywhere, after you get home."
"...What? For the rest of the pregnancy? Three more months?! Are you smegging kidding me?"
The doctor just blinks, and then smiles a bit more wryly.
"No, I am not, erm, smegging kidding you. If you don't show improvement within the next two weeks or so, then I'll have no choice but to make it indefinite. In fact, it might be easier on you, what with the weight gain. Again, you're within normal parameters, if on the high end, and now with the added bonus that it won't be such a chore to carry around."
"Three months just lying around in bed? Oh, gawd..." She now has visions, of being unable to move around at all, just steadily gaining weight until she balloons back to (or over) her old school weight. One hundred and eighty pounds was bad enough, but to get back up to two hundred and forty...
She turns to Ramon, looking thoroughly miserable. This prompts him to take her hand and hold it tightly. And he makes a promise to himself that he's going to do everything in his power to take proper care of her. He will not risk losing her like he lost his mother.
"My nurse and I will see you in three days. We'll be there to set up some equipment to keep on hand. This does change the plan slightly, you should be aware. Instead of delivering here, you'll most likely be delivering at the castle, Mrs. Salazar."
It's the first time he's used her name, and it snaps her out of her upset.
"So you do know who we are."
The doctor nods.
"I suspected, but was officially informed last week, when I reported that you might be facing this complication. Sharpe is...concerned for you both, and wants you to have the best care with the least interruption. My treating you in Spain is the easiest all around."
"...There's going to be medical equipment in my castle?"
Ramon is just getting all KINDS of good news today.
"Yes, but out of the way, and you need never see it, Agent Salazar. I've been briefed about your aversion." There's another wry smile. "In fact, I was the staff doctor who analyzed your medical data after the mission on the world designated Ganado Planet."
"Oh." Ramon's none too happy about this knowledge either, but bites his tongue again. All part and parcel of the deal to keep him out of prison, he supposes.
"Here's my advice to both of you, if I may. Go home. Relax. Spend today resting with your wife, Agent Salazar." He thinks for a moment, and chuckles. "Although I am going to have to request that you refrain from marital duties from now on. Since Mrs. Salazar has asked about that every time she's been in here."
Both Hips and Ramon blush bright red. Oh, grand. The doctor chuckles again.
"We'll see you in a few days."
Hips carefully stands up to leave, Ramon helping her up. Not for the first time, Hips is grateful for his strength. Then she turns back to the doctor.
"May I finally know your name, too?"
The doctor hesitates, and then shakes his head no.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Salazar, but I can't tell you that. Security reasons."
She sighs. Ah well, it was worth a try.