Perceptions 53-56/66
Chapter 53
January 19, 2024
Alex lay on her back on the exam table at her obstetrician's office, her feet in the stirrups with her knees bent. She stared silently at the ceiling while Dr. Mackenzie Davidson finished her exam. "So what's the prognosis?"
Dr. Davidson dropped the sheet over her spread legs and stood. "You're progressing nicely but you need to slow down and relax. I'm concerned about your blood pressure."
Alex shot her a worried glance, her eyes wide with fear. "Eclampsia?"
"Alexis, I'm not going to lie to you. Pre- eclampsia is a genuine concern. I'm also concerned about your fainting episode. I'd like to admit you for a few days for observation but I know you'll fight me on that.” She smiled broadly. "So I'm ordering bed rest for the next week and we'll re- evaluate then." She eased Alex's legs out of the stirrups. "And you need to put on some weight." She moved by Alex's head. "Is everything ok with you and Eve?" Alex lifted her right shoulder in a half shrug and awaited Dr. Davidson's intense stare. "I do manage to find time to read the paper so I have a vague idea about the problems in your relationship. Keep in mind if you're stressed and unhappy then so is the baby. I know you two have been through hell trying to conceive and that's even more stress on you."
Alex nodded. "Yeah. I hadn't thought of it that way."
"If you don't mind my asking, what exactly is the status between you and Eve?"
Alex grimaced and threw her right arm over her eyes. "I've been trying to end it but she won't give up. She claims to want to fix things. You've read the papers so you know what's going on."
"But what do you want?"
"I want to go back to how we were when we first got married, to the days when we were both happy and healthy, when we hated having to go to work in the mornings because it meant being apart, when we looked forward to coming home at night so we could talk about our days, when we were both secure in the other's love." Alex's jaw jutted forward. "Do I really have to go on bed rest?"
"Definitely. And can I make a suggestion?" Alex nodded at the obstetrician. "Couple's therapy. It worked wonders for my husband and I. It's worth looking into at least."
Alex dropped her arm to her side. "I'll talk to her about it."
"That's all I ask. I want to see you again next Monday to re-evaluate your condition." Dr. Davidson said before leaving the room.
Alex swung her legs over the side of the exam table. Damn it. She thought miserably. I was hoping I could get through this without involving her.
Chapter 54
Eve made a notation on the yellow legal pad next to the file she was reviewing. She scowled at the file. "I'm sure whatever's in that file is undeserving of such a mean face." came Alex's voice from the doorway.
Eve jerked her head up to see the redhead leaning against the door. A broad smile replaced her scowl and a burst of happiness surged through her. "Hey hon, what are you doing here?"
"Lunch. I came to take you to lunch." Dr. Malone sauntered into the office. "You still eat, right?" Eve nodded closing the file. "Good. Grab your coat and let's go."
Eve stood, rounded the desk and pressed a quick kiss to Alex's cheek. "I'm glad you came. I've wanted to see you and talk to you but after the other day..." She trailed off and shrugged, then moved past to grab her wool coat. "What did you have in mind?"
Alex just nodded, shoving her hands in her pockets. "How does Damon's sound?" she started walking out of the office.
"Sounds good." They walked out of the building side by side. "Where are you parked?"
"It's only four blocks, let's walk."
They walked silently along the crowded Columbus sidewalk. Finally Eve spoke. "Ok, Doc, what's wrong?" Alex looked at her as though to ask 'what?' "Oh come on, Allie. You've been keeping me at arm's length for the past two months. Now all of a sudden, you're taking me to lunch. Once again, what's wrong? Talk to me, Allie."
"Can we wait till we get to the restaurant to talk?"
Eve sat down on a low rock wall. "I'd rather get it over with now, if you don't mind."
Alex sighed heavily, her shoulders slumped. She sat next to eve. "I went to see Dr. Davidson today." she said quietly.
Eve's face drained of all color. "Are you ok? What about the baby?" she questioned rapidly.
"Yes...no... honestly I don't know, Eve." Alex flustered. Eve waited patiently as Alex searched for the right words. "My blood pressure is elevated and Dr. Davidson ordered a week of bed rest. She said I need to get my stress levels down and right now, that means figuring out what we're going to do about our relationship." Eve merely raised an eyebrow in response. Alex's next words rushed out quickly. "I think we ought to go to couple's therapy."
Eve turned her head to face Alex. "You really want to try therapy?"
The doctor frowned slightly. "As much as I hate the concept, I think there are too many mitigating factors standing in the way of a true reconciliation."
Eve smiled broadly and leaned forward to kiss her briefly. "You're starting to sound like a lawyer, Doc." she teased.
"It tends to happen when you've been hanging around one for close to 20 years. So what do you think? Do we give couple's therapy a shot?" she asked nervously.
"If that's what it takes, then that's what we'll do. I want to make us work again, Allie. I want to be a part of your pregnancy and the delivery. I don't like the idea of you going through that alone." Eve grasped Alex's left hand. "Do you have any recommendations of who to see?"
"Dr. Michael Moresow. Dr. Davidson credits him with saving her marriage. I set up an appointment for us for Thursday at four."
They sat quietly for a few moments before Eve spoke again. "How's our little guy doing?"
"Still making me eat unhealthy foods. Last night I woke up at 2:30 craving pork tenderloin and sausage links. Dr. Davidson says I need to gain some weight and relax."
"Why aren't you gaining any weight? If you're eating pork tenderloins at two in the morning, I would think you wouldn't have any trouble in that area. I understand completely about you not relaxing though." she squeezed Alex's hand comfortingly.
"It's hard to gain weight when nothing stays down. You know fighting with you makes me sick and morning sickness, or rather morning and evening sickness, isn't helping matter any." she closed her eyes, clenching her jaw. "I don't want to fight anymore, Evie, but I also don’t want us to turn into one of those couples who are only together for the kids." she said quietly. She opened her eyes to stare at the sidewalk.
Upon hearing her nickname, Eve's eyes filled with tears and her mouth upturned in a huge smile. She rested their joined hands high on her thigh."We'll work it out Allie." she furrowed her brow. "Didn't you say something about bed rest?"
“As soon as I get some barbequed ribs, I'll go home and rest." Alex removed her hand from Eve's grasp and stood. "We'll get it all figured out eventually."
Chapter 55
January 22, 2024
Alex looked at her watch for the fifth time in three minutes. It's almost 4:30. Where the hell is she? She wondered with irritation. She looked across the desk at Dr. Moresow. "I thought she'd be here, that she truly wanted to go thru with this."
"Let's forget about Miss Benson and focus on you, Alexis. Tell me about yourself." he leaned back on his chair, his small round glasses perched on the end of his nose.
She lifted one shoulder carelessly. "What's to tell? I'm a 45 year old lesbian pediatrician. My partner of almost 19 years has been cheating on me and is running for the Republican party’s gubernatorial nomination. We've been fighting constantly for the past year and I'm currently pregnant with our first child." she leaned back in her chair mimicking his posture.
"You've done this before." he stated bluntly, catching her off-guard.
She blushed deep crimson. "My best friend is a psychologist. Dr. Kelli Rogers."
"What does she think of your situation?"
"At first she was totally behind me ending things with Eve. Now she's trying to shove us back together."
He scribbled something in a notepad on his desk. "Interesting choice of words."
"I've been trying to end things for the past two months. As much as I love her and want to be with her, I can't trust her. Trust and honesty are the building blocks of a solid relationship. Without those, love withers and dies and leaves you with an empty, gaping hole where your heart used to be."
"Why don't you start at the beginning for me? This way I can get a feel for your side of the relationship." he suggested, then listened for the next hour as Alex told her story.
Chapter 56
Eve sat on a bench outside of the building where Dr. Moresow's office was located. The case ahead of hers on the docket had run long, as a result making her late for the couple's therapy appointment. Then her campaign manager waylaid her with questions as she was leaving her office, putting her even further behind schedule. It was 5:15 when she originally approached the building.
Instead of entering, she had seated herself on the bench, waves of defeat coursing through her body. You had your shot and you blew it. It'll be a miracle if Allie even speaks to you. She rubbed her eyes tiredly. She's never going to forgive me. Shoot, I don't forgive me for all the crap I’ve put her through over the years.
Alex's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Dr. Moresow's office is inside and you missed our session." the pediatrician stiffly stated.
"I got held up in court. Then Jennifer had a million campaign questions and wouldn't let me leave until I'd answered them all. In the end, I told her I didn't care and to do whatever she wanted." she looked up at her partner, her eyes filled with sorrow and regret. "I'm sorry Allie. I didn't mean to miss the session." she whispered softly.
Alex's expression remained stoic. "It's ok."
Eve stood. "Let me make it up to you. Have dinner with me." she suggested.
"Not tonight. I'm really tired and drained. All I want to do is go home, take a long bath and go to bed." her voice reflected the fatigue.
Eve hung her head. "Alright. Did you make another appointment?"
She nodded. "Monday at 11. I have a 10 o'clock meeting so I might be a little bit late. I already told Dr. Moresow." she pointed her thumb to her left.
"I'm parked down this way." she paused for a moment. "I'll see you later, Eve." she started walking away.
"Allie..." Eve's voice stopped Alex in her tracks and she turned to face the lawyer. Eve briskly came up to her. She stared intently at Alex's mouth, fighting to urge to kiss her senseless. Instead, she kissed her cheek and whispered. "Call me if you need anything." Alex nodded wordlessly and continued walking towards her parked vehicle, leaving Eve to wonder if they were ever going to revive what was left of their relationship.