Ben's Gift
By Ben
Chapter Five
Evening rays of sunshine spilled through the hospital chapel's stained glass windows as Ben knelt. Tears spilled from his eyes and dripped from his cheeks as he bowed his head and remembered the events of the long, eventful day.
Although any surgery seems to take forever, an organ transplant is doubly stressful. There are two surgical teams involved and the timing involved has to be carefully coordinated. This is especially true when both the donor and the recipient are alive and are expected to return to full health.
At least that's the way it was supposed to work.
Ben, Ricky, Jose and Carla waited in the small private waiting room for what seemed eternity. Carla became restless and uncomfortable. She knew that Ben was anxious and asked him to help her up and to take a walk around the hospital with her.
She wanted to see the nursery, so they took the elevator and exited on the appropriate floor. After making sure it was okay with the floor nurse, they walked to large glass windows separating the hallway from the newborn babies.
It was a large nursery, befitting a major medical center. There was easily space for over 25 babies as well as a special room for premature babies, incubators etc. There were only seven brand new people in the tiny cribs on the other side of the glass.
Carla smiled at them and unconsciously held her huge stomach between here hands. Ben knew she was eager for her twins to be born. He knew she would be an excellent mother. Although she was very wealthy and a powerful business woman, Ben suspected that she would take charge of rearing her children, first hand, and not leave them to the care of nannies.
For just a few moments, as he gazed at the babies, he almost forgot his worries about Berto, and the Padre also. He was transported to the time when he had watched his own son delivered. It was the younger of his children, the first being born while he was at sea, in the US Navy Submarine Service.
His thoughts also drifted towards how quickly they grow and how fast things change. Both his sons were grown and successful, handsome young men. Just like Berto.
This brought him back to the present and he took Carla's soft hand. "Care to walk some more?" He asked her.
"Si." She nodded. "Let us go and walk outside. I could use some fresh air."
"Me too." Replied Ben. They thanked the floor nurse as the elevator door closed and they began their descent to the lobby.
"Ayee!" Carla said, as the elevator made a slight thump at the ground floor.
"Are you okay?" Ben was concerned.
"Si, I think so." Panted Carla. "It was just the sudden stop."
"Do you need to sit down? Shall I call somebody?"
"No, no. Really, Ben. I am fine now. Let's just walk a bit."
Ben held out his arm and Carla took it. They exited into the bright, noonday sun. The autumn air was clean and sweet- just the right temperature for a walk. They headed toward the tree-lined grassy area. It looked almost like a park, complete with sidewalks and benches.
Birds chirped in the trees and the fragrance of the fall flowers filled the air as the walked slowly. "Have you decided on names for your babies, yet?" Ben asked.
"We have a few that we like, but I think it's best to wait. We don't know if we have girls or boys yet." Carla explained.
"Or perhaps one of each." Ben suggested.
"Si, that is also a possibility. She conceded.
Ben felt Carla grasp his arm as she inhaled sharply. "Carla! What is it, what's wrong?"
Carla has bent over slightly and holding her stomach with her free hand. Ben helped her to sit on one of the benches. "Should I get a doctor or a nurse?" Ben asked anxiously?
Carla looked up and he could see the pain and something he had never seen in her expression before. Fear flashed in her eyes, but was soon gone. She nodded and Ben ran for the doors.
He returned shortly with a wheel chair and two nurses. They carefully loaded Carla into the chair and wheeled her inside. "We'll take her straight up to OB. Are you her husband? Asked one of the nurses.
"What? Oh. N-n-no. I'm a family friend. Her husband is in surgery." Ben answered
"He's a patient in the hospital?" She asked.
"No. He's a doctor. He's assisting a transplant surgery."
The nurse nodded her understand. "Are there other family members here?"
"Um...yes! Her brother is here. He's in the waiting room." Ben explained.
"Could you tell him to meet us in maternity?"
Ben didn't answer. Instead he headed for the stairs and took them two at a time. He burst into the waiting room. "Ricky!"
Enrique looked up and saw Ben's worried expression. "What is it, mi amigo? Has something happened to Berto? We have heard nothing..."
Ben shook his head. "It's Carla. She...they..."
"What has happened?" Rick was becoming concerned.
"We were walking...and she had some pains...they took her to the maternity ward..."
"Madre de Dios!" Exclaimed Ricky. "Where is it?"
"Seventh floor. I'll show you." Ben panted. He started toward the elevator then stopped short. Looking toward the operating room, he said, "Berto."
"You stay here, Ben. I can find it." Ricky entered the elevator and was gone.
Ben didn't know what to do. He stood there looking confused. Jose took his hand and led him into the waiting room. "Sit down, Ben."
Ben allowed himself to be led to the couch, where he sat briefly. Soon he was back on his feet, pacing nervously. "I just can't sit still, Jose. There's so much going on. What should I do? Should I go and check on Carla? Should I stay here and wait for word on Berto?"
Jose chuckled at him. "You need to calm down. I will go and check on what is happening with Carla and you can wait here. I promise to return soon." Jose disappeared through the doorway.
Ben watched the clock. Time seemed to stand still. Miguel stuck his head in through the doorway and looked around quickly. "Seventh floor." Ben told him. Miguel nodded and hurried away.
Jose returned and told him that Carla had, indeed, entered premature labor. The hospital had reached her obstetrician, but it was doubtful he could make the trip from San Augustin in time to deliver her twins. They were assured that the staff of the San Diego hospital could care for her.
"Come, let us find Enrique and get something to eat. I have gotten a pager from the surgery desk. They will call us when there is any word." Ben didn't want to leave, but he was hungry. It was late afternoon and he hadn't had anything but coffee all day. No wonder he was wired!
Ricky met them at the hospital cafeteria. The food was surprisingly good and the atmosphere was that of a fine restaurant. They were just finishing their meal when Ricky's cellular phone chirped.
"Hola? Si? Si." Ricky's face lit up. "Magnifico, Miguel!"
"What is it?" Asked Ben.
"It is a boy!" Said Ricky, enthusiastically.
Jose jumped up and they hugged excitedly.
"Congratulations, Tio Enrique!" Ben said happily. "Is everybody doing okay?"
"Si, si. So far everybody is fine. Carla still has to deliver the other baby, but all looks good so far."
They all left the table and headed for the maternity ward. On the way, Ricky's cellular phone rang again. Carla had delivered a baby girl as well. All were doing well. With all the whooping and happiness going on in the elevator headed to the seventh floor, Ben almost missed the pager buzzing in his pocket.
I appreciate your patience, your loyalty and your email messages. I really don't mean to take so long between chapters. My life is very busy and I have much going on right now. More as soon as I can. To find other stories I have posted on Nifty, click the "Authors" link and scroll down to "Lyle Benton". There you will find a list of stories I have submitted to Nifty. Comments are always welcome. Write to me at ben_sc@hotmail.com
Thanks for reading!
Ben