You're In Danger

Writers: Cymiri, Miriah
Date Posted: 23rd March 2014

Characters: Bahji, Reeva
Description: Reeva confirms Bahji's fears
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 6, day 8 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Riveenata, E'rae, K'lvin

A few days after speaking to Riveenata, Bahji waited for the
Master Healer to appear. She nervously paced in the little cubicle, her
hand laying flat on her abdomen. Maybe Riveenata was wrong. Maybe
there wouldn't be any trouble. Maybe.

"Bahji." Reeva's tone was neutral yet welcoming. She indicated for the girl
to follow her through to her more private office. "Do take a seat."

Bahji had to hold onto Reeva's arm, but was silent as they walked.
The Healer had treated her after her fall and knew her history, so it
wasn't as though she was uncomfortable with the woman, despite the bad
memories that her presence tugged at. She dutifully sat when she found
the chair and waited.

"Riveenata tells me you are pregnant. Which is not, I am afraid, the
best of news for you right now."

Bahji took a deep breath and her and laid against her stomach. "She
said it could be dangerous."

Reeva's answer was simple. "Extremely. You are playing with your life, and
possibly the life of the child."

Bahji's hand tightened on her abdomen, fingers curling against the fabric
of her dress. "But..." She took a deep, shaky breath."There's a chance
it will be okay, right? I can't kill it, Reeva. Its a baby."

Reeva's voice was soft and her empathy showed, but she was also stern.
"No, it isn't, child. Though with luck and fortune- neither of which
mothers or their children are guaranteed- it will of course become
one. But you are young and- forgive me- still a Holder, whatever you
think of yourself. You may judge me harshly for what I am going to
say, but I only ask that you at least try to actually listen. I am
your Healer, and whatever you decide for yourself I will defend
because that is my job and calling and your life is your choice and no
one elses. I have watched patients die even when I knew I could save
them because it was their wish that it be so, and you will be treated
no differently. Whatever you decide, you will have no stronger
supporter then I. But I am not young like Riveenata and many of my
colleagues nor did I give up everything I once had to play pretend in
the land of the happy and allow ignorance because the truth may hurt
or offend my patients. I will support anything you choose but I will
not lie to you."

"Motherhood and the months before it are not safe nor easy. The
delusion of a blissful journey with an inevitable happy conclusion is
a fallacy. Too many young, healthy women without a thing to suggest
otherwise loose their lives birthing their children. Some loose those
children. Healers do what they can, but there are no guarantees. If
you allow this pregnancy to continue, you do not even have their odds.
You are not well enough recovered for the rigors of pregnancy, and
even should you manage it is highly likely that the profound stresses
of the birth will do severe damage. You are a prime candidate to
breathe your last giving birth, and your child may not pull through
either. I personally would not allow the younger apprentices into your
delivery room for fear of what they would see. "

She ceased prowling, and perched on the edge of the desk.
"My second child almost took my life, and its only supreme luck that
he didn't, so please believe I do know of what I talk. I don't mean to
scare you, but you need to forget the spin the old Hold Aunt's put on
all of these things and truly understand the options you have and the
futures you face. The world can be a harsh mistress. I realize not
everyone is comfortable with the Weyr ways, but the only course of
action I can offer you with any guarantees of your safety would be to
surrender this chance. I don't pretend its a happy or an easy
decision. But you are young and will make a fine mother to another
child you have a realistic chance of living to raise. That which you
carry now would know no pain in the process, and would be spared the
pain of a birth likely to risk it as well. Of a very, very bad hand it
is the one and only safe course and the only one I can truly
recommend. "

"If you choose against that, you will be signing away a lot of how
you live now. I do not play to loose, and if you wish to continue this
pregnancy we will fight it with everything I have- which is
considerable-but you had best resign yourself to the fact it will be
at the expense of a lot of personal liberty and the cost of having me
in your face a lot more then anyone sane person may wish. And I know
you are both proud and determined to be independent. But while we can
certainly fight, the chances of winning are too low. The child has a
fifty percent chance at best. You are even less likely to make it
Bahji. I can't make the truth anything other then what it is."

Reeva took the young woman's hand, squeezing gently.
"It's your choice, and you don't have to make it to anyone's
timetable but your body's. If there's anything you want to know or
ask, I am here. Now, and in the future."

That was the worst news that Reeva could have given her. She had been
hoping that Riveenata was exaggerating, or perhaps just overly
concerned with her well being. Her voice was whisper soft. "But...I
feel fine. I don't hurt and I can walk..." She blinked back tears and
held her stomach in both hands now as if cradling the unborn child
within her. "I barely ache any more. How can I measure my life
against my child's? How can I say my life is more important?" What
would the potential fathers think? E'rae had already stated that he
didn't believe it to be his. K'lvin wanted to be the father. She
blinked rapidly, feeling the sting of tears and hurriedly tried to
block them from falling. "If...if I do decide to...kill it..." she
shuddered at the thought, "when can I have another? Will this happen
again?"

Reeva gave the girl a brief tight hug. It wasn't often she allowed her
emotions to show when working. "You have healed well, but it takes time for those bonds to be fully
completed. Think of the moments between when you tack a garment
together and when it is properly stitched. One may look and feel the
same, but it will not withstand pressure or rough handling. I would
have preferred a turn to a turn and a half to allow the bone to
completely recover."

Bahji was desperately trying to find some way that she wouldn't have
to /between/ with the child and even Reeva's hug could not keep her
mind from trying to come up with ideas to save the growing life in her
womb. "What if I do everything that you want? I'll take it easy and I
will stay away from stairs. I'll even eat what ever you tell me to
eat."

"If you want to try, Bahji, that is what will have to happen. There
can be no exception. I will truly do everything I can. But I would be
lying if I said it would even the odds."

An idea lit on Bahji's face and she turned towards Reeva. "Do you
think the Dolphins could tell if my hips were healed enough?" There
was hope on her face. "If they can see babies, maybe they can see my
hips." She grabbed Reeva's hand. "Can I try that before I have to make
that decision?"

Reeva closed her eyes slightly. The girl's case pained her, but she
also was quickly exasperated by patients who refused to understand.
She was still gentle in her tone though.

"Bahji. The dolphins will only tell you what I have told you. There
is, unfortunately, no if's or maybe's in your case. It's simply how
it is. But if you feel it would comfort you or assist you, then I can
organize for you to meet with one."

She refused to relinquish the hope that maybe, just maybe, Reeva was
wrong. She wanted to know for sure. "It would help. Please?" Bahji
swallowed. "And then I can make my decision."

"Make your decision how and as you feel, Bahji. But it will be done. I'll
let you know as soon as I have a time, and we'll take you through."

Last updated on the April 4th 2014

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