Ally rubbed Lexi's back to dispel her nervousness. She started questioning why someone who has faced near-death so much time, still has to endure more. Where was the light at the end of the tunnel?
'Developmental problem...developmental problem...' Those words kept echoing in Lexi's ears. She closed her eyes and bit her lips to deflect the pain she felt in her chest. She was completely shattered. Now that she was en route to living life fully, the heavens are taking something away. It was her life or her baby's. They say everyone was created on purpose for a purpose. She thought, 'Is this my purpose?'
She looked at the doctor and asked, "So if I stop taking the medication, will the baby be fine?"
"It's best not to stop the treatment because you can suffer a relapse that would be worst than the previous. There would be signs of growth...," the doctor explained.
Adversity has no limitations, it hits at our zeniths and lowest time of life. It's a battle everyone faces, some often than others. It takes great courage and genuine mettle to endure, but how many sufferings can one withstand before they are broken down into pieces. For Lexi, this was the news that made her foundation collapsed. She finally opened her door, but along walked the shadow of disappointment cloaked as fortuity.
The knock on the door interrupted Lexi's trance, the doctor's explanation, and in walked Lexi's Oncologist. He walked to Lexi and patted her head, "Alright, don't cry. I came down as soon as I could."
He sat next to the Obstetrician and asked, "How far have you explained?"
They looked compassionately at Lexi. The oncologist said, "Miss Chen, I think you should proceed with the treatment plan we have agreed to. However, if you're adamant about keeping the baby, we will take you off of the medication and resume immediately after your delivery. There are pros and cons of this decision, first..."
"Nevertheless, this is the safest method for the fetus to be unharmed. Although most adult survivors of adolescent cancer are most likely to experience preterm birth or cesarean delivery, this is nothing to be worried about now. The baby will be fine because you will be mandated check-ups frequently," the Obstetrician assured.
"Miss Chen, I've treated you since you were a child and I've seen first hand how resilient you are," the Oncologist fiddled with his pen and claimed, "For now just focus on taking care of yourself more and we will be here for you throughout this period."
Lexi felt so relieved and happy. She didn't hold back her tears, prayers, and thanks. She was on an emotional rollercoaster. This news was like discovering an oasis in the middle of the desert with no bottle to take any on your journey, drinking all the happiness for the moment.
"Now about the baby, you are eight weeks in your pregnancy...." the Obstetrician explained. She informed Lexi of all the dos and don'ts of the road to having a smooth and comfortable pregnancy.
They stayed in the Obstetrician Office for almost one and a half hours. Lexi's case was sensitive because of her health history. The two doctors were very pleasant and showed great compassion for the situation as they congratulated Lexi.
Ally and Lexi walked out of the office and saw the Director's Secretary waiting for them.
"Director Tan has been called in for emergency surgery. I will take you to the pediatrician," she informed timidly.
When they got in the elevator, Lucas wrapped his tiny arm around his mother's neck, rested his head on her shoulder, and blinked his doe eyes slowly. He was morose and silent because his fun aunty Lexi didn't pay attention to him.
"Oh Lucas, you are tired of the waiting," Lexi murmured child-like and pinched his ruddy cheek.
He looked at her and did not react to her teasing. He just gazed at her face as she pulled away from kissing his face. Although he was tired out, he was not cranky, and Ally was constantly grateful for that.
In the pediatrician's office, the doctor examined Lucas. He got a little fussy when the cold stethoscope touched his skin and the doctor distracted him with a toy. The check-up was quick but thorough.
When the doctor told Ally that Lucas was fine, she felt at ease.
"It's just seasonal allergies. We're heading into the Fall season and you walked in the garden so the pollen has affected him. This caused the sneezing, runny nose and his tonsils are a bit inflamed. This is nothing to worry about. I will prescribe some medication to help with this," the doctor explained while playing with Lucas.
They talk about the next appointment date for Lucas's immunization.
The Hospital was a paper-free hospital, everything was communicated wirelessly, and so the girls just had to scan a QR code on their phone at the Pharmacy and collected the medications. The process was simple and Ally was quite satisfied with the service.
It was lunchtime when Ally and Lexi walked out of the hospital. Both of them felt relief leaving that place. The sun was at its peak on the exhibition stage, shining brightly but not too hot.
"How are you feeling?" Ally asked.
Let's exhaled and giggled, "Honestly, I'm over the moon...the happiest I think I've ever been in my whole life. Even though it's risky, I'm a hundred percent willing to take the chance. I'm so...so...so happy."
"You've been through a lot and faced many hardships. In a few coming months, you'll be a glowing mother with a healthy baby in your arms."
Lexi's heart melted with Ally's last statement. Happiness radiated off of her as the meridian sun, gracing the earth with its affection. She was looking forward to welcoming the bundle of joy into the world.
Ally smiled at the happy girl standing in front of her and added, "Congratulations again."
"I'll never get tired of hearing it." Lexi babbled at the boy in the safety seat, "Lucas, you'll have a little cousin soon, but you will need to guide it."
Ally's chest quaked with the laugh she let out upon hearing Lexi's word 'It'. Nothing was funnier than people calling their unborn baby that name. Lexi laughed too but with a puzzled expression.
Ally smiled, "It's best to say 'Him or Her' when you are mentioning the baby or you can make it more personal with a nickname, especially when talking to the baby."
"Oh! Oh! That's a wonderful idea. It's a good thing you're here, I would have gone around saying the wrong things." Lexi put in, "Are you heading home now?"
"I'll first take Lucas home and then head out back," Ally said, and glance at the yawning baby.
"Okay, I have some things I need to take care of. Next time I will be your chaperone," Lexi promised, fiddling on her phone, "Thanks for today, coz"
"Okay, drive safely."
Ally got in the car with Lucas and drove out of the car park. Lucas fell asleep almost immediately when she got on the road.
Lexi sat in the car and took out the ultrasound printout and looked at the picture with deep affection. She rubbed her tummy and whispered, "Baby, you are beautiful. My little bumblebee, you are made out of immeasurable love. Do you know a part of me always felt like I was missing something but now I know, that you are that something? You are the piece to the puzzle, the peace to my soul, the most important part of me. Thank you for choosing me to be your mother."
She wiped the tears that ran down her cheeks and smiled, "Let's have a happy and healthy future."
Lexi was never an optimist but from the moment she figured out that she wanted this baby, a family built solely on love and a future with them; her entire perspective on life changed drastically. Having a positive mindset and being the candle, constructs and fill with light the future you envisioned. She just wanted to give all of her love to this baby and began speaking positivity into fruition.
She called Toby once again but nothing changed. She knew he had started his preparation for the new school term today, so she didn't want to disturb him any longer. She decided to try again later, hoping he would not continue being indifferent.
"What should we do, little one? Dada isn't answering our calls."
*****
Ally drove through the city admiring the modern architecture of the magnificent skyscrapers. Phazing city was the portrait of the Artificial Intelligence world, everything was digitized.
Ally approached the red light at the junction and peeked at Lucas who was snoozing in the back. She turned her attention back to the road, pedestrians crossing looking like someone stomped on an ant's nest and the recollection of that unfortunate Christmas Eve popped up. She shook her head and move forward as the light switch.
The roaring sound of a motorcycle could be heard approaching from behind. Upon reaching her side of the vehicle the sound was deafening and the rider dodged in front of her and slowed down, dangerous enough for her to immediately press on the brake pedal.
"Screech!"
"Bang!"