Selene was alert when the ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital and only complained of mild pain in her abdomen. The pain in her wrist, however, was excruciating.
Lying in the hospital bed after being examined in the emergency room, she looked up at those gathered around her. Ben was there, of course, along with Johnny and Peter. Max was holding down the fort at UniTech and making sure everything proceeded with pressing charges against Natalia. Lucy had snuck in a visit, taking a break from her duties. Even though guests were limited to only a couple people at a time usually, this hospital always received sizable donations from UniTech and so exceptions were bound to be possible.
"Your parents just texted that they are almost here," Ben told Selene, holding her uninjured hand.
"Thanks," Selene replied. "You guys don't have to look so gloom and doomy. I feel fine. I'm sure everything is okay with the baby. It's this wrist that's broken but who needs a wrist anyway?" She raised her arm to show the cast, but she could tell by the silent looks of concern and worry that no one thought her joke was funny.
Ben brought her hand to his lips and just held it there. Johnny sighed and squeezed Peter's waist. Lucy was the only one who eventually broke the silence, "We know in our hearts everything will be fine, honey. We're just worried because we care about you."
When Selene's parents arrived, everyone but Ben left the hospital room to give them privacy. Shortly after their appearance, Selene's doctor appeared.
After making pleasantries, Dr. Reyes told them the news, "As we expected, there was no harm to the fetus." That announcement led to sighs of relief from everyone. "However, this may have been a blessing in disguise," he continued. At the confused looks, he explained, "The examination revealed that Dr. Serian has an incompetent cervix. This doesn't usually get diagnosed until the second trimester, but the signs indicate that this is the case. There are some treatment options we can talk about." He gave a questioning look toward Selene's parents.
Selene answered his silent question, "It's alright, you can talk freely in front of my parents and fiancé."
The doctor nodded and then explained some of the options available, asking certain questions along the way. At the end, based on Selene's answers, he said, "I normally don't recommend bed rest at this stage, but given the fall you just took, the degree of effacement of the cervix, and your current stressors, I think we should have you stay in bed for a 2-3 weeks and then re-evaluate."
Both Selene and Ben nodded solemnly. When the doctor left, Selene laughed, "I can't believe I have an incompetent cervix! What kind of name is that anyway?"
Shaking his head, Ben chuckled lowly, "There is no part of you that is incompetent, babe."
Anie agreed, "I agree with Ben. But let's not take this lightly. You have to stay in bed like the doctor ordered." She knew her daughter would have a hard time with these orders despite agreeing to it.
Selene sighed, "Yes, mom. I will make sure to do exactly what Dr. Reyes said. Don't worry."
"That's my good girl," Anie smiled and then went to give her daughter a hug. "Alright then, we will take our leave so you can rest. We'll come to visit you tomorrow since they're keeping you for observation one more day."
"You don't have to do that mom," Selene replied. "Just visit the following day at home."
Adam sighed, "We don't have to but we want to."
Ben agreed, "Let your parents take care of you a little bit. It will make me feel better knowing they're here when I'm not." Selene looked at him with curious eyes and he said, "I'll have to take care of some things tomorrow morning so I won't be able to come over til a little later. It will be good for your parents to be here just in case."
Adam grabbed Ben's forearm, "You don't think she's in danger from that Devons woman, do you?"
Ben patted Adam's hand gently, "I don't think so but I just don't want to be too careful. There are guards stationed outside but it would just make me feel better if you two were here."
Adam let go of Ben's arm and nodded.
Once her parents left, Selene took a deep breath and sighed. Ben asked, "What's wrong?"
Selene shook her head slightly, "I just keep worrying them and it makes me feel bad. I wish…." Her voice trailed off.
Ben lowered the guardrail of her hospital bed and climbed up next to her. Holding her in his arms, he gently asked, "What do you wish?"
Tears started falling down Selene's cheeks. After a moment, she answered, "I just wish I was normal. I wish they could have a normal life."
Ben caressed her cheek, "I don't understand. There's nothing abnormal about you. They love you and if they are anything like me, they probably feel so grateful that you are in their lives."
Selene started crying harder. Ben just held her until she was done, stroking her hair and giving soft kisses to the top of her head. "There's nothing wrong with you."
With a deep sigh, Selene murmured, "Then why do bad things keep happening to me? I try to stay positive and not let everything get to me, but then these things happen, and I don't understand. I feel like I must have done something terrible in a previous life."
Ben smiled wryly, "Wow, you're asking the big questions, huh? No one knows why bad things happen. Is it our karma from previous lives? I can't answer that one way or the other. All I know is what I see. And what I see is a smart—hell, beyond smart—amazing, beautiful woman who is using her gifts to help others. And even without all that you are, you don't deserve any of what you have been through. And by the way, it's okay that you feel sad sometimes. You can't be happy all the time. But it's important to think about all the good things that have happened to you as well. You met Peter at a time in your life that you needed him the most. Then your parents adopted you. Then there's me…err, well, I guess I am the sonofabitch who broke your heart, but we had good times before and we have them now too. I mean, think about the miracle that is this baby you're carrying. If we're lucky, they will be just as smart and beautiful as you."
Listening to Ben's words calmed Selene's heart a little but there was still a gnawing feeling she couldn't get rid of. When she remained quiet, Ben lifted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "Tell me," he said quietly.
Selene couldn't hold his gaze and looked down.