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Sam doesn’t make it easy either. He would carry me everywhere if I let him. I keep trying to explain that wrapping me in bubble wrap isn’t the best option. I need to be up and moving.
And today, I have a very important patient to care for.
Jenny’s contractions started yesterday. I never would have guessed though because she’s been completely silent in her pain this entire time.
Her ordeal has changed her. The smiles are rare. She still cries out at night, her terrified screams echoing through the building.
She maintains a small memorial, and adds names as she remembers the women who had been prisoner with her.
In confidence, she told me that she had finally relented to “The Beast” as she called him, deriving what little pleasure she could from him. I don’t think she knew his name until after we rescued her.
Warm hands find my waist. “Sam, you know we talked about this. I don’t think she will be comfortable with you in there, too.”
“I know. I have a pig in labor anyway. Maybe you’ll get to put the swath of your skills to use today.” He gives me a lopsided grin and kisses my temple. I can hear our baby’s fast ticking heartbeat accelerate when he rubs my belly. “We’ll have babies popping all over soon.” He murmurs before taking the next hallway, leaving me to continue to Jenny’s room.
As always happens when he leaves my side, my heart does a double beat and my stomach rolls. I feel a little more vulnerable when he’s out of my sight, but maybe it’s just the lingering effects of what happened on the trip here so many months ago.
Pushing the door open, I see Jenny is laying in her bed, sweat caking her brow.
Glenda, one of the nurses, is holding her hand, softly talking her through the contraction that shivers her small body.
Besides a tiny grunt, Jenny is silent. She mentioned once she had to learn to be quiet when it hurts.
My god, what that poor girl went through I’ll never know.
“Oh, Doc, just in time! I think she’s close!” Glenda pushes her glasses up to meet my eyes.
“I’m going to check you, Jenny, okay?” She gives me a small nod before straining into another contraction.
When I lift the blanket, I can see the top of the baby’s head.
“You’re doing great! One more good push, and you’ll be done!”
With another imperceptible grunt, a new life falls into my hands.
“Congratulations! It’s a boy!” I can’t fight the smile that tugs at my lips. New life is a sign of hope.
With the falling of the bombs on the city, we’ve been able to hold the dogs better at bay. Their numbers seem to be slowly receding. Perhaps one day humans will retake earth as the dominant species.
His tiny face crumples into a magnificent cry, his dark hair a contrast against the red screaming face.
“He’s adorable, Jenny!” Cleaning him up, I swaddle him in a soft blanket before laying him across her chest.
Tears stream down her face, but her expression is hard to read. She pulls him close and holds one of his tiny hands in hers.
“Ow!” she exclaims, pulling her finger back quickly from his grasp. A frown draws her mouth down as she stares at him.
“What’s wrong?” I glance at Glenda who shrugs, a confused look on her face.
“He stung me.” She pushes the tips of his fingers, flattening his palm.
Small pores pock the surface of his hand. She gingerly touches one, and pulls back quickly. Only a small grunt signals the pain she felt a second time.
“How could he sting me?”
My mind races, landing back on the source.
The virus carried three strands of DNA. Dire wolf, axolotl and jellyfish.
THE END