Downhill Fast

Dean had gone to his appointment with Lola, leaving Alex with Allie. They discussed what she wanted to do moving forward now that Dean had returned. The conversation hadn't gone extremely far before she started to go downhill.

"Cara Mia," Alex said.

He had brought her a large bouquet of tiger lilies.

Allie's face lit up when she saw him.

"Hi. I was wondering when I was going to see you again."

"Ever since I got this promotion, I haven't had many opportunities to see you. Sucks being low Sergeant on the totem pole."

"I think it's about time for the three of us to sit down and discuss where things are. I've been thinking a lot, and we need to figure things out.

She put her hand on her bump.

Peanut will be here soon, in a couple of weeks, and life is going to be complicated.

"How's Peanut today?"

He sat down in the chair Dean used to guard over Allie and his daughter. Alex put his hand on her belly.

"Hey, in there."

The baby rolled. He felt her little foot go across Allie's belly.

"I can't wait to meet you," he said.

I'm nervous about meeting her. What if something goes wrong? What if I don't make it through the surgery? What if I'm a terrible mom?

He took her hand and kissed it.

Don't talk like that. You'll be fine. You are going to be an awesome mom.

I'm at elevated risk. I can't even get out of this bed. I wasn't supposed to be a mom. Maybe this is not a miracle but a mistake.

Look, if something should happen, in my top drawer, "

She twisted to the side and reached for the side table.

"Alex. I don't feel so good."

"What's wrong?"

"I feel dizzy."

He stood up. "Allie?"

"You're blurry, Alex."

She grabbed her stomach. "Oh man, my stomach hurts."

"Is it the baby?"

Something isn't right. She put his hand on her chest.

"Allie, your heart is pounding."

"I can't breathe. I think I'm going to–"

She leaned over the side of the bed and vomited. She slumped over the side of the bed. Alex ran into the hallway.

"PEGGY!"

Peggy came running into the room. "Oh boy, that's not good."

She pressed the call button. "I need everyone down here. Bring the crash cart."

With the press of another button, an announcement came over the loudspeakers. "CODE BLUE ICU. CODE BLUE ICU."

"Baby, I need you in the hallway."

Alex was pushed out into the hallway. "Bernice, I need you to make sure her airway is clear.

"Ok, here comes some more. Roll her over on her side."

"Get ahold of the surgeon and the OB on call!" Peggy called out.

Bernice came running out of the room and grabbed the phone on the wall.

Allie! Allie! Can you hear me?

"Peggy, the baby's heart rate has dropped to 87 BPM.

She's not responding. She needs to get out of here now.

Peggy, there is blood pooled in her abdomen.

She has internal bleeding. Probably from that splenectomy they gave her when she was admitted.

Bernice came back into the room. "Get her ready to move her to operating room number four!

"Alright, everyone, you heard Bernice. Unhook, and let's go!"

There was a fury of action. "Bring the crash cart with us."

The bed came out of the room and headed to the transport elevator.

"Peggy, please tell me what's going on." He was running, following the nurses.

"Call her family, friends, and her husband."

"Call her family? Peggy, what is happening?"

"Call her family and friends, Alex."