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Chapter XXXII

A Pocketful of Miracles
~ * * * ~

	Jax had wasted no time in getting Gene to the doctor's. He was openly worried about her and the baby. Gene seemed to calm a little once Jax took over. She felt safe in his arms and knew that he would take care of her. It wasn't long before Dr. Jeffries came out. "So, what seems to be the matter, Gene," she asked in a calming voice. She could see that the couple were obviously shaken. "Oh, Dr. Jeffries," Gene began, "I've been having such terrible cramps. I'm frightened for the baby!" Dr. Jeffries replied, "Now, now, let's not panic just yet, come into the examination room and let me take a look at you." She told Jax to bring Simon and come along. She told them that having a baby was a family affair and that everyone should be involved. She escorted them into the examination room.
Dr. Jeffries got Gene settled on the examination table, and checked her vital signs. Jax and Simon were close by. Jax stroked Gene's head wishing he could make everything alright for her. He felt so helpless. Dr. Jeffries took Gene's blood pressure and told them that it was high. She admonished Gene saying that she would have to take it easy and rest often. "If you continue in this way, Gene," said Dr. Jeffries, "I will have to place you on total bed rest - even if that means admitting you to the hospital to make sure you get it. Do you understand?" Jax replied for Gene, "I understand Doctor, and I'll make sure that she gets plenty of rest." Dr. Jeffries listened to the baby's heartbeat and immediately told them that the baby's heartbeat was strong.
	Dr. Jeffries then took Simon and placed him in Gene's arms. She took her stethoscope and handed it to Jax. "Here," she said, "would you like to listen to your baby's heartbeat?" Jax took the stethoscope eagerly and put it to his ears. The doctor put it on Gene's growing belly and Jax couldn't believe his ears. That's my baby in there, he thought! "Oh," he said, "it sounds like a little drum!" He looked at Gene with such love in his heart. Our love created this little life, he thought! He smiled at Gene and her heart filled with love. She understood at that moment. No matter that this baby wouldn't be his first, she thought. He is going to love it just as much! It's going to be alright.
When the exam was over, she helped Gene sit up. She told them that she didn't think it would be too much longer now. "Gene," she said, "I don't think you will make it to term, but please don't be alarmed. You are far enough along that your baby should have no problems. I would, of course, like to see you hold off for at least another 2 weeks. That is why I'd like you to go home and stay off your feet. I'm a little worried about your blood pressure, but if you take it easy, stay calm, and relax, you should be fine." "Yes, of course, Dr. Jeffries," Gene replied. "I'll do whatever I have to to make sure my baby is safe!" "Of course," Jax said. "Whatever it takes. Gene will have the best of care, Dr. Jeffries." He put his arm around his wife protectively. "I'll see to it that she gets plenty of rest."

~ * * * ~

Max looked at his beautiful little girl sleeping in her mother's arms. He looked at Madra and saw that she was still shaking. He bent down and kissed his wife's head. "Madra, darling," he began, "please don't worry. Emma is going to be fine. When I spoke with Mike, he told me that little children get high fevers often. He feels she probably has a common childhood ailment called Rosiola and that if it is that, she should be fine by morning. He's going to stop over in the morning to check her out and make sure she's fine."

"Oh, Max," Madra said, "she's so little! I hate to see her sick! I was so frightened. Thank God you were able to remain so calm. I don't know what I would have done without you!"

When Madra came into the room with little Emma so limp and unconscious, Max took over immediately. He first phoned Mike, Emma's pediatrician, who told him what to do. He then took Emma from Madra's arms, telling Madra to fetch towels. He took her upstairs and ran a tepid bath and put the child in. As soon as he placed her in the water, she stirred and immediately began crying. "Mommy, Mommy," she began crying, "where's my Mommy!"

Madra came running into the room with the towels. Max dried her off and dressed her in her nightie. He then took her and settled Madra into a chair and placed the child in her arms.

Max looked at Madra and said, "Darling, you will never have to worry about that. I will always be here for you and the girls!"

Madra looked up at Max. Her heart was overflowing with love. "Max," she began, "we are so lucky. Emma and Meg are such a precious gift! We really do have a lot to be thankful for, don't we? I'm so sorry that I wasted so much time being jealous over Vanessa."

"Yes, darling, we certainly do, and" Max replied, "the very last thing you ever have to worry about is Vanessa."

~ * * * ~

As Mike and Leila were leaving the cafe with April, April remembered that she left her teddy bear. "It's alright, Mike," Leila said, "you can get April in her carseat and I'll go back and get the bear. I'll be right back."

When she went back onto the patio of the cafe where they were, she noticed a woman standing by what had been their table. When she looked closer, she saw that it was Lauren, and she was holding April's teddy bear. As she approached closer, she noticed that Lauren had been crying.

"Lauren," she said, "are you alright?"

Lauren looked up, surprised to see her. "I'm fine," she said.

Leila looked at her and said, "Have you been here long? I didn't see you."

"I've been here a while," she said. "Long enough to see you and your new little family! I see you finally adopted April. I guess you have Mike to thank for that!"

"Yes," Leila began, "we did adopt April. Lauren, can't you be happy for me? I never meant to hurt you, Lauren. You know how special you are to me! I'll always care and love you, but," she hesitated, "but....I'm in love with Mike. Please, Lauren, please understand. I never meant for it to happen, but it did. I am truly happy and I want you to be happy, too. April misses you, Lauren, and I was hoping that you would come and visit with us. I'd like you to be her Godmother."

Lauren looked at Leila and handed her the teddy bear. "You mean it, Leila?" she said. "You want me to be her Godmother? What will Mike say?"

"Don't worry about Mike," Leila said, "he's fine with it. What do you say?"

With tears in her eyes, Lauren looked at Leila and said, "I'd be honored."

"Good," Leila said, "I'll call you in a few days to set up a date." With that, she kissed her on the cheek and turned to leave.

Lauren grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Wait, Leila," she said, "I have something to tell you that I think you will want to know. I know that you and Mike have been trying to find the little girl you gave up for adoption." Leila opened her mouth and began to ask how she knew, but Lauren stopped her. "I hear things," she said. "Anyway, I know you are looking for her. Well, I think I can help."

"How?" Leila asked. "Do you know where she is?!"

"Ah, no," Lauren began, "but I can tell you the name I gave when I arranged for her adoption. You see, I didn't make the arrangements under your real name - I used an assumed name."

To be continued.......

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