CHAPTER21
December passed in more games, two short road trips, and more appointments accompanying Sarah. The more he got to see Sarah with Dr. Feldman, the more he thanked God for this woman who seemed to connect with Sarah on a way that had only drawn resistance with Dr. McKinnon. It helped too that the next scan confirmed the previous one, and showed a significant improvement in the left side of the baby’s heart.
Or maybe that was simply the fact that Sarah seemed so much more relaxed than before. His prayers, and those of her parents and sister, were answered, as Sarah was slowly returning to writing music, a special project, she’d shrugged, but not for Heartsong. But the fact her music seemed to have helped renew her love of God—and her love of him—helped Dan also settle into finding hope among the uncertainties.
For uncertainties remained. They’d agreed to have an ultrasound that Dr. Feldman had suggested, but not demanded, and one of the scans had drawn her concern.
“What is it?” he’d asked, as Sarah clutched his hand.
“I just will keep an eye on the spine and brain. It’s likely nothing to be worried about.”
“Dr. McKinnon once said our chromosome incompatibility might lead to water on the brain.”
Dr. Feldman’s brow furrowed. “Chromosome incompatibility sounds worse than what it is,” Dr. Feldman said. “A man and a woman cannot be genetically incompatible so that it’s impossible for them to have children together, but not with another partner.”
Bands across his chest eased. He’d once thought that.
“Is that what you were told?”
“Words to that effect,” he’d admitted.
“But Dr. McKinnon did say something about hereditary recessive disorders,” Sarah said.
He gripped her hand. He would not let her spiral again into doubts.
“That can be a factor, in a very small amount of cases, but from what I’ve seen of your blood tests, and from the ultrasound scans, I don’t see you belonging in that category.”
“Then why the concern now?”
“Some doctors,” she’d eyed them over her glasses, “have an abundance of caution, and, may encourage testing to ensure the healthiest possible outcome for a child.”
Sarah’s clasp tightened. “You mean they encourage parents to test and determine whether a fetus is viable.”
She cleared her throat. “I do not like to use the term fetus with prospective parents, but yes. More common in IVF, but it can happen with natural pregnancies too.”
“Survival of the fittest.”
Dr. Feldman winced. “I don’t like to say that.”
In other words, yes.
“Which is why I’m advising you two, who are committed to raising this child no matter what, to put that from your mind. As a fellow believer, I love to encourage my Christian patients to keep trusting God, no matter what. He is the divine Healer, and in cases like this, there are miracles that can occur in the womb, but also through surgical intervention upon delivery. Which is why,” she eyed them sternly, but with a twinkle in her eye, “I want you to take time to relax this Christmas and holiday season, and don’t give fear an inch to dwell. Okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dan said.
“Amen,” agreed Sarah.
Their interpretationof their “doctor’s advice” meant they had an excuse to get out of unwanted holiday obligations. Not that he wanted to get out of spending Christmas with his family, difficult as they could sometimes be. At least this year was better than the last, when it had been a case of striving to overcome his envy at Luke and Marguerite’s children, while wondering why he still had none. This time, their hope for April, along with Sam’s recommitment and new job—and bringing Alexa to join the festivities again—made it a lot more enjoyable.
Sarah seemed to think so too, her conversation with Alexa about her recent travels adding zest to the usual family intoning of finance-based conversations, Sarah’s hand on his thigh under the table reminding him they needn’t stay late. Dinner, presents, dessert, then they’d need to go home to “rest.”
He caught Sam’s smirk across the table. “What?”
Sam shrugged. “I was just thinking it’s nice to see you two looking relaxed.”
“And here I was thinking how cute you two look together,” Sarah said. “Alexa is a catch, huh?”
“I thought you said I was a catch,” Sam mock-complained.
