Chapter 20 - The baby comes early, but not because of the cane
At thirty-six weeks, my blood pressure rose.
Gestational hypertension.
Dr. Chen monitored.
Did the assault cause it?
No doctor said that.
Stress can affect bodies broadly, but establishing causation in an individual pregnancy was not something they could responsibly do.
We treated the condition in front of us.
At thirty-seven weeks and three days, because pressures persisted and obstetric factors favored delivery, my team recommended induction.
Not emergency.
Not because Ryan hit me seven weeks earlier.
I agreed.
My daughter was born the next day.
Six pounds, nine ounces.
Healthy.
I named her:
Grace Thomas Hale-Carter? Need surname? We're divorcing, perhaps baby Carter legally as marital presumption. Better Sophie Lena Carter? Avoid prior names. Let's use Maya Rose Carter? Rose maybe previous story. Let's pick Charlotte Anne Carter, called Charlie? Maybe no. Use Elise Carter. Let's do Ava Catherine Carter.
Ava Catherine Carter.
Ryan was notified through counsel and hospital-approved channel after delivery.
He was not present.
Protection order.
Could he see Ava immediately?
Not automatically.
He was legal presumed father as husband, but hospital visitation depended on my consent and safety restrictions.
He received:
Birth notice.
Health status.
Photo?
I chose yes.
One.
No location detail beyond already known hospital.
Then he asked:
“Can I meet her?”
Through lawyer.
I cried.
Not because I wanted him back.
Because someday I would have to explain to Ava that her father struck me before she was born and still loved her afterward.
Both can exist.
Family court now had jurisdiction to set temporary parenting arrangements.
A newborn changes case.
May you like
No year-long time jump.
Same season.
