PART 7: The Longest Night

At twenty-nine weeks, the specialist decided I needed additional monitoring.

A week later, contractions began that could not safely be ignored.

Eva drove me to the hospital in the middle of a foggy night, her hands steady on the wheel even while mine shook around the seat belt.

The doctors explained what they knew, what they were watching, and when delivery might become necessary.

I heard words about growth, medication, breathing support, and the neonatal intensive care unit.