The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Herman's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his cool. He quickly pressed the call button and reassured Anastasia, "It's okay, just lie down and don't worry. I'm right here with you." Gently, he tucked the blanket around her, making sure she couldn't see the bloodstain, hoping to keep her calm.

Anastasia turned onto her side, feeling weak and finding it hard to breathe, especially when lying down, it felt like she couldn't catch her breath, adding to her distress.

Clutching Herman's hand tightly, she said fearfully, "Herman, my stomach hurts, and it feels like the water's still coming."

With her memory loss, Anastasia had forgotten what it was like giving birth to Pattie before, so this felt like her first time.

"Don't worry, it's normal. The doctor will be here soon," Herman reassured her, not wanting to admit it was blood, not amniotic fluid. He kissed her forehead, adding, "Everything's going to be okay."

As he comforted her, his palms were sweaty; he knew more about her condition than she did and was anxious about the complications the doctor mentioned.

Soon, the doctors arrived, quickly checking her blood pressure and monitoring the baby's condition.

The lead doctor's expression changed when he saw the blood - the situation was more urgent than expected.

"Notify the OR immediately. Prepare for surgery," he ordered efficiently, then asked urgently, "What's the patient's blood pressure and how's the baby?"

"Blood pressure is low, and the baby's heartbeat is fast. There might be a risk of suffocation..."

Hearing this, Anastasia felt a chill as if she'd fallen into an ice cave.

"Is my baby in trouble?" she asked fearfully. "Doctor, please save my baby. Herman, we have to save the baby."

"Don't worry, with all these doctors here, it's going to be fine," Herman tried to reassure her.

The lead doctor added, "Ma'am, don't be afraid. Take deep breaths and leave the rest to us."

Anastasia was quickly wheeled into the operating room. Outside, Salma and Katelyn sensed something was wrong and rushed to ask Herman, "What's happening? Is Ana about to give birth?"

Salma was anxious too, asking, "Son-in-law, why are there so many doctors? Did Ana's water break, or is it something else?"

Herman, not wanting to reveal the true situation, told Salma, "Mom, can you please look after Pattie in the room? I've got Anastasia covered. Don't worry, it's all under control."

Pattie, still asleep, hadn't woken up yet.

After saying that, Herman hurried toward the operating room, with Katelyn following.

Salma went to check on Pattie. When Pattie woke up, she rubbed her eyes and gestured, "Grandma, where's Mom?"

"Your mom's going to bring you a little brother or sister. Go back to sleep, and when you wake up, you might meet them," Salma said, comforting Pattie back to sleep, but then noticed a pool of blood on the bed. Her face turned pale, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Ignoring Pattie for the moment, Salma rushed to the operating room.

Monica, returning from the restroom and seeing this, followed, asking, "Auntie, is Ana giving birth?"

"Yes, she's about to," Salma replied hurriedly, her voice tinged with panic.

At the operating room door, Herman was signing some papers as doctors rushed inside.

Herman and Katelyn waited anxiously outside. Salma approached, asking, "Son-in-law, is Ana bleeding heavily? I saw the blood on the bed."

"What, a lot of bleeding?" Katelyn exclaimed in shock. "Herman, how could this happen?"

"Yes, Anastasia's bleeding quite a bit, but James is in there now too. It should be fine," Herman said, his eyes fixed on the operating room door, trying to sound reassuring though his heart was filled with worry. Everyone there was on edge.

Inside, due to the severe blood loss, Anastasia's consciousness was fading. She felt dizzy, struggled to breathe, showing signs of oxygen deprivation, and was now on oxygen support.