The Shocking life

[Doc Holliday]

Noticing her struggles, a nurse took her hand, allowing Emily to squeeze it as needed. As she pushed, Doc noticed that she was crowning.

"Emily, I know you're tired but one more ought to do it," he said to her. With a quick break, she did as he requested and it was enough for the baby's head to come through.
"I have the head," he said. But, his concern grew as it was very small but then it was 3 months early.
"Emily, one more," he told with some encouragement. Push she did, exhausting herself to where she fell back, completely and totally exhausted. But in Doc's hand, he had most of the child as he was able to get it the rest of the way out himself.

"Nurse," he called, "scanner, please," as he reached back with a free hand.

The baby was tiny and very underdeveloped. He was scared but didn't show it. It fit in one hand, and wasn't moving. The scanner in hand, he read the signs as another nurse cut the cord and crimped it off. Emily was too exhausted to look.
And it was a good thing as a dismal look crossed Doc's face as he shook his head. Then, quietly, he ordered, "staff, leave the room."
His staff just looked at him and there was a moment of silence. They read his face and they just knew. One by one, they each left, the nurse holding Emily's hand giving that final squeeze of re-assurance as she let go. As the door shut, Doc took a seat next to her, holding the child in a small blanket that he had taken nearby.

"Emily, I don't know how to say this but your daughter won't live but a few minutes. She is severely underdeveloped and her lungs, well, can't sustain her," he explained quietly but sincerely, "I'm sorry but I can't save her."
He then placed the small child on her mother's chest, "Emily, what few minutes she has I think need to be spent with you." He paused a moment, "It's what I would want."

He then stood up, "I'll leave you two to your peace and will be right outside so call me when you need me."
The door then slid shut behind him.
For Doc, this was a dismal first. He stood in the Shasta Hallway, alone, with only the sound of the station power system as his company. This one hurt too much. He did his best and failed. Knowing of the mother in the other room giving a good-bye to her child, he leaned against the wall. As he began to weap, he slid to the floor before he wept into his forearms, waiting for the grieving mother to call him back.

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