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"You’re theout of the Navy so I can be the kind of husband and father I should be"

"Oh, Steve" The joy that cascaded through her at that ht tears to her eyes

"I can’t think of any other way to show you how serious I am"

Neither could Carol Nevertheless his announcement worried her Navy life was in Steve’s blood, and she didn’t know if he could find happiness outside the only career he’d ever known

"Let’s not ested reluctantly "There’ll be plenty of time to talk about this later"

Steve’s eyes filled with tenderness "Whatever you say"

Hureeted the," Carol answered

The rooed woman opened the blinds

"I’ Dr Steill be in later, and I’ for you to eat this afternoon"

Carol didn’t feel the least bit hungry Her appetite had been almost nonexistent for months

"I’ll check on you in an hour," the woman said on her way out the door

Carol nodded "Thank you" She was filled with nagging questions about as going to happen Naturally she hoped Dr Stewart could give her a prescription and send her ho overly optimistic

Steve must have read the doubt in her eyes because he said, "Fro to have you co those, we’ll be able to make a decision"

"What kind of tests? What kind of decision?"

"Honey, I don’t know, but don’t worry I’ you – not for a , but she was frightened "Whatever happens, whatever they have to do, I can take it," she said a little shakily

"I know you can, love I know you can"

As promised, for the next few hours Carol underwent several tests She was pinched, poked and prodded and wheeled to several corners of the hospital As Steve promised, he ith her each ti when she returned

"Quit looking so worried," she told hioing to be fine"

"I know"

She slept after that and woke late in the afternoon Onceforward, his face in his hands

"Bad news?" she asked

He smiled and Carol could tell by the stiff way his mouth ?" she demanded

He stood and caave him her hand, her eyes ith fear

"Dr Stewart assured ery is optional But not in your case Your gall bladder is acutely swollen and is causing several coans It has to be removed, and the sooner the better"

Carol expelled her breath and nodded She’d feared so; everything would be fine

"He’s called in a surgeon and they’ve scheduled the operating roo"

Carol sed her worry "I can handle that"

"This isn’t ery, Carol I don’t think you’d appreciatethe risks"

"No…no, I wouldn’t"

"Dr Stewart and his associate will be back later today to explain the details of what they’ll be doing It’s s in your favor"

She nodded, appreciating the fact that she would know precisely what theto her body

"What about the baby?"

Steve’s expression tightened and he lifted his eyes fronancy poses a problem"

"What kind of probleery could be delayed, Dr Steould prefer to do that, but it can’t be Your life is at risk"

"What about the pregnancy?" Carol de until I hear ill happen to my baby"

Steve’s eyes revealed myriad e else – so that clouded his features and ravaged his face Regret, she decided, then quickly changed her mind It was more than that – a deep inner sorrow, even remorse

When Steve spoke, it was as if each word had to be tugged fro to coat the truth There’s a chance the anesthesia will ternancy"

"I won’t do it," she cried auto that will hurt my baby"

"Carol, listen to reason…"