Dr. Stephanie Barnett was torn, but she knew because of the HIPAA laws, she couldn't disclose to Leonard about Penny's treatment last night. She checked on Penny before her shift ended, but she was still sedated. She gave the nurse on duty instructions to call her when she came out of her sedation, with instructions not to inform her of her condition. She would tell her what had occurred.
She headed home and took a long, hot shower. She was drying her freshly washed hair when she got the call, "Dr Barnett, Ms. Copper has come around and wants to know about her condition. I told her you would be in soon to update her on her condition."
Stephanie put her hair up in a ponytail and a messy bun, "Thank you, if she asks again, tell her I'm on my way in and will give her an update within a half-hour." She hung up and threw on a pair of slacks, bra and a pullover sweater. She headed back to the hospital and found a white coat and buttoning it up she hurried to Penny's room. She knocked and entered before being told to enter.
She stood over Penny and Penny's jaw dropped; "Oh fuck, from the pot into the fire. What the fuck are you doing here?"
Stephanie chuckled, "Believe you me, I'm not very comfortable with this either, but I was the attending physician on duty when you were rushed here last night. As you know my oath is to do no harm and we worked feverously and regret to inform you that you lost the baby. With the past miscarriage and the drug you took to have the miscarriage, it weakened the walls of your uterus. Along with the intense sexual activities you were involved in last night. The uterus walls ruptured and the baby literally drowned in her own blood. You were extremely fortunate to be rushed here last night, or you could have bleed out yourself."
Penny's face was as white as a sheet. She bit down on her fist, "Oh my God, I was such a fucking fool. I thought because they were not large, I could have some sex."
Stephanie came closer to the bed and placed her hand on her arm, "Normally, that would have been true, but like I said, the walls of your uterus was weak and with the multiple orgasms you had, blew out the walls. It didn't matter the size, your high blood pressure was what pushed it to the brink. I'm gonna put you on some high blood pressure medication for the next few months." She paused and looked at Penny, "There is one other issue you need to know about."
Penny took a deep breath and nodded, "Okay Doc, let me have it."
Stephanie came over to her and took a seat beside her on the bed, "I have to tell you, but I'm afraid you won't be able to conceive again."
Penny didn't know if she should laugh or cry. In a way she was relieved. She wouldn't have any more unexpected pregnancies sprung upon her. On the other hand, she was still young enough, and if she found the right man, she might have wanted another shot of having a baby. A tear ran down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away, "Are you sure doctor?"
Stephanie placed her hand on her arm and nodded, "Without a doubt, you really did a number on your reproductive system and I'm afraid, it is irreversible, I'm sorry Penny."
Penny leaned over and allowed Stephanie to hug her and she did feel better. She pulled back and gave her a weak smile, "I guess this really makes your day, huh? What do they call it, karma? I guess it is really a bitch."
Stephanie felt sorry for her. It was the first time she had other than contempt for the gorgeous blonde and if she wasn't an ex of Leonard's she may have felt something for her. "So tell me Penny, what are you gonna do now?"
Penny shrugged, "I guess I'll go back to my porn job. At least there is one thing I won't have to worry about any longer." She scoffed, "I will still have to watch out for those social diseases yet, right?"
Stephanie nodded and reached up and swept one of Penny's long blonde locks that floated across her cheek. She tucked it behind her ear, "Yeah, you have those pesky diseases. You know you're gonna have to refrain from penetration for a few months. And any intense sex of any kind for at least a month. I wouldn't try anything until you return here for an examination. I'll refer you to a fine gynecologist to check you out before you resume your film career."
Penny gave her a weak smile, "I'd feel a lot more comfortable if you did the exam before I get a clean bill of health. I'd hate to get the two men who put their reputation on the line in hot water with their family and the press. You know who they are and I'd hate to have anyone else know who it was."
Stephanie nodded and rubbed her arm, "You know, if the situation was different, I think we could be friends, but there is way too much that already occurred to make that possible. Yeah, I can do the exam and keep the specifics of your condition out of the press."
Penny let out a deep breath and drew Stephanie to her and whispered in her ear, "You are a very, very good person. Someone who is deserving of Leonard and Alex. I just wish I didn't fuck things up last month at Amy's. I don't know what I was thinking. You know I saw him and the only thing I had in my mind was the two of us reconnecting and hoping it would make everything like old times." She let out a stifled chuckle, "Well, it surely did, just like old times, I fucked things up and ruined any and all chances to fix things. Again, I'm sorry for lying to you and nearly ruining a chance for you and Leonard to have a meaningful relationship."
Stephanie didn't know what came over her, but she pulled away from Penny and again, stroked her cheek and lowered her lips to Penny's and she gave her a soft, gentle kiss. She pulled away before anymore happened. She sat back, "Believe it or not, it was sort of a good thing what happened. Leonard moved out of our apartment, he purchased a townhouse and we are now taking things slow. It is like we are now dating, a little weird this triangle between Alex, Leonard and I. We both expressed our feelings for one another and I'm afraid we'll both hurt Alex. Alex knows how we feel and she doesn't want to get between the two of us, but we are both still worried."
Penny nodded, "Yeah, I know Alex and even though she told you that, if I were you, I'd keep an eye on her. Unlike with you; I was in a serious relationship with Leonard at the time Alex showed up, but it didn't stop her from trying to date him and finally she wore him down and he did have sex with her."
Stephanie stared at her and let it sink in and she nodded and stood up, "I'll keep that in mind. So where are you gonna go after you're discharged?"
She shrugged, "I was thinking of heading back to Nebraska for a while, but if I'm gonna need to do check-ups, I'm not really sure. I could check with Tracey. Aw, you know her as Brandi Love, but she is extremely pissed at me right now and I know that father of the baby is just as mad. I'll have to check with Tracey and see." Stephanie made her way to the door, "Well you'll be here for a couple more days, get some rest, talk to them and if you have a problem, let me know, I may have an idea." She left before Penny could reply.
She was off duty for the rest of today and had tomorrow off too, but touched base at the nurses station to keep her updated with Penny's progress and told them she would stop in tomorrow to check on her.