“We got lucky in that it’s operable. In the best case scenario, the tumor is entirely encapsulated and merely pushing against the uterine wall,” Dr. Wilson said. “That will make for the least complicated surgery. This kind of tumor is almost always cancerous and is resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation. The twinges you’re feeling are being caused by its interaction with your uterus, whatever that may be. The pain was caused by a small bleed from the tumor itself.”

Dana had a hundred questions jumbled in her mind, but couldn’t seem to separate them into any single, coherent thought. Alice’s trembling hand found hers.

“What about the baby?” Alice felt Dana grip her hand more tightly as she spoke.

“The fetus is not yet viable,” Dr. Wilson began. For the first time, Dr. Wilson did not refer to their child as a baby and both Alice and Dana were visibly startled. “The safest option for Dana would be to terminate the pregnancy when we remove the tumor so that she can start the recommended course of chemotherapy as soon as possible.”

“Chemo?" Dana was barely processing what was happening.

“I’ve conferred with Dr. Bowman and we agree that it you should undergo chemo as soon as possible,” Dr. Wilson responded.

“You said best case scenario,” Al’s voice was scarcely audible. “What are the other possibilities?”

“Ones that don’t terminate the pregnancy,” Dana added.

“Even if you decide to postpone the chemo, that may not be possible. That being said, because the tumor released blood and other fluids into your system, I’m not sure it would be prudent to delay even long enough to try to harvest more eggs, Dana.” Dr. Wilson took a moment to pull the MRI images from the folder. She knew that they needed a moment for the implications of what she’d just said to sink in before they discussed other options. “I also have to tell you that the other possibilities aren’t very good.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Kit,” Riley Stewart said with a warm smile. She’d waited in the limo while the driver stashed Kit’s overnight bag in the trunk. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

“Mind?” Kit was flabbergasted. She’d had her moment in the sun, briefly, some twenty years ago. Riley Stewart had been at the top of her game for ten years and showed no sign of slowing down. Kit couldn’t imagine why Riley wanted to meet her. “I’m flattered.”