Page 63 of Owen

“Your mother has labyrinthitis which is what is causing the dizzy spells. I believe she had the flu before you traveled to Cyprus, and this might have been the trigger. It’s very common and would explain her vertigo and struggle to remain upright.” I squeeze Jade’s hand, letting out a relieved breath because I genuinely thought there was something seriously wrong.

“We’ve started her on antibiotics to fight the underlying inner ear infection.” The doctor points to her ear. “And she’ll need complete bedrest, which won’t be difficult as, unfortunately, during the fall, she fractured her hip, which requires surgery.”

Jade releases my hand, then covers her face. “My poor mom.”

“Don’t worry, we have given her pain medication, and she is feeling much more comfortable now. We scheduled her in for emergency surgery tomorrow.”

“Oh my God.” Jade runs her hands through her red hair, and I can’t help but think how tired she looks right now, the shock of tonight having finally caught up with her.

“When will she get home?” I ask curiously. Hip surgery sounds like a big deal.

“Following surgery, she’ll be released within three to ten days. Within a day, we will have her up and about and moving her hip.” The doctor answers, holding her clipboard to her chest.

Jade stays silent. I can almost hear her brain ticking away. I know exactly what she’s thinking: how will she do her job and who will look after Poppy?

“She’ll be stiff, so your mom will need someone to look after her as well as physiotherapy to help her move about again. She won’t be able to drive for a few weeks either?—”

“Can we fly her back to England privately tomorrow instead?” Jade interrupts. “So she can be in her own surroundings and with her sister-in-law? I am working here every day for the next three weeks, and I can’t take any time off. Plus, she will need round-the-clock care when she leaves the hospital. My Aunt Babs can take care of her at her house. It would make more sense for her to have surgery in the UK.” Her voice is higher, and she sounds panicked.

The doctor pulls her shoulders up to her ears. “I don’t see why not. As long as she is stable and if that’s what you want, then yes, I would work with you to make sure she has a smooth transfer to the airport.”

“I will pay for it all.” Jade sounds frantic.

The doctor gives a quick nod in acknowledgment. “I can make the arrangements.”

Jade swivels in her seat to face me, and a tumble of words all come out of her mouth at once. “I will call in a favor from work. They will help me. We need to pack her stuff. Make sure she’s stable. Get her from here on to base in the morning and I will make sure they look after her and have transport organized for her at the other end to take her directly to the hospital. Mom has a private healthcare plan. I need to call my Aunt Babs.”

She pulls the phone out of the pocket of her shorts as she shakes her head viciously. “I should never have asked her to come with me. It was selfish of me. My father would never forgive me for this.”

Tears fall freely, running down her face. “Just because I’m the only woman on the team shouldn’t mean I get extra privileges. It was silly of me to ask in the first place, and now karma has firmly bitten me on the ass. This is all my fault. Who the hell do I think I am demanding to bring my mother and daughter with me? And who will look after Poppy? I need to hire an au pair. How the hell will I do that? I can’t have any more days off work. We are in the middle of training and have a full display schedule for the next year. Michael is no use. He won’t help me with her.” Her frantic rambles take on a higher octave, desperation written all over her face. “I can’t have it all. I can’t have a career in the Air Force and be a mom. It’s just not going to work.”

Who the fuck told her that? Those words don’t sound like something she would say.

Then I realize—fucking Cobra. He’s gotten into her head.

I try bringing her back from the brink of a mini meltdown. I slip off the seat, crouch down, and position myself between her legs. “Jade, I will look after Poppy.”

She gasps. “I can’t ask you to do that.” Her bottom lip trembles.

“You’re not asking me. I’m offering.” I kiss her bunched up fingers that are gripping onto her phone. “I want to.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip as she considers my offer.

“It’s not up for discussion. I am here. She likes me, I love her, and I have this diaper changing malarkey down to a fine art.” I don’t tell her I almost vomited the other day when Poppy had the squirts and she decided to undo the Velcro fasteners herself. Literally; holy shit. I go on. “Plus, I have already scheduled in our jungle gym dates. I made our first booking for tomorrow morning.”

She snorts, creating a snot bubble. “Oh my God, that is so unattractive.”

From behind, the doctor passes her a tissue. “Thank you.” Jade blows her nose. “You’ve officially seen me at my worst.” She scrunches the tissue tightly in her hand.

“And I’ve seen you at your best. So, yes, Hotshot, I am looking after Poppy, and I will look after you too. I can cook, clean, do your laundry; whatever you need from me, I will do.”

“Like a nanny?”

“No, I’ll be the manny.” I smirk.

“The manny,” she repeats under her breath, as if liking the sound. “You would do that for me?”

“I would do anything for you, Jade Sommers.” Confidence blooms in my chest. “And your little pooping machine.”

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