Page 67 of Keep This Promise
Sophie brushes Eden’s hair back, and I focus on getting there, ready to do anything I need to save my daughter.
ChapterTwenty-One
SOPHIE
The moment we arrive at the hospital, I feel as though I lose my mind. Holden called ahead to inform them we were coming, what his suspicions were, and what he wanted prepared once we got here. Eden has been off and on sleeping since we got her in the car. She can only last a few minutes before she dozes off again.
Once again, the man who was at Blakely’s just an hour ago is back. He commands everything around us, including making sure someone is managing me.
I stand, watching them work around her, pricking her finger and yelling out numbers. He has a nurse draw blood, orders fluids, and a scan of some sort. All of it feels like it’s happening in another world.
It isn’t until Eden looks at me with tears in her eyes that I snap out of it. “Mummy!”
I rush over, rubbing her cheek. “It’s okay, darling. It’s okay. Holden and his friends are just checking you over.”
“I’m scared.”
I am too, but I can’t admit that. “You have nothing to be scared of, my brave girl. Just let the doctors and nurses help.”
Holden takes her hand and smiles at her. “We’re going to give you some medicine to feel better, okay, sweetheart?”
Her little eyes are filled with fear. “I want to go home.”
“I know, but here at the hospital, we make people feel better so they can. We need to put a little tiny tube in your hand. It won’t hurt, and your mummy and I will be here the whole time. You can squeeze our hands as hard as you need to, okay?”
“I don’t want it to hurt.”
“It’ll be a quick pinch and then you’re going to feel so much better. It’s going to give you the medicine you need.”
“Dr. James?” The nurse knocks on the door.
“Come in. We’re ready. This is my friend, Rhian. She’s the best nurse in the whole hospital.”
Rhian smiles at the compliment and then at me. “Hi, Eden.”
Eden doesn’t reply as her jaw quivers and she tries to climb into my arms. I hold her in the bed, kissing the top of her head. “Eden, listen to Mummy. I know you’re afraid, but you don’t have to be. Do you remember how scared you were when we got on the plane to come here?”
Her watery gaze finds mine. “Yes.”
“It’s time to be brave like that again. Rhian isn’t going to hurt you, but you need to sit still so she can give you this medicine.”
Eden glances over at Holden. “Can you do it?”
Holden shakes his head. “I’ll be right here with you.”
Rhian comes closer and explains parts of what she’s going to do. As time passes, Eden relaxes a little, and the nurse distracts her by touching her hand, her arm, and her fingers as she explains what each part of her body does.
“Now, I need you to do a really important job for me,” Rhian tells her. “I need you to keep this arm super still. You can’t move or it might make a big mess. Can you do that for me?”
Eden nods, but it’s clear she’s afraid.
Rhian does as she explained, and thank heaven for nurses because she gets it with one poke and only a few tears from Eden.
Holden pushes her blonde hair back. “Good job, bug.”
They start the IV, and Holden checks everything again. He asks someone to bring him a tablet.
Eden doesn’t say anything as her eyes close again, and this time, my anxiety doesn’t spike half as badly as it did in the car.
