Page 113 of Only in Our Dream
“But at least she got lucky and had the power duo helping her deliver her baby.”
A sad smile played on Melanie’s lips. “Yeah, yeah. I just hate when hard deliveries happen for anyone, but you know I have a soft spot when those deliveries are patients I’ve been with for their entire labor.”
“I love how invested you get with your patients.”
“It’s hard not to,” Melanie sheepishly smiled. “I just felt a connection with her.”
Cameron arched an eyebrow at her as she sipped on her soda. Melanie had a tendency to get attached to patients in the time they were together. While it made her amazing at her job, it also meant she had to deal with the loss of that connection once the patient was discharged from labor and delivery.
“I thought you had a rule about not befriending patients.”
“I know, but this one was different.”
“I can tell it’s really affected you.”
“It has.” The sadness in Melanie’s eyes displayed slightly as she smiled. “Her baby was so cute, though. He had a full head of dark hair and these big eyes that looked up at me like he knew we were there to help him. I’m going to go check on him before I leave. I’m worried about his mom bonding with him.”
“You know that can take time, honey.”
“I know, but it’s not that.”
The way Melanie bit her lip made it even more apparent to Cameron about how much the birth had affected her. Cameron hadn’t seen the look on her face before when talking about a patient, and it made a pit form in Cameron’s stomach. She knewhow hard it was to leave work at work whenworkwas literally people’s lives.
“What is it?”
Melanie shook her head as her eyes looked out the window. “She never asked about the baby after he was born.”
The words hit Cameron like a ton of bricks. She knew from her two births how emotional those moments were and how her only focus had been on if her babies were okay. Cameron knew it wasn’t fair to judge, but she had to wonder why the woman was apparently not concerned with her baby. Was it because of the birth trauma or something else? It was clear by the anguished look on Melanie’s face she didn’t know either.
“I just hope things work out for both of them.”
“I’m sure they will, Mel.” Cameron leaned toward her and kissed her forehead. “I think once you check on the baby, you’ll see he’s doing great and that’ll help ease your mind.”
Tenderly, Cameron tucked a loose piece of Melanie’s hair behind her ear. She gently caressed her cheek as she caught a rogue tear with her thumb.
“I don’t know why this one is bothering me so much.”
“Because you’re human. Because you love your job and your patients. I think it’s beautiful that you care so much.”
“Thanks, babe.” Melanie scooted her chair closer to Cameron’s and rested her head on her shoulder. Cameron picked up a fry and fed it to Melanie as she laughed. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“I promise I won’t be such a Debbie Downer tonight.”
“You’re good, Mel. I promise. I know how hard our jobs can be on us. But I think I know what will get your mind off of this for a moment.”
“What’s that?”
“Jonah’s coming home this weekend.”
Melanie’s eyes lit up widely as she sat up. “Aww, yay! I miss our boy.”
“I do too. And guess what else?”
“What?”
“I think our little Jonah has a crush.”
