Page 38 of Doctor Mile High
The smile on the nurse’s face fades a little, showing a small crack in her façade. “The doctor will be in soon to update you.”
I don’t think I like the sound of that. “Is she alive? Can you tell me that? Please?”
“She’s alive, Dr. Warrick.”
I blow out a breath and stumble backward, keeping a tight hold on my son, and sit down in the chair. I look at him, taking in his features, and I’m afraid he will have my features. His face scrunches, turning bright red before letting out a loud wail.
“He’s hungry. I don’t…” I swallow when I remember that Dove is truly the only person who can feed him. Breastfeed, that is. If she’s wanting to.
“That’s okay. I have formula here. And you should do skin-to-skin contact. Let him feel you. Let him smell you. You’re all he has right now, Dr. Warrick.”
“Right.” I clear my throat, pressing my legs together and placing him on my lap while I unbutton my shirt.
I shuck the stained material on the bright white tiled floor, then wrap him in my wraps again. Pressing him against my chest, I kiss his forehead.
“Hey, hey, it’s me. It’s your dad. I know, I know. The world is so loud and scary, isn’t it? You were so safe and warm in Mommy. We’ll take care of you, okay? You’ll never want for anything. I’ll make sure of that. You’re okay.”
His cries weaken the longer I speak to him.
“Hey, I think hearing your voice is helping him. I wouldn’t think he’s hungry since he just got some donated breastmilk in the NICU.”
“I don’t know how my voice is working, as he’s never heard it before.” I smile at him, tracing his tiny jaw with my finger.
“Maybe he just knows,” she says. “I’ll leave this here.” She pats the bassinet. “And I’ll see where that doctor is, okay? Sit tight. Do you need anything?”
I stare at my son, knowing I don’t need a damn thing now that I have him in my arms. “Some water would be great, please. I haven’t had a sip since yesterday and I’m beginning to feel it.”
“I’ll be right back with that— Oh, Dr. Wells. Perfect timing. I’ll leave you all to it and go grab that water.” The nurse gives a friendly wave before closing the door behind her.
“Dr. Warrick, so sorry to keep you waiting. I’m Dr. Wells, your fiancée’s surgeon.” His eyes drop to my son and I notice the dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. “He’s a healthy baby boy. I’m so glad to hear that.” He flips through the medical chart. “I know you’ve had one hell of a day so I’ll keep this short. Your fiancée made it out of surgery. She’s doing great. We controlled the bleeding and she’s in recovery. She will be able to have more children if that’s something you two decide. Recovery for this surgery is minimal, but I do suggest she rests.”
“I couldn’t agree more. When can I see her? When can we see her? I know he wants his mom.” I rock him when he begins to fuss again. I kiss his cheek. “It’s okay. I know it’s so bright in here and you aren’t all cozied up in Mommy. You’ll get used to it out here.”
His cries become quieter until he eventually stops. Damn, I’m either really good at this or I’m getting very lucky.
“I’ll bring her in here in about an hour. I want to monitor closely tonight, but she and the little one there should be good to go tomorrow. I want to keep them both overnight to make sure they’re both okay. I don’t want any surprises. Even though he’s healthy, he was still born early, and I want to keep an extra eye on him, especially since he’s a Warrick, so my job is in his tiny little hands,” he jokes, and a small chuckle vibrates my chest.
“I’m sorry for yelling like I did. I was panicking. It wasn’t very ‘doctor’ of me, was it? I really let my emotions get the best of me.”
“When we’re working at the hospital, it’s very different. When the shoe’s on the other foot and we’re on the outside looking in, it’s like we forget everything, and we become regular people. Besides, you weren’t wrong, someone should have come to youwith an update. I specifically asked them to update you when I knew it was you coming into our hospital. I’m not a dumb man. I know you’re in control of the top-of-the-line machines and medical equipment we get along with every other hospital under your family’s control. Last thing I wanted to do was risk this hospital not getting what it deserves.”
“I would never take away from the hospital, no matter how upset I was, but everything is good now, Dr. Wells. I’m a very happy man. Thank you for the updates. Send a list of everything you want for this hospital and I’ll make sure it’s yours.”
“What? Dr. Warrick, that wasn’t my intent. Truly. You don’t have to do that.”
I don’t take my eyes off my son. No one is worth taking my attention away from my child. “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do, Dr. Wells. I’m grateful for everything you have done for my family and I’d like to show my appreciation for that. You can email me. My information is on the Warrick Group website. I expect to have your list by the end of the weekend,” I order, forgetting I’m not the one truly in charge at this hospital, but I am part of the group that helps fund it.
“Yes, of course, thank you, Dr. Warrick.”
“No, thank you,” I whisper, rocking the chair ever so slightly to keep my son asleep.
The slight creak of the door is the only sound I hear as the doctor leaves. I don’t hear the ticking of the clock or the cries of other children. All the noise has faded away as I stare at my newborn’s face.
He has chubby cheeks and pouty lips. I can tell his cuteness is going to cause difficulties in discipline.
I will want to give him everything.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you and your mother,” I tell him in a soft voice. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long, I never thought it would happen.”
