"I want you to stay as long as you're happy. If you're happy, I'm happy."
We said our goodbyes and I hung up, feeling somewhat better that Michael had my back.
I checked my watch. I had fifteen minutes before my consult, so I decided to go for a walk around the hospital and get some air. I'd been working for eight hours already and needed a break. I had four more hours to go, part of which would be taken up with after school consults.
I put on my sunglasses for we were having exceptionally sunny weather and set off for a walk around the building on the walkway. I was about a third of the way around the mile-long exterior, when my cell rang.
It was Kate.
"Hi, sweetheart," I said, smiling when I heard Sophie burbling in the background. "What's up with my favorite girls?"
There was a park bench beside the walkway, so I took a seat and listened.
"I wanted to let you know I spoke with Elaine and she wanted to know if my dad and Elaine could come and stay with us."
"I hope you told her that they're always welcome, anytime for as long as they want," I said.
"I did, but I wanted to let you know."
"You know they're both welcome to live with us as long as they want and as long as you're happy."
"I'm happy, but the idea that I can spend more time with my father makes me almost blissfully happy," Kate said, and I could hear the emotion in her voice. I knew she'd been worrying about him on and off since he went back. She felt so helpless when he was so far away and worried a bit too much about him becoming sick and dying before she could get back to Manhattan to say goodbye.
"When are they coming?"
"Two weeks, probably."
"Good," I said. "I have a week off coming up. Maybe we can take them on a nice trip to Wales or something fun."
"Wales?" Kate said with a laugh. "Why Wales?"
"I have relations there and I've always wanted to go. It's a bit more rugged but still beautiful, from the photos I've seen of it."
"We'll make a point of going to Wales, then," Kate said, her voice happy. "I honestly can't wait."
"I'll be home at about nine or nine thirty, depending on traffic."
"Okay," she said. "I'll be waiting for you."
"I want a nice hot bath and then I want you."
I'm yours."
"See you later. I love you, Kate."
"I love you, Drake."
I hung up, glad to think that Ethan and Elaine would come and stay with us for the summer. It would mean Kate would have some company, and Sophie would get to spend time with her grandparents -- something I never got to experience. I wanted to make up for everything I missed as a child growing up with a father who was too self-absorbed to give me what I needed.
I arrived back at the hospital with about five minutes to spare before my consult, so I sat in my office and read over the files once more. Then, armed with my file and a fresh outlook, I went to the consultation room and met with the family, hoping I would be able to give them good news about their boy's chances of a full end to his seizures with deep brain stimulation.
I drove home after my shift was over and was glad to leave the hospital behind. I'd been working extra-long hours while Michael was away, running my own practice and overseeing the administration in Michael's place so I had been exceptionally busy, leaving before six in the morning, and getting home after nine at night. It was exhausting but fulfilling at the same time. Plus, it was giving me some administrative experience, which I could use one day if and when I wanted to become a hospital or department administrator. I couldn't see ever wanting to stop neurosurgery, but it was still good experience.
I drove up to the house and was happy to see the lights on in the sitting room and kitchen. When I entered the house after parking the car, I saw that Sophie was still up and was sitting with her mother on the sofa, reading a book.
She squawked when she saw me and held her arms open wide.
"Dada!"