“I know you are. You need to stop beating yourself up for not being there for her surgery,” I said, shaking her. “Because of you, she got her surgery. And because of the Hawthornes, we got this room.”
“This is a nice room, and Sophie has the best doctors,” Mia said, wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
“Of course she does. Don’t cry, Mia, because if you do, then I will too,” I said on a half sob, half laugh.
The sun had begun to set and the city lights were just coming to life when Sophie sat up in her bed. Mia had climbed into the opposite side of the bed than me, with Sophie in the middle. Neither Parker nor Trey had come back to the room, nor had they done the IV or bloodwork. We’d been talking quietly for the last hour while Sophie napped. The nurses had come in several times to check on her fever, each time giving a thumbs-up that it had not climbed too high again. Then we both fell asleep.
“Mummy, can I have a drink of moo juice?” Sophie asked from under the blankets. “Benjamin said he is hungry, just like me, too.”
“Sure, baby, I’ll go get you some as soon as I ask the nurse.” I stepped into the hallway to find the nurse. “While I’m gone, you and your teddies think about what you want for dinner.”
Trey was standing at the nurse’s station when I approached.
“Hi. Sorry to interrupt, but Sophie wants milk. Is that okay?” I looked to Trey then to the nurse.
“Depends on the fever. If it’s too high, she’ll just get a stomach ache and possibly vomit.” Trey motioned for the nurse to go check on it. “We do need to get the IV going now for fluids, which will also help the fever and flush anything unwanted out.”
Tears began to stream down my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, stepping back and wiping my face.
“Don’t be. You’ve been dealing with a lot.” He hesitated. “We’re doing our best, and I believe she’s going to be okay. We just have to get over this hump. Don’t get too upset. These things happen.”
“I know. I just don’t want her to have to go through pain anymore.” I swallowed. “I should get back to her.”
“Chloe, you have them page me if you need anything at all,” Trey said. “I’ll be in after I see my other patients.
“Thank you, I will,” I smiled. “You want to join us for dinner?”
“Sounds great.” Trey smiled back. “What are we having?”
“It’s up to Sophie, as long as there are no food restrictions,” I said, just realizing I should ask.
“No reason for restrictions. She can also have some moo juice.” Trey motioned to the nurse it was okay to give the moo juice.
“Do you have any idea what’s going on?” I asked before turning away.
“Not yet. We’ve been looking at the big things first, but I’m going to check her throat and ears when I come back,” Trey said. “We only put her in the hospital to protect her.”
“Thanks,” was all I could say, then I turned to go back to the room with moo juice.
I glanced back to see Trey bent over a clipboard. I heard his name being called over the intercom and watched him turn from the nurse station. He glanced down the hall and saw me watching him. He waved with a quick smile and entered the stairs.
I stood in front of the door to my daughter’s room, with my arms wrapped around myself. I could feel my body shaking and hated the weakness.
Chapter 37
Trey
Iwas just about to walk into another patient room when I noticed Chloe still standing on the outside of her daughter’s room. I could see she was shaking and giving herself a talking to. I wasn’t sure if I should intervene.
“Dr. Hawthorne. Do you need something else?” Betty asked.
I considered approaching her but decided it best to let her work her way through her nerves. I would talk it out with her later. With a nod to Betty, I went in to see my other patient, hoping Chloe hadn’t seen me watching her.
Too late, she saw me. Just smile and wave.
“Betty, I’m going to see why I’m being paged, then I‘ll be in Sophie’s room if I’m needed.” I signed the bottom of the chart I held. “Please let me know when the bloodwork results come back.” I turned and entered the stairs.
I’d finished my rounds, then headed to Sophie’s room to get some dinner and play that game I’d promised. I’d texted Mia to see if they had any games.