One Chicago: Health First Part 4

Chapter 1154

Will's POV: As I came out to the living room, I smiled when I saw Owen sitting there and watching some TV. However, I knew he was not concentrating on the TV because he seemed to be spaced out. "What's up Owen? You not want to watch that show anymore?" Owen then turned to look at me and sighed. "Just worried about mom. I mean, she's sick again. What if this is COVID?" I sighed and understood why he would think that. Walking over to him, I went to sit next to him and sighed. "Buddy, it's not COVID. Your mom is just pregnant remember? With your baby brother or sister." I then kissed his head and tried to make him feel better.

Owen the nodded and looked up at me. "Just promise that you will bring her to the hospital if she gets even more sick? I don't want to loose my mom too. Sure, you may be my dad but..." I understood. "Hey, I get what you mean. And I know exactly how you feel. You remember? My dad died too. I know exactly how you feel. And your uncle Jay? He used to be in the military. He went to fight in Afghanistan and he was there for a while. I was really worried but look, he's okay now. And your mom is going to be okay too. I promise."

Owen then agreed and smiled when I said that. "Sorry if I am scaring you. I know this must be hard on you too considering you want her to be okay." I nodded. "Owen, it's just because she's pregnant okay? It's nothing serious. Your mom's done this before in harder circumstances. Last time around, she was alone remember? This time...she has me to help her. And I will always help her through everything. That's what it means to be married. To help one another get through the hard things. Now, how about I go make breakfast so she can feel better."

Owen then smiled. "Think I can make her a get well soon card?" I nodded and agreed. "I am sure that your mom would love that. Want me to get you some paper?" He nodded and smiled. "Can I go do it in my room until breakfast is ready?" I smiled and nodded as I got up and walked over to our desk. Grabbing him a piece of paper, I then went to give it to him. "Sure thing Owen, now go make something nice for your mom. However, listen for me calling you. I am going to call you for breakfast soon." He agreed and smiled when I said that. "Okay." 

After calming him down, I watch as Owen ran away to go make Natalie a card. I then sighed because I knew he was taking this harder than he should be. But, I would have to talk to Natalie about what he just said. It's true that I wasn't his biological father but, I am his dad. But him thinking that it is a possibility that he might loose his mom is something I don't want him to ever thing about. Natalie isn't going anywhere. Not if I have anything to say about it.

You know, maybe I shouldn't tell Natalie about this considering how worried she is going to be when I tell her that. To have that in her head while she's pregnant probably isn't the best thing. But then again, maybe she should know considering she would want to reassure Owen. God, this is something that I am not sure about. Maybe I should call somebody to get advice on this. And I know the perfect person to call. The woman who probably has the same fear.

I then went to grab my phone and decided to call Helen. I put it on speaker once it was ringing and waited for Helen to pick up. "Hi Will, good morning. How are you?" I sighed. "Good, just need some advice." Helen then sighed. "What did you do?" I then sighed again. "It's about Owen. We just had this conversation and he worried about his mom getting really sick and dying like his dad did overseas. He says he understands that I'm his legal father now but, it's not the same. You're a mom. How in the world do I mention this to a pregnant woman?"

Helen then laughed. "Why so specific on the part that she is a pregnant woman?" I sighed and went to explain. "Hormones are different." She then understood and nodded. "Definitely. Just do it as if you were having a normal conversation with her. You are doctors and adults. You should both understand that you can conquer anything together." I agreed and sighed. "Sorry if this is so hard to understand. I mean, it should be easy considering I come from a military family too." Helen didn't understand. "You have aunts or uncles that served in war?"

I went to explain. "My brother is a veteran. Illinois National Guard, 2nd Squadron, 106th Calvary Regiment.  He served 2 tours of duty in Afghanistan as an intelligence officer." Helen then understood. "Wow, very specific." I laughed and smiled. "Had to learn it by heart whenever I wanted to write to him. What can I say? I was worried about my older brother while he was at war." Helen understood. "Then you understand exactly what Owen is going through. The fear of loosing a loved one. Heck, you even understand the same stuff I went through."

I then stopped her. "Helen, that isn't true. There is no way I can understand what you went through. You experienced it as a mother. That is nothing compared to me experiencing it as a brother." Helen then agreed. "You're probably right. Now, how about we talk about Natalie again. Just tell her the truth. Honesty is the best policy." That's when I heard Natalie come downstairs. "Why you talking to Helen?" I sighed and turned to look at her. "Needed advice on how to talk to you about something Owen is worried about."

Natalie then looked at me. "What he worried about?" I sighed. "The fact that he already lost one parent. I think he's worried about you being sick with COVID rather than just being sick because you are pregnant." Natalie then understood and nodded. "Want me to talk to him?" I nodded. "Maybe explain that you are okay and that he has nothing to be worried about. Just don't look at what he's drawing. He went to make you a get well better card." Natalie smiled when I said that. "By the way, hi Helen."

Helen the replied. "Feel better sweetheart. Make sure you get a lot of rest. You deserve it after all of these long shifts you are doing at the hospital." We both agreed and nodded. "We definitely do deserve them." Natalie then looked at me. "Where's my protein shake? I want to take it up with me." I then went to make the shake and nodded. "Give me a sec." Putting some cereal, milk and yogurt in...I then went to blend it quickly. Putting it in one of her glasses with a lid, I smiled as I went to give it to her. "Go relax okay? Or are you talking to Owen first?" 

Natalie nodded. "I'm going to bring him into bed with me and relax. How about you take a shower then you can go do the groceries since it's still early? Me and Owen haven't really spent much alone time in a while considering he always wants to play with you." I nodded and agreed. "Sure thing. Listen, we'll let you go okay Helen?" Helen then agreed. "Tell Owen I said hi and that grandma loves him. Feel better Natalie." Natalie smiled. "Thanks and I will Helen."

I then went to hang up and turned around to look at Natalie. "You positive that you are okay to bring him into bed or do you need food first?" Natalie just looked at me and smiled. "Will, if I need anything...I will tell you. Now, I am going to talk to him. But first, I want to apologize for earlier. You're right. You did adopt Owen and he is just as much your son as he is mine. You can definitely make decisions for me but...we should still make them together most of the time."

I agreed when she said that and then nodded as I went to grab her hand. I then moved to kiss her softly before wrapping my arms around her. "Listen, go relax. I am going to eat breakfast, take a shower and then go get the groceries. Unless you want to make an order first? Then I can just pick them up." Natalie smiled and liked that idea. "That sounds better. I will go do that for you. Maybe then you can stop by McCormick Place and give this to Jeff for me."

I then saw her give me a birthday card for him. "Of course. Want me to sign it?" Natalie nodded and smiled. "Yes. Now, just do it for me? I promise to call if I get any worse." I agreed and smiled, going to kiss her softly. "See you soon okay?" Natalie then smiled and nodded before walking away with her breakfast. I then smiled as I prepared to eat breakfast so I could do what she wanted me to do.