Let Me Love You Again

Chapter 16: Dean's Approval

I stood in the Dean's Office, her looking at me as her hands clasped in front of her. My hands were sweaty from the nerves as I looked down at her thinking face.

"Jessica... what you're asking is something... very... Well different." She said as she leaned back in her chair. I ran a hand through my hair as I shifted my weight slightly, trying to keep eye contact with her.

"Dr. Clement, I've talked to Nico at lengths about this... and... I know his condition is fragile, but I've been taking care of him for over two years now." I said as I started to pace her office slowly. "I can't handle being away from him for more than even hours at a time. I need to know how he's doing at all tim-."

"I know, but Miss Jessica, you're going into this profession to help save children, not become their parent. You've had classes about this very subject."
I clenched my jaw at her abruptness.

"I can't help it..." I said as I took a seat across from her. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and looked directly at her. "This isn't the same as thinking I'm his parent. That's the thing, I know I'm not. His parents left him, he hasn't seen them since he was six years old... he hasn't left this hospital since the day he was sent here.

He's only been to the courtyard, which barely gets any sun. I know his condition is fragile, but where we're going, I'll be able to take care of him for the four days we'll be away. If something happens, I'll have all of his medication and his medical records if a hospital trip is needed.

I understand that what I'm asking is... not the best for medical reasons, but he's only nine years old... I want him to know that there are people who do love him. I want to show him what a real holiday looks like. I want him to feel love." I said as I looked away from her, "I want to show him that just because he was left here... to basically wither away, that the small amount of life that he has can be spent outside white walls." I looked back up to her. She kept her eyes on me as she opened her drawer and pulling out a file.

"This... type of thing isn't that uncommon I suppose." She said as she looked at the file, and then handed it to me. "I went through the same thing when I was in med school. I just wanted to hear why." She said as she smiled to me. I looked at her with a confused face as I opened the file.

Inside were pictures of what I assumed was Dr. Clement sitting next to a small girl. I looked up at her then back to the photos.

"She was the first girl I helped when I worked in the hospital. She had a massive tumor that couldn't be removed, but she never let that stop her from smiling all the time. She was an orphan though, so she had no one, never even knew her parents. On her seventh birthday, I begged the committee to let me take her out for the day, you know, live her life as a kid for a change. However, they turned down my request because of liability claims.

What you're asking... is very risky for both the hospital and Nico and even your career." She said as she took another form out. I clenched my jaw though as I nodded for her to continue. "I have a release form here that I'm going to sign."
I almost screamed out of joy as I jumped out of my chair. "However, you have to get in contact with the hospital by your parents' home and fill them in. If they are willing to have emergency contact with us in case there is a hospital trip, then he may go for the four days. Is that understood?"

"Oh my god... Dean are you serious? Just like that?!" I asked as she handed me the sign release form. She smiled as she shook my hand. I walked over to her and flung my arms around her. "You have no idea how much this will mean to Nico!"

"I have an idea... Now, go make the phone call right away. If the hospital says no, then come talk to me about it." She smiled.

I basically skipped all the way up to recovery wing. I ignored the fact that my phone was ringing off the hook. The minute I walked into the Children's Hospital, I could see Amy standing there with a confused expression.

"I've tried to call you like four times! What's the big emergency that I had to rush over here an hour before our shift?" I couldn't help but beam at her as I grabbed her hand and danced my way down to room 203. "Wow... are you high, Jessica?" I laughed at that as I shook my head.

"I'll tell you both at the same time." I said as I ran us both down the hallway. I threw open Nico's door, smiling at his sleeping form. "Nico! I yelled his name, causing him to shake out of his slumber.

"Jesus, Jessy!" Amy said behind me as she moved next to him. "You almost gave him a heart attack!" I rolled my eyes as I took a seat next to Nico.

"What's the matter, Jessica?" He asked in a sleepy voice. I smiled brightly at him.

"Pack your bags, you're coming with me!"