Blind Promises

63. One Last Meeting

The next day dawned beautifully over the city, Liam was at the picture window with Luke showing him buildings and landmarks he thought the infant probably couldn't see as his wife and Goddaughter slept on in the bed and couch respectively. It was going to be a busy day, he wanted them to get as much sleep as the staff would allow, they had already woken Gwen up six times overnight just to check her vitals. Soon they would be in with breakfast and the little guy in his arms would be ready for a meal of his own.

His mother was scheduled to be brought in sometime later in the morning, they had to put it off the night before, her condition was too delicate to move her but the doctors had thought that with a little more medication and one more kidney dialysis, she would make it long enough to meet her grandson. They had to make some exceptions, but he was used to his father pulling strings to get things his way.

"What are you two talking about?" Gwen asked.

He smiled at her and said, "We were just discussing all the important parts of the city. Where we wanted to go first, what was on the agenda for his first few trips around town. He has big plans, this boy!"

"Does he now? I hope you didn't promise him too much too soon, I think he'll be on house arrest for a good while, Daddy."

Liam laughed quietly, "I didn't know I was running with such a rough crowd." The baby in his arms smacked on his fist loudly and turned his head toward his chest before he started to protest a little. Gwen held out her arm, "Sounds like he's ready for chow."

He handed her the baby and positioned the nursing pillow Carly had brought around her. She looked so small and fragile hooked up to the IV machine, it pumped powerful antibiotics and fluids regularly. At least the blood transfusion was over.

She pushed the call button for the nurse, when they asked how they could help, she asked for pain medication. She'd made it through the night, Dr. Nguyen had told her she could have meds every four hours if she wanted. He'd asked several times but she'd refused, said she didn't want to miss anything. "Are you in a lot of pain, baby?"

"Yeah, I think I waited too long, but it'll be okay. I'm fine, don't worry, nothing I can't handle. I think I get to take a shower today, I hope," she said.

The door opened and in walked the good doctor herself, "You're right, you do get to take a shower today after this big guy eats, as a matter of fact. Doesn't that sound fun? After I check you over, one of the nurses is going to come in and help you shower. More fun than you ever wanted, right? But, it's a big day and I want you to be comfortable."

"Thanks, I think," Gwen quipped, she sat up a little in bed, "I am ready to be out of this bed a little while, my backside is sore! What is up with that?"

"There is a medical term for it, it's the reason we flip bedridden patients so often, bedsores. Even though you've been wiggling around, your bum still gets tired of sitting in its own mess and those pads aren't the softest material ever known to man. I've only had one child and I still remember those god-forsaken things!"

Liam examined her like it was the first time he'd noticed her in the room, "You've got a kid?"

The doctor chuckled, "Why yes, Liam, I am a parent, does this surprise you that much?" Gwen was smiling as his cheeks heated, he knew they were flushing with color. Under normal circumstances, he wasn't so uncouth. "No, I'm just surprised, that's it. You're always here."

"Correction, I'm always here for you guys, I have normal office hours with a rotation just like all the other OBGYNs in the practice. I took a vested interest in this case from the get-go and set myself up to follow it through, even if it took me away from my family more than usual. My husband is a stay-at-home dad, my son doesn't suffer when I'm not there. Since we're on such a friendly basis why don't you guys just call me Claire?"