The Stoic And The Beast

One Call

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Alicia's POV

Jake, it's Luke. I need you to call your uncle. Yes, Dr. Deveroux. Tell him to call me back on the number I just called you from. Thanks. He hung up.

"Excuse me, what are you planning to do?" The mother asked Luke.

"If you will let me, I plan to have your baby transferred to the best pediatric hospital in the state," Luke replied insistently.

"But we can't afford that!" Tom argued.

"Do not think about the cost. I will gladly cover the fees."

"No, we can't accept this. The fees will be way too expensive!" Tom yelled.

"I don't care if it costs a million dollars. Your daughter's life is worth ten times that to you, isn't she?"

"Well yes, of course, but she is our daughter, not yours. We couldn't possibly accept your generous offer."

"You don't have to accept it. All you have to do is allow her to be transferred. I will take care of the rest. Please, let me do this for your family." Luke pleaded.

I stood there silently, as if I had a choice, as they talked amongst each other about the tiny babies life handing in the balance. If it were my baby, I would also want to give her a fighting chance. No matter what the cost. I could see the couple agonizing over the decision to accept Luke's offer.

I pushed past Luke and began signing to Tom.

"Please let him help you. He is a good person. Please let him help try to save her life."

"What is she saying, honey?" The woman grabbed Tom's arm and tugged on him.

"Linda honey, she is saying we should let him help us."

As they stood there trying to decide, Tom's phone rang in Luke's hand.

"It is Jake's uncle. May I answer?" Luke asked Tom.

"Yes, of course," Tom replied.

Hello? Yes, this is Luke. It is nice of you to call me back. Yes, thank you. You too. Listen, can you meet me at St. Luke's central hospital? Yes, it is urgent. It's about a premature infant. Yes, sir. She needs to be transferred to Children's Mercy. Yes, it is. A helicopter? I can. Yes, I will. I understand. Thank you. See you soon. Bye.

Luke hung up the phone and handed it back to Tom.

"Who was that?" Linda asked Luke.

"That was the best orthopedic surgeon in the state. He is a family friend. He is on his way to come see your baby."

"Why?" Tom and Linda asked in unison.

"He needs to assess her condition to make sure she would be able to survive the transfer. If you will approve it, that is." Luke replied bluntly.

I walked up to Luke and took his hand. All I could do was look into his eyes. I could see hope in his green eyes as he looked back at me. Then he looked down at my stomach as he placed both of his hands there.

"L..k." I tried to say his name.

He looked back up at me with watery eyes.

"If our children were in danger, I would make the same phone call. I trust him. He is the best. I promise you, he wouldn't give up on an innocent life. Even if the chance of their survival was zero percent. He would always have hope."