Nursing The Doctor (23 page)

“Her water broke in the car, she waited too long. She was at the office seeing patients. I told her to pant, but she’s bearing down. Luke’s gonna kill me, I was s’posed to keep an eye on her. Call him quick, he’s upstairs delivering a baby.”

St. Joe’s other favorite obstetrician, Dr. Luke Gilbert, was Morgan’s husband. They worked together at a small obstetrical clinic called Women’s Place, using St. Joe’s for their deliveries.

Someone hurriedly phoned upstairs, but there was no question of moving Morgan up to the obstetrical floor for the delivery. A frantic call went out for an OB resident, and Lily and another nurse helped Morgan up on a gurney, shoved it into the nearest empty cubicle and swiftly stripped off her boots, slacks and underwear.

Morgan gripped Tessa’s hand, alternately laughing and panting, and the moment her clothing was gone she let loose a victorious primeval howl and bore down hard.

The baby’s head was born.

Lily supported it and hollered for Dr. Duncan.

The OB resident still hadn’t made it.

Dr. Duncan, who’d been tending another patient, came racing in just in time to catch Morgan’s son as the baby slid smoothly out of his mother’s body. The tiny boy drew in a deep lungful of air and immediately shrieked in outrage, flailing his minuscule limbs.

“He’s a beautiful, healthy little fellow, Morgan.” Dr. Duncan’s face was wreathed in smiles as she placed the baby on Morgan’s abdomen.

The placenta was delivered as easily as the baby had been. Joanne Duncan clamped and beckoned to Tessa.

“Come here and cut your brother’s cord.”

“Me?” Tessa scrubbed her tears away, her hazel eyes huge. “I get to do it?” She took the scissors and gulped, and then boldly cut where the doctor indicated.

“Look, Tess. He’s looking around.” Morgan was grinning from ear to ear and cradling her son. The baby had a luxurious crop of fiery red hair and such an outraged and indignant expression on his tiny face that everyone burst into laughter.

“Wouldn’t ya know it, my hair, his father’s disposition,” Morgan pronounced just as Luke yanked back the curtain and hurtled into the cubicle.

No one had ever seen the impeccable Dr. Gilbert in a state of total panic, but he was at this moment. His dark hair was on end, his hospital greens stained with blood, his stethoscope twisted under one ear, and for some reason he had a kidney basin clutched in one hand.

“Morgan?” The single word was like a fearful prayer.

The expression on Morgan’s face was one of pure adoration when she looked at her husband. Wordlessly she held out their son, wrapped now in a terry towel.

Luke dropped the kidney basin to the floor. Hands visibly trembling, he took the baby, and his look of absolute wonder and awe brought tears to every eye.

Luke, who’d delivered hundreds of babies, looked as if he’d never seen one before. Cradling his son in both hands, he bent to kiss his wife, and Lily saw the tears coursing down both their cheeks.

That most intimate of moments etched itself indelibly on Lily’s brain.

Morgan’s romance and subsequent marriage to Luke had caused a stir at St. Joe’s because it seemed the most unlikely of alliances. Noisy, disheveled Morgan and cool, controlled Dr. Gilbert wouldn’t last six months, the critics predicted. Now, seeing them in each other’s arms, both touching their newborn son, Lily knew without a doubt that this was a union that would last a lifetime. This was love, visible and real and lasting.

And at that moment she thought that more than anything in the world, she wanted what they had.

Lily worked nights Tuesday and Wednesday. She got home at eight on Thursday morning, and the smell of French toast and coffee greeted her when she walked in the door.

Kaleb called a cheery hello, and when she entered the kitchen, Hannah said, “How did your shift go, dear?”

Gram was obviously having a good morning. She was already neatly dressed, with an apron tied around her middle. She even asked where Zoe was, and seemed to understand when Kaleb explained that she was with Darcy.

Gram had slept well, untroubled by the nightmares that had begun to plague her, and it showed.

Lily hadn’t been sleeping well at all. She’d tossed and turned the day before as vivid memories of the lovemaking she and Greg had shared mixed chaotically with the doubts that she couldn’t seem to put out of her mind.

“Your father used to like French toast,” Hannah commented out of the blue. “Especially made with fresh bread.”

“What was Dad like when he was a boy, Gram?” Lily really wanted to know. She’d been thinking a lot about what Greg had said about his mother, that he’d been wrong about a lot of things.

Maybe knowing what her father had been like as a child would give her more understanding of the man he’d become.

“Michael? He was a good boy. He tried so hard to please Frank, but there was no use.” Gram’s chin wobbled. “Frank wasn’t kind to Michael. We used to have words over it.” Gram looked toward the door and her expression grew hopeful. “Is Michael coming?”

Lily sighed and her heart sank. “No, Gram.” She caught the curious look Kaleb gave her, and she regretted asking questions. It was hard enough to keep Gram centered in the here and now these days without confusing her with questions about the past.

“Why isn’t he coming? He’s late for breakfast. There won’t be any left. Did you call him?”

“He’s not here, Gramma.” Kaleb’s voice was soothing. “Do you want more syrup on your toast?”

She looked at him without comprehension, plucking at her blouse. “You’re not Michael,” she said accusingly.

“No, Gram. I’m Kaleb, your grandson. Michael was my father.”

“I knew your mother,” Hannah confided, leaning toward him. “We were very close. Now what was her name again? It’s funny how names escape me these days.”

“Grace,” Lily supplied. “Mom’s name was Grace.”

“She was pretty, with that long blond hair. But all of Michael’s girlfriends were pretty.” She frowned and shook her head. “I used to tell him pretty is as pretty does, but he never listened.” All of a sudden she became agitated. “That poor girl, crying and crying like that. I told him to come home on time that night, but he was a policeman, you know. Called out at all hours. He couldn’t help it, it was his job. There were always bad people.”

She started to cry, and then like a candle suddenly extinguished, the light went out in her eyes. In an instant she was gone, and even the tears were forgotten. She stared sightlessly at nothing, plucking, plucking at her clothing, her mouth working without sound.

“C’mon, Gram, that gardening show you like is on television.” Lily gently helped her up. Hannah followed her down the hall and settled willingly in front of the TV.

When Lily returned to the kitchen, Kaleb had poured more coffee. She slid wearily into her chair. “Sorry about that. I should have known better. She was doing fine until I opened my mouth.”

“It happens whether we say anything to upset her or not.” He shot her a curious glance. “What made you curious about Dad all of a sudden?”

Lily shrugged. She felt absolutely exhausted and miserable. “Sometimes I get this need to understand why he was the way he was,” she said. “All those women, never giving us any of his time. Why was he like that, Kaleb?”

“He didn’t know how to be any other way.” Kaleb’s voice was casual and accepting. “Some guys grow up, and others never do. Dad didn’t.”

“But don’t you resent him for it? He wasn’t at any of your games, he never took time to throw a football with you.”

Kaleb shook his head. “I used to, but it takes too much energy to stay mad at a dead guy. He was what he was. It dawned on me about the time Zoe was born that he actually gave me a lot. He showed me clearly how nor to be a father or a husband, and that’s a valuable lesson.”

Lily’s eyes filled with tears. Her brother was a fine, good man who deserved a happy life. “How’s it going with Frannie?”

His face lit up and he grinned. “We get along great. She’s coming over this weekend. We’re gonna make edible Christmas gifts, cookies and candy and stuff. You gonna be around, sis?”

Lily grinned. “I oughta stick around just to cramp your style, but I’ve only got tomorrow off and then I’m back on days. I traded shifts with Mary so she could go to her sister’s wedding. See you behave yourself.”

“Gram’ll be here to chaperon.” They were silent a moment and the look they exchanged was sad. The time was long gone when Hannah could chaperon anyone.

“I wish I could be certain that Zoe’ll be here. She’d get a big charge out of eating the cookie dough.” Kaleb looked wistful for a moment.

“Have you heard from the lawyer?”

“The hearing’s next week. My lawyer’s making application to vary the court order for custody and maintenance, and the judge will decide whether or not I get Zoe full-time. My lawyer says that having you living here and a neighbor like Mrs. Hosko to rely on for baby-sitting makes a big difference to our case. The judge will want to know who’ll be taking care of Zoe when I’m working.”

“He’ll decide in your favor, Kaleb. You almost have her full-time now even though you’re paying full maintenance. It’s not fair.”

“I sure hope the judge sees it that way. Having Zoe on a permanent basis, not to mention a bit more money, would give me a chance to plan my life better.” He hesitated and then added, “I haven’t known her that long, but I’m pretty serious about Frannie.” He was quiet a moment, and then he added, “Truth is, I’m in love with her. I’m going slow, that’s the way she seems to want it, but I know I want her in my life on a permanent basis.”

It was on the tip of Lily’s tongue to confide that she, too, cared about someone. But a thunderous crash and the sound of splintering glass from the TV room sent them both racing down the hall.

Gram stood, back against the wall, brandishing the heavy poker from the grate. The screen on the television was smashed, broken glass scattered across the rug.

“They were coming to get me and you weren’t here,” she said in a high, tremulous voice. “Those men that are after Michael, they were coming to take me away, but I stopped them.”

Together, Lily and Kaleb soothed her and took the poker. Lily led Hannah away while Kaleb tackled the task of cleaning up the broken glass.

“What did you say your name was again?” Gram gave Lily a puzzled, suspicious look. “I thought Grace was here. Where’s she gone? I’m not sure I trust you, young lady. Are you working for them?”

Lily fought back tears and admitted the truth that she and her brother had been avoiding for weeks. They were going to have to find a facility for Gram, and soon. The time was fast approaching when it would be impossible for them to take care of her at home. It would be so hard to do, because she still had moments when she was coherent, but they were coming further and further apart. Hannah’s appointment with her doctor was the following morning, and Lily made up her mind to talk to him about a placement.

It was heartbreaking, and Lily suspected it would also be the beginning of major change in her and Kaleb’s lives. With Gram gone, there’d be no reason for them to go on maintaining this big old house; besides, if Kaleb’s romance with Frannie worked out, they’d want to make a home of their own together.

Was she ready to make similar plans with Greg? He’d said he loved her, that he wanted a future with her. And she knew that she loved him in a way she’d never loved before. The memory of their lovemaking sent shivers down her spine. But a future together?

Once again, she shoved the troubling thought out of her mind. Greg was still in the hospital and there was the additional threat of infection from Hep C. It was far too soon to be making any plans, she assured herself. She didn’t question why that should be such a huge relief.

Friday morning Kaleb was already at work when Darcy dropped Zoe off with no warning. Gram was still agitated, and Lily struggled to get her ready for the doctor’s visit as well as keep a watchful eye on Zoe.

They waited over an hour in the busy specialist’s office before Gram’s name was finally called, and then the doctor simply increased her medication and confirmed what Lily already knew. Gram’s condition was worsening and she’d soon have to be hospitalized. He promised to look into it.

Dejected and feeling terribly lonely, Lily called Greg when she got home, but the nurse at the desk explained that he’d just been taken to radiology for a myelogram.

He telephoned her late that afternoon, thrilled that the myelogram had proven once and for all there was no spinal cord damage. The swelling had receded and the paraparesis was no longer a consideration.