shuhaige
Chapter 27
27 That Was Close (Winona)
"Winona! How is Abby?" Phillip is rushing up to me and jump back from Jayden and hug Phillip. That was a close call. I feel if I'd ended up in Jayden's arms, wild horses couldn't have dragged me back out again. "Phillip, our girl is stable. She's a fighter. The doctor is coming soon to speak with us.
"I'm sorry I wasn't with her."
"I'm the one who should be sorry," I sob into his shoulder. "I can't keep working these hours. I have a daughter and family to be with."
"Don't be sorry, Winona. You came here for me. To give me the chance of a lifetime. I'm the one who's sorry." Phillip rubs my back as he hugs me.
"No matter why I'm here, I should not have been working like I didn't have a child at home who needs me."Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.
"Let's talk about that later. Right now, it's no one's fault. All we need to do is get Abby well."
I nod. "I hope the doctor is here soon. They are doing more tests. I almost died when I saw our angel hooked up to those machines. Why? Why does such an innocent little girl have to have this happen?" "Come on. You need to stay calm for her. Let's see what the doctor has to say. Let's sit down again."
Phillip guides me to the seat and shakes hands with Jayden. "Thanks for your help."
"No problem."
Then my old doctor comes in and sees us all. He walks up to me.
"I was wondering if it was the same Winona. Not a name you hear often. I see you and Jayden finally had another baby."
I stare at him. "Um no. Jayden and I are no longer married. He's here as a...ahhh," I stammer.
"I'm here as a friend, Doctor Green. Now can you please tell Winona and Phillip about their daughter."
"Oh, forgive my assumption. Winona, Abby has a heart defect. This isn't uncommon in adults but at this young age it is very rare."
"A heart defect? How?"
"Something she was born with but generally it would develop later in life."
"Why has it never been picked up before now? We have regular check-ups." This is unbelievable.
"The symptoms are often mistaken as normal things: tiredness, being irritable, no appetite. Not anything you'd worry about unless it was long term."
I go to ask if it can be fixed but the words choke inside me, and the tears keep flowing.
"Doctor Green. Is this something you can fix?" Phillip asks the question and I almost want to block my ears in case the answer is no.
"There's a better than average chance. I can tell you we will do everything in our power. Abby will need
27 That Was Close
operations and specialized recovery treatment. She has youth on her side. But I must mention, this won't be cheap."
"I have top cover and money set aside. Do whatever you need to." I feel a little better now knowing she has a good chance even though there is a long road ahead.
"I'll get you to sign the paperwork, and we'll take her straight through to surgery."
"Thanks Dr. Green."
"I know you said you have insurance and money set aside, but operations will be ongoing and it may end up in Abby needing a heart transplant. She will need the best of care and a calm environment." "I understand."
"You know the Brennan Wing is set aside for that type of care. You could stay with her in a family unit...but the cost is a lot more substantial in the long term. Perhaps you could speak with Mr. Brennan..."
My mind races. This is the east wing that the Brennan family donated to build and still donates to keep it running. Generally reserved for the higher echelons of the rich. Abby could be in there for free if Jayden was listed as her father.
I'm signing the forms and I write Phillip Joseph as the father's name although Abby has my Nolan. "Can we see how her surgery goes first? Then I'll organize the Brennan Wing myself."
maiden name,
I don't want to beg Jayden and after insisting he isn't the father; it would be a little rude. I can afford the Brennan Wing for a while. Maybe it will be long enough until she's well again. "I'm happy to sleep in a chair here for a few nights." I hand him back the signed forms.
"Very well. You know, she is a very lucky little girl. Most cases where this happens at such a young age don't make it to the hospital for an operation."
That news sets my tears off again. "I think she must have a guardian angel up there. She really is my miracle baby."
I glanced at Jayden despite myself because we always called the baby we'd try for our miracle baby. He is giving me the longest stare,
Then he was gone and for the first time in a long time, I wished he wasn't.
28 Miracle Memories