Survive and Conquer

by Andrew Grey

  “I want to see Daddy when he comes back,” Rosie whined, and began to cry.

  Chase lifted her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “You will see him. I promise you.” He led the way out and to the parking area. There was nothing he could do now other than wait, and they could do that much better at home. He got them to the car, with Rosie still whimpering and probably mad at him, but Chase had to do what they needed. Once they were buckled in, he fished through his phone and made a call.

  “Jolene,” Chase said when she answered.

  “Man, something must be bad if you’re calling me.”

  “Newton’s in the hospital, and he has to have emergency surgery on his foot. I need to be there for him and I have the kids, and….” Chase was a little overwhelmed. How parents managed to be in two or three places at once was beyond him.

  “I’m on a call. But I’ll stop by the house as soon as I can, and bring Kirsten and Stevie with me. They know both kids.”

  “Thank you.” Chase felt stretched thin.

  “No problem. Give me half an hour or so.” She hung up, and Chase started the car, driving back to Newton’s house.

  Both kids trudged up the walk like they had concrete in their shoes. Chase didn’t feel so hot either. “Jolene and the kids are going to come over.”

  “Is she babysitting us?” Eric asked as though it was a bad word.

  Chase used the key Newton had given him to unlock the house, and they went inside. “Hang up your jackets, and we’ll talk on the sofa.” He sat and waited until Rosie joined him, and then Eric. “Okay. Your dad is really sick. He’s having surgery so they can fix his foot. Jolene is going to come over so that when your dad wakes up, I can be there with him and he isn’t alone. I want both of you to promise me that you’ll be good for her and that you’ll go to bed when she says. I promise I’ll come see you when I get back, and tomorrow we’ll go see your dad.” He hoped he was doing the right thing by being honest with them. They deserved straight answers.

  “What if Daddy dies?” Rosie asked.

  Oh God. “Your daddy is going to be just fine.” But her question set off bells in the back of his head. He needed to make sure the kids were taken care of if something did happen. He didn’t want to think about that now. “I promise you’ll see your daddy tomorrow, and if I hear anything from the hospital, I promise to tell you.”

  The doorbell rang, and Rosie slipped off his lap to answer it. Jolene came in with her Stevie and Kirsten, and the four kids went into the family room to play. Chase stood to greet her and offered a chair.

  “How is he?”

  “The foot is bad. There could be gangrene or God knows what. It was huge, and the infection would have spread without the surgery. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you coming over. I wasn’t sure who else to call.”

  “Sweetheart, go on back to the hospital. You did the right thing. Just make sure he’s okay, and I’ll call in to the office so they know that he’s likely to be out for a while.” Jolene patted his hand. “That man has been through hell, as I’m sure you know. He’s as strong as an ox, with twice the determination. Go be with him. Newton has spent years alone, and he needs to know that he has someone to be there for him. I’ll be here if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.” Chase got his jacket and went into the other room, where the girls were on the floor playing doll truck drivers. Eric and Stevie sat on the sofa with their games. “I’ll call you, I promise.” He said goodbye and left the house to drive back to the hospital.

  He parked and went inside as his phone vibrated. Newton was out of surgery and in recovery. He followed the directions from the lady at the desk and found Newton in recovery. Chase held his hand while he wanted for him to wake up.

  “Are you Chase?” the nurse asked. “He was asking for you a few minutes ago, but he went back to sleep. The anesthesia is still working out of his system.”

  “Did you call his mother?” Chase asked, not knowing what arrangements had been set up, and hoping like hell that he wasn’t going to have to fight with her right there in the hospital.

  “She was listed as his emergency contact, so someone has most likely telephoned her. I’m not sure.” Zinya, as her name tag read, returned to taking care of Newton.

  Chase stepped out to call Jolene.

  “Is he awake?” Jolene asked.

  “Not really. He’s still out of it, but they probably called his mother. If she shows up, don’t let her in the house. Newton has been having a ton of trouble with her, and she’ll try to take the kids. Tell her to come here if she does.” He and Newton could deal with her once he was awake.

  “Will do. Everything is quiet, and I put on a movie. Rosie is half asleep on the sofa, and Eric is playing his game. I swear he’d get lost in that thing.” She didn’t sound upset, and Chase was about to go back inside when Newton’s mother breezed up to him. He ended the call quickly.

  “I should have known you’d be here. Go on home and stay away from him. I’m family, and you aren’t welcome.” She went inside, pointedly closing the door.

  Chase followed anyway and up to Newton’s bed. His mother was issuing instructions to the staff that he wasn’t supposed to be there, but Chase ignored her for the moment, leaning over the bed.

  “Hey, it’s good to see those pretty eyes of yours,” Chase said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Ma’am, we need to do our jobs.”

  “Mrs. DeSantis, you need to leave,” Chase said calmly. “You’re the one who isn’t welcome.” He held Newton’s hand.

  “Mother.” Newton’s voice was raspy and very soft.

  “Yes, baby,” she cooed, and approached the bed like she was mother of the year.

  “Go home,” Newton said very clearly, and closed his eyes. “Just leave me alone.”

  “That’s good enough for me,” a nurse said. “You need to leave, or I’ll call security and have you escorted out.” She was fierce, and Chase was grateful for it.

  Mrs. DeSantis finally turned to leave, and Chase followed her out. “I’m going to get those children, and….” Her eyes blazed with righteous indignation.

  “You come near the house and the police will be called. The kids are with a friend, and she has instructions. You aren’t allowed inside or on the property. A restraining order is in effect, and you received a copy.”

  She narrowed her eyes and looked seconds from hauling off and punching him.

  Chase didn’t back down. “Newton is an amazing man. He’s caring and thoughtful, and he adores his family and will do anything for them. You’re only hurting him with this crusade of yours. He deserves to be able to lead his own life, not one that somehow lives up to your standards. The only thing you get to decide is if you’re going to be part of his life or not.”

  She stood a little taller. “I’m his mother, and….”

  Chase scowled and lowered his voice. Clearly, she had heard nothing he’d said and was lost in her own view of the world. “For all the hurt you’ve caused him, I’d love to get you in court.” He smiled as menacingly as he knew he could. “Just try me—I’ll rip you to shreds.” Then he turned, ignoring her indignation as he went back to Newton, who was more awake.

  “Is my foot still there?” Newton asked.

  “Yes. You still have two. I don’t know what the doctor had to do, but it’s still there, and you’re back with me. That’s what matters.” Chase once again held Newton’s hand. “Jolene is home with the kids, and they’re going to be happy to know you’re okay.” He was thrilled and relieved, more than words could express.

  The nurse checked Newton’s pain level and gave him something. He slowly became more and more awake. “They’ll take him up to a room pretty soon. I expect the surgeon to be in too.”

  The surgeon, Dr. Grantham, made an appearance.

  “Young man, you were very lucky. That sprain you had a few weeks ago created an abscess in your foot, and it had expanded quite a bit. We got to it before it burst, and we wer
e able to clean out the infection. If it had burst, it would be a completely different story. I was also able to repair some of the earlier damage to the foot.”

  “What does that mean?” Chase asked, lightly squeezing Newton’s hand. He was so damned grateful that Newton was going to be all right. That was all that truly mattered.

  “That when he heals, and after he has weeks off his feet, he should have the use of his foot again. And if he truly lets it heal, it might be stronger. But I want to stress that there are no guarantees. There was little I could do with much of the damage, and the pain is something you are still going to have to live with.” He smiled. “Let the people who care about you take care of you.” Chase thanked him.

  “Hear that? You need to let us help… all of us.”

  “But….”

  “I know you’re used to helping everyone else, but you need to stop overdoing it and let us take care of you sometimes.” Chase brought Newton’s hand to his lips, kissing the back. “I want you around for a very long time.” His voice broke and he stood right next to Newton, needing the closeness. “Promise me….”

  “I’ll try,” Newton whispered and Chase took that as the best answer he was going to get. Not that he intended to let the topic go permanently.

  Chase held Newton’s hand until they came to take him to a room. Then he walked right next to him as they transported him down the halls and into a darkened space.

  “Where are the kids?” Newton asked.

  Chase figured he didn’t remember and explained again. “I’m going to go be with them in a little while, but I’ll bring them in to see you tomorrow. I promise.” He doubted he could actually keep them away if he tried.

  “Okay,” Newton whispered while the nurse got him settled and made sure he had enough blankets. Chase kissed him goodbye and gently touched his forehead before leaving the room once Newton had drifted off to sleep.

  He made it to the hallway and into the elevator before breaking down in tears of sheer relief.

  “WE HAVE to be quiet. There are a lot of people here who need their rest,” Chase told Rosie as she practically skipped down the hospital hallway the following morning. When the three of them reached Newton’s room, they went inside, Rosie hurrying up to the bed.

  “Daddy, I made this for you.” She handed a groggy Newton the picture she’d drawn for him. “It’s the pumpkin I want to carve. Mr. Chase said we can do that when you get home.” She balanced on her tiptoes so she could get closer to Newton. Eric stood on the other side of the bed.

  “How are you, son?” Newton asked. “Did you take all your medicine?”

  “Yes. And I didn’t complain when I drank the stuff.” Eric didn’t even make a face when he talked about it. He was growing up, and Chase saw that realization in Newton’s eyes. It was pride and a great deal of love shining there for both of them. Hell, when Newton’s gaze shifted to Chase, it didn’t change. That love was still there—intensified and different, but there.

  “You’re getting to be so big, and soon you’ll be all grown up,” Newton said softly. “Both of you will.” He smiled, and Chase stepped nearer.

  “Has the doctor been in this morning?”

  “No, not yet. Hopefully it’ll be soon. I hope I can go home today.” They still had the IV running into Newton’s arm, and Chase figured that was a little optimistic.

  “You just rest. I thought that this afternoon, I’d take the kids to the pumpkin festival so they could carve their pumpkins and have a little fun.” This whole incident had left Chase a little off-balance. He was lucky; they all were. Chase had finally found someone to love and hold, and he’d come very close to losing him. Newton might try to make light of it, but Chase knew in his heart what he’d found and nearly lost just like that. He sighed and moved closer to the bed, taking Newton’s hand.

  “Have you been good for Chase?” Newton asked Rosie.

  “Yes. He took us to McDonald’s for breakfast.” Rosie leaned nearer.

  Newton smiled, fatigue settling in around his eyes.

  “Guys, we have to be quiet,” Chase reminded them, and sat down. Rosie climbed onto his lap the way she usually did and sat remarkably quietly. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

  “Yeah. The foot aches and sometimes throbs. They’re giving me things for it, but I’m used to discomfort. I’m just happy they were able to save it.”

  “Yes, we were,” the surgeon said as he came in the room.”

  “Chase, and this is Rosie and Eric,” Chase introduced them all. “Thank you for helping him.”

  The doctor smiled and turned to Newton. “You gave us quite a challenge. We believe we got all of the infection, and we’ve got you on antibiotics to make sure. We’ll most likely switch to oral ones later today. But you need to take better care of yourself. That foot is going to need attention, and as it heals, I want you to take it easy. Elevate it and let it rest. If you do that, things should be better for you than they have been in a while.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Newton has been living with pain and discomfort for a long time,” Chase supplied. Newton put everyone else first and took care of himself last. That was something that Chase needed to change. Or if nothing else, Chase was going to make sure that Newton came first with him.

  “I’m sure he has. But hopefully he’ll get some relief now.” The doctor checked over the incision while Chase kept the kids busy on the other side of the hanging curtain. When he pushed the curtain back, Rosie hurried to the doctor.

  “When can my daddy come home?” She looked up at him, and Chase stifled a laugh. No one could resist that look, and heaven help the man who eventually married her.

  “Probably tomorrow, I think.” He smiled and spoke some more with Newton.

  By the time the doctor left, Newton was growing tired. He didn’t seem to want to sleep and talked with the kids, but his eyes kept drifting closed even as Rosie told him all about the things she and Kirsten had done the night before.

  “Why don’t you two put your jackets on, and we’ll get ready to go.” Chase leaned over the bed while Rosie and Eric were occupied. “I really miss you and didn’t sleep at all last night.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you weren’t there.” Chase grinned. “I’m ready for you to come home and feel better so you and I can have a little adult fun time.” He winked, and Newton groaned. Chase lowered his gaze to the slight bulge in the sheets. “Well, part of you is feeling better,” he whispered before kissing him. “I love you, and once you get home, I intend to show you just how much.”

  Newton whimpered. Rosie’s whine and Eric groaning, the surefire start to an argument, pulled away his attention. “Thank you for taking care of them.”

  “We’re a family,” Chase said, squeezing Newton’s hand. “And right now we’re missing the most important member, so get better so you can come home.” That was all he wanted—for their family to be whole again. He kissed him, and after a quiet goodbye, he took Rosie and Eric and left the hospital.

  THAT NIGHT, Chase tossed and turned. He couldn’t sleep because Newton wasn’t there. It felt strange to be sleeping in his house without him. At home Chase did all right at night, but at Newton’s, his mind was programmed to have him there.

  Eventually he got up, because staying in bed wasn’t doing him any good. He reached for his phone and sent a text to his mom. He wasn’t at all surprised when he got an answer. She was a night owl and often read well into the evening.

  Why are you up this late? she texted.

  Stuff is happening and I can’t sleep.

  His phone vibrated, and he answered it, smiling at her voice.

  “What’s going on? Does it have to do with Newton and his kids?”

  “Yes and no.” It was an enigmatic answer, but Chase was so very turned around at the moment. “Newton is in the hospital because of his foot. He had emergency surgery, but he’s going to be fine.” Chase sighed.

  “You should have called me. Do you need
help with the kids? I can check on a flight and come help.” That was his mom. They might not be in each other’s pockets, but she was there if he needed her.

  “It’s not that.” Chase tried to put his discomfort and unease into words. “I love him, Mom. I really do. When he was hurting, it tore at my heart, and now I’m awake, scared, and worried, and… I know he’s going to be fine, but I’m still scared.” He’d finally been able to admit that to someone.

  “Of course, you are. Honey, you went through a lot as a child, and it took me a long time to get over my guilt for letting it happen. When your dad hurt you, he ripped away your security, and you had to protect yourself.”

  Chase nodded. “And I let my guard down with Newton.” Suddenly it was so clear. “I let him in, and I’m scared to death that I’m going to lose him.” He could see now how he’d allowed Newton to become the new center of his life. “For years my life was my job, and now it’s him,” he added, thinking out loud.

  “Yes. That’s exactly it, and this incident and the surgery scared you, but….” His mom sniffed. “I was beginning to think that you were never going to find someone. That what happened to you as a child was going to affect the rest of your life. It’s okay to be scared and frightened for the ones you love. That just shows you how much they live in your heart.” He could almost see his mom’s smile. “Now you go to bed and get some sleep, because Newton is going to need you. And when he’s better, Costas and I will arrange to come out to visit. I’m thinking Thanksgiving, if that works for both of you.”

  “Are you crying?” Chase asked.

  “Who’s crying?” Rosie asked as she came in the room in her Mulan nightgown.

  “I’m talking to my mom,” Chase said as Rosie climbed onto the bed. She held out her hand, and Chase figured what the hell and handed her the phone.

  “Hi, I’m Rosie,” she said with an unusual amount of cheer for just after midnight. The two of them chatted like old friends, with Rosie telling his mother all about her dolls. “Okay… okay… goodbye, Grandma Chase.” She handed back the phone. “I need a drink of water, and is it morning yet so we can see Daddy?”