“Okay,” she agreed. After all, it wasn’t really fair for her to expect to be the caregiver all the time.
“Be good, you three.”
Tess waved, which prompted Jackson to do the same. “Bye!”
“Have fun,” Charlie said as Declan slipped through the door. But her eyes were on Tess not two seconds later.
They’d barely made it to the kitchen before Tess couldn’t stand it. “What?” she asked, putting Jackson in his high chair and giving him some Cheerios and a sippy cup of milk.
Charlie’s grin spanned ear to ear. “You look incredibly happy.”
“I look like I just had the flu for four days,” Tess said, pointing to her makeup-free face and the old Army T-shirt she’d thrown on for the comfy-factor. But her grin broke free, too, and Charlie pounced.
“Uh-huh. Because that afterglow is totally not the byproduct of a sizzling-hot husband who clearly adores both you and your son.”
“Don’t forget the orgasms,” Tess said, giving in to the laughter in her throat. “Because those matter.”
Charlie laughed right along with her. “Believe me, I know.”
“You want a cup of coffee?” Tess asked, filling a mug big enough to bathe a cat in and lifting it for a long, slow inhale. “I’m seriously dying for my caffeine fix.”
Charlie’s eyes widened, her face going suddenly pale. “Oh, uh, no. Actually, I…”
She ran from the room without warning, and not even the distance between the kitchen and the hall bathroom could hide the sound of her being sick.
Worry filled Tess in one quick pulse. Lowering her mug as quickly as she could without spilling the contents, she swept the Cheerios off Jackson’s tray and replaced them with a nearby toy before hustling down the hall.
“Charlie?” She knocked lightly on the door. “Can I help?”
Water shushed from the tap for a few seconds before Charlie opened the door, looking half a shade better. “Sorry. That came on really fast.”
“You don’t think you’re coming down with the flu, too, do you?” Tess asked. Nausea wasn’t normally a symptom of influenza, but a few other cases had been reported at Remington Mem.
But Charlie just waved her off with a nervous laugh. “No. I’m not coming down with the flu. I’m pregnant.”
“You’re”—Tess processed the words. Processed them again, just to be sure, and then—“Holy shit! Congratulations!” She flung her arms around her best friend, both of them laughing uncontrollably. “Tell me everything, you cagey bitch! How long have you known? And are you really okay right now?”
Charlie nodded. “The smell of coffee makes me a little…” Rather than finishing her sentence, she shuddered. They walked, arm in arm, back to the kitchen. “Anyway, I’ve known for a few weeks. I wanted to tell you,” she said, nodding gratefully as Tess held up a leftover Gatorade from her flu stash. “But, to be honest, I’ve been scared out of my mind to tell anyone. Other than Parker, of course.”
Charlie had good reason to be superstitious. Tess remembered all too well how devastated she’d been when she’d miscarried all the way back when they’d been residents. “But I’m officially nine weeks today,” she continued, “and the baby looks great so far. I had an ultrasound last week to confirm everything.”
Tess frowned, her memory giving up a swift kick, and wait… “Is that what you and Natalie were looking at the other day when we brought Jackson up for his ears?”
“Yeah,” Charlie said, sipping her Gatorade and sitting down next to Jackson’s high chair. “Natalie doesn’t know the scans were mine. Parker and I agreed to tell you first. But I wanted someone I really trust to tell me that, medically, the baby looks fine, so I told her it was a patient and that I just wanted a quick confirmation since she looks at way more fetal ultrasounds than I do.”
“That makes sense,” Tess said. Staying over by the sink so Charlie wouldn’t get nauseous again, she took a long draw from her coffee mug.
“So, you’re not mad that I didn’t tell you before now?” Charlie bit her lip. “I really wanted to, but—”
“What? Oh, my God, no. I was there the first time, remember?” Tess put down her mug and went over to a teary-eyed Charlie, who had busied herself with re-scattering Jackson’s Cheerios over the tray of his high chair. “And this isn’t going to end up like that. This is going to be fantastic, okay?” She scooped up Charlie’s hands and squeezed. “And we’ll be here for you and Parker every step of the way.”
Charlie smiled past the two tears that had breached her eyelids to stream down her face, then rolled her eyes. “Ugh, are the hormones going to be this bad the whole time?”
“Oh, yeah,” Tess said with a grin and a nod. “But don’t worry. Everyone around you will get used to you crying at TV commercials. Oh, and hot tip. For some reason, Don is really nice to people when they’re pregnant. Like, when I was about six months pregnant with this little guy”—she nodded at Jackson—“he even let me take the last cheese Danish when that big drug company brought in their annual breakfast.”
Her best friend’s jaw dropped. “No way! Don is a softie for babies?”
“Big time. You’re gonna want to work that.”
“I knew I could count on you to keep me on the level,” Charlie said, taking a minute to interact with Jackson before adding, “I’m just glad that now you have someone to keep you on the level, too.”
Tess’s pulse hopscotched through her veins. “Are we really going to talk about me right now?”
“We have nine whole months to talk about me,” Charlie pointed out, and damn it, Tess wasn’t getting out of this.
But all of a sudden, she didn’t want to. “Okay, okay. I’ll admit it. I was sure that happiness like this was for other people. I definitely never thought I’d find it. But now…”
“You have.”
Tess’s face flushed as she thought of how deeply good she felt around Declan, how much she trusted him with not only her well-being, but Jackson’s, too. “I really, really have. I know we started out doing this as a marriage of convenience, and even if nothing had ever happened between us, I’d stand by my choice to help him. But Declan helped me right back, you know? I didn’t even know I needed him. I didn’t think I needed anything, other than Jackson.”
“Funny how that works, isn’t it?” Charlie asked. All too soon, her smile faded, though. “I hate to bring this up, but…his health is pretty precarious. Have you guys talked about options in case this trial doesn’t work?”
Tess’s throat threatened to close. “It’s going to work.” Now, more than ever, it had to.
“It’s the very best shot Declan has at staying healthy,” Charlie said, but the way she hadn’t readily agreed screamed out at Tess as if her best friend had shouted through a bullhorn.
The memory of Dr. Gupta’s latest report pricked at her gut, filling her with dread.
But no. No. Gupta hadn’t said the trial wasn’t working, only that Declan wasn’t responding as quickly as she’d like. Some patients just took longer than others to show results, and Declan hadn’t complained of any swelling or drowsiness or trouble sleeping that were the huge red flags. If she were concerned that it wouldn’t work at all, she’d have said so.
And until she did, Tess would not lose that hope.
“This trial is the very best shot Declan has at staying healthy, and that’s exactly what he’s going to do. We’re not crossing any bridges we don’t have to cross,” Tess said.
Charlie reached out to squeeze Tess’s hand. “Okay. I’m here for whatever you need to get him there.”
“Thank you,” Tess said, unable to help a soft laugh from crossing her lips at the way Charlie had teared up—again. “Oh, my God, come here, you big dork,” she said, tugging Charlie into a hug.
“I just love you, you know?” Charlie said into Tess’s shoulder. “I want you to be happy.”
Tess pulled back with a grin. “Then tell me everything about this baby. Did Parker freak out w
hen you told him? He did, didn’t he? Are you craving anything weird? Ahhhh, please tell me you want to know the baby’s gender ahead of time so I can plan the most kickass co-ed baby shower the universe has ever seen!”
And as Tess replenished Jackson’s supply of Cheerios and sat back to enjoy every word of Charlie’s happy responses, she held on to her hope just a little bit harder.
25
Declan made his way past the automatic doors at Remington Memorial with a big-ass smile on his face and a thread of hope in his chest that he couldn’t deny. Not even the fact that he was headed up to Dr. Gupta’s office for his follow-up to last week’s shitty visit could mess with his mood.
He’d found someone—no, two someones, because Jackson had made his way into Declan’s heart just as Tess had—worth having hope for, and when Tess stood by him and believed so fiercely that he’d be well, against all odds, he believed her.
“Hey, Declan!” came a familiar voice, and Declan’s smile didn’t falter as he turned and saw Connor, along with Jonah and Natalie, headed in his direction.
“Fancy meetin’ you lot here at the hospital,” Declan said, gesturing to Jonah and Natalie’s white coats and Connor’s scrubs.
“I know, right?” Natalie laughed. “It’s like we work here or something.”
“Better you than me.” Declan’s mood might be great, but he’d like nothing more than to never see the inside of a hospital again once this kidney business was all said and done. “I get why you two are here,” he said, gesturing to Natalie and Jonah. “But aren’t you on the wrong side of the street, mate?” he asked Connor.
“Ah, I came over to check on a patient we transferred for admission yesterday afternoon. Then I ran into these two hooligans in the ED, and we’re heading over to the coffee cart.”
“Are you here to see Tess?” Jonah asked, and Declan shook his head.
“Gupta ran my weekly labs yesterday. I’m here for the follow-up,” he said. “Tess is meetin’ me upstairs in about ten minutes.”
Natalie’s blond brows drew together. “How are you feeling?”
Surprise popped through Declan’s veins at her clear concern. “Not too bad,” he said. He’d been a bit tired this week, but after helping Tess through her flu, then spending time with Jackson while she’d worked a few double shifts to make up for lost time, he figured that was more than expected.
“I know what it’s like to be the patient,” Natalie said, and Dec’s confusion must’ve been on full display, because she pointed to the front of her dark green scrubs and added, “Cancer survivor.”
Holy shite, talk about something Declan never would’ve guessed. She looked so vibrant and well. “Really?”
“Oh, yeah.” She grinned brightly. “I can totally empathize with how much it sucks to be pinched and prodded. I know it’s not the same as what you’re going through, exactly, but if you ever want to talk, I’m a great listener.”
“Definitely, man,” Jonah said with a nod and sincerity that equaled his girlfriend’s. “Our door is always open. If you’re with Tess, you’re family, too.”
Declan’s breath stuck in his chest, but he managed a murmur of thanks. He was saved from having to say anything else, though, when both Natalie and Jonah’s cell phones pinged with twin alerts.
“Oh, hell. MVA rolling up in three minutes. Multiple traumas, one is a kid,” Jonah said, already pivoting into an about-face that would take him back to the ED with Natalie doing the same. “Gotta go. Raincheck on the coffee, Bradshaw?”
“Yep,” Connor replied, shooing them both down the hallway with a lift of his bearded chin. “Go save lives.”
The pair had barely made it out of the sun-filled lobby when Declan’s phone buzzed with a text, and he slipped it from the back pocket of his jeans.
Tess: Bad car accident with multiple critical traumas incoming. I’m so sorry! I have to stay in the ED.
“Och. That wreck must be pretty bad,” Declan said, tapping out a quick no worries, love in reply.
“They usually are. Tess get caught in the ED?” Connor asked, taking in Declan’s nod in response. “I can call over to the clinic, if you want. I’m sure Harper can hold down the fort long enough for me to go to this appointment with you. I’m no Tess, I know,” Connor joked. “But it’s better than going alone.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Declan said, and he did. “But there’s no need. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Connor hesitated, his expression growing uncharacteristically serious. “Listen, man. I’ve gotta ask. Are you really feeling okay?”
“Yes.” The answer vaulted out, too harsh and too fast. Declan took a breath. “I’ve got diabetic nephropathy, Connor. So if you’re askin’ me if I feel as good as I did before my diagnosis, then the answer is always going ta be no, okay?”
“I’m sorry,” Connor said, the apology so genuine, Declan felt it as much as he heard it. “It’s just…I monitored your meds last week when Tess was sick, remember? Your blood sugar levels were pretty off.”
Declan’s jaw tightened. “You looked at my home tracking chart?”
“I wanted to get the whole picture, so yes. I looked at everything.” Connor folded his tree-trunk arms over the front of his scrubs. “Does Tess know that your levels have been that far off this week?”
“She doesn’t nose around in the log, if that’s what you mean,” Declan said, regretting the words as soon as they were out. Connor was just trying to help, and here Declan was, fucking it all up. “Look, I had a weird coupla days where my schedule was off. I probably didn’t get as much rest as I should’ve and my meal schedule was a bit cracked. But I’m takin’ all the meds. I’m eatin’ healthy. Gupta said that in some cases, it just takes time.”
Connor nodded slowly. “I know you’re taking all your medication, and I know you’re far too smart not to take care of yourself. I’m sorry if I overstepped. I just…” He blew out a breath. “I want you to be well, dude.”
“I want that, too,” Declan said. So he’d been a bit tired this week. He’d also been far busier than normal, and fatigue could be a tricky bitch for people with immune systems like his. “But the best way for me to make that happen is to get upstairs and let Gupta do her thing, okay?”
“Okay,” Connor said, stepping back with hesitation. “But if you need anything—”
“I know.” Declan smiled to make sure Connor knew that he really did. Lifting one hand in parting, Declan ducked toward the elevator and made his way upstairs. Doubt threatened to creep past the fragile hope that had built in his chest over the past week, but no. No, he trusted Tess. For Chrissake, she’d married him to get him into this trial. It would work.
“Good morning, Mr. Riley.” The nurse behind the intake desk gave him a pleasant smile as he stepped all the way into the reception area. “You can come on back.”
Declan blinked. He hadn’t even taken a seat. Not that he wanted to wait, but… “Alright,” he said, doing as the nurse had instructed. She chatted with him politely about the weather as she led him back to an exam room and took his vitals, then handed over a gown along with the usual instructions. Unease pushed through Declan as he undressed—Gupta hadn’t asked him to gown up at any of his previous visits. But she probably wanted to be thorough since his last visit had yielded a few iffy results, and he definitely couldn’t fault her for that.
After a few minutes that lasted approximately six years apiece, Dr. Gupta knocked on the exam room door, then made her way inside. “Good morning, Mr. Riley. How are you feeling today?”
“Good,” Declan said, although, he supposed it was relative. He was, after all, essentially wearing a fucking bed sheet.
Gupta tapped her way through his chart. “Are you experiencing any pain?”
“No,” he said confidently.
“Nausea, trouble concentrating or sleeping, fatigue?”
“No nausea,” he started. In truth, he hadn’t had much of an appetite lately. He’d attributed it to being busy, then
blamed his wonky numbers on that, even though he’d been eating healthy meals when he did finally feel hungry enough to get some food down the hatch.
Gupta’s brows lifted. “And the rest?” she asked gently.
Shit. “Well, I’ve never been the sort to get eight hours of sleep at night. Occupational hazard of bein’ in the Air Force, I guess.”
Gupta’s smile didn’t mask her concern. “How about this week, in particular?”
“Tossin’ and turnin’ a bit,” he admitted. “Figured my fatigue is due to that, along with havin’ a busy week.”
“That could be part of it,” Gupta agreed. “Is this swelling in your hands new?”
She nodded down at his hands, and whoa, they were a bit swollen now that he was looking at them. “I hadn’t noticed it.”
Gupta regarded his hands for a minute, then said, “I’m afraid your lab results aren’t what I’d hoped for.” Flipping the electronic chart around so he could see the exact numbers, she continued, “There’s protein in your urine, and your blood pressure is growing increasingly higher, despite your wellness routine. I’m afraid I have to insist on daily insulin to supplement the trial medication. As for what exactly is causing these results, I’d like to get a CT and an ultrasound to get a better idea of what we’re looking at right now.”
Well, that explained the gown. God damn it! “Worst case scenario,” Declan said, hearing the edge in his voice but not caring.
Gupta paused. “It’s hard to say without knowing for sure what the scans will show.” At Declan’s expectant pause, she let go of a slow breath. “But all of these numbers, plus your symptoms, do suggest that your kidney functions have decreased significantly despite all of our efforts. Which means the damage to your kidneys may be growing rapidly worse.”
“And if that’s the case?”
Her pause lasted longer this time. “If that’s the case, depending on the extent of the damage, the daily insulin plus the trial medication might hold you over for a little while, but…at a certain point fairly soon, you probably won’t be able to delay the need for dialysis.”
Beyond Just Us (Remington Medical Book 4): A Single Parent Marriage of Convenience Romance Page 22
