This Is Love - Chapter 18 #2
I had never felt that way in New York. Three doctors had been assigned to Liam in the city.
And sometimes their opinions didn’t even align on what steps to take next.
It was almost like they had looked to me for the answers.
I didn’t have them. How could I possibly have them?
I was barely staying afloat. My whole family had been falling apart and I hadn't had my wife by my side.
“What does very good mean, exactly?” I asked. “Do you have a pen and paper so I can write some things down? Penny usually carries those with her.” I patted my pockets like the items I needed would just appear like they had for Dr. Young.
“I don’t think there's anything to write down. I’ve run every test I could possibly think of,” the doctor said.
“I haven’t been monitoring him since his birth, but from what I can tell from the documents sent over, he’s making an impressive recovery.
And I saw that your wife’s records were sent over this morning.
I glanced at them and I believe that she must have suffered most of the consequences from the poison.
I don’t see any traces of it in Liam. And it doesn't appear to be affecting his vitals or organs in any way. Yes, he was born early, but many babies are. He only has symptoms related to being born early, not from anything else. He’s going to be alright. ”
It sounded too good to be true. How? After everything...how? I shook my head. “But the doctors in New York talked about possible disabilities down the road. That his mental development may be affected. That my son would never have a normal life.”
“I have no reason to see why that would happen. There are zero signs that he’s not developing properly.
His lungs are the only issue that I can see, and as I said, that’s only a symptom from his early birth.
I’m actually going to advise that we take him off his CPAP machine at the end of the week if he keeps progressing this well. ”
“What does that mean?” Penny asked from behind us. “He’s able to breathe on his own now? Without any machines?” She rushed into the room. “I’m sorry I’m late,” she squeezed my shoulder.
“It means you’ll be able to take him home. You’ll be able to take your perfectly healthy baby boy home this weekend.”
A sob escaped from Penny. “There’s nothing wrong with him?”
“I don’t believe there is. As I was telling your husband earlier, we’ve run every test we could think of. I think he’s going to be just fine.”
“Should you check your notes?” She gestured to his unopened notebook. “I don’t…we were told he couldn’t leave the hospital for another month.”
“Besides for those deliveries this morning I’ve been absorbed in this case and only this case since I got your call. Liam has had my full attention. The university appreciates your donations.”
I shook my head. “How could the other doctors have been so wrong? I thought he was going to die. They made me believe he was going to die. I thought we were going to have to say goodbye to him before my wife even came out of her coma.” I felt a tear run down my cheek and quickly brushed it away. “What changed?”
“They were too close to the problem. They were putting all their time and energy into the possibility of him being poisoned without really taking the time to study him . Also, Mrs. Hunter’s gynecologist was associated with that hospital.
They were probably concerned about covering themselves in case of a lawsuit.
Saying the worst is yet to come all along protected them from a worst case scenario.
“And despite everything he’s been through…I believe your son’s a fighter. He’s meant to be here. He truly has made a miraculous recovery. I’d let you take him home today, but I always like to be cautious. But Liam’s going to be okay.”
Liam’s going to be okay. It felt like I could breathe again. This time without concentrating so hard on it. “Thank you.” I stood up and outstretched my hand.
But before Dr. Hughes shook it, Penny practically tackled me in a hug.
“We’re going to get to bring him home.” I could barely understand her through her sobs. “He’s going to make a full recovery.” She pulled away from me. “A full recovery, right? That’s what all that means?”
Dr. Hughes smiled. “I believe so.”
“And he’s the best in his field, James. The best. If he thinks Liam is fine, then Liam is fine.” She let go of me and ran around the desk to hug Dr. Hughes. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He laughed. “You’re welcome.”
I reached my hand out and this time he grasped it. “I don’t know how we can ever thank you enough.”
“It’s my job. The days I get to deliver good news are the ones I live for. I’ll give you two a minute.” He left us alone in his office.
I turned to Penny. “I don’t know if I should be jealous right now…you just said Dr. Hughes was the best and basically threw yourself into his arms. But I can’t stop smiling.”
“Liam’s going to be okay.” She wiped away her own tears, leaving nothing but a beautiful smile on her face.
“Our son’s going to be okay!” I lifted her up and twirled around in a circle.
Her laughter filled the room, intertwining with my own. My son was going to live. And I was going to be there right next to him for as long as humanly possible. I wasn’t going anywhere either. My son needed me. Who else was going to teach him how to throw a baseball? Or shave? Or tie a bowtie?
I let Penny’s body slide back down the front of mine. “He’s going to live.” I nestled my face in her hair and held her as we both smiled. And cried. And laughed until it hurt.