Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
W hen Bree returned from having X-rays taken, she saw Adam was waiting.
He stood as she rolled into the room. “How did it go?”
“It was painful. I had to move for them to get all the X-rays and that hurt like the dickens. I’m better now. And soon, they’ll have me hooked back up to the morphine drip.”
“Good. I don’t like to see you in pain.”
The doctor chose that moment to arrive. “Well, Bree.” He stopped and looked at Adam. “Mr. Kincaid, I assume.”
Adam stepped forward and held out his hand. “I’m Adam Kincaid, Bree’s husband. What did the X-rays show?”
“Bree has three broken ribs. I was hoping they were just cracked but they were broken. It will be a long, painful recovery, but we’ll try to keep her as comfortable as possible while she’s here. I’d like to keep her overnight. I’ll send her home with a prescription for shots and tablets for pain relief. If you can’t give her the shots, I suggest you hire a nurse to?—”,
“I’ll be taking care of her. If someone will show me how to give the shots, then I can handle it.”
Bree stared at Adam. She couldn’t believe what he just said. He would take care of her. “But what about your business? Don’t you have to go into the office?”
“I’ll use couriers to transfer important documents to the main office. Besides someone needs to take care of Lilly and I’d prefer it not be a nanny.”
“Um. Okay. I agree it would be better if it were one of us.”
Adam turned to the doctor. “There, you see? It will all work out okay.”
The doctor nodded. “She’s due for a shot. I’ll send Timony back in and you can watch her as she gives her the shot.”
True to his word, Timony entered the small room. “I’m glad you’re here, Mr. Kincaid. This is how to give her the injection. Bree, I need you to roll to your side just a bit so I can inject this in your bottom.”
Bree rolled just a little, the pain making her stop. She hoped it was far enough because she didn’t want to move again.
“That’s good. Now you simply put the needle into the fat part of the bottom. Don’t hesitate while doing it because that will hurt Bree. Once the needle is all the way in and press the plunger all the way until it stops. Hold it for a few seconds and then remove the needle and press a cotton square over the spot for about twenty seconds to make sure there is no blood.” She removed the cotton and smiled. “All good. You can roll back now.”
Bree moved and couldn’t stop the moan. “Oh, God, that hurts.”
“It’s okay.” Timony placed the used needle into the red box and the cotton square into the trash. “You did fine, and you’ll feel much better soon. I promise. We’ll be transferring you to a private room in just a little while. Your husband arranged it. I’ll see you soon.” She left.
He furrowed his brows. “How are you feeling? Really.”
“Like I was kicked in the ribs and had a fist smashed into my face. How do you think I feel?” She was cranky, she hurt, and she didn’t give a fat rat’s behind if he knew it. “You said we were going to talk. Now’s as good a time as any. So, talk.”
“Now isn’t a good time. You’re in pain and I don’t believe you’re ready to hear what I have to say.”
“Hmpft. I think you don’t really want to talk to me.”
Adam’s eyes twinkled, and his mouth quirked up at the corners. “You’re very combative when you hurt. I understand that, and that’s another reason I’m not ready to talk. We’ll talk when you get home and can see Lilly. I’m sure she misses you.”
Tears filled Bree’s eyes. “I won’t even be able to hug her when I see her, and I can’t hold her. She won’t understand, and she’ll hate me.” The tears flowed in earnest now.
“She won’t hate you. I’ll make sure she sees you every day, and you can kiss her and love on her while I hold her. It will be okay. I promise.”
She shook her head. “You can’t promise that. She’s too little to understand anything but Mommy doesn’t want her.”
I really need to buy a child-rearing book and make him read it. “That’s not what she’ll think. We might be surprised at what she understands. If we explain that Mommy’s hurt, she might understand. She is getting older now. She’s almost nine months, after all.”
“She’s still a baby. She won’t understand why I can’t hold her and comfort her. It’s going to be a nightmare.” Bree wanted to cry again but refused to give in to her mood.
“Bree, sweetheart, I promise it won’t be that bad.” He gently pushed her hair back behind her ears. “You’ll still get to hug her and kiss her and make sure she knows you love her.”
She looked at Adam. He was so handsome, and he knew it. What was he doing with her? Why had he been so quick to choose her? And why did he keep calling her sweetheart? Was it because she was injured?
Timony picked that moment to come back in. “Time to take you to your room. How are you feeling? That shot should have taken effect by now.”
Bree nodded. “I do feel better…as long as I don’t move.” She grinned then remembered her conversation with Adam. “Do you know when I’ll be able to lift my baby?”
“How old is he?”
“She’s nine-months-old.”
Timony smiled and touched Bree’s arm. “She’s at the point where she’s very squirmy and moves a lot. You can’t handle that without beaucoup pain. It would be best if you didn’t even try until the doctor says you can.”
“All right. Thank you,” said Adam.
Timony unhooked the blood pressure cuff and took the oxygen meter off her finger. The IV stand was attached to the bed so she didn’t need to unhook the IV from Bree. Then Timony pulled the bed out of the curtained-off room and began to push it.
Adam walked behind her. “How will you get her into the bed in the room?”
“Another nurse or nurse’s assistant, a CNA, will be there to help me. We’ll literally grab the sheet she’s on and pull it across onto the other bed. We can’t have her trying to get up yet, that includes to use the restroom. She’ll have to use a bedpan.”
“I just want her to have the best care possible.”
Timony answered him. “Trust me, Mr. Kincaid, we give all of our patients the best care possible, whether they can pay or not. You obviously can pay, but that doesn’t mean the care she will receive is better than it would be for someone who is unable to.”
Bree could hear the disdain in her voice.
Adam held up his hands in front of himself. “I realize that. I didn’t mean to disparage you or your fellow nurses and CNAs.”
Timony shrugged. “It’s all right. Most people make the same assumption—that money equals better care. It doesn’t—all it gives you is a better room.”
“I’m okay with that,” said Adam.
The room she rolled Bree into was plain. A bed, small dresser, recliner, a silver rolling tray and a roll-away tray to go over the bed were the only pieces of furniture. A TV hung on the wall in front of the bed. The room did have a view of the mountains, which was nice.
A young brunette woman waited in the room.
“This is Ginger,” said Timony. “She and I are going to slide you over to the bed. You just lay there and don’t try to help. It will only make it more difficult for you and for us. Understand?”
Bree nodded. “Got it. Don’t help.”
Timony unhooked Bree from the IV. Then she and Ginger moved to the opposite side of the bed, leaned over and grabbed the sheet Bree lay upon, then pulled her over onto the bed.
“There, see? Wasn’t that easy?” asked Timony.
“Yes,” Bree admitted. “It only hurt a little, but the morphine kept me mostly comfortable.”
“Good. It’s doing its job, then.”
A female doctor came in just as Ginger was leaving.
“Hi, my name is Doctor Kukraja.” She didn’t extend her hand but went directly to the computer. “I’m glad to see you in bed. I’m keeping you here overnight and then will re-evaluate you tomorrow. I want to make sure your medication is working and you’re ready to go home.”
Adam stood on the side of the bed with the window. “I’ll have everything ready. Will she be able to walk up the stairs?”
“Probably, but not without pain. If you can arrange a room on the main floor that would be best,” said the doctor.
“I’ll see to it.”
Bree frowned. “Where are you putting me? On a couch in the living room?”
Adam grinned. “No, I’m getting you a hospital bed and putting it in the family room off the kitchen. You’ll be able to see Lilly that way and she can see you, too.”
Adam had been nothing but kind. “That’s nice of you. Thank you.”
“I like to think I can take care of my wife. At least I’m trying to take care of you.”
Doctor Kukraja folded her arms across her chest and observed her with Adam. Then she pointed at the recliner. “It’s not very comfortable for sleeping, but it’s slightly better than the floor.
Adam looked over at the recliner and shrugged. “It’ll be fine.”
Bree followed suit and gazed at the chair before she turned to Adam. “You don’t have to stay. I’ll probably be doing a lot of sleeping.”
“Then I’ll bring my Kindle and read. It’ll be fine. I’m not leaving you. I’ve already talked to Carole, and she’s fine staying with Lilly until we return home.”
That was news to Bree. “She is? What about her family?”
“It’s just her and Gary now, and she said he can fend for himself for a few days.”
Bree settled back onto her pillow. “Well, as long as it’s Carole, I’m good with that. I won’t worry as much. But I’m still going to worry until I get home and see her for myself.”
“I figured you would. Now, why don’t you just relax and let your pain medication do its work?”
Bree nodded. Her eyelids were heavy anyway, and though she was trying, she had a hard time keeping them open. She had more things she wanted to say, doggonit. “I love you, Adam.” Her lids closed.
Adam smiled down at his wife. He doubted she would even remember what she’d said, but he would never forget it. He had come to the realization some time ago that he loved her, too. He didn’t know how to tell her, though. She would never believe him after what happened their disastrous first night together. Right now, that didn’t matter. He would take care of her the best he could. He would keep Lilly near her but far enough away that she didn’t inadvertently hurt her mother.
Yes, he loved his little wife. Theirs was a complicated relationship, but one he was willing to work at. He would have to work to get Bree to believe him. He would find a way to convince her his love was true. He just didn’t know how.
Bree was home, but she had yet to see Lilly. She could barely walk, but refused to let Adam carry her. She knew that would be even more painful. The prescribed pain meds were potent, and she always slept after taking them. She was determined to take them only enough to stop the pain for a while. To be with Lilly, she would put up with the pain, however bad it got.
Adam walked beside her into the kitchen and then to the family room. He’d set up a hospital bed in there, and she couldn’t wait to be in it. Her ribs were killing her. Every breath she took, no matter how shallow, hurt like crazy and every step was jarring.
She needed to be in bed and lay there without moving very much.
Bree had just climbed into the bed with Adam’s help, when Carole came in with Lilly.
The baby looked at her and hollered, “Mama. Mama.” She leaned her little body away from Carole and toward Bree.
Adam took Lilly from Carole. “I’ll take her for now. Thank you so much, Carole. We owe you more than we can ever repay, for taking care of our heart.”
“Yes, thank you so much,” echoed Bree. She looked at the remote and then adjusted the bed, so she was sitting up as much as possible. “Bring her closer, Adam. I want to kiss her and smell her baby smell.”
“That’s probably the Spaghetti-O’s she had for lunch. I didn’t have a chance to bathe her yet.” Carole stood at the edge of the family room while Adam took Lilly from her.
Adam spoke to the baby. “Lilly, sweetie, Mama is hurt and not feeling good. You can kiss her, but she can’t hold you right now. Do you understand? Mama is hurt.”
“Mama. Mama. Mama.” Lilly leaned her little body with her arms stretched toward Bree. “Mama. Mama.”
“I told you she wouldn’t understand.” Tears filled Bree’s eyes.
Adam leaned over and put Lilly close to Bree.
She kissed Lilly on the lips and then on her cheeks. Then she cupped her face. “Mama loves you, more than anything, baby girl.” She leaned back so Lilly couldn’t grab her. “Take her out, Adam,” Bree turned away as the tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I need to sleep. I want to get better fast, because I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stop from cuddling her.”
“It will be soon. You’ll heal quickly.”
He said it like he believed it.
Bree wanted desperately to believe it, too. She wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to resist holding her child.
Two months later
Bree was meeting Stacy for tea. Finally healed enough that she could lift Lilly, she’d decided to take Stacy up on her offer for afternoon tea.
Bree packed a diaper bag and hauled it and Lilly out to the Navigator.
When they arrived at the Danvers residence, she was immediately shown into the living room.
Stacy was standing near a tea cart when Bree entered. She looked up. “Ah, there you are. Right on time. How are you feeling? Wade and I heard what happened to you. I’m so sorry you had something like that happen to you. I never did like Simon Chandler, but I never thought him capable of what happened to you. Please sit. And let me see that sweet girl.” She held her arms out to Lilly.
Never shy, the baby went to Stacy right away.
Stacy laughed. “Oh, you are such a sweet girl. Yes, you are. That’s right. You’re a sweet girl.” She looked over at Bree. “Is she always so friendly?”
Bree nodded. “She hasn’t met anyone she didn’t like yet. She always makes friends. I hope she keeps that up as she gets older.”
They talked for a while.
Stacy gave Lilly a Vanilla Wafer cookie. “My children loved these when they were babies.”
Lilly managed to mangle the cookie getting it soggy. Then it was just a matter of her trying to eat it and smearing most of it in her hands and on her face.
The baby tickled Stacy.
The older woman laughed delightedly.
“Are you sure you don’t mind her getting so messy? She’s likely to get the cookie all over your beautiful carpet.”
Stacy waved an arm in front of her. “Don’t worry about it. The carpet can be cleaned. And I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in a long while.”
When Lilly was done with the cookie, Stacy’s butler appeared with a damp washcloth and Bree cleaned Lilly’s face and hands.
Bree decided it was time to go. “I’d like her to get a nap before Adam gets home. He likes to play with her when he gets home.”
“That’s so good that he is a hands-on father. Wade was the same way. A lot of fathers simply let the wife raise the children, but we decided before we ever had children that we would both raise them. I believe that it’s much better for the children when both parents are involved.”
“Oh, we couldn’t agree more. Adam and I both want to raise our children together. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. Forgive me for not getting over here sooner, but I wanted to wait until I could bring Lilly with me.”
Stacy raised her eyebrows just a little. “You couldn’t help what happened to you. I hope they throw the book at Simon Chandler and his cohorts. I never did like that man.”
“I didn’t either. I felt sorry for Janie, but now she’ll be able to divorce him without any repercussions.”
“I saw her the other day.” Stacy leaned forward. “She’s already filed the paperwork to divorce him. Simon will still get what he came into the marriage with but little else because of the role he played in having you kidnapped. She said she thinks he could get more than twenty years for it. Plus when they married, her parents set it up so she would be well taken care of in the event of a divorce. They apparently weren’t happy with the man she chose to marry.”
“I can’t say as I blame them for that. I think Simon has always been a tool.”
“Most definitely.”
Bree stood and picked up Lilly. “Thank you so much for having us over today. We had a great time. I’ll have to remember about the Vanilla Wafers. Those, though messy, would be a good treat for Lilly once in a while.”
Stacy stood and walked Bree to the door.
Bree’s eyes widened. “I thought you had to use a wheelchair.”
The older woman chuckled. “Only when I have to be on my feet a lot or walk a lot. Around the house I usually do fine. It’s only when I go out that I need the wheelchair.”
“Well, that’s good. I’m glad you don’t have to be in it all the time.”
“So am I, my dear, so am I.”
“Well, goodbye. We’ll have to do this again soon.”
“I agree. I’ll give you a call in a couple of weeks.”
“That sounds great. Bye! Bye!” Bree gazed down at Lilly. “Can you wave bye to Miss Stacy, sweetheart? Bye. Say bye.”
“Bah,” said Lilly.
“She did it!” Bree was thrilled. That was her third word, behind mama and no. She’d gotten that one down really well and she knew what each of the words meant. Lilly wasn’t just parroting what was said. She understood.
Bree couldn’t wait to get home to tell Adam.
“Come to Mama, baby girl. Come on, you can do it.” Bree watched Lilly get up after falling and walk over. “That’s my girl.” She lifted Lilly high into the air and then turned in a circle while holding her.
Bree was still so happy she was allowed to pick up Lilly and hold her after weeks of not doing so, that she did it all the time.
Adam laughed from the doorway to the nursery. “I figured I’d find you here.” His smile faded and his mouth formed a flat line. “Bree, I’d like to talk to you. Can you put Lilly in her playpen for a moment, please?”
“Um, yeah, sure.” She carried Lilly to the playpen and set her in the middle of it. This one was sturdier than the one in the family room, which Lilly had managed to topple over twice now. Luckily for Bree, Lilly didn’t mind being in the playpen. She played with all her favorite toys at once, which she delighted in.
“Where would you like to talk?”
“The bedroom…my bedroom, if you please.”
Bree stiffened and nodded, heading out to his bedroom. What could he want to say in his bedroom that can’t be said in the nursery? It’s not like Lilly will understand what he’s saying.
There, he had several bouquets of roses spread throughout the room, with a single rose on the bed.
She looked around the room. “I don’t understand, Adam. What is all of this?” When she turned back to Adam, she saw he was on one knee.
“Bree Kincaid, would you do me the great honor of marrying me and becoming my wife, for real this time? I love you, Bree. I will never love anyone else. I won’t cheat or lie, and I’ll do my best not to die too early. Say you’ll marry me, Bree.”