Chapter 41 You Came #2
“Wren,” my mom says, tears falling from her eyes. “Thank goodness you’re here sweetheart.”
She wraps me in a hug, and I breathe her in, trying to calm myself. “Hey, bud,” I say, looking towards Cody and letting go of her.
Tears prick the back of my eyes as I walk over and wrap my arms around him. “I love you,” he signs when he sees me, and I exhale for the first time since seeing my phone.
“I love you too. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” I kiss his forehead and tousle his hair a little. “Where’s his iPad?” I ask, taking his hand in mine.
“In all the chaos, we forgot to grab it,” my mom explains. “The nurses got us a simple choice board. It’s over there on the table.”
Cody begins to nod off, and I know his body and his brain have to be exhausted.
“What triggered it?” I ask.
“The aid forgot to give him his meds,” my dad says.
“You’re joking,” I say. Guilt strikes me, and for a split second I consider moving back in with my parents and handling it all myself, but I push it away. “Did you report her?”
“We did, but I truly think it was an honest mistake. She’s new, and she was overwhelmed. Her supervisor is supposed to call us tomorrow.”
“Regardless of how her day was going, he needed his medicine.” I shake my head. “This could’ve been so much worse.”
“Your mom already called his neurologist, and he has an appointment Monday pending that he discharges tonight.”
“Good. Are they talking about keeping him overnight?”
“We’re actually not sure,” my dad says. “It was longer than they used to be, so that’s why we called 911. We’re waiting for the doctor to come back with his labs.”
“Okay.” I massage my temples and look down at my brother.
“Why are you so dressed up tonight?” my mom asks. “I like that dress. It looks really pretty on you.”
“I was at a party with Tanner.”
“Your roommate?” my dad asks.
“Actually…he’s my boyfriend.” I blush. “And before you freak out, it’s new.”
“What makes you think I’d freak out?” he laughs.
“I’m not surprised,” my mom says.
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“I could just tell you two mean a lot to each other. It’s not every day men do grand gestures like buying a lift for your brother.”
“I’m really happy.”
“That’s all we want for you, honey.” She smiles. “So where is he?”
“I saw your text messages and calls while I was in the bathroom, and I ran out of there so fast that I only had time to text him, and then I left my phone in the Uber like an idiot.”
The room phone begins to ring, and my dad walks over and answers it.
“Oh, no, do you think there is any chance the Uber driver will bring it back?” my mom asks.
“Maybe. She was really nice.”
My dad hangs up the phone and looks over at me. “Someone is down at the front desk asking for you. It must be the driver with the bag.”
“Really, but I wanted to talk to the doctor.”
“Wren, we are perfectly capable of talking to the doctor, and there is no telling when he will come back. Run down and see who it is. You need your phone and purse.”
I squeeze Cody’s hand before leaving to make my way back to the lobby.
I freeze when the door swings open, revealing Tanner at the front desk. His jacket is draped across his arm, and his tie is undone and hanging around his neck.
“Ma’am, I understand that your policy states that patient family members are the only ones admitted to visit in the ER, but the girl I love’s brother is back there, and she’s not answering her phone, so could you please tell me where I can find Cody Dawson.”
He sounds panicked, and I can tell he’s doing his best to keep his emotions in check, but he’s starting to waver.
“Sir—”
“You came,” I say, breathless.
Tanner’s head whips in my direction, and in three long strides he meets me at the door. His arms wrap around me. “Of course I did.”
Tears start streaming down my face, and he holds me tight against his chest. “What happened?” he asks, soothing my back.
“Cody’s aid forgot his meds and it triggered a pretty bad seizure, which isn’t unexpected, but still really scary.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’ll be okay. They're just waiting for the doctor to come in.”
“That’s good. How are you?”
“I’m okay. It scared me, but I’m glad he’s going to be alright. I’m really sorry that I tore out of there so fast. I know I promised you I would be there for the big announcement.”
“Never apologize for putting Cody before me. He means a lot to you, which means he means a lot to me too. I know we’re still early on, but I’m all in.
And I know that means that one day, if you’ll have me, I’ll get the honor of helping you care for Cody, so you never have to apologize for putting him first. I don’t care what we’re doing.
If he needs us, we’re there, no questions asked. ”
His words wash over me, and my stomach flips.
“I love you,” I say without hesitation.
“Really?” he asks like he doesn’t believe me.
“Yes, I love you,” I say, smiling. “I love you so much, Tanner Mitchell.”
“I love you,” he says, pulling me into him. I’m overcome with emotions, and tears begin to fall again.
“Thank you for coming,” I say, wiping them away.
“There is nowhere else in this world I’d rather be.”
The automatic sliding doors open, and my Uber driver from earlier walks in holding my purse. “Oh, good,” she says, a little out of breath. “You left this in the back of my car.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking the bag. I pull out my phone and am met with a flurry of missed calls and text messages. Every single one is from Tanner.
He shrugs. “I might’ve freaked myself out when you weren’t answering me and panicked a little.”
“Come on. Let’s go see Cody. My parents were asking where you were.”
“Ma’am,” the nurse behind the counter calls. “He is not permitted in the ER if he’s not family or a spouse.”
“Then as far as you're concerned, we’re married.” I flash a smile towards the nurse, grab Tanner’s hand, and pull him through the door.