Chapter 4 #2
“Oh, I forgot,” Marisa said, setting her purse down and digging in the depths. She brought out a Moomenny. “This is the one you had the hotel send over and he loves it. Named it Fred for some reason but I brought it with me because I knew he’d need a lovey in the big scary hospital.”
Ivy took the small plush animal and set it in the crook of her son’s arm.
“That was so thoughtful of you. Fred’s the name of his favorite character in one of the books he likes to hear read at bedtime.
” She bent over the bed to drop a light kiss on Darien’s forehead and then sank into the bedside chair, holding his small hand.
Marisa glanced at Colvin uncertainly as if reluctant to leave while he remained. “I’ll be going then.” Her tone made it a question. ”Let me know if he gets to go home tomorrow or if you need anything, okay?”
“Absolutely,” Ivy replied. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. Thank you again.”
“Nice to meet you, General,” Marisa said to Colvin and then she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
He took the other chair and watched the mother and child. He felt fiercely protective of them both and wasn’t leaving them alone here unless Ivy told him to go.
As if she was reading his mind, she raised her head and gave him a wan smile. “I appreciate your support. The hardest part of being a single mom is being alone in a crisis.”
“You’ll never be alone as long as I draw breath,” he said. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine for now but thank you. Just having you here is enough.”
Darien stirred a bit on the bed, clutching the stuffed animal more tightly and Ivy’s attention returned to him but he didn’t wake up.
The nurse flitted in and out several times to check on the boy and told them his vital signs were much better than when he’d been brought in.
After about an hour, Darien blinked and stretched. Opening his eyes he did a doubletake and reached for Ivy. “Mommy! I missed you.”
Colvin could tell she was fighting tears as she hugged him. “You gave us a little scare, kiddo, but the doctor fixed you up. How are you feeling?”
“My head doesn’t hurt any more and I’m not hot. Can we go home now?”
“Not yet because the doctor wants to be sure you’re really better. Are you thirsty or hungry? She said you could have juice or jellied cubes.”
Darien made a face. “I’d rather have ice cream.”
“I can go ask,” Colvin volunteered. “I suspect the doctor wants him on clear liquids first though.” He waved casually as the boy tried to figure out who he was and why he was in the room.
“Hi, I’m Colvin, a friend of your mom’s.
I was with her when she got you your Moomenny.
I think she picked out the best one for you. ”
“Fred,” Darien hugged the animal and then held it out to Colvin. “You want to share?”
Maintaining a serious expression, Colvin took the toy and stroked its fur a few times.
“Very soft. But I think he wants to be with you today—I’m not sick.
” Handing the toy to its owner, Colvin said to Ivy, “I’ll go alert the nurse and see if we can get anything other than the two approved foods for him. I’ll be right back.”
The nursing station was busy, which surprised Colvin.
He hadn’t expected the hospital to be so full, since it was for employees but he guessed since Resort Planet had roughly the population of a large city at the moment, there was a corresponding need for medical care.
He wondered if guests were brought here if the clinic in the resort wasn’t enough.
When he tracked her down the nurse was happy to hear her patient was awake and offered Colvin a choice of frozen fruit pops as a compromise.
He took two berry flavors and walked to the room with her.
It was reassuring to hear Darien laughing as they entered the room and he beamed when Colvin offered him the fruit pops.
Ivy took the second choice one and they had fun comparing their colored tongues as they ate the frozen treats.
The nurse did her exam and review of the sensors briskly and departed, promising to let the doctor know.
“I want to go home,” Darien repeated. ”It’s boring here.”
Ivy looked helplessly at Colvin.
“I’ll go check out the gift shop down on the first floor,” he said. “Maybe they have children’s books.”
“That’d be great.” She took out her handheld. “In the meantime, I do have a couple of kids’ games on here he and I have played in the past. Could you see if there’s anywhere you could get me a synthcaff or tea?”
As he walked out of the room, Darien was chortling over the game and his first moves, which Colvin thought was an excellent sign.
By the time he returned with the requested synthcaff, a sandwich and three books he’d judged acceptable for Darien’s age range, the boy was napping again and Ivy was reclining in the chair, eyes closed.
She opened them and accepted the drink and the food gratefully.
“Did you have something? I remember you told me Ardannans have to eat a lot because of your metabolism.”
“You’re such a good caretaker,” he said with admiration. “But yes, I’m kinda used to managing for myself, you know. I’m fine. Save your energy for the boy.”
“I think the fever took a lot out of him,” she said. “He fell asleep in the middle of defeating me on the third level of Treasure Island Animal Throwdown, if you can believe it. His favorite game. I usually have to limit how long he can play but not tonight.”
“He looks better, not so pale. If I had to guess we’ll definitely be going home in the morning.
” He stretched his legs and tried to get comfortable in the chair, which was clearly not designed to be used by humans his size.
“I ordered a groundcar so I can get you both home and I’ve arranged for my AGcycle to be picked up and shipped to Ardanna.
Your boss, Mr. Delain sends his best wishes. He’s efficient—I approve.”
Ivy stared at him. “You’re very efficient. I’m impressed—I hadn’t gotten as far as thinking about how to get home.”
“I’m here take care of you both,” he said.
Darien had several more periods of wakefulness and each time he was more active and insistent on going home.
By the time the doctor released him in the morning he was grumpy.
The hospital insisted he ride in an antigrav chair to the front door, which was a novelty and diverted him and then Ivy carried him to the groundcar, which Colvin pulled up to the entrance.
He’d ordered a car seat and once Darien was safely strapped in, clutching Fred, Colvin and Ivy put their heads together to decide the best route to her apartment in the employee complex.
It was a short drive and on the way Ivy commed Marisa to let her know Darien was fine and going home.
The teacher’s relief was palpable. “And will he be returning to childcare tomorrow? Will you need me to take care of him overnight for the rest of the week as planned?”
Colvin and Ivy exchanged glances. “I don’t know yet,” she said. “I’ll see how today goes and let you know later, okay?”
When they got to Ivy’s apartment building, Colvin was impressed by the well laid out complex and the landscaping, which was obviously maintained efficiently.
Her place was a large, airy two bedroom on the first floor, with a small backyard.
Darien took Colvin by the hand and insisted on showing him his room and all of his toys.
When Ivy eventually went to see what they were doing, she found them on the floor building towers out of Darien’s toy bricks, which he would then demolish with one of his toy cars, making pew pew sounds as if the car was firing a blaster.
Her son was chortling with glee and Colvin seemed equally amused.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean for you to get trapped playing demolition derby. It’s one of his favorite games.”
“No problem. I’ve done this kind of thing with my nephews and nieces before. Their enthusiasm is contagious.”
As a special treat, Ivy allowed Colvin to watch a trideo in the living room, while she and Colvin sat on the couch with him. Once her son was engrossed in the plot and had moved himself to the floor, the adults chatted in low tones.
“What would you like me to do here, Ivy?” Colvin asked.
“I can’t imagine you’re in the right frame of mind to continue our date, even if his teacher is available to babysit.
I’d be happy to simply hang out with the two of you for the rest of my stay and we can figure out how to keep what we’ve started going long distance after I leave. ”
She took his hand and squeezed it. “I’m so grateful you’re here and I’m relieved you understand how I’m feeling. It was so scary, getting the com yesterday about him being in the hospital. I can’t leave him again so soon and I wouldn’t be good company if I did.”
“I wouldn’t dream of asking you to do so. Do you want me to pack up your things and bring them from the hotel?”
“I feel so guilty but yes, if you could do that, I’d appreciate it. You’d be welcome to spend the night here, if you’d like. On the couch,” she added firmly. “Have dinner with us, spend the evening.”
If anyone had told Colvin he’d be so pleased at an invitation to sleep chastely on a couch after spending the evening in the company of a toddler, he wouldn’t have believed it, but this was Ivy and her son which made all the difference.
“I’d be honored. Let me buy dinner though, all right? Does Darien like pizza?”
“Pizza!” the boy in question shouted loudly and with glee from the floor.
Ivy laughed and Colvin was happy to see her in such a good mood after her scare the day before. “He loves pizza, as you can tell.”