Page 26 of Doctor Do-Over

“Can you come with me?” she asks.

I look up at the nurse, and she nods.

“Yes, kitten. I can.”

“Good. I love you.” She leans up for a kiss when another contraction tears through her body. She sits up and doubles over her stomach.

“Breathe through it, sweetheart.”

The anesthesiologist enters the room and waits for the contraction to pass before putting the pain block in. She’ll be awake during the procedure. I’m familiar with every step of the process, but seeing my own wife go through it makes me nervous.

When we are finally moved to the surgical suite and I’m in scrubs, I sit at her head. I lean over and kiss her forehead. She sighs like she always does when I do that.

The doctor and nurse walk us through everything they are doing. They end up having to administer her some anti-nausea meds. I don’t take my eyes off my wife until I hear a hearty cry. I look up to see my daughter in the doctor’s hands, screaming and clearly upset over being removed from her safe haven. Her body is covered in amniotic fluid, and her plump little cheeks scrunch up in distress.

As the nurse takes her, I kiss Wryan one more time before moving to be with Noelle. I watch as they wrap her up, and she quiets. The nurse carries her over to Wryan, who is crying as shegazes at our daughter. Noelle has a full head of dark hair, and I can make out curls at her tiny ears.

“We’ll clean her up and then bring her to you to nurse,” the nurse says to Wryan.

“Tanner, go with her.”

“I will.” I lean down and kiss her. “I love you. She’s beautiful.”

“I love you too.”

I leave with our daughter and watch over her.

Wryan

I’m exhausted and want to sleep, but I need to see my baby again. When the nurse and Tanner finally step through the doorway, I smile big and hold my arms out to take Noelle. The nurse helps me get settled in with the Boppy pillow Tanner got me, ensuring Noelle won’t rest directly on my incision.

I look down into her beautiful blue eyes as she looks back up at me. With Tanner and the nurse’s help, I get Noelle situated, and she latches on. I feel the moment my milk starts to flow, and I sigh as I coo at her.

“Mommy’s little Noelle is so beautiful.”

Tanner slides into the bed next to me, and we both watch as she nurses away until she falls asleep. Tanner takes her and burps her, and then I switch her to the other breast. Our family and friends will be coming in soon, but I’m enjoying this time when it’s just us three.

Finally, I lean back as Tanner rocks Noelle in his arms, and my parents step into the room. They mention that J.D. is on shift and will come by in the morning to see Noelle. I drift in andout of sleep as everyone talks around me. When I open my eyes again, it’s just Tanner, Noelle, and me in the room.

Tanner is in the rocking chair with his eyes closed as he holds Noelle in his arms. Seeing them together causes my heart to clench in a good way. I’m feeling blessed and happy with where I am and what’s going to happen with my life.

Thirteen

TANNER

Ididn’t want to leave the hospital, but I needed to get the car seat and Wryan’s bag. We didn’t have time to get all that before. I left my wife and daughter sleeping when I decided to make this quick run. Browser and a couple of Ridley’s men are on guard, protecting them.

I open my window to hear the waves crashing, unconcerned about the freezing rain getting in. I’m hoping the sound will help me stay awake. I look behind me in the darkness as lights approach me fast.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, asshole?” I mutter as I take the first curve along the cliffs. This is a no passing zone with only two lanes.

The car slams into the back of my SUV, jolting me forward. My tires slide along the wet pavement. I tighten my grip on the steering wheel and hit the phone button. If this is my last moment to hear her voice, I want to call my wife, but I don’t want to panic her.

“Call Ridley,” I say, and the sound of ringing echoes in the car. It’s late, so I expect my call to go to voicemail, but a tired voice answers.

“This better be good, Doc,” she grumbles.

“He’s trying to kill me. I’m along the cliffs heading to my house. He’s hit me once already.” Just then, the car slams into me again. “Make that twice.” I struggle to keep my SUV on the slick road. When he hits me a third time, I hear the metal screech as I slam into the guardrail and slide along it. A gun fires, and I know I don’t have much more time. “Tell her I love her. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to wake up with her every day. Tell her to raise our daughter to love art and nerdy things.”