Page 77 of Loving Lizzy

“I want my mommy,” Caleb whined as Michael held him to his chest.

“She’s coming, buddy. I’m taking you in here to make your ears feel better,” he assured the sandy-haired child.

“Will you get the frog to come out?” The boy rasped out.

“Oh yeah, and when you feel better, I’ll take you down to the lake and show you where his new home is.” He placed him on the bed. A pair of child sized hospital pajamas lay on the bed along with a toy truck, a puzzle, a coloring book, and crayons. The nurse handed him the tiny mask and the Albuterol treatment. “Now, I need you to keep this mask on to help Mr. Frog breathe. He’ll think you’re a superhero.” The child’s eyes lit up at Michael’s explanation. He adjusted the mask and helped him change into fresh garments. He pulled the tray over, and the nurse sat on the bed and began to play with Caleb as Michael walked into the hall.

Diana’s mom doubled over coughing and Chase ushered her into the room next door. Shadow assisted Diana as she peeked in on Caleb and then allowed him to take her into the room across the hall.

A few minutes later, Kassie carried a crying Faith to her mom. “The slides are getting read now. I know you received chemo yesterday, and you’re exhausted. I’m Lizzy’s friend, Kassie. If it’s okay with you, little Miss Faith and I will walk the halls until the films return. Then Michael will discuss her treatment with you. He’s finishing up his orders for Caleb, and he’ll come in here next to give you the rundown.”

A nurse walked in and covered Diana with warmed blankets and elevated her head. She went over the kids' allergies, her mom's, and Diana's. Kassie walked up and down the hall as she soothed the child in her arms. Another nurse assisted Chase. A short while later, they congregated at the nurse’s station.

“The films show pneumonia, and she’s got an ear infection on the left side. Caleb’s breathing seems better, and the nurse is reading to him. Diana’s mother tested positive for the flu. Diana tested negative but I’m not happy with her vitals. Her BP reads high. I can’t imagine the stress she’s feeling right now and she’s beyond exhausted.” Kassie informed him as Chase finished his paperwork.

“We’ll get her settled with a nurse and an aide in the cabin. Caleb can go with her, and she can administer the breathing treatments, antibiotics, keep Diana’s vitals, and alert us of any changes. I recommend you leave her mom, Debbie here. We don’t need to expose them and can provide the care she needs. We already admitted Faith and started antibiotics and Kassie will stay here until I return. Lizzy is frantic, go home and care for your wife. I’ll call with any reports,” Chase ordered him.

“Thank you for all the help. Shadow and Saint went down to the cabin to stock the fridge, drop off supplies, and their luggage,” he wearily sighed.

“You can shower, and I laid out a fresh pair of scrubs in the physician's quarters. I know you wore masks…” Kassie informed him as she kissed her husband goodbye.

Michael smiled. “You think of everything. I don’t want to expose Lizzy.”

“Victoria, Maddie, and Carol will go to Lizzy’s while we handle things here.” Kassie already turned with Faith in her arms. Her chubby little hand wrapped in Kassie’s long hair and her head rested against her shoulder as she turned into the room she designated as Faith’s. Michael witnessed Chase watch her hold the baby in her arms with a sad expression on his face.

“I’ve stayed engrossed in my own life; I didn’t ask how things turned out for you and Kassie.” He stood and leaned against the counter as Chase typed out the rest of his orders.

Chase glanced down the hall before he spoke, “It didn’t take. She’s working nonstop and volunteering for everything at Lady Bug’s school. Maddie tried speaking to her and Kassie denied how upset she felt. Victoria will try next. Lady Bug will spend the weekend with Nugget and June Bug. Then I’ll sit down and reason with her.”

“I’m sorry to hear it. Will she discuss adoption?”

“Yes, we agreed to do three rounds, and this counted as the second. Then, we’ll discuss the adoption route. Ivan talked to us about considering adopting from Russia. I’m sure if Kassie agreed, he’d have a kid on a plane and in her arms the next day.” Chase leaned back in the chair.

Michael patted his shoulder in silent solidarity. He left the nurse’s station and turned into the physician’s quarters. He removed his clothing and placed everything in a bag left out for him. He turned on the shower, scrubbed down, and changed into the extra scrubs. He grabbed his bag and then realized he left his car at Diana’s. He stopped outside the doors wondering how he planned to get home.

“I left my car at Diana’s,” he rubbed his hand over his head.

“Come on, I’ll drop you off. Kassie will hold down the fort until I return. In a couple of hours, I need to get Lady Bug up and dressed for school.” Chase motioned toward his truck. “Leo will get your car back to you in the morning.”

Michael walked to the truck and counted his blessings.

CHAPTER FORTY

Two weeks went by in a flash. Diana, her mother, and both kids stayed in the cabins by the hospital. Michael talked Diana into staying longer to ensure Faith stayed on the mend. Caleb made friends with the Serenity kids. Kassie or Catherine stopped by every afternoon to allow the kids to play with him.

Carol, Edie, and Maddie entertained Lizzy. She didn’t get as sick as the last couple of times. She tired easily but insisted they attend Kassie’s birthday party the following Saturday.

“How’s Catherine? She isn’t sick, is she?” Lizzy asked Carol as Edie pulled the knot Lizzy made out of the yarn.

“Oh no, she’s spending time with the team,” she volunteered as she placed a plate of fresh apple slices and peanut butter before her.

“She’s with the team?” Maddie asked, confused. “Do they need a nurse?”

Carol chuckled to herself. “No. Leo’s refusing to bend on his pregnancy plan. So, Catherine’s making him follow it, too. She even made him wear one of those weighted bellies to simulate pregnancy. She banned all sweets from the kitchen and cleared the fridge of everything except things from his approved food list. He’s not even finished day three and just discovered his red meat limited. Tomorrow is steak day for the team.”

“The team’s following the diet too?” Lizzy asked as Edie handed back her poor excuse of a baby blanket.

“Oh no, they waited until Leo went home and snuck a fridge into one of the supply rooms. Every time he asks them where they got the food not on his list, they tell him they brought it from home, and remind him how he’s supporting his wife. It’s only a matter of time before he blows a fuse.” Carol sat down next to Maddie as they laughed. “I’ve stayed a couple of nights up at the cabin as she seems to tire easily, and I help with Melody when Leo works late. It’s like watching my own soap opera.”

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