Page 77 of The Seal's Promise

“Max, you brave little man, I heard you had some bad ice cream. How about we get you cleaned up and you let me hook up a few of my cool machines to monitor your breathing?” Nurse Steph asked.

There was a flurry of well-practiced activity, like a dance they all knew well, and then they all stepped out, leaving Dalton and Brooke with Max.

“You don’t have to stay. Dr. Tommy was on call tonight and I’m going to be here with Max,” Brooke said.

“But I want Dalton to stay, in case I need another shot!” Max said. His cheeks were rosy and he looked tired.

“I’ll stay, Max, I’m just going to change out of these wet clothes. I’ll be right back,” Dalton said, and held up his hand for a fist bump. “I’m really proud of you.”

Max bumped Dalton’s fist with less enthusiasm than usual. Brooke didn’t meet his eyes.

Out in the hall, he found Dr. Tommy talking with Wes right before Mrs. Banks and Miles came storming through the hospital doors.

“Where is my grandson, is he okay?” Mrs. Banks demanded, but her voice was shaky with worry.

Dalton held up his hands, unsure whether Brooke would be okay with them going back to see Max. But he didn’t see Tyler, and the concern on their faces certainly seemed authentic.

“He’s still under observation until we’re sure if he needs another dose of epinephrine. If you could both wait in the lobby, I’ll see if Brooke’s okay with you taking turns to see Max.”

“Dr. Hart, could you please let Brooke know that we are not going home until we’re sure Max is okay? And if she needs anything, we’re right here,” Mrs. Banks said.

Miles stuck out his hand to Dalton. “Thank God you recognized the signs of Max having an allergic reaction.”

Dalton shook Miles’s hand. “Tyler didn’t have Max’s meds with him, in fact, he didn’t even seem to understand what they were for. He’s not fit to take care of Max.”

They both stayed silent and didn’t argue. Dalton knew his relationship with Brooke might make his statement less impactful to the court, but he intended to write a report on what had happened during Tyler’s first attempt to spend time with Max.

After changing and checking on Max again then speaking with Dr. Tommy, they all agreed that Max wouldn’t need a second dose but that he’d stay all night for observation just in case, along with Tommy, who could provide an unbiased medical opinion if it was needed during the night. They pushed another bed next to Max so Brooke could stay with her son, who by then was sleeping hard. Dalton sat in a chair nearby so he could hear the monitors and know if Max’s allergy acted up again.

Sometime after midnight Max stirred, and his long lashes fluttered open, and he found Dalton sitting close by.

“I didn’t like spending time with my dad.”

Dalton’s heart squeezed, and he reached out his hand to hold Max’s.

“I’m sorry, Max. I know it’s tough to understand, but the judge is just trying to make sure he figures out the best thing for you.”

“I don’t think he’s really my dad. I hope the judge doesn’t make me spend more time with him. He doesn’t even like me.”

Dalton sighed and leaned forward. “That’s not true, he just doesn’t understand how awesome you are. Sometimes people can become parents but never become good at it.”

Max thought about that for a minute. “If I could choose, I think you should be my dad. You always know what I’m thinking and I liked it when you called me son.”

Emotion gripped Dalton’s throat and he fought back a swell of tears. “I would be proud to have you as a son, and not just because you’re the coolest kid I know who can steal second base and hit harder than Babe Ruth.”

Max laughed. “Are you going to tell my mom what I said about my dad?”

“I can if you want me to.”

Max shook his head. “She’s already worried. But do you think I could tell the judge how I feel?”

“I think that’s a great idea, but you probably need to tell your mom so she can ask her lawyer to arrange that.”

“Okay. Why are some things so hard?”

“That’s a good question. My dad used to say most things worth doing are hard, but that’s where we find the reward.”

“Did you like your dad?”

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