Page 68 of Keep This Promise
“I need you to tell me what’s happening,” I say to Holden as he walks toward the end of the bed.
He motions to the door, and after looking at Eden again, I reluctantly follow.
“It’s good that she’s resting here. They’re pushing fluids, but her sugar levels were definitely high. We are giving her fluids for the dehydration and insulin to stabilize her blood sugar. She’ll be monitored very closely, and once we know more, we can talk about what happens next.”
“So, she has diabetes?” I ask, feeling broken.
“We need to do a few more sugar tests to confirm, but in my medical opinion, I believe it is.”
“Oh God,” I say, my hand against my throat. Could this night go any more pear-shaped? We had a lovely dinner that was cut short by an emergency. Then our daughter could’ve died because she has diabetes, and I didn’t even know.
“I thought the bedwetting was just because of the move. How did I not know? I didn’t think there was anything wrong. She was so thirsty all the time, and I just gave her water without questioning it,” I explain. “I didn’t know to say anything. I should’ve known!”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I explained it away too. It’s not your fault.”
I shake my head, stepping back. “I am her mother. I should have known.”
“Sophie, stop. I’m a doctor, and I didn’t see it before tonight either. But we caught it, and we’re here. I am going to do everything I can to help her. Okay? I will take care of her. It’s going to be okay.”
I nod because I needed to hear those words so much. Nothing has felt like it was going to be okay. Everything has been one blow after another, and I am exhausted—so bloody tired of it all.
Before I can say anything, a doctor walks over.
He extends his hand to Holden. “Dr. James.” They shake before he does the same to me. “Miss . . .”
“Peterson,” I finish, remembering the correct name this time, and shake his hand as well.
“Peterson, I’m Dr. Baxter, and I’ll be handling your daughter’s care from here on out. I know Dr. James already started his workup, but he knows he can’t do that . . .”
Holden huffs and moves forward. “Jeff, I appreciate you offering to step in, but it won’t be necessary.”
“Holden, you handled the emergent care, which is fine, but now you hand it over. That’s protocol.”
His hands clench and relax. “I don’t give a shit about protocol.”
“Well, I do, and since I’m the acting supervisor, that’s the way it goes. Due to extenuating circumstances, I’ll allow you access to Eden’s chart, and you will be able to consult with the staff, but no orders coming from you will be executed.”
Holden steps away, running his hands through his hair. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Holden?” I ask. “I don’t understand.”
A long breath leaves his chest, causing him to look slightly deflated. “I . . . I can’t treat Eden.”
“What? Why not? I want you to be her doctor.”
“I can’t, Sophie. We aren’t allowed to treat immediate family.”
I blink. “Oh.”
Dr. Baxter interrupts. “It’s protocol because, when it’s family, sometimes even doctors can make rash decisions that aren’t in the best interest of the patient. So, it’s to protect the patient as well as the physician. As I said, he can consult, and I promise you that I will treat your daughter as if she were my own.”
I want to cry. At least when Holden was in charge, I was confident that her doctor wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her. I don’t know Dr. Baxter, and the thought of a total stranger holding Eden’s health in his hands is terrifying. I must’ve made a sound because Holden is moving toward me, pulling me into his arms. “It’s okay. Dr. Baxter is excellent, and I’ll be here the whole time.”
I nod, tears falling.
“It’s overwhelming, I know, but I promise, Sophie, I may not be her doctor, but I am her father, and I willneverlet anything happen to her.”
I grip him tighter, holding on because I might just fall apart if he lets go.
