Page 17 of Roxy's Independence
I’min my spare scrubs and have my lab coat on before Easton makes it into the bay. I snap gloves on my hands and turn around, shocked at the blue tint to his lips and how hard he’s working to get air in his lungs.
“Let’s get some oxygen on him,” I order. The nurse nods her head and opens up the panel on the wall, unpackaging the small nasal cannula meant for babies and placing it under his nose.
As I place my hand on his chest, the diagnosis slams into me. Untreated and undiagnosed asthma. His airways are constricted and if we don’t act immediately, we’re going to lose him.
“Asthma attack,” I inform Samuel, who by now, no longer questions why I upon touch know the things I do without proper testing.
“Asthma?” Python asks, but I don’t stop and answer because my priority is Easton, not trying to sooth my brother and his son’s mother.
“Get a bronchodilator in here so we can get this attack under control. Now!” Samuel barks when the nurse doesn’t move fast enough. “Good call, Dr. Weston.”
“Don’t do that!” I holler at the second nurse who goes to remove Easton from the oxygen machine. “He’ll need to stay on that until the bronchodilator arrives. Are you fresh out of school?” I know damn well she isn’t because she’s assisted me since I started working for the hospital. When she shakes her head, a shocked look on her face, I don’t let it stop me from berating her in front of Samuel, Python, and Kinsley. Normally, I’d get onto her privately outside of prying ears, but this mistake is plain fucking stupid and it’s wound me up. “Stop and think before you act. It could save a life!”
I feel the presence of an otherworldly being surround me as I continue to systematically work on Easton. Not for the first time since Harper entered our lives, I hear Jericho speak to me in my mind.“All will be well. Call for me if you need me and I’ll come. You can heal him, Weston. Only you.”
That peaceful reminder has me calming as I lower my voice and talk to Easton. Even though he’s still considered an infant, I remind him about how loved he is and the reason why he should fight. I tell him about all the things we’re going to do with him when he gets older. As his crying wanes, the machine arrives and we get him hooked up.
Once I’m satisfied that Easton is out of danger, I pull Python out into the hallway, leaving Kinsley to watch over their son. As I open my mouth to talk to him, the bay doors open and Roxy comes through them, walking beside Butcher with Selah beingwheeled in on a stretcher. All of the kids are trailing behind them. Roxy is giving instructions as they walk. Python and I turn on our feet and head in their direction. The fact that Butcher looks rattled and Selah worse for the wear, has me snapping into action.
“Roxy? What can I do?” I ask, taking the chart from the paramedic and scanning it over. It was a brutal birth, one that I have a hard time wrapping my mind around her doing on her own. “How is this possible?” As far as I’m aware, my woman doesn’t have any specialties that would’ve gotten her through this on her own.
She leans over and whispers one word that explains it all, “Jericho.”
“Seems we both owe him,” I tell her. “If it wasn’t for him, my worry for Easton would’ve overridden my gift. I’d already diagnosed him but couldn’t get past my anger to calm and treat him.”
“He’s a miracle, isn’t he?” she probes.
“That he is,” I answer, wrapping my arm around her waist and settling my chin on her head, taking a minute to appreciate the fact that we have him in our lives, no matter how annoying his interference can be at times.
“What happened to Easton?” she asks, looking up at Python who looks like he’s about to start tearing the building down, brick by brick if he doesn’t get some answers soon.
“Asthma attack. It was severe, Roxy. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to pull him out of it for a minute there,” I confess, saying it low enough that my brother doesn’t overhear.
“He’s never shown signs of asthma before,” she hisses, marching toward the room and ripping the chart out of Samuel’s hands.
“Can asthma hit suddenly?” Python asks me. “Only asking because it’s not like Roxy to miss something like that.”
“Yes. It can strike suddenly even if there hasn’t been any outward signs of someone having it. Especially in children as young as Easton. You’re going to be getting supplies, including an inhaler,” I warn him. “Roxy and I will teach you to use it and we’ll make sure you know every sign there is that an attack is approaching.”
“I couldn’t sleep tonight. I was restless so I went into his nursery and sat in his glider. Thank fuck for insomnia because if I hadn’t done that, we’d have never know anything was wrong with him. Even though his breathing was labored, his rasping wasn’t loud. It wouldn’t have woken us even with his baby monitor on,” Python shares.
“We’ll get him a breathing monitor, one that will alert you if his breathing pattern changes.” I place my hand on his shoulder, making sure I have his attention. “He may always have this, Python, but again, he might grow out of it. You’ll have to keep an eye on him, and he won’t be able to do half the things the other kids do. Sports activities will be limited and he’s not going to understand why he can’t run and play with the others. You’re going to have to be patient with him while we figure out his limitations.”
“I can do that. I’d do anything to keep him alive and as healthy as I can. Even if he hates me for it,” Python insists.
“I don’t envy you, brother,” I admit. “When he’s older, he’ll get it, but while he’s toddling around, well… prepare for some epic fits.”
“I don’t want to keep him from the other kids in the club, but I will if it’s what’s best for him,” Python mumbles.
“It won’t come down to that,” I vow. “We’ll just steer all the kids toward something they can all do. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
“Python,” Roxy hesitantly calls his name. “I’m sorry. His check-ups never indicated that he had any lung issues. His breathing was always steady and there weren’t any hitches that would have me concerned this was an impending issue.”
“I know, Roxy. Saber explained to me that it could be a sudden and unexpected thing. I’m angry, but not at you.”
“We need to get some things ordered for Easton before you leave,” Roxy states. “But I would like to have him admitted overnight for observation. It’s precautionary, but I’d like the staff to keep an eye on him.”
“That’s a good idea,” I say in utmost agreement. “And that way, we can show you how everything works before you head out and aimlessly try and take care of him on your own. It’s not unheard of for there to be a secondary attack after suffering from the first one in the same night.”
