Page 22 of A Daddy of the Heart
“Watch the knees, little girl,” he muttered, while righting the phone. Willem was still watching him from the screen. “Sorry about that. Got both kids with me now.”
“Let me see?” Willem asked softly, looking oddly vulnerable for the first time since Eli had taken the phone.
“Yeah, just a second.” He set the phone down on the bed, before he clicked on the bedside lamp, angling it in a way so it wouldn’t spill over the kids. Jeremy looked adorable with his arms wrapped around his teddy, while Raelynn had curled around Willem’s pillow, her eyes half shut.
“Comfy?” he whispered as he tugged up the blanket.
“Yeah. Smells like Daddy Will.” She buried her face in the pillow.
He turned back to the phone resting on the blankets. He picked it up and gave Willem a tired smile. “Let me turn the camera around, Daddy.” He fiddled with the chat window, flipped the camera then aimed it at the kids, waited a few seconds so his Daddy could see them, before turning it back toward himself.
“Damn, I wish I was there.” Willem sighed. “They gave me a new dosage of my old insulin and I feel like the damned energizer bunny now. Body is tired but my damned brain won’t shut off.”
“Sorry, Daddy.” He rubbed his thumb over Willem’s lips. “I know you hate being there, but I want you around for a long time. I love you.”
Willem’s expression softened. “I know. Which is why my stubborn ass is here. I don’t want you to have to go through that again, boy.” Willem lifted his hand as if he were touching the screen himself. “I’m proud of you, boy. The paramedics told me what you did. You didn’t lose your cool. You did exactly as we practiced. That’s my good boy.”
“I…” Eli struggled, his emotions rising fast as his Little crept to the surface, as he often did when Willem praised him. “…I’m just happy I knew what to do.” He leaned back against the pillows. “I was scared out of my mind, but knew I had to keep it together. Not just for you but for the kids…” he glanced over at the slumbering little ones next to him. Raelynn had fallen asleep with her thumb in her mouth.
“Damn I love them, Daddy.”
“As do I.” Willem sighed. “So don’t go beating yourself up over what happened today. We knew my meds weren’t working quite right but had no idea the new insulin wasn’t working at all. Evidently my body has an intolerance for that type and it’s been marked on my do not use list.” The sound of a nurse entering the room, had Willem sighing. “Looks like it’s time for my night meds, boy. I love you. Get some sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Daddy,” he whispered as the screen went dark. “Love you too.”
