Page 50 of Broken Boss Daddy

The only thing I saw was a tunnel leading to the ER while I rushed down the hallway. My mind ran faster than my feet. And with each step I took, my pace picked up more and more.

The scenarios flashing through my head were enough to make me weak in the knees. Those few minutes were the scariest moments of my life. The breath barely left my lungs. My legs felt like they were made of lead. And there was a voice saying,“This is going to be bad.”

Cursing myself for not answering those damn calls, I pushed my body to go even faster.

But the second I rounded the car and saw a frantic Jessica running around like a headless chicken, my legs protested against the very will of my mind.

They wanted to stop moving, to stay planted firmly in their place right at the spot. Because the more I saw Jess freaking out, the more my fear and panic took over. It was like my body thought if I didn’t go anywhere near her, she wouldn’t tell me what the hell was going on and I wouldn’t have to feel more than what I felt in that moment.

However, I willed them to keep moving and reached Jess in a matter of seconds.

“Jess,” I breathed out, looking around for Abby.

“Oh, thank God,” she heaved when she saw me. Running into my arms with tears pooling in her eyes, Jess asked, “Why didn’t you answer my calls or texts? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. It all happened so fast, and I needed you. She needed you—”

“Jess, baby, calm down. I’m here now. What’s going on? Where’s Abby?”

“She had a really high fever. It’s one symptom I have to look out for in case of a recurrence of an infection. Grant, I don’t know what I’m going to do if the ear infections are back. Our poor baby is going to suffer. She’s going to suffer, and there’s going to be nothing we can do for her.”

Stroking her hair, I pulled Jessica tighter into my and let her ramble on about all the possibilities. Mainly because I had no words that could reassure her at that moment, I barely had a conscious thought in my head.

“What are we going to do, Grant?” Jess mumbled into my chest.

“Let me find someone to tell us what’s going on.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m going to find her, and make sure she’s okay.”

“Grant.” Jess pulled me back before I could leave her. “Promise me.” She sniffled. “Promise me she’ll be okay. That you’ll make sure she’s okay.”

Looking into her beautiful eyes, I wanted to promise the world to her. Although I knew I couldn’t give her what she was asking for, a part of me couldn’t stand the pain streaked across her features.

“I promise,” I whispered, cupping her cheek before taking a deep breath and moving away from her.

Walking as quickly as I could without letting on just how frantic I felt inside, I went straight to the nurses’ station. “Abby Flynn?”

One of our nurses directed me to a room where I found my baby girl being checked over by Dr. Jillian.

I didn’t know I had been holding my breath until that very moment, until I saw my baby awake and giggling at something the doctor had said.

Oxygen rushed out of my lungs, and I had to step back out of the room. With my back against the wall and my eyes closed, I told myself that Abby was going to be okay. When I felt steadier, I walked back into the room.

“Grant!” Abby immediately perked up when she saw me, sitting up in excitement.

Working hard to keep my own fears and worries at bay, I bent down to kiss her brow, reassuring myself that she looked alright. As long as I kept believing Abby was going to be okay, there was no doubt in my mind she wouldn’t be.

“Hey there, sweetness.” Abby giggled at the nickname I’d adapted to calling her. “I heard you weren’t feeling too well.”

“Nuh uh. My head hurts.”

“It does?” Out of habit, I put my hand to her forehead and felt the fever Jessica told me about. Turning to my colleague, I asked, “Is she going to be okay? What’s the diagnosis?”

“I was just about to go get her mother,” Dr. Jillian responded, gesturing for a nurse to get Jessica instead. “Could we talk outside?”

The look she gave me held no room for debate. I turned to Abby just as a nurse walked in which meant I could talk to the doctor. “Your mom is going to be here soon. I’m just going to be outside with Dr. Jillian.”

“Okay.”

Keeping my eyes on her the entire way out the door, I sighed.

“I take it you know the Flynns?” Dr. Jillian asked.

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