Page 51 of Broken Boss Daddy

“Something like that.”

“What exactly is your relationship to Abby Flynn?” There was no malice behind her words, but I could tell she was slightly skeptical.

Inhaling, I admitted, “She’s my daughter.”

The relief at saying that out loud for the first time was unexplainable. I almost wanted to smile.

Dr. Jillian looked confused, but Jessica walked up to us and asked what was happening. She curled into my arms, solidifying the truth behind my words for my co-worker.

I said nothing more about Abby being my child as she was all that mattered.

“We’re going to take her to run a few tests before I can confirm anything. I don’t want to tell you what I think it is in case it’s not. So if you’llbothbe patient and wait for the results, I should have them in an hour or so.”

Jess just nodded her head as the nurses came to fetch Abby. The mother and daughter spent a few seconds together before Abby bravely went for the tests. I led Jessica back to the ER waiting room where we sat in silence—mostly.

I comforted her as much as she allowed me to, determined to be there for them like I wasn’t the first time.

A while later, Dr. Jillian signaled for us to follow her back to the room where we found a sleeping Abby. We walked straight to her bedside, Jessica taking Abby’s tiny hand in her own while I moved some stray pieces of hair out of her face.

“Unfortunately,” Dr. Jillian began, and I saw Jessica’s shoulders slump, “Abby has a viral infection, possibly from an oncoming cold. Luckily though, it hasn’t made its way to her ears yet. You caught it just in time, Ms. Flynn.”

“So it’s not her ears?” Jessica asked for clarity.

“No, it’s not. This type of viral infection is manageable with a round of antibiotics and some prescription medication. Abby should feel better in a week or two. Although, we’re going to keep her overnight for observation.”

I knew they wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything else in Abby that they should be concerned about. Especially with kids, it was imperative that we got our diagnosis right otherwise they were the ones who had to suffer.

That reminded me of my patient I somewhat abandoned, and I asked Dr. Jillian to check in with Hannah as she left the room.

Turning around, I found Jessica shaking with sobs. I went to comfort her, but she shrugged me off.

“Things were just getting better,” Jessica said. “If it develops into an ear infection, it’s going to hit us hard. I might have to get a second job.”

“You don't have to do that,” I said, pulling a chair forward for her to take and then grabbing another one for myself.

“It’s a real possibility, but I’ll happily get one to keep Abby healthy.”

“Don’t worry too much about that, Jess. I’m here to help, remember?”

“I don’t want you throwing your money around, Grant. Plus, I’ve been through this before and I’ll manage again.”

“Jess,” I rested my arms on my knees and sought her gaze. Holding it, I said, “If I had been here from the start, my money would’ve still been with me. There’s no use fighting me about providing for our daughter.” Again, my father’s proposal came to mind.

We sat in a tense silence for some time until Jessica relented.

“You’re right.” She sighed. “I’ve seen how you are with her, Grant. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re the father she deserves. Maybe… maybe it’s time we tell her the truth.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Nothing would’ve made me happier. But if she was already thinking about that, there was no way I could keep this proposal to myself. I had to tell her if I wanted this family as much as I did.

“Before we do that,” I began, “there’s something we need to talk about.”

“What is it?”

The innocence in Jessica’s expression made me feel guiltier for not telling her about it as soon as I found out. “I’ve been offered another residency position… In another state.”

Chapter 23: Jessica

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