du great
Chapter 37
37 Mamma Bear (Winona)
As I walk back into the Brennan Wing at the hospital to get back to Abby, I dial Jayden.
The sterile smell of antiseptic and the low hum of medical equipment surround me, reminding me that it isn't some holiday home. It makes my heart feel heavier with each step.
"Hi, Winona. Is Abby okay?" Jayden's voice comes through the line, tinged with concern.
"Yes, I'm not sure if you know or not, but Doctor Green came to see us this morning. Your blood isn't a match to Abby's." I hate saying those words out loud.
It feels like defeat, like another door closing in our desperate search for a solution.
"Damn. Winona, I'm sorry." His apology sounds sincere, but it does little to ease the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.
"Well, we can't blame you for your blood. Anyway, I went to see your mother." My voice wavers slightly as I recall the tense meeting with Judy, her steely eyes searching mine for any sign of deception. "Alone?" He sounds surprised, maybe even a bit impressed.
"Yes. Woman to woman. Mother to mother." The words hang in the air, heavy with the weight of the unspoken truth.
"And?"
"She's agreed to get tested." I have a bitter taste in my mouth, not being able to tell him the whole truth. Not yet.
Judy agreed to get her blood tested as soon as Phillip and I were engaged and had set a wedding date. She wants to be sure I'm sending all the right messages to Jayden that it's really over between us for
Though Jayden is the biological father to Abby, Judy wanted more convincing that I'm not intending to try and get him back. Also, she wants me to make her out to be nice now because Jayden didn't trust her after Ashlyn threw her under the bus.
As angry as that made me, it's not the worst thing she could have asked of me, I suppose. If it gets her to cooperate, it's no problem.
"There. I knew she'd do the right thing." Jayden sounds pleased. I guess his mother has redeemed herself a little in his eyes.
Yeah right!
"Yes, well, she may not even be a match either," I add because that's what's worrying me. The fear of another dead-end claws at my thoughts..
"What if you can't find a match?" His question echoes my own dread, the possibility of losing Abby looming like a dark cloud.
"I guess we just keep screening people until we do. They won't do another operation so soon if they have no blood for her. Hopefully, she can get well enough for long enough to be able to withstand the risk of
37 Mamma Bear
using incompatible blood." I try to sound hopeful.
""Not ideal."
I sigh. "No, it isn't. But I'm not worrying over things that may never happen. Right now, I'll wait for the results from your mother." And right now, I have a realistic proposal to pull off.
That gives me an idea. "Hey, it's Friday night. In the essence of being mature and moving on, how about we all go out tonight?"
"All? As in..?" His hesitation is clear.
"You and Ashlyn... I'm guessing you're engaged again now?"
Yes."
"Good, then no time like the present to start moving on with life. You two, Phillip and I, Lance and Lisa, so it isn't too awkward as a foursome. Plus, the club will be rockin' so we can easily get space." I try to sound upbeat, hoping to mask my underlying nerves about the evening.
T'll ask Ashlyn," Jayden still doesn't sound convinced. "She may not feel up to partying."
"Just come for a little while. Let's make it ten o'clock tonight. It'll be okay. You'll see." I push, hoping he'll agree. We need this, a step towards normalcy.
"Right. We'll probably see you there later then." He finally agrees to my crazy idea.
"Cool, I'll let the others know." Relief washes over me as I end the call.
If I'm going to propose to Phillip, I'm going to make it convincing. I think I can do that in two hours and get back by midnight. I know Anne will agree that a little dancing can't hurt and be happy to stay with Abby.
I really need to blow off some steam, and I'm a little excited about seeing Phillip on the dance floor. We've never been dancing together.
Back in Abby's room, I sit by her bed, watching her small, damaged chest rise and fall with each breath. She looks so peaceful despite everything. I stroke her hair gently, whispering promises of a better future, one where she is healthy and happy.
The steady beep of the monitors is a constant reminder of the fragility of her condition. But it's also a comfort hearing her steady breathing and heartbeat.
I can't help but think about the lengths I'm willing to go to for her. Every sacrifice, every difficult conversation, it's all worth it for her.
"Hey, you. How's our girl doing?" Phillip keeps his voice low as he comes in.
"She's doing much better. Look how the redness has gone. No swelling either. The antibiotics are really doing the job."
"Great news. And how are you?"
"I'm okay. Jayden wasn't a match. Judy is going to get tested."
"Wow, okay. Big day for you by the sound of it."
17 Mamma Bear
+25
5. BONUS
I walk out to the lounge area and Phillip follows.
"I need to blow off some steam. I've never asked you this before, but do you dance?"Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
""Dance?"
"Yeah, you know, like at the club. Crazy and fun."
"It's been a while, but I have been known to bust a move." Phillip gives me a grin.
"The fact that you just said 'bust a move' has me worried." I give a giggle.
He laughs now. "What did you have in mind?"
"I want to move on with life and be happy. I've asked Jayden, Ashlyn, Lisa and Lance to meet us at the 'club at ten. Now I have this new job and you're running the consultancy, we'll have to co-exist with them all on a social basis, so we may as well get it done."
Phillip smiles, "I'm not going to argue but we better get moving. It's already nine."
Time to go kick the first night of the rest of my life into action!