Chapter 24

Christian

With tray in hand, I navigate through the bustling cafeteria, grabbing a quick lunch before the emergency room needs me for a consult or surgery. It’s been a busy morning, but it’s quiet now, so I’m going to take advantage of it.

“Christian,” Davis calls, intercepting me near the condiment station.

“Hey, Davis.” I greet him as I set my tray down. “What’s up?”

“Addison,” he starts, leaning in closer. “Cordelia tells me she’s been under the weather.”

I exhale slowly. “Yeah, she has been a little sick this last week. Nothing like before the infection, though.”

Davis nods and picks up his phone. “I’m in the cafeteria with Christian. Are you coming down?” He looks at me and smiles. “Great, come find us.”

I briefly wonder if I’m being ambushed.

“Cordelia’s on her way. She and I thought we should get together and talk about Addison when we were all free.”

Cordelia walks in, and Davis waves her over. She holds up a finger and gets into the food line first. Looking at her profile, I realize she’s pregnant. I’m thrilled for her and her husband, William. She told me once that she wants a dozen kids. I used to think she was trying to be funny, but I’ve seen her with her daughter, and I really think she’s serious.

Cordelia joins us a few minutes later with a tray of steamed vegetables, a sad-looking piece of meat that I think is chicken, and sliced apples.

“That looks way too healthy, even for you.”

She looks at her plate and laughs. “I find when I’m pregnant I can’t digest salad, so they make this for me, but I was twenty minutes later than I’d planned. It’s no longer at its best.”

“Congratulations!” I tell her. I would never have been truly excited for anyone becoming a parent before Addison, but now, I think I get it.

“Thank you,” she says. “Anyway, I’m sure Hailey filled you in after my appointment with Addison last week, but her condition…” Cordelia pauses as she cuts into her chicken. “I believe the endocarditis has damaged her already weak heart.”

Davis crosses his arms. “Is she strong enough for surgery?”

“Eventually, yes,” Cordelia confirms without hesitation.

“I need to get her on my calendar then,” Davis says. “We’ve been monitoring her closely, and I want to see her do a few things before we go in that will help with her recovery.”

“A few things?” My voice is barely audible over the lump forming in my throat.

As Davis speaks about the surgery, I force myself to nod, but all I can see is Addison in a hospital bed. The thought of her enduring open-heart surgery before her first birthday is almost too much.

“She’s not ready yet physically,” Davis admits. “But we have time to strengthen her, get her as healthy as possible before we move toward operating.”

Cordelia reaches for my arm. “We’re keeping an eye on her.”

Nodding, I mumble my gratitude and make my excuses. I need to get back to the emergency department, so I thank them both for their time and extra care.

“I’ll have my office call Hailey and get her on my schedule,” Davis says.

“Thank you both. Truly. I’m glad Addison has the best.”