Page 30 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby
* * *
“And you’re her mother?” The nurse assumes, not even looking up from where she’s typing on the computer.
I try to answer, but it’s like my throat is swollen shut. The tears are back. I miss Emily so much right now, it feels like I could die.
“I’m the legal guardian,” Jacob steps in before I have to give an answer. “Is there a problem?”
“Not really. We just need to know. There’s a father on file here, and I’m afraid we are going to have to contact him.”
“There’s no need for that, I assure you. The court has appointed me legal guardian.” Jacob tells her. “And I doubt you will be able to contact him even if you tried. I have tried doing it myself, as have the courts.” He finishes, and I am surprised that he had tried doing that himself.I didn’t know that.
I knew about the court hearing—a brief, two-hour stint at the town hall a few weeks ago. Jacob had just told me the matter was settled. At the time, I hadn’t really cared to get more details.
“The doctor will be with you shortly.” The nurse leaves and we settle, getting ready for an uneasy wait in very uncomfortable chairs.
* * *
After an equally long and uncomfortable wait, we are approached by the pediatrician.
“Hello, sir, ma’am.”
“How is she?” Jacob gets straight to the point, skipping the niceties.
“She’s doing okay, but the ear infection is quite serious. When babies react this strongly to such a common strain, I would normally recommend a surgery to insert small tubes in her eardrums to help with managing further infections. They won’t prevent all infections, but they’ll help manage them much more easily.”
It makes me instantly uneasy. I glance at Jake, and he looks just as uncertain. I turn back to the doctor, crossing my arms as I wait for him to say something. Jake shifts, his brow furrowing in thought before he finally speaks up. “Is there another option?”
“Certainly. We’ve started her on an antibiotic treatment, but that will take a much longer time in comparison. The decision is ultimately up to you as the legal guardian.”
I don’t know what option to push Jacob towards. Having Maddie spend more time here than she absolutely has to, because I prefer an antibiotic treatment instead of the surgery, seems like two messed up options. I don’t like the idea of a surgery on her eardrums, or tubes in her.
For once, I’m glad that Emily didn’t file papers for me to take care of Maddie. As much as I craved that validation when I first lost her, I’m so grateful Jacob is here and that this is his call.
It makes me feel instantly guilty, but the relief is there, anyway.
I place a hand on Jacob’s back to offer him some level of support. He turns to look at me, silent questions in his eyes. I hesitate, unsure if I should put this decision on him, but then decide I want him to be involved. I shake my head, rejecting the thought of surgery. No, the antibiotics are the better option.
“The antibiotics. Put her on them, and we’ll be here while she gets better.”
“Okay, sir.” The pediatrician leaves, retreating back into the ward.
“It’ll be okay, Jacob.” I take his hands in mine, giving them a squeeze.
Chapter thirteen
ALLISON
At dusk, Jacob and I head home. Maddie is still in the hospital’s PICU with Sherry in the family lounge near the unit. Two days of constant watch over Maddie has drained both of our batteries and Sherry’s offer is heaven sent, giving us both the chance to come back home for a night.
Jacob is still tense, and reluctant to be away from Maddie, even though he has been watching over her for the past forty-eight hours. It took Sherry scolding him, probably one minute away from grabbing him by the ear, to convince him.
When he gets home, he slams the coat closet door. My brows raise, and I look at the heavy line of his shoulders.
“Jake,” I say softly.
He grunts.
“Hey, calm down, Jake. Really. I’m sure she’s okay, and she couldn’t be in better hands.”
