“I know. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to worry you,” Bev spoke soothingly, rubbing his low-cut hair. “I’ll be fine soon. I promise. The doctor says after the hip replacement surgery, I should be able to walk with assistance by the next day.”
“I’m happy to hear that, but we need to discuss other things. I think you need to get a live-in nurse.”
Bev’s brow scrunched together, and her lips puckered in annoyance. “I told you before that I don’t want a stranger in my house.”
“Grandma.” Joshua sighed with frustration. “You’re bruised, and you’ll need someone to monitor you,” he reasoned.
Bev patted his cheek. “I know you mean well, but no.”
He opened his mouth, ready to argue, when Diane spoke up.
“I could stay with her.”
Bev and Joshua’s eyes were immediately on her.
“I mean. I was planning to move from my apartment and find a new space, so I don’t mind renting from you if you’ll have me, and in the meantime, I can check on you and make sure you’re okay.”
“But you’re getting married soon,” Bev reasoned.
“Not anymore,” Diane revealed, the corner of her mouth rising slightly. “The engagement is off, and we’ve decided to part ways.”
“Oh no, Diane, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Bev said comfortingly. “On the bright side, though, you’re both single now,” she said, looking from Joshua to her with a suggestive raise of her eyebrow.
Diane’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Grandma,” Joshua gave out in a warning tone.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Tessa
“Welcome back, Nurse Luis.”
“Thank you.”
“We missed you, Nurse Luis.”
“I missed you guys too.”
“Look who’s back. The head nurse in charge, the celebrity of the day,” Janet spoke through her hands she joined to make a speakerphone.
There were rounds of applause and loud cheers as Tessa made her way through the ER.
“Thank you all. I am happy to be back, and I want to especially thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and floral arrangements you sent. I enjoyed it all,” she said with her palms crossed over her chest. “Especially the chocolates. I enjoyed those the most - in moderation.” She smiled broadly.
The room erupted in chuckles.
“Now that you all can breathe a sigh of relief that I am fine, it’s time to get back to work.”
And just like that, the novelty of her return wore off as the day-to-day routine got into full gear as patients began arriving, keeping the medical staff on their toes. Tessa found herself helping with treating those incoming. She noticed that Justin was also missing. At noon she retreated to her office to get a quick bite and go through the mountain of files on her desk.
She’d just eaten a granola bar when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” she called out and in popped Justin.
“It’s nice to have you back, Nurse Luis. You look well rested.”
“I didn’t realize how much I needed that time until I didn’t want to leave my bed,” she revealed. “But I’m happy to be back.” A smile lifted her lips.
