“And despite everything he’s been through…I believe your son’s a fighter. He’s meant to be here. He truly has made a miraculous recovery. I’d let you take him home today, but I always like to be cautious. But Liam’s going to be okay.”
Liam’s going to be okay.It felt like I could breathe again. This time without concentrating so hard on it. “Thank you.” I stood up and outstretched my hand.
But before Dr. Hughes shook it, Penny practically tackled me in a hug.
“We’re going to get to bring him home.” I could barely understand her through her sobs. “He’s going to make a full recovery.” She pulled away from me. “A full recovery, right? That’s what all that means?”
Dr. Hughes smiled. “I believe so.”
“And he’s the best in his field, James. The best. If he thinks Liam is fine, then Liam is fine.” She let go of me and ran around the desk to hug Dr. Hughes. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He laughed. “You’re welcome.”
I reached my hand out and this time he grasped it. “I don’t know how we can ever thank you enough.”
“It’s my job. The days I get to deliver good news are the ones I live for. I’ll give you two a minute.” He left us alone in his office.
I turned to Penny. “I don’t know if I should be jealous right now…you just said Dr. Hughes was the best and basically threw yourself into his arms. But I can’t stop smiling.”
“Liam’s going to be okay.” She wiped away her own tears, leaving nothing but a beautiful smile on her face.
“Our son’s going to be okay!” I lifted her up and twirled around in a circle.
Her laughter filled the room, intertwining with my own. My son was going to live. And I was going to be there right next to him for as long as humanly possible. I wasn’t going anywhere either. My son needed me. Who else was going to teach him how to throw a baseball? Or shave? Or tie a bowtie?
I let Penny’s body slide back down the front of mine. “He’s going to live.” I nestled my face in her hair and held her as we both smiled. And cried. And laughed until it hurt.
