The Crux of Honor

by Paula Mowery

  At the end of the week she would visit her doctor for clearance to return to work. Though, she still hadn’t found a caregiver for Laura. But Kevin continued to reassure her that God had a plan. Of course with the closeness of Christmas vacation, she might have more time.

  Chelsea looped her arm around the baby carrier handle and slung the diaper bag over her other shoulder. Entering the doctor’s office, the receptionist, Mrs. Rutledge, rushed from her spot behind the glass window.

  Her voiced cooed. “Look at that sweet baby girl.” She glanced up at Chelsea. “She has grown and filled out.” The older woman reached for the carrier. “Here, let me help you. Dr. Alley is ready for you.”

  Chelsea followed the sweet nurse as she toted Laura to the exam area. She talked up a storm to the baby all the way to the exam room. As she disappeared into the room, Kevin rounded the corner of the hallway. His gaze met hers. “Mrs. Rutledge got to her first?”

  Chelsea nodded.

  Kevin motioned her in ahead of him.

  Nurse Rutledge had Laura on the exam table, playing pat-a-cake, much to the baby’s delight.

  As soon as Kevin stepped near, Laura’s eyes tracked to him and her smile widened. “Hey, little princess.”

  Chelsea’s heart melted.

  Kevin examined Laura, lingering when he moved his stethoscope over her little chest. But, he turned to Chelsea with a smile. “I guess it’s time for some vaccinations.”

  She bit her bottom lip.

  “I know.” His expression softened. “Mrs. Rutledge will administer the vaccines and then you’ll move in to comfort.” He rubbed her upper arm. “You okay?”

  “I think so.”

  Laura whimpered and Mrs. Rutledge turned around. “Mama, this little brave girl is all done.”

  Chelsea scurried over and studied Laura’s face. Her lower lip protruded and quivered. Chelsea snatched her up and cuddled her close. “She did better than I did.”

  Kevin chuckled. “That’s pretty common with new mommies.” He gave her his signature wink.

  * * *

  Kevin settled in the dining room chair next to Chelsea. Laura dozed in her bouncy seat beside them on the floor. “You’re surely going to spoil me with these home-cooked meals every evening.” He pinched his waist. “I’ll have to take up some serious exercise at this rate.”

  Chelsea giggled. “Oh, please. You’ve always been in good shape.” She glanced at Laura. “And, Laura has been like that since we returned from your office.”

  “The shots and the Tylenol have a lot to do with that.”

  She nodded. “I was thinking that it might be time for us to move upstairs and give you your first floor back.”

  “Chelsea, it has only been eight weeks. Don’t push yourself.” He couldn’t admit it to her, but he preferred having her and Laura down here near him.

  After supper, Kevin convinced Chelsea to join him in the den. They enjoyed a couple of favorite shows on television before Chelsea said goodnight and took herself and the baby off to bed.

  Soon after, Kevin meandered to his bedroom and plunked down on the bed to read his Bible.

  “Kevin! Hurry! Come here! Something’s wrong!”

  Chelsea’s shrill screaming from the bedroom launched him from the side of his bed.

  He rounded the corner into her room. Laura was stretched out on the queen-size bed. Chelsea stood over her, staring.

  Kevin rushed to her side and studied the baby. Her little body was rigid and yet it convulsed. “She’s having a seizure.”

  “Oh, no.” Chelsea covered her mouth with her hand and whimpered into it.

  Kevin dashed to his room, grabbed his phone and returned. He punched the number for Dr. Tarwater.

  He answered on the second ring. “Kevin. Is everything all right?”

  “Doc, Laura is having a seizure of some sort. I’m not sure if she’s reacting to the vaccinations she had today or what. Would you recommend the hospital here?”

  “Son, I’d rush her to the Children’s Hospital in Knoxville. They’re more used to caring for young ones. I’ll meet you there. Probably faster to drive her yourself.”

  “Okay. We’ll see you there.” He turned to Chelsea and took hold of her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. “We’re taking her to Children’s. Dr. Tarwater is meeting us.”

  She nodded slowly and gathered her shoes and coat as if in a daze.

  When Kevin nestled Laura in her car seat, her body had softened and no longer spasmed. He carried her to his car and fastened her into the back seat. Chelsea slid in beside her.

  Kevin prayed for their safety as he sped above the speed limit all the way to Children’s Hospital.

  A man and woman in white coats met them in the Emergency Room entrance. The woman stepped forward. “Dr. Alley?”

  “Yes.”

  “Dr. Tarwater called us.” She glanced between Kevin and Chelsea. “I’m Dr. Hall and this is Dr. Anderson.” She motioned for them to follow.

  When in an exam room, Dr. Anderson asked Chelsea to take Laura out of the carrier/car seat and lay her on the examination table. He moved his stethoscope over the baby. “Dr. Alley?” He offered his stethoscope.

  “Thank you.” Kevin slid it over her little chest and then looked up at Dr. Anderson. “Pulse is elevated.”

  “That’s what I thought. Of course, she could still be hyped from the seizure. Could you describe that for me?”

  Kevin prompted Chelsea to explain what happened before she called him to the room. She leaned over Laura, stroking her head.

  Dr. Anderson looked into Laura’s ears and eyes. She whimpered. He poked around her stomach and felt down her arms and then legs. Suddenly Laura’s body convulsed, her body rigid again.

  Chelsea gasped. “It’s happening again. What is it? Why is she doing that?” Her tone edged on hysterical.

  Kevin rushed next to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “We’re going to do everything we can to figure that out, but the best thing for Laura is to have her mother not fall apart.”

  She pressed her lips together and nodded.

  Dr. Anderson kept his gaze trained on Laura. “Is there any history of seizures or seizure disorders in your family?”

  “I don’t know.” Chelsea shrugged.

  “This is a pretty severe seizure. I think she’s coming out of it now.” Dr. Anderson listened to Laura’s chest once more.

  The baby’s eyes were wide and weak sobs started as her body again ceased its rigidity and trembling. Her gaze sought her mother then locked on her.

  “Go ahead and pick her up and comfort her,” Dr. Anderson nodded toward Chelsea.

  Chelsea didn’t waste time. She enveloped Laura in her arms and cooed comforting words into her hair.

  Dr. Anderson crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m hesitant to treat her in any way since we don’t know family history. I’m thinking we should keep her overnight and monitor her. I don’t want to jump the gun if, say, it’s a reaction to one of those vaccinations. If that’s the case, these seizures should cease soon. I would like to test a bit more. I sensed somewhat of an irregular heartbeat.”

  Kevin nodded. “Yes, I thought I heard it too.”

  “I’ll get a room set up.” Dr. Hall sprinted out the door.

  “I will be staying with her, right?” Chelsea kissed Laura’s cheek.

  “Of course.” Dr. Anderson smiled.

  “I’ll be staying too.” Kevin wouldn’t leave Chelsea here alone to face whatever might come. But, not only for her. Little Laura had crept into his heart and lodged herself there.

  On the way to the upstairs room, they ran into Dr. Tarwater. “So, how’s little Laura?”

  “They’re admitting her for observation. Both Dr. Anderson and myself have also heard some arrhythmias. You wouldn’t know if there are any seizure disorders in Chelsea’s family, would you?”

  Dr. Tarwater stroked his chin. “I don’t think in the immediate but other than that, you’d have to ask Chelsea
’s parents.”

  Chelsea winced at the mention of her parents but focused her gaze on Kevin. “Whatever I have to do, I will.” She set her chin and a muscle in her jaw twitched.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Little was said on the ride home the next afternoon. Chelsea slumped on the couch in Kevin’s den, her eyes fixed on a sleeping Laura.

  “Chelsea.” She pulled her gaze from Laura and looked at Kevin. He sat in his recliner, propped his elbows on his knees, and leaned forward. “You’ve gotta get some rest.”

  “The thought of taking my eyes off of her scares me.”

  Kevin crossed the small space and eased down beside her. “I know. But, that little monitor will alert us.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’ll do her no good if you get sick.”

  “It’s hard for me to close my eyes even for a moment, much less think about sleeping.” She massaged her forehead. “Especially since those anti-seizure meds didn’t seem to help.”

  Kevin grasped her hand, twining his fingers with hers. “Look, why don’t you go lay down and take a little nap. I’m right here with Laura.”

  “I don’t know.” Could she even sleep if she tried?

  “Just at least try. I think it best before our visit to your parents tonight.”

  “All right. I’ll try.” She stood up slowly. “If I do doze off, will you wake me in time to grab a quick shower?”

  “Of course.” He planted a kiss on her forehead.

  She leaned into his tender kiss and his arms wrapped around her. She sank into the warmth of this body. She craved to remain there in his arms but pulled away and shuffled to her room.

  * * *

  Chelsea’s insides trembled as Kevin pulled the car into her parent’s driveway. The sun dimmed as evening began to fall on the little town of Integrity. Uncertainty conjured questions to churn in her head and the same tornado swirled in her stomach. Would her mother even let them in?

  Kevin reached his arm over the seat and grasped her hand. “Let’s pray before we go in.”

  All she could do was nod in agreement. A lump welled in her throat. She would hold back any tears to squelch her mother declaring her too emotional.

  They dashed through the chill up to the front door with Laura, who dozed in her car seat. Her father opened the door. His eyes widened and a slight smile curled the ends of his lips upward. “What a surprise. Please come in out of the chill.” His eyes trailed down to the carrier.

  “Who is it?” Mother’s voice called from the kitchen area. She rounded the corner and halted, eyes boring into Chelsea.

  Her father motioned. “Let’s step out of the foyer into the living room.”

  Chelsea eased onto the couch and Kevin sat beside her. The carrier rested on the floor in front of her with a pink blanket covering it.

  Her father plopped into the chair closest to the couch. “Dear, why don’t you come sit down?”

  Chelsea’s mother planted her hands on his chair back. “No, thank you. I prefer to stand.” Mother’s tone had changed to hard and cold.

  A muffled whimper from under the blanket turned into a louder fuss. Chelsea pulled the cover down. Maybe Laura would be appeased if she could see.

  “What is it that you want?” Her mother’s fingers gripped the chair-back and her nostrils flared.

  Chelsea forced her gaze from her mother to her father. “I need some information.” A sob interrupted her request. She unsnapped the restraints and slid Laura out and onto her lap, pushing her pacifier into her little mouth.

  Her father’s face softened and he stared at the baby.

  “This is Laura, my daughter.”

  Her mother’s jaw tightened.

  “She has had several seizures, and we need to know if there is any family history of this.”

  Father’s brow crinkled. “Well, I’m not sure...”

  Mother cut him off. “There’s none. You should know. You did grow up here.”

  Kevin scooted to the edge of his seat. “Mrs. Wilson, it would be helpful to know about your parents and Mr. Wilson’s parents. Some things skip generations. We’re having trouble pinpointing this so we can plan a course of treatment.”

  Chelsea’s mother shook her head. “No, we have no seizures on either side.”

  “Mother, if we could just get some more specifics, there might have been some things you don’t recall at this moment.” Chelsea moderated her tone into a soft pleading. But, this was for Laura.

  Her mother flung her hand dismissively. “I recall just fine.”

  For the first time her father took his gaze off Laura and turned toward Mother. “But, what about...”

  “This discussion is through.” Her voice rose. “I’ve given you all the information I know.”

  Chelsea’s stomach boiled. “Mother.” She paused and swallowed. Why would she expect any cooperation from her?

  Kevin patted her shoulder and stood. “If you should think of anything, please let me know. We’re baffled at the lack of effectiveness of the anti-seizure medications. It’s hard to treat without a proper diagnosis.”

  Chelsea secured Laura into the car seat and Kevin grabbed the handle and headed for the door. Her father followed close on their heels. “I wish we could have helped more.” His voice trailed off as the threesome settled into Kevin’s car.

  As the car pulled away, Chelsea’s father still stood at the front door.

  Chelsea sank into the back seat and sighed. “A lot of help that was.”

  “I think we’re on the verge of a breakthrough.”

  “What?” She bolted straight up and leaned her head over the front seat, staring at Kevin’s profile. “Were we just in the same place? Did I miss something?”

  “I can’t explain it. Call it a spiritual nudge, if you will.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Her mother hated her enough to actually hurt Laura. What had Chelsea done to cause such resentment? Her father still looked at her with love and kindness in his eyes and in his tone. He was certainly taken with Laura. Shouldn’t they adore Laura? She was their granddaughter.

  Chelsea stared at Laura’s face, taking in each detail. Oh, God, please let Kevin be right. We need a breakthrough for my sweet Laura’s sake.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The next evening Kevin settled in the den after supper. Laura was conked out, strapped into her bouncy seat and Chelsea’s head bobbed where she lounged on the couch. Both were exhausted, especially after the series of seizures they had endured after returning from the Wilson’s. At two this morning, they had all finally dozed off for the night.

  He’d had some rough patches at work today due to his lack of a full night’s rest, but God had answered his prayer for strength. Chelsea looked baffled whenever he brought up his feeling that God was going to provide some kind of breakthrough for Laura’s diagnosis. Did he know what form it would come in? No. But, he could trust God.

  The doorbell jolted him from his reverie. He jumped up and Chelsea’s eyes popped open and tracked to Laura. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s okay. Someone’s at the door.”

  He strode through the living room and strained through the light to make out who stood on the front porch. Chelsea’s father. Kevin picked up his pace and flung open the door. “Mr. Wilson, what brings you here?” He motioned. “Come on in.”

  Kevin glanced behind the man, but he was alone. Kevin clicked the door shut.

  Mr. Wilson’s shoulders drooped and his demeanor was somber. “I need to speak with you and Chelsea.”

  “Come on back to the den.” Kevin led the way, pausing as he entered. “Chelsea, your dad’s here. He needs to speak with us.” Kevin motioned toward the couch. “Have a seat, please.” He perched on the edge of his recliner. This was it.

  Chelsea’s mouth hung open and she stared at her father for a moment. “Dad, I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “I should have come a long time ago, but I didn’t feel it was my place. Now tha
t Laura needs help, I can’t stay away.”

  Chelsea’s brow wrinkled. “I don’t understand.”

  “Let me start at the beginning.” He swiveled his body toward his daughter. “Chelsea, the reason I couldn’t help you with the family history is because I’m not your biological father.”

  Chelsea gasped and clutched her chest with her hand. “How? What?” She shook her head.

  “Honey, your mother had been with an Amish boy, but they had broken ties when she and I started seeing each other. One day I stopped by the house she lived in with her parents, but no one was home. I found it strange she hadn’t told me they were going away anywhere. After two and a half months, I became suspicious.” He stroked his chin. “I asked around and finally discovered it was believed they had gone to Ohio to stay with some of their Amish family. I took off and eventually found her. She was pregnant with you.”

  Tears trickled down Chelsea’s cheeks. Kevin fought the urge to zip to her side and embrace her.

  Mr. Wilson reached for Chelsea’s hand. She allowed him to hold it. “Darlin’, I married your mother straightaway, and I was there when you came into this world. I’ve never thought of you in any other way than my daughter.” His voice caught and he cleared his throat. “Soon after you were born, the three of us came back here to Integrity.” Mr. Wilson turned his gaze to Kevin. “Though hard to divulge, I hope this information will help Laura.”

  Kevin nodded. “Yes, sir, any information is helpful.”

  Mr. Wilson reverted his attention to his daughter. “I’m sorry that I haven’t told you, but your mother made me promise. Her family shamed her something awful. She was never the same after coming back here.” Mr. Wilson stared at the ceiling as if reliving every word he spoke.

  A sudden whimper caught everyone’s attention, focusing it on Laura. She wriggled and squirmed. Chelsea knelt and unhooked her from the bouncy seat then returned to her spot on the couch.

  Mr. Wilson’s eyes were riveted on the little one. His chin shook. “She looks just like you when you were a baby.”