Needing Him

by Kennedy Fox

  Emily is emotionless as she looks at Dr. Patil. He gives a soft smile before exiting the room.

  “This is one part of my job that I hate,” she mumbles.

  “I can deliver the news, if you want,” I tell her.

  “I need to do this,” Emily says, taking a deep breath, grabbing the X-rays from the screen, then exiting the room. I follow behind her. For a minute, Emily stands outside of the door, knowing the news she’s about to give is life changing.

  Emily knocks, then opens the door and sees Bailey sleeping. She steps in quietly, hoping not to startle her.

  “Hey, Dr. Bell,” Bailey says with a faint smile. We gave her some medicine to keep her comfortable while we waited for the results.

  Emily plasters on a smile, pulls up a chair, and sits next to Bailey. I stand back as she delivers the news, and it guts me.

  “But my baby girl is okay right now?” she asks.

  “Yes, all her stats are within normal ranges. Her heart rate is strong and healthy, and the ultrasound showed no issues,” Emily confirms.

  “So what if I wait until after she’s born?”

  Emily lowers her head before looking her in the eyes. “It might be inoperable at that point. Your only option would be chemo or radiation, but it wouldn’t be a guarantee. It might shrink the tumor enough for you to get surgery then, but at this rate, it’s very aggressive and unpredictable.”

  “And what if I get chemo or radiation now instead of the surgery?”

  “It would most likely abort the baby,” Emily explains, and I can tell it takes a toll on both of them when the room grows eerily silent. “Surgery would be a risk for both of you, but the chemo would definitely put the baby at risk.”

  “Your best option right now is surgery and depending on the results, chemo or radiation after that. That would give you the best options for long-term survival.” Emily lays it all out there for her, though I know it’s hard for her to even say.

  Bailey shakes her head. “Surgery and chemo are not an option for me then. Even if I did go through with it, I’d lose my baby and then could still end up dying, so I’d lose either way.”

  “I understand, Bailey, I do. Is there any family you want to discuss this with first?”

  Her eyes widen as the blood drains from her face. “No. I don’t get along with my parents, and I’m an only child. It’s just me.”

  “Okay, and what about the baby’s father?”

  She looks down and folds her hands over her belly. “He doesn’t know.” She shrugs. “I planned on raising her by myself.”

  Emily’s breathing picks up, and I can tell she’s struggling to come to terms with what her patient is deciding.

  “I want to have this baby and enjoy her for the few months I have left,” Bailey says, choking up and trying to be strong.

  Emily stays quiet.

  I want to ask questions—ones I can’t ask as a doctor—but questions that concern me for her baby. If she has no family and the father doesn’t even know, where will the baby go when she inevitably dies?

  “Her life is more important than mine at this point,” Bailey says, holding her stomach, tears flooding down her face. “She deserves a chance to have a life. It’s the least I can give her.”

  “Bailey, we can find you a top-rated specialist in Houston who can give you the best outcome possible. You don’t have to make a final decision today,” Emily reminds her, and I know whatever option Bailey chooses will be heartbreaking either way.

  Bailey shakes her head. “How long do I have if I don’t do anything?”

  Emily swallows hard, and the air in the room stills. “Four months. Maybe six at the most.” Bailey’s tears fall down her cheeks harder. “But your symptoms will get worse. Your migraines and vision will worsen by the day. You need to be extremely careful.”

  Covering her face with her hands, Bailey lets out a sob. “Enough time to deliver my baby, then plan my own funeral.”

  “We have great social workers who can help if you need it,” Emily tells her.

  Bailey looks up, her eyes red and blotchy. “No, thank you. I’ll figure it out.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Emily stands and places her hand on her shoulder. “I want you to come back if the pain becomes unbearable, okay?” Bailey nods. “I’ll send the nurse in to give you the final discharge papers.”

  We walk out of the room, and a few tears well in her eyes before dropping. I take her hand and lead her to the locker room. Once inside, I pull her into my arms and hold her.

  “She’s giving her life to save her child,” Emily says against my chest. “It’s not fair. She shouldn’t be doing this alone. She shouldn’t have to choose. She’s too young.”

  “I know, baby. It’s the epitome of a mother’s love.” I place a kiss on her forehead, then on her lips. “Why don’t you take a short break, and I’ll go handle the ER.”

  She nods as my pager goes off, and I leave her to her thoughts. The rest of the day is busy between patients coming in and checking on those who are currently admitted, and I barely see Emily in passing. We have a quick lunch together in the cafeteria, and I can tell she’s exhausted, which is what I’ve been worrying about now that she’s getting further along in her pregnancy.

  “My dad called,” she says between bites.

  “Yeah?” She doesn’t bring up her parents often but has been more lately since the news of the baby and after the incident with Richard. They’ve always had a close relationship, but he’s mentioned to her several times that they’re all excited for their first grandchild.

  “He wants me to come visit and have a family dinner. He told my mother he’d actually take a few days off and asked if I’d come down. He’s trying to get my brother and sister to come too.”

  “You should go then. Be with your family. Pretty soon, you won’t be able to fly and riding in a car for five to six hours won’t be that comfortable.”

  Emily looks at me and smiles. “Will you come with me?”

  I look up at her and grin. “Of course, sweetheart. If you want me to. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Houston, and the last time was for nothing but business. I’ll check the schedule and request time off.” I wink at her.

  “Have I told you that I love you today?” she asks, smiling.

  “Hmm.” I rub the short stubble on my chin and playfully shake my head.

  “I love you,” she tells me without missing a beat. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too, baby.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  EMILY

  After an hour flight, we land in Houston at Hobby Airport. It’s been three weeks since we planned this trip and even though I’m excited to see my family again, I’m also very anxious to see my mom again.

  As we wait to deplane, Evan grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles, which still gives me butterflies. Raindrops stream down the window, and I hate that it’s raining, but at least we aren’t in the air anymore.

  Once we exit the plane and grab our luggage, Evan and I pick up the rental car and head to my parents’ house.

  “I’m a little nervous,” he admits, pulling onto the highway.

  “But you’ve already met my dad,” I say because my father is the one who usually freaks people out, especially those in the medical profession.

  “Well, yeah, I’ve met your dad, but not the rest of your family. It’s a big deal. Bringing me home for the first time. What if they don’t like me?”

  I burst out into laughter. “Trust me, they’re going to love you! Either way, they all know they don’t have a choice, considering we’re having a baby. But honestly, you have nothing to worry about. Meeting my dad was the hard part, and you’ve already passed that barrier with flying colors. Plus, it can’t be as bad as meeting your family after a one-night stand where I stole your clothes and left you high and dry. Let’s also mention the majority of them knew about what happened. So yeah, you’ll be fine.” I pat his cheek playfully.

  We pull
up to the gate that secures my parents’ property, and after inputting the code, it opens immediately.

  “Fancy,” he jokes. “Might need to get one of these for our house on the ranch. It’ll keep Jackson out at least. But then again, he’s not afraid to hop fences, so probably not.”

  His words cause me to chuckle, and my stomach bobs up and down.

  Evan places the car in park and just stares at the house.

  “Welcome to River Oaks.” I introduce him to the luxurious neighborhood I grew up in. “My parents have expensive taste but just try to ignore it, please. That’s what I do.”

  We both get out of the car and walk up the grand staircase. Glancing over at Evan, I smile before opening the front door and walking in. His eyes nearly bulge out of his head when he sees the marble flooring and Tiffany glass chandeliers, not to mention everything is stark white just like the hospital. “It’s a lot. I know.”

  There were many times I’d screamed through the hallways only to hear my voice echo off the walls. As a kid, I felt so insignificant here, which makes me even happier when I think about the house we’re building on the ranch. It’s perfect and not so big it will swallow a kid whole.

  “Just wait until I show you the opulent formal room, flower garden, and terraces.” I roll my eyes, repeating the amenities that were repeated during the extravagant parties my father would host for his elite friends.

  “Hello?” I call out, leading us farther down the hallway, the aromas of the food the chefs are busy preparing fill the house. My mom stopped cooking after the accident, and my dad was always too busy working. So on top of growing up with nannies, I grew up with chefs who taught me how to cook instead of my own mother.

  “In here,” my father hollers from his office at the end of the hallway. Our shoes click against the floor, and I squeeze Evan’s hand, offering him a tad bit of courage, but the closer we get, the more nervous I become. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t been home in a while or if it’s pregnancy hormones, but either way, my heart rate increases.

  As soon as we step into his office, my father takes off his glasses and walks toward me with open arms. “There you are,” he says, pulling me into a hug. He turns to Evan and shakes his hand. “Good to see you again and doing well I hear,” he says to Evan.

  “Yes, sir. Much better,” Evan replies.

  “How was the flight?” my father asks. “Good, I hope.”

  Evan nods with a grin.

  “You know first class is always good,” I tell him. He insisted on purchasing the tickets and upgraded our seats.

  Evan glances at the desk, and so do I, and we both see he was reading current medical journals. Even when he’s supposed to be taking a vacation, he’s still researching and working. I hope after years of practicing, I’m still as passionate and interested in my work as he is, but I also hope I can turn it off at times, too.

  “Your brother and sister are on their way. Your mother is in the den watching TV,” he tells me. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you. And to finally meet your boyfriend.” The smile hits his eyes, but I’m not sure I believe his words. My mother hasn’t shown an interest in my life in years.

  Dad places his hand on my shoulder and asks me about the pregnancy on the way to see my mother.

  “It’s going as planned. No complications. No issues,” I tell him. “Going great.”

  “And you’ve found a highly qualified doctor to see you?”

  “Yes, Dad. The very best.” I have to hold back an eye roll because considering he specializes in infertility, I’m not sure any doctor that’s not in Houston would be good enough for me in his eyes.

  We walk into the den, and my nerves take over when I see the back of my mother’s head.

  “Sally,” my father says. “Emily’s arrived.” She turns down the TV and looks over at me with a smile.

  “Hi, Mom.” I grab Evan’s hand and walk toward her. She seems as if she’s in good spirits today, which helps calm my nerves. It would’ve made things real awkward otherwise. Though Evan knows our history, I was hoping the first time they met would be a positive experience.

  “This must be Evan Bishop,” she says. “The man who’s stolen my little girl’s heart.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Evan confirms, smiling.

  “And he’s polite too.” She glances over at me. “Come here.” She pats the seat next to her on the couch.

  I go to her and sit. Looking at my stomach, she smiles. “How far along are you now?”

  “Almost eighteen weeks,” I say.

  “When are you due?” she asks.

  “End of March.”

  This all feels really awkward until she pulls me into a hug. “I’ve missed you, Emily,” she whispers, and I feel my emotions begin to take over.

  “I’ve missed you too, Mom.”

  Just as we’re releasing our embrace, Annie and Daniel come barreling in, laughing. When they see me, they rush through the den and almost tackle me, but I stop them before they can.

  “Whoa, whoa baby on board.” I point down at my stomach.

  “Oh yeah,” Daniel says, chuckling.

  I stand and give them each a big hug. “Meet my boyfriend.” Turning to Evan, I give the formal introductions, and my brother and sister exchange hugs with him, though he’s as stiff as a board. I laugh to myself because Evan should be used to a family of huggers, considering his own family.

  “I’m starving,” Annie finally says. “Food almost ready? I’ve been waiting for this Tetrazzini casserole all day.”

  “It’s ready whenever we are,” Dad says.

  “Then let’s eat,” Mom adds, patting my hand before I stand. I reach for her wheelchair and bring it to the edge of the couch so she can pivot her body into the seat. Dad then takes over and pushes her through the den and hallway.

  Annie leans over and whispers, “Your boyfriend is really hot.” She snickers.

  “I know, right?” I whisper back like we’re teenagers again. “Seriously, the hottest.”

  “The doctors don’t look like that down here,” she complains.

  “That’s because they never had to do manual labor on a ranch,” I remind her, and she nods with a smile in agreement.

  Once we’re in the dining room, we sit around the table, and moments later, our plates are served. Evan sits next to me, and I grab his hand and hold it. He’s smiling, continuing his conversation with Daniel.

  “So you really grew up riding horses?” Daniel asks, breaking a piece of bread in two.

  “Sure did.” Evan grins. “Horses, roping cattle, cleaning barns. My childhood was a real-life Texas cliché.” Evan makes jokes, and the room bursts out into laughter, and they keep the questions coming. I feel bad that he’s talking instead of eating, but I love listening to him chat about the ranch with that hint of Southern twang he has. Most people can barely tell I’m from Texas when I travel, but with Evan, there’s no doubt about it.

  As we continue eating, I think about all the little things I love about him. How the corner of his eyes crinkle when he laughs, the way he looks at me like I’m his whole world, and how he manages to put everyone around him at ease. He loves fully, with everything that he is, and there is not a doubtful bone in my body that what we have is special. Though everyone is chatting, I don’t pay attention to the conversation; I just watch as Evan entertains and fits right in with my family. Not that I was worried, but I can tell they genuinely adore him already, which has me smiling from ear to ear with pride.

  “So Emily, what’s the plan after the baby?” Annie asks, changing the conversation.

  “I plan to take leave for a while, then eventually return back to work,” I tell her. It’s a discussion Evan and I have had several times. “My career is important to me, but so is this baby. I’m hoping I can have the best of both worlds of being a mom and a doctor. I don’t want to have to choose between the two because I’m not sure my career would win.”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less,”
Daniel pipes in like a proud little brother. He’ll be graduating med school soon and understands the passion.

  “Evan’s mother volunteered to babysit, too, so I know the baby will be in good hands,” I explain. “I was concerned about daycare and dealing with all of that, so I’m relieved we’ll have help.”

  “Did you find out what you’re having yet?” Annie asks, between bites.

  “Not yet,” Evan chimes in. “Hopefully during our next ultrasound appointment.” Evan gives me a wink. He’s so damn excited to find out the gender, but I don’t have a preference as long as he or she is healthy.

  “You do plan to bring the baby to visit us, don’t you?” my mother asks with concern, looking directly at me.

  “Of course. It’s a priority. And I’m hoping you all can come and visit me too. The plan is to move into the new house before the baby arrives, and we’ll have plenty of room. Plus, the Bishops’ bed and breakfast is on the property, too, if you prefer to stay there. It’s a beautiful drive, Mom. You’d love it in the fall.” I smile, hoping she really does consider traveling to visit us. I know how hard long distances can be on her.

  “We’ll have to do that.” Mom looks at Dad who nods with a grin.

  “We plan to visit after the baby is born, so you’ll have to keep us up-to-date with how things are going,” Dad says.

  “You’ll be the first to know,” I say, finishing my food.

  “I can’t wait to be an aunt,” Annie says. “I’m going to spoil that little booger.”

  I laugh. “I’m sure you will. Might need an extra room in our house for all the spoiling of this kid.” Between my family and the Bishops, I have no doubt this baby will be extra loved and cared for, which is just the way it should be.

  The conversation continues, and I make myself promise that I’ll keep them in the loop during the rest of my pregnancy. It’s my parents’ first grandbaby, and I know it’s a big deal for all of them.

  After dinner, we make our way to the living room to finish our conversation. Annie gets paged and groans.