Chapter 46 Seeing Brie
Daylan's POV
After what seemed like forever, I finally found the courage to check up on Brie. It was a difficult thing for myself to do because this is not how I wanted my life to be. Not with a baby. Tabitha is correct, I am doing the same that I did to her. I had to try this time and not run away. Just as I was about to open the door to Brie's hospital room, Doctor Ricketts approached me.
"Doctor Hart, I need to have a word with you," Doctor Ricketts said.
"Of course," I turned my full attention to him, briefly relieved that he was sparing me a few more minutes before going to see Brie.
"We did the MRI and all the tests necessary. She has a blood clot in one of the arteries, but she needs to be monitored. I just feel that you know more about her and her condition than what I am. If you can't be part of it, then I will gladly take over. She does seem more comfortable around you," he said.
"I will get back to you about it. In the meantime, please take good care of her. How is the baby?" I found myself asking.
"I can do that," he smiled politely, "The baby is doing okay. Are there any family members we can contact for her?" he asked.
"No, but you can leave that to me," I said.
"Very well," he nodded, and then he left. I was relieved that he would be taking over from me until I decided to be part of this medical team again.
I opened the door. Brie was resting. An oxygen mask covered her mouth and nose. I entered and closed the door behind me. As I moved closer to her, my heart beat faster. I sat in the chair beside the bed and I took her hand in mine, my eyes falling on her flat belly for a brief moment.
She stirred and I looked at her. Her eyes fluttered open and they landed on me. She groaned, trying to say something. I reached out to her and lowered the oxygen mask. She took it from me as I pulled away.
"Why weren't you here earlier?" she asked, which was barely audible.
"I had other things to take care of," I said as I looked down at our joined hands.
"It's because of the baby, isn't it?" she asked.
"Yeah, I just need time to think, but I know that the baby is already here and there is nothing we can do about it now." I sighed.
"I don't mind taking care of it all by myself. I don't need a man to help me." she was getting upset.
"Brie, I will do this with you." I looked at her," I just need time. I don't even think I can be your doctor with the state that I'm in. It's a shock, I just need that time to get over how I feel."
"Just know that there isn't a lot of time to think about things," she said.
"You're right, there isn't a lot of time. But I still don't want to lose you. It's bad enough with your condition because it's life-threatening. We are trying to give you the best medical care that we can." I was concerned about her health.
"If anything happens to me when the baby is eventually born, who will take care of it?" she asked. I hadn't thought about that.
"We will figure things out, just know that I'm not leaving, okay?" I held her gaze. "We will get you through this. We will do whatever we can."
"Okay," she said, which was barely a whisper. Her free hand fell on her flat belly. "You left me all alone with the medical team and I just wanted you by my side. Please, don't ever leave me alone when you decide that you're ready to be my doctor again and a father." she said and that pulled at my heart.
"It may be soon that I will be back and I won't leave your side. You will be staying here overnight or whenever Doctor Ricketts thinks it's safe for you to be back home again." I stroked the back of her hand with my thumb.
"Will you be with me at the apartment whenever I get released from hospital?" she asked.
"I don't know. Hopefully, I will be there. You do need someone to keep an eye on you. So I guess I will be there. Maybe Tabitha will take over if I can't. I have a lot of things to do with the project and I want everything to be a success."
"Are you happy?" she asked and that question caught me off guard.
"I don't know," I blurted out before I could stop myself, but at least I was being honest. "This is something that I didn't want, and I don't know how to feel about it, so I don't know if I'm happy or will be. Like I said, I need time."
"I want you to leave. I want to rest." she closed her eyes and pulled the oxygen mask over her mouth and nose again. I watched her for a few more moments, before my eyes landed on her flat belly again. I removed my hand from hers and stood up. I didn't expect her to say that to me, but I guess I deserved that.
I adjusted my white coat before walking out of the hospital room. I didn't even feel suffocated when I was by her side. Was that an improvement? Maybe I will come around to this shocking news. Maybe taking some time will do me good, but then I cannot waste too much time due to her health.
I walked back to my office, hoping that the project would get me through the rest of the evening. But my mind is constantly on Brie. I need to focus more on her condition because I know Pulmonary Embolism better. But I have full faith in Doctor Ricketts about this.