Chapter 63 63
Nathan was glad his father asked Brooke the question he did. It is the same questions he wanted to ask her and a lot more. He gave his full attention, listening.
Brooke sat near Robert and Marise pulled her chair closer to them. The three were all smiling, except Nathan, who is completely left out of the conversation.
"So... Bee my dear, talk to me. Tell me what has been going on with you all these years. Where have you been and how did you do it so that we couldn't find you?" Robert asked in a weak voice.
"Well... Uncle, I finally followed my dream and now, I am a doctor. A thoracic surgeon. I operate on the heart, lungs and chest walls. Basically, organs that are found in the thorax. I work on illnesses found there." Brooke explained.
Robert, Marise and Nathan gave all their attention to Brooke as she spoke.
"And now you are becoming the best at it, according to Doctor Patel. Isn't it?" Marise asked.
"In the whole country. I am so proud of that." Robert added. "But where have you been hiding all these years? Were you always in Silverbrook or you just moved here? how were we not able to find you?" He added.
Brooke smiled. "Doctor Patel has just been modest. Maybe it's because all the surgeries I lead have been successful. I have passion in what I do. So I attended it with keen interest."
She continued. "I easily spot where the problem is. They say I have food eyes. I am focused and fast. The end result always turns out to be a happy one." Brooke skipped the other questions and dwelled on the one that is easier for her to answer.
Nathan could only listen to the conversation. He wanted so badly to be part of the conversation. He clears his throat and says, "I am so glad you finally pursued your dream, Bee. Being a doctor really suits you."
Brooke and the two turned their gaze at him.
"Umm." Was all Brooke said. She completely avoided his gaze before turning her attention to Nathan's parents.
"Oh Bee, we are so proud of you. I have always wanted that for you, almost as much as you did." Marise cried.
Brooke squeezed Marise's hand in a soothing manner and smiled at her.
"I am sure you graduated at the top of your class." Robert said.
"I did alright, uncle. It is mostly thanks to my mum, dad and Doctor Patel. Despite the fact that I was-" Brooke stopped in mid sentence. She was talking so much that she almost exposed the fact that she was pregnant at some certain point.
"Please dear, don't hold back. Tell us everything. We want to know what has been up with you." Marise pleaded.
Brooke smiled as she got up from the bed. "Aunty, we will talk more after the surgery." She said,
"Why not now? It doesn't have to wait till after the surgery." Marise insisted. She felt there is more that Brooke wanted to let them know but at the same time she is contemplating.
"Ahh.." Robert exclaimed, getting the attention of all those in the room. His heart monitor began to beep faster. He was clearly in pain as he had his hand on his chest.
"Calm down, uncle. Just relax." Brooke advised.
She was quick to walk towards him to check what was wrong. Her and Nathan helped to adjust him on the bed. They laid him back to a lying position. Brooke then called the nurse in and asked her to make some adjustments in his medication.
After Robert had settled, Brooke said, "Aunty, uncle, it's best to have more talk after your surgery. You can easily get emotional right now and we don't want to take any risk or change."
Robert nodded in agreement. While his wife, Marise squeezed his hand gently in a soothing manner.
"I have to go now." Brooke said to them. "When uncle feels better, I will come back and explain the procedure he will go through. Now I need to go and see if the theater room is ready." She then said her goodbyes and walked out of the room.
An hour and a half later.
Brooke walked back to Robert's room. She knew it would take him time to recover from what had happened earlier, that was why she stayed away for long.
When she walked into the room, Nathan was still in there. Brooke hardly looked his way before walking to sit near Robert. On a chair that Samantha sat earlier. She then began to explain the procedure.
What she is going to do,
How it is going to be,
What are the expectations after the operation?
Also the risk that comes with the process.
"How long would the procedure last?" Marise asked, a bit worried about the complicated details she was hearing. She is sitting right next to her husband, his hand in hers.
"That would be around five to six hours, on average. After the operation is done, he will then be moved to for observation in the ICU." Brooke added.
"I was planning on starting the operation as early as possible tomorrow. Let's say five in the morning. I don't want to take any risk delaying the process so that we can prevent any attacks. Hope that is ok?" Brooke asked. Even though she is a professional and knows what is best at that moment.
"Of course it is." Robert said weakly. "I am sure you are going to take care of me well."
"Of course, I will, uncle." Brooke said, holding his hand.
Soon enough, a yawn escapes her lips. "Sorry, I haven't slept in more than twenty four hours. I need to get going now so that I can get some rest. Tomorrow uncle, you are going to have a new heart." Another yawn escaped.
"Of course, dear." Marise said in understanding. "Bee, I have to ask. Do Jack and Samantha know we are here? I would love to see them again." She added in a sad tone.