“Surgery went well, we have the swelling under control and her chest has been repaired,” Lillian said. Her eyes tightened, usually she would give more detail, but Stephanie’s daughter looked to be no more than around six years old, with dark curly hair and big watery eyes that expressed apprehension though she really didn’t understand why.
“Do you want me to take Jasmine to the cafeteria, so Doctor Holder can fill you in?” Jade said with a large smile directed at the little girl. “Your mom was hurt pretty bad, but we fixed her up. She’s going to need a lot of love and care for a while, but she will be fine.”
“Thank you,” the little girl said and wrapped her arms around Jade. Lillian could have sworn she saw a tear slip from the corner of Jade’s eye as she hugged her back. She looked up at Hannah, Stephanie’s wife, and waited for her to nod almost imperceptibly before asking if Jasmine wanted to go find a snack in the cafeteria. She took the girl’s hand, and they walked off, leaving Lillian standing in front of Hannah.
“How bad is it?” Hannah asked. She still looked worried, like the news hadn’t quite sunk in yet.
“It’s actually a lot better than we anticipated,” Lillian said with a reassuring smile. “We’ve taken the pressure off her brain, and as soon as the swelling goes down, we will replace and repair the extraction area.”
“Is that dangerous?” Hannah asked, her eyes tightening as she fought tears.
“Surgery is always risky, especially around the brain,” Lillian answered, her clinical side taking over. “But it is as close to routine as it comes with this type of thing. I have no doubt she will do just fine.”
“Are there going to be any lasting effects?” Hannah asked, her shoulders were starting to sag as she finally started to relax. “Jasmine’s adoption was just finalized yesterday, though we’vehad her for almost three years,” Hannah took a deep breath. “She had gone out to buy a cake for us to celebrate. I didn’t want her to go, but she insisted that Jasmine was worth it.”
“I’m sure she is,” Lillian said quietly. “I can’t say with one hundred percent certainty that there will be no lasting effects until the swelling goes down and we can wake her up, but I am very optimistic.” Lillian squeezed Hannah’s shoulder softly. She could feel the tension finally starting to leave her body. “She fought hard for you, and your little girl. She is still going to be with you.”
Hannah’s face went pale and her knees buckled. Lillian helped her back into the seat, waving a nurse over to bring her some water and juice. Lillian took her notebook from her coat pocket and started fanning Hannah’s face. The nurse came over and handed Lillian a box of apple juice with a straw and Lillian pressed it into Hannah’s hands.
“Are you alright?” Lillian asked as Hannah took a couple of sips of the juice and winced.
“Yes,” Hannah finally breathed and laid her head against the back of the chair. “I guess I was more tense than I realized.”
“I understand,” Lillian said with another reassuring squeeze to her shoulder.
“I’m glad Jasmine was not in here; it probably would have traumatized her to see me fall apart like that.” Hannah attempted to laugh at herself, but it fell flat.
“I think you have a very strong daughter,” Lillian said with a smile. “I think she is very lucky to have you both.”
“We are lucky to have her,” Hannah said as tears began to slip from her eyes.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Jasmine spoke from just behind Lillian.
“Nothing’s wrong, sweetie,” Hannah said, folding the little girl into her arms. “These are happy tears because Mom is going to be okay.”
“I know,” Jasmine said, eliciting a chuckle from all three women. She hugged Hannah back.
“We will let you know as soon as you can see her,” Jade said, her eyes watery.
“Thank you,” Hannah said as she pulled Jasmine closer to her. “Thank you both, you saved her life. You saved us all. I don’t know how we would have made it without Stephanie.”
“You won’t have to find out,” Jade said, her own tears slipping from her eyes. “Do you need anything?”
Hannah shook her head, burying her face is Jasmine’s dark hair.
“Okay, just let someone know if you do,” Jade said, and Lillian nodded.
Lillian and Jade both turned away from the pair with tears in their own eyes. Lillian’s chest swelled with pride, and she could see a slight smile on Jade’s face as well.
“I’m glad you were here to take the little girl,” Lillian said. “Poor Hannah almost fainted. Their adoption just went through yesterday.”
Jade nodded, but she didn’t speak. Lillian tightened her eyes and looked at her, but she still seemed annoyed.
“What?” Lillian finally asked, turning to look at the Chief of Medicine.
“You should have updated them a long time ago,” Jade said and pressed her lips.
“I told you why I waited,” Lillian snapped.
