Doctor Nelson nodded and followed him to the doorway.
When they stopped just outside of the glass walled room the doctor gave him a smile. "I don't know how much you heard before you got here."
Nick shook his head. "What I did hear was mostly lost in the rush of blood pounding through my ears."
Doctor Nelson's rueful smile said he understood. "If something had happened to my daughter, even now that she's about to turn thirty, I would feel the same way."
Nick's expression must have been easily read by the doctor.
"No matter how old they get, they'll always be our little girls."
Nick lifted the back of his hand to wipe away sudden tears. He shook his head and mumbled an apology to the doctor. "I don't usually tear up like this."
The doctor's expression spoke volumes. "I understand." He took a step to the side and leaned his shoulder against the wall.
Nick understood. The other man must spend most of his working hours on his feet.
"Apparently, there was a missing carpet or something at the edge of the dance floor. During a run through, Katie didn't anticipate the slick hardwood under her ballet shoes."
Nick nodded. Over the years, Katie had told him a lot about what went on behind the scenes, or in this case, in the wings.
"Her feet slipped out from under her and she fell to the floor. No one is exactly sure if she hit her head just the once or if there was a bounce." The doctor reached out a hand and set it down on Nick's shoulder. "Are you okay hearing this?"
Nick nodded. "She's alive and she's going to be okay. I can hear it."
Doctor Nelson smiled and lowered his hand to his side.
"Katie was unconscious for a minute or two, but she came around quickly. She was lucid and more embarrassed than scared." Doctor Nelson turned on the iPad he'd been carrying under his arm. "Katie's mom gave me a complete run down of the facts. I gather she'd been nearby when it happened. From what Katie said, her mom took control of the whole situation. Later when Katie's films came back she almost collapsed with relief. Katie ended up comforting her for a bit." Doctor Nelson gave him a knowing look. "You've got a great family, Mister Stone."
"That I do. And call me Nick."
Doctor Nelson nodded. "Okay, Nick. Let me walk you through Katie's scans and if you have any questions, I'll answer them as long as another emergency doesn't call me away." He held out iPad and Nick took it in his hands. "Katie's discharge papers are already on file. You can take them home as soon as we're done here, or let them sleep for a bit. We have a bunch of empty rooms tonight."
Nick smiled at the offer. "Thanks. It looks like they're both worn out."
Doctor Nelson nodded and pointed to the image on the screen. "Okay, this first image..."
RUTH
Woke up slowly. The first thing she registered was the cold fluorescent lights across the room.
She was definitelynotat home.
And the rolling cart that passed by the doorway was enough to remind her exactly where she was.
She leaned back and looked down at Katie, still blissfully asleep on the surprisingly cushy hospital pillow.
Ruth lifted her hand and brushed her knuckles against Katie's cheek.
She'd seen others do that same gesture with their children and while she'd understood it on a human basis, she'd never really understood the feeling behind it.
Now, she did.
Ruth hoped that she'd have the chance to protect Katie and yes, care for her for years to come.
That is...
"You're awake."
