Hating the distance between us, I closed in on her, cupping her face with my hands. “Yeah. Because, Charlotte, I know you love Isla like I do. You’d do anything to keep her safe and when something happened, you did exactly what I would’ve done. Got her help.”
“Is she okay?” Charlotte asked her voice soft and shaky.
“They’re keeping her overnight. Her blood tests came back inconclusive.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Actually, I should get back. They’re getting ready to transfer her.”
“No worries. Can you give her my love?”
“No.”
“No?” Charlotte’s face fell.
“You can come and tell her yourself. I know she’d love to see you.”
“I don’t know …”
“Well, I do. Now, grab your stuff and let’s go check on our girl.”
Charlotte dragged her feet with every step. It was clear she didn’t want to do this, but the idea of her feeling like she was intruding wasn’t going to fly. I loved her. Isla loved her. And right now, we needed her more than ever. There was no way I was going to let her run and hide because she was scared. We’d be scared together. That’s what families did, and she was part of ours.
Isla’s tired face lit up when she spotted Charlotte coming toward her. After a huge hug and a few spilt tears, it was time to move Isla to her room.
“Do you guys need anything? I can go grab whatever.”
“Actually, that would be great. If you don’t mind?”
I think Charlotte was relieved to have something to do. I wish I had something to do. Waiting around wasn’t easy. I wasn’t used to feeling useless and I was quickly learning how much I hated it.
After promising she’d see us soon, Charlotte took off and the orderlies pushed Isla’s bed down the corridor and got her settled in for the night.
If you want a good night’s sleep, I recommend not spending the night sleeping in a chair. I felt like I hadn’t slept more than an hour, had a crick in my neck, and could think of nothing better than a hot shower. Thankfully though, Isla had slept right through. Once Charlotte dropped off her teddy bear and favorite mermaid pajamas, she was out like a light.
“Morning,” Charlotte whispered as she stuck her head in the door, two cups of coffee with the logo from the place around the corner on them.
“Hi,” I replied, standing up and stretching my arms high above my head. “Please tell me one of those is for me?” I begged desperately.
“Of course,” she replied, offering me a tight smile and a cup. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s doing okay.”
“That’s good.”
“Hopefully the doctors will be here soon, and we can get these tests done and go home.”
“Here’s hoping. How are you doing? Hanging in there?”
“I’m tired and sore and I missed having you in my arms last night,” I answered honestly.
“I can’t fix the sore and tired, but I can let you wrap me in your arms,” Charlotte offered, making it sound like she was doing me a favor. She was, but we both knew it was as much for her as it was for me.
After giving me a hug and a kiss that left me wanting more, Charlotte headed down the hall to start her day, promising to be back as soon as the results were in leaving me sitting on the edge of Isla’s bed listening to her read book after book.
The day dragged.
Nurses popped in and out, taking blood and checking vitals.
