“He certainly is, baby, so why don’t we go and hold his hand and tell him to get kicking this infection’s ass.”
Although still unwell by the time they were entering the early hours of the morning the antibiotics and other medicines were obviously doing something positive as Connor's colour and body condition began to improve. His sedation was being reduced so that he was gradually becoming more lively and aware and while he was still having loose bowel movements it was less frequent and severe.
It was after lunch when the doctor came by with some news on Connor's diagnosis and confirmed his earlier suspicion of gastroenteritis and whilst severe, he was happy that the drugs were having the desired effect. The doctor could see no reason why he wouldn't make a full recovery, but suggested Connor may be hospitalised for several days more. Knowing his son was improving and in turn that his wife was less stressed, Jim took Dan to meet with Jerome Stewart before Joanna and Liam were due to sign their paperwork leaving Paul with Tasha.
Connor's crying, his normal baby cry, demanding her attention was music to Tasha's ears and picking him up she could hold her tears and emotions she’d fought to keep in check back no longer.
“Hey, Nat, that'll do. He's on the mend. He's a tough cookie, like his mum, and his dad.” Paul hugged his granddaughter reassuringly.
Tasha was unsure if her tears were only of relief and gratitude that her baby was improving, but the unleashing of her emotions was cathartic. With her breathing returning to normal she tried to explain her deepest seated fears. “Babies die from gastroenteritis. I know I said I didn't want a baby but I don't think I could carry on if anything happened to him.”
“I know, my darling girl. He was just a bit of a shock for you wasn't he? But you're a wonderful mother. Now, no more tears and gloomy thoughts. Let's think happy thoughts and concentrate on getting you all back to normal, if any of you kids were ever normal,” he teased, hoping to keep Tasha’s mood and emotions even. He reached across and stroked his great-grandson’s forehead. “I know Jim and I have had our differences, but I am very grateful you found him and that he is helping to sort Dan out. It's more than generous of him to offer his home, a job and an education.”
“He really is one of the good guys.” Smiled Tasha, gently rocking her son who looked up at her with a weak half-smile.
“I know he is.” Paul smiled as he thought Jim’s worries for Tasha without Connor might have been well founded, but fortunately the little man had pulled through.
By late afternoon Jim appeared and swapped places with Paul. Tasha brought him up to date with the information on their son before she left them alone together and found Dan sitting in the corridor.
“Hi.” Smiled Tasha taking an uncomfortable seat next to him. “You okay?”
“I am so sorry for getting you involved again, Tash.”
Her response was to wave off his guilty apology.
“Did Jim fill you in on our afternoon?” he asked.
“No. We just spoke about Connor.”
“Of course, sorry, how is the little fella doing? Gramps said he's on the mend.”
“Yeah, they think he'll be in here for a few days more, but he seems to be bouncing back.” Tasha attempted a smile.
“You look tired, maybe you should go home...”
“I'll be fine. I can't leave him, not yet. I only came out to use the bathroom,” Tasha explained making her brother laugh.
“How very American,the bathroom,” he teased with a heavy accent.
“Oh God, don't let me become all Americanised,” she cried. “So, how did things go this afternoon?”
“Good. Jim is a complete arse, isn't he?”
Tasha laughed but couldn’t deny her brother’s description. “Thanks for the character assassination of my husband,” she teased.
Dan shrugged. “Tash, he never cracked his face once and every time either of them tried to gain a little ground he shot them down. He’s seriously scary. It was like being with the head of some Mafia family.”
“Yeah, he can be hard-nosed about stuff, and at work he's used to being in charge, but this is about us. About keeping us all safe and he takes that really seriously.”
“Everything is sorted now. Liam and Mum signed everything and Jerome Stewart left them in no doubt that they were both criminals and all it would take to see them behind bars would be one call.”
“Good. Do you know if Jim gave Mum money?” Tasha remembered his offer from the bandstand.
“Yeah.” Laughed Dan confusing his sister. “He started with a billion dollars.”
“You are fucking kidding? I'll kill him. He has a family to support. Do we even have that kind of money? I don't even know how much money he has,” cried Tasha as Dan continued.
“He wrote it down, Tash, and then he began making deductions from your worth. He did tell her he couldn't really put a price on you because you were priceless. That made me a bit sick in my mouth,” teased Dan before continuing. “So, from the billion he made deductions for every bad thing she had ever allowed, facilitated or just not prevented and by the time he finished there was a cent or a dime or whatever.”
