“That’s great.” Noelle squeezed Dean’s hand as she smiled.
Dr. Keller nodded. “Exactly as it should be, before a big procedure like this. And on that note—since it is such a major operation, there’s been a slight change of plans. We’d like you tohave surgery in the Andersonville hospital, Dean. We know it’s a bit further away, but it’s the best place for your surgery.”
Dean’s brow furrowed. He was already feeling sweaty hearing Dr. Keller use the words “major operation” and now he was being told that the surgery would take place miles away?
“Can I ask why?” He kept his voice steady, but he squeezed Noelle’s hand more tightly as he spoke.
“Of course.” Dr. Keller smiled his well-rehearsed smile again. “It’s important for a surgery like this to have all the necessary equipment.”
“I thought you have the equipment here,” Noelle said, glancing at Dean as if she could sense his tension.
“We have the equipment for the surgery itself,” Dr. Keller said, “but we want to be able to access other kinds of equipment—in case the surgery doesn’t go as planned.” He said the words breezily, as if he was discussing menu changes at a restaurant, but Dean blanched when he heard the words.
“Is it that risky?” Dean asked, still managing to keep his voice steady, but it was more difficult that time. “Are there a lot of things that could go wrong?”
Dr. Keller shook his head. “I wouldn’t think about it like that. There is a risk factor involved in every kind of surgery.” He smiled, seeming to believe that his words were encouraging.
Instead of feeling encouraged, however, Dean found himself thinking the worst. What if they hit a snag during his surgery and it impacted his recovery time? What if he wouldn’t be fully recovered for his wedding after all?
“That sounds good, Dr. Keller,” Noelle said. “We’ll do that if you think it’s the better option.”
“I do. And there’s no need to fret—hospitals are always in the business of preventing things. That doesn’t mean the risks are great.” Dr. Keller paused and jotted a few notes down on his clipboard.
“Understood.” Noelle squeezed Dean’s hand, giving him a reassuring smile. “We’re pleased than Dean will be given the best possible care.”
I wish I could be as optimistic as she is,he thought, squeezing her hand back.I know this surgery is the best option for me, but the closer I get to it, the more nervous I feel.
Still, with Noelle and his family by his side, he knew he could do it. He just needed to accept the risks and move forward, hoping for the best.
CHAPTER SIX
Julia flopped down onto the couch, letting her aching bones sink against the cushions. She let out an enormous yawn, covering her mouth with her hand. She realized as she touched her hand to her lips how chapped her palms were. She shook her head, thinking to herself that she was in desperate need of hand lotion. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and checked the time, only to gasp with surprise a moment later.
How can I possibly be this tired at ten in the morning?she thought, groaning internally.Just kidding. I know exactly how I can be this tired.
Macey had been a very busy girl this morning, wanting to play dress up and insisting on taking her teddy bears outside for a tea party. Although Julia always loved spending time with her and aiding her in her passionate little escapades, it took a lot out of her. It had taken more out of her that morning than usual, since baby Quinn had been up extremely early that morning and Julia hadn't gotten a chance to go back to sleep afterward. On top of that, Quinn had fought her mid-morning nap, and Julia was feeling fatigued and a little helpless.
Thankfully, Quinn had finally fallen asleep and Macey was safely enjoying herself in her bedroom, setting up a ball for all ofher dolls. Julia shut her eyes, wondering if parenting was going to get any easier or if she was just going to get used to being this exhausted.
She lay still for a few minutes, taking deep breaths and allowing herself to relax deeper into the couch cushions. She thought to herself that she was glad they had purchased that couch, since it had been one of the comfiest ones in the store and she was feeling very grateful for it at the moment. She contemplated taking a short nap, since Macey was old enough to come get her if she needed anything and Quinn was sure to cry or murmur loudly enough for the baby monitor to pick it up if she he had any immediate needs.
She breathed in and out a few times, trying to relax even further. She soon found, however, that her fatigue was physical only and not mental. Her mind quickly latched onto the question of whether or not Quinn was still sleeping. After trying to lie still for another couple of minutes, she gave up and got to her feet.
I guess these new mother tendencies are even stronger than my desire to nap,she thought with a chuckle as she made her way to the nursery.I'm finding it impossible to resist peeking into the nursery and checking on Quinn.
She stepped inside the cozy nursery, thinking to herself for the hundredth time that it was one of the cutest rooms in their house. She was so glad she had spent all the time decorating it that she had. Quinn might be too little to appreciate it at the moment, but Julia knew she would appreciate it soon enough. Besides, in the meantime, Julia got to enjoy how charming the room was whenever she took care of her baby girl there.
The crib was in the far corner of the room, and Julia couldn't see whether or not Quinn was still asleep from the doorway. Yawning as she walked, she crept across the room toward the crib. She had almost made it there, when her slipper caught on the edge of the changing table. She jostled the changing table asshe caught herself, rattling a container of baby wipes against a box of unopened baby powder. The noise was quiet, but it was enough to wake the little sleeping princess. Quinn made a faint gurgling sound of displeasure, and then her mouth opened wide into a full cry.
Julia groaned. “I’m sorry, baby,” she said, scooping Quinn up into her arms. She patted her back and bounced her a little. “I'm sorry. I should have let both of us sleep. I guess I learned my lesson. I'm extra klutzy when you wake me up at four in the morning.”
She carried Quinn back out to the living room and sat down with her on the couch. She rocked her back and forth a little, smiling down at her little face and softly singing a lullaby.
She had been sitting there with her newborn for a few minutes when there was a knock on the front door. Julia stood up curiously and walked over to the front window, so that she could see who was on the doorstep.
To her relief, she saw Alexis, standing there with Cash in her arms. They were wearing matching blue blouses, and Julia thought to herself that her sister was the perfect person to visit in that moment. She would be able to offer Julia great advice, since she’d struggled with having a newborn, too, before getting into the swing of things. Julia knew that parenting would never be easy—but Alexis had reached a level of competence where she made itlookeasy.
Julia hurried over to the front door and opened it. “Hi,” she said, grinning at her sister and nephew. “I’m so glad to see you.”
