Dr. Nash raised the corner of his mouth, finding a little humor in Cody’s disgust with the ring. The situation wasn’t funny, however. “You look wiped out, Cody. You should get some rest.”
“Doctor’s orders,” Cody teased without much feeling.
“Something like that. Brooke needs you. You’re no good to her if you aren’t well and in your right mind.”
Cody knew he was right. “Tell me what you think I should do. Everything I do doesn’t seem to help her. I feel like she’s out of my reach, and all I want to do is grab her and hold on. Sometimes I want to shake her to bring her back to me.”
“Well, don’t shake her.”
He’d never hurt her. “Come on, Doc. How can I help her?”
“I’ve seen plenty of people like you, frustrated to the breaking point, trying to comfort someone who isn’t ready to be comforted. Sometimes people need time to sit in their grief. That’s where Brooke is right now. She wants to feel the painof losing her daughter, even feels she has to feel it to prove to herself and everyone else that she hurts and her daughter is worth the pain.”
Cody felt that deep in his soul.
“Love her.”
That was easy.
“She needs time. She’s grieving, just like you. You both lost a child. That’s not easy. It’s harder for her because she carried the child. She felt the baby move and kick and it’s hard for her to fathom the child is gone when she was so real to her.”
“That’s just it, isn’t it? For me, I grieve that she isn’t here and for all the should-have-beens. But it must be so hard for Brooke not to have our daughter growing inside her anymore. She never gave birth. They didn’t even let her see her.”
“Comfort her. Show her she’s loved. Talk to her about the baby. Believe it or not, I think it helps. Remind her there’s still a lot of life left to live. It’ll take time, but eventually she’ll work through her grief and experience happiness again and not feel guilty for it.”
“Guilty?”
“She thinks she should have been able to save the baby. I wouldn’t be surprised if she feels like she should have died, too.”
Cody hadn’t thought of that. He hadn’t thought she’d blame herself, or wish herself dead. He scrubbed his hands roughly over his face.
“Remind her this isn’t her fault. Keep reaching out to her. She might bat you away, but deep inside she wants you to keep reaching for her. She needs you.”
“I need her.” He needed her more than anything.
“When she’s ready, a grief counselor can be very helpful. For both of you.”
Cody nodded. He wasn’t ready for that yet either. “Listen, Doc, there are some things I need to know.” He took a steadyingbreath and thought about what he wanted for his and Brooke’s future. “Can she have more children?”
“I’ve looked over the copies of her medical records. According to the reports, there’s no reason she can’t carry another child, given maybe six months to truly heal.”
“That’ll be a relief to her. I know how much she wants to be a mom. Now I can tell her we’ll have a family when she’s ready. I want her to know that option is there whenever she wants it.”
Dr. Nash nodded. “Right now, her abdomen is sore, but the infection has cleared up and it’s healing well. The other injuries are far less serious. Her broken arm should be healed in a month or so, but that won’t hinder her from all activities. She didn’t give birth, so she can resume sexual activity whenever she feels like it.”
Cody held up a hand. “Whoa, Doc. I wasn’t planning on…you know…until she’s better.” They still had a lot to work out in addition to her wounds healing.
Dr. Nash settled back. “I’m just giving you the information you need.”
Cody appreciated it. “How soon until she can walk on her foot without the brace?”
“At least another week, maybe more after today.”
“Could I take her horseback riding?”
“Not until her abdomen is better. At least a couple of weeks.”
“Okay. She loves to ride. I’d wanted to take her. I thought it might make her happy.”
