Page 45 of Tiffanie

When he withdrew, Phineas lowered himself beside her on the bed and dealt with the condom as he held her close. When their heart rates slowed, he kissed her lightly and asked, “Are you okay, Princess?”

“I’m better than I’ve ever been,” she assured him, sharing exactly how her body and mind felt.

A wolfish smile spread across his lips. “Damn, I love you, Little girl.

“I love you, Daddy.”

Chapter Seventeen

Working the next day was torture and pure happiness for Phineas. His Little girl had gotten a positive report from the doctor that had rocked both of their worlds. Their lovemaking had shown him how special their connection was. While his entire being yearned to be home with her, Phineas enjoyed his job and the people he met.

He searched through the stacks for two new books for his Little girl. Phineas planned to read to her as often as possible. They could enjoy spicy novels together as well as the best children’s stories the library offered.

He was almost to his driveway when his phone buzzed. Tiffanie. “Hi, Princess! Did you have a good day?”

“It’s Ivan. I left my phone in the car, so I grabbed hers from her purse to call. Tiffanie collapsed at Ferguson’s Folly a half hour ago. We’re in the emergency department. She called your name before losing consciousness.”

The blood in his veins chilled as Phineas scanned the area around the car for a spot to turn around. Thanking the light traffic for permitting him to make a U-turn, he headed for the hospital, breaking speed limits all the way. He parked and ran into the emergency department.

“Hi. Tiffanie Clark is being treated. I’m her partner,” Phineas explained, controlling his panic to convince the desk attendant to allow him into the treatment area.

“We only admit one visitor in the emergency department at a time with a patient. Someone is in her room already.”

Phineas tried to understand what the hospital employee had said to him, but his brain was focused on reaching his Little girl. “Please, I need to get to her.”

“Perhaps you could call whoever is with her and you could swap places.”

Grabbing his phone, Phineas sent Ivan a message.

I’m here. They won’t let me to join you. A stupid reason about how many can be in the room.

Ivan didn’t answer. He came through the door protecting that wing of the hospital from the waiting room. “Phineas. I’m glad to see you. The doctors are running tests, trying to figure out what’s going on. She’s still unconscious. You go back and see her.”

After overhearing their conversation, the desk attendant grabbed a name tag and asked Phineas questions to fill the sticker out. “You can go on through. She’s in bed 4C.”

Phineas took two steps and froze. “Are they asking for all her health history? You know that better than I do. Stay with her, Ivan. It’s more important that the doctors have all the information they need.”

Shaking his head, Ivan met his gaze directly. Phineas could tell Tiffanie’s brother agreed that was the better way to get the most accurate background into her chart but realized how hard not seeing Tiffanie was for Phineas. “I’ll call with any updates.”

“Thank you, Ivan. Take care of her for me.” Agonizing over this decision, Phineas wrestled with his emotions. His brain understood this was the smartest way to handle the situation, but his heart rebelled, tearing him apart inside.

Ivan nodded and disappeared into the treatment area. Phineas held his phone as he paced back and forth by the windows. He sent Tiffanie every bit of mental encouragement he could. She had to be okay.

A half hour passed with no word. Phineas didn’t want to interrupt whatever was happening in that treatment room by contacting Ivan, but his worry increased as the minutes ticked past. Each time the doors opened, he looked up, hoping to see Tiffanie walking out without lingering problems.

“Fuck this,” he swore and grabbed his phone. Before he could select Ivan’s number, a doctor in a white coat and scrubs appeared in the doorway. “Phineas Green?” he requested.

“I’m Phineas,” Phineas introduced himself, stepping closer.

“If you’ll come with me,” the doctor said calmly.

Instantly Phineas’s mind raced through reasons an exception could be made. The desk clerk didn’t stop him as he joined the doctor and walked through those metal doors.

“Is she okay?” Phineas asked, hoping with every fiber of his being that the doctor hadn’t come to get him with horrendous news. He’d never forgive himself for letting her go to work without him.

“She’s good. Taking a bit of a nap, we believe. We’ve done a lot of testing. I understand she had a long day at her oncologist’s office recently. Can you tell me what they did?”

“Sure.” By the time they reached Tiffanie’s room, Phineas had walked the doctor through the visit. Entering the treatment bay to see Tiffanie lying so still on the hospital bed, Phineas’s heart ached. He rushed to her side and wrapped his fingers around her icy hand.