𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐲
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 130
"CASES"
..⃗.🕊•̩̩͙⁺゜ ⤾·˚ ༘ ◡̈
Days, weeks, and months had passed, and honestly, not much has changed. The hospital was busy like usual which I enjoyed. I spent my free time trying to steal surgeries from my fellow attendings and most of the time they'd actually let me assist or just do it myself. It was awesome.
Rick and I worked on a massive case together and worked on one hell of a big surgery that got noticed and was plastered all over the internet and newspaper for our miracle work. We were know as the Dream Team. Coen was our anesthesiologist, and as much as Julie wanted to be our nurse on the case, Rick wouldn't let her because he knew like back then, she'd try to take the credit and fame. And was still pretty pissed off about it, but she hasn't tried to ruin my life again as far as I know. She matured.
Adam was back to playing hockey with his team. He was so close to the pros and always called me with exciting news that got him closer to being a part of the pros. I had a gut feeling that by time the next draft came around, he'd be the top pick. I just knew it. I was so incredibly proud of him.
It was another day of work, a long boring day. No major accidents have occurred so that meant no major surgeries. Which made the day even more long and even more boring.
I stood at the nurses station filling out the last of the paper work for a patient of mine who had just been discharged. When I was finished, I handed it to Julie who had been sitting there and making small talk with me as I did so. Although we lived together, we've hardly spoken at all. Occasionally we did but not often. She's changed her ways greatly but she was still jealous of me for no reason at all. As much as I wanted to be the good guy and push everything away and be friends with her I knew not to do so because I knew what would happen again and I didn't want to risk that at all.
"Hey, there's my favorite doctor!" I heard a voice announce behind me. A smile immediately crept onto my face. The person plopped beside me, their arms resting against the counter like mine had been. I gazed over at the person.
"Hey, Rick. There's my least favorite doctor!" I grinned cheekily as he acted offended in a jokingly way. I chuckled. Soon enough the boys hard look turned into a smile. I playfully pushed his shoulder back.
"I was hoping I could get a consult on one of my patients. He doesn't exactly need one, but he wants to see Doctor Smokin' Hot as he likes to call you," I let out a small laugh at his words. His patient was a 7 year old kid named Parker. He had always been in and out of the hospital in need of a liver transplant and I believe he finally had the transplant and was here for a check up. He was the cutest little thing ever and had a thing for me, always flirting with me and it was just adorable. I grew to love that kid.
"Well, I suppose Doctor Smokin Hot will be glad to come with you and see him," I responded. Rick chuckled. The two of us stood up straight and headed to the boys room in the Peds department. Once we finally made it to the room, I noticed the small boy laying on the bed facing the wall. His parents both sat beside him on the chairs by the bed with a worried look on their face. Although I knew they couldn't have been here for a good reason because of the expression on their faces, I kept a smile on my face and tried my best to remain positive in hopes to give them some positivity. When they saw Rick and I walking in with both of our residents and their interns behind us, they smiled.
Parker's mother quickly reached forwards and shook the boy awake, "someone's here to see you," she whispered to him. The boy slowly sat up in his bed and peered over in our direction. When he saw me, his face lit up.
"Doctor Gray! You made it!" He happily yet groggily said. I smiled wide and nodded my head, taking a step closer to the boy and moving his shaggy hair out of his face in a caring way. His face turned red.
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world!" I replied sweetly. The boy only smiled. Like a kid in a candy shop. "So how have you been feeling?" I asked him. His smiled faded. He looked back over at his parent with a sad look.
"Well, that's why we're here. He hasn't been feeling good at all in the last few days and he already coded once this morning," his father said to me. I gazed over at Rick who had a look of disappointment on his face. He sighed, glancing at the chart in his hands and then back up at me.
"He's rejecting the liver," he said. My heart dropped. "And we're in a risky situation right now where if he doesn't get a liver soon, and can't tolerate it, well, there won't be much we can do." I felt defeated. I wanted to curl up and cry, but I couldn't. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked back down at the boy on the bed. I forced a smile onto my face.
"Well it's a good thing Doctor Riley is one of the best and I get to help him with this, right? Parker, I can assure you that you're in the best hands," I hummed. The younger boy smiled up at me.
"Doctor Gray, can I speak with you for a moment?" I heard. I turned around seeing Chief Tyler had just entered the room. He sent me a concerned look. I nodded my head but turned back to the boy and his family, giving them all of my condolences and saying goodbye. I knew whatever the chief had to say wouldn't be good.
I excused myself from the room and stepped out with Chief Tyler while Rick finished up. I gazed up at the older man once we made it into the hall, "what's up, Chief?" I sighed.
"You're off of this case," he quickly spoke. I was taken back by his words.
"What, why?" I asked him trying to get a reasonable answer out of him. "Rick asked for me!"
"I can't let you be on this case and have the bond with the little boy like you do, Foster, that's just how this works. I can't let you be this kids doctor!" He defended. I let out a deep breath. I bit my lip and looked down at my shoes. "I'm sorry, I don't want to do this, but it's for yours and his own good."
I looked back up with a defeated look, "yeah, I know you're right, it's just," I paused. I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm off the case then, I guess."
The Chief nodded his head at me politely before walking away. I felt like absolute trash now. I had gotten this kids hopes up on helping out with his case but now I could do anything and I felt so terrible about it. I peaked into the room one last time Bedford storming off and making my way to the attendings lounge.
When I made it there, I closed the door shut behind me. The large room was empty it usually was anyways. It was mostly just a few of us that would come in here and relax and watch some tv and get some coffee, but everyone was busy at the moment.
The door opened behind me. I jumped at the noise but I knew it was just Rick. When I turned around I saw him standing there with a heartfelt look in his face. I knew he felt terrible about this too. But Chief Tyler had a valid point.
"I, you don't have to say anything, Rick, it's alright, I completely get it," I started. The boy sent me the smallest smile.
"I will keep you updated every single time I go and check on him and will let you know everything you need to know," he said. I returned the smile. Before I could say anything else, I heard my phone ringing in my back pocket. Quickly, I grabbed it and looked at the screen. It was a number I didn't recognize. I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Hello?" I answer, pressing the phone against my ear. Silence. I furrowed my eyebrows. Rick looked at me concerned. "Hello?"
"Who is it?" Rick mouth. I shrugged my shoulders. Suddenly I heard a voice.
"Is this Foster? Foster... Banks?" My eyes widened. I quickly cleared my throat.
"Uh, yes, this is actually Foster Gray. Uh, may I ask who's calling?" I skeptically asked even more confused as to why this man had used Banks.
"This is Harold Gregory. I'm working the case of the Hockey Brawl Baby," he spoke. My eyes wondered once again. I struggled to find words.
"Oh, uh, eh, hi, Mr. Gregory! How are you today?" I politely greeted the man over the phone.
"Well, with the news I have, great," he started, "Doctor Gray, I called you today to give you an update on the case. As you may already know, there had been several court hearings involved with the child's father. Well, yesterday was the final hearing and the case was closed. The baby's father no longer has legal custody of her," he said. My heart dropped. I covered my mouth with my hand. Rick became worried. I quickly stuck my finger out, "that's why we're calling you. We tried getting ahold of Mr. Banks but he didn't pick up, so, we called you. Are you two together right now?"
Though he could see me, I shook my head, "no, um, he's at work right now," I lied, "it's been a busy day for him by the seems of it. But um, I'll gladly pass whatever message you have on to him," I said. I had to lie about where Adam was. If I said he was out in some other state and we weren't even together, this entire thing would have been messed up and we both didn't want that.
"Okay," the man responded, "I've been looking over papers as well al all of yours and Mr. Banks paper work. I've been going through it all night and trying to figure out how to do this. You and Mr. Banks are eligible to adopt this child if you'd please."
Tears formed in my eyes. I was beyond shocked and happy at what I was hearing. "Yes, yes, of course! We both would absolutely love to!"
"Great, Ms. Gray, that's great!" He said, "no there are some things you need to know. This is still going to be a long process and before you and Mr. Banks can officially adopt her, there are some more things between the baby and her father that need to be settled before hand, as well as her needing to be checked by a physician to make sure she has no health issues before handing her off to the both of you. Do you have a physician in mind you would like for her to see?"
"Uh, yes, Richard Riley, he works here at Bay Medical Center with me," I responded. A smile wouldn't leave my face. This was the best news I've ever gotten. "Mr. Gregory I cannot thank you enough, truly, this is amazing!" I smiled ear to ear. I heard the man chuckle.
"This is my pleasure, Ms. Gray. This child deserves great parents like you and Mr. Banks. Though I've never personally met either of you, I heard what you guys did at the brawl and at the hospital and all three of you deserve this," he said. I wiped away my tears. "I will call you back in a few days with further information on the process and will keep you guys updated with the progress."
I shook my head in shock, "thank you, thank you!"
The call ended. I looked up at Rick.
"What.. what was that about?" He asked nervously not knowing if my tears were good tears or bad tears.
"Rick.., I-I- Adam and I can adopt baby girl! It's going to be awhile, but..., she's ours!" I screamed with pure joy and excitement. The boys jaw literally dropped. He was surprised by the news just as much as I was. He suddenly leaped forwards and wrapped me into the biggest hug, picking me up from the ground and spinning me around while I squealed.
"That's so amazing! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations, Foster!" Rick said with excitement as well. He set me back on the ground right as the door opened. In walked Coen. He looked at the two of us confused.
"I heard screaming!" He said in a panic. A small laugh slipped my lips. I threw my arms to the side.
"Remember the baby girl from the hockey brawl?" I started. Coen nodded his head suspiciously. "Adam and I can adopt her!" His jaw dropped just like Rick's had. I wrapped my into a tight hug as well before pulling away.
"It's about damn time!" He told me, "congratulations!" I smiled up and him and thanked both of the boys. I couldn't be happier right now. "Have you called Adam? Does he know? You need to tell him! Call him, call him! Is your phone dead? Here, take mine!" The boy rushed to say. I quickly shushed the boy while pulling the phone out of my back pocket again.
"I just got the call, I'll call him, don't worry," I calmly responded. I pushed in Adam number and placed the phone against my ear while it rang. The two boy in front of me bickered and yelled at me to call him while I kept screaming at them to get out. They were as happy about this as I was. Soon enough, the two boys left and I was left alone in the lounge. I heard my call finally being answered.
"Foster?" I heard Adam question. I bit my lip.
"I have the best news ever."