Jen
She took an Uber home. She could have called her father or Megan, but it was late and she didn't want to explain it to anyone that night. She texted Sterling she had a family emergency and would be gone the week. She had multiple texts and calls from both Sterling and Lexi which she ignored while with Alex. She texted Lexi much the same thing. She knew Lexi would wonder who it was. Did she even know Alex's name? They'd been paying Coastal Builders, not Alex directly, for the work he did on her Maine projects.
She entered their empty house. She had never stayed without Alex. She thought about eating, but her stomach was in knots. Upstairs he hadn't made the bed. She found one of his tee shirts put it on and climbed into Alex's side of the bed. It smelled like his soap and shampoo. In the dark room, she cried. She cried because she was scared. She loved him so much and she had never been so scared in her life. She picked up her phone and texted him, I love you.
He responded I know. We both need sleep.
Not sure I can.
It will be alright. I love you!
She slept very little in fits and spurts. She woke early and made coffee. She showered and dressed in her comfortable weekend clothes and debated stopping in to see her parents, but went straight to the hospital without seeing anyone.
Alex had bought a car, so they didn't have to go out in the truck, but mostly for her so she could shop and do what she wanted. She gathered some things for Alex including his toothbrush, clothes, and shoes to wear home. She didn't see anyone she knew as she drove off The Point.
When she arrived at his room, she could tell he was frustrated. She felt him relax as she kissed him. She asked him to move over and she climbed onto the bed on his left side. She felt the tight smooth skin just below his left shoulder. It would never be the same because after today he would have a scar and an outline of a small device under his beautiful skin. She didn't care he would be less than perfect. She would love him if he was disfigured because her love for him ran deep.
"Are you scared?"
"I guess. I've never had surgery. I have never been tied to a bed for this long. Last night was the longest night of my life." He confessed.
"I know. I kept thinking the phone would ring telling me your heart stopped. I know you'd be fine because you're here, but I've been so afraid. I still am." She had never felt so vulnerable in her life.
"I'm not going anywhere. We are getting married in September and we'll have babies and grow old together." Jen believed him because she trusted him completely.
A light knock on the doorframe interrupted them. "I thought this was a private room?" The new arrival teased.
Alex said, "Nick! What are you doing here?"
Jen jumped up embarrassed being caught in bed with Alex. Alex's friend was a doctor. He had a hospital badge and stethoscope.
"Last I knew I was your doctor even though you spend all your time at the coast and never come see me. It surprised me to see your admission."
"This thing's gonna to be okay, right? I trust you, Nick."
"It will be. I have plenty of other patients with ICDs." He turned from Alex to Jen. "I'm Nick Burke."
"This is Jen, my fiance."
He shook hands with Jen. He had kind eyes and probably turned a lot of nurse's heads.
"Alex and I go way back. Hank built my parent's house on the lake."
Alex said, "Nick, I'm sorry I haven't been a very good friend."
"No worries. Life has a way of healing itself. Let's concentrate on getting you taken care of."
When he left, Jen said, "He's nice."
"He's the best. He lost his wife."
Jen didn't expect Alex to say that, but it kept Jen away from her worries about Alex for a few minutes. "He looked happy enough."
She had tears in her eyes as they rolled him away. There was nothing she could do but wait. She was pacing alone and afraid when Kate appeared. Jen gave her a weak smile. "I won't be good company."
"That's okay. I know how to shut up when necessary," Kate laughed and Jen knew she had a reputation for talking too much. "I told mom to go to work. Too many of us would make you anxious. It looks like you're anxious enough."
"Why do I keep jumping to the worse?"
"It's normal. When did you last eat?"
"I had some nuts and yogurt for lunch yesterday... right before the call."
"Come on, you need to eat and don't argue," Kate said forcefully.
"But I can't leave." Jen protested.
"They have your cell. It will be at least an hour," Kate explained and Jen looked at her phone. "It looks like a lot of people are contacting you."
She had texts from Sterling and Lexi asking her to call. Lexi added, when she could. Avery wanted to know how she was holding up. She needed to tell her parents. With that thought weighing on her mind, she said as she picked at the blueberry muffin in front of her, "I never told my parents."
"Call them now or wait until after you see him or Hank could stop by."
"Would he?"
"I'll call him."
Jen barely listened as Kate spoke to her stepfather. Jen was scrolling through her phone looking at pictures of Alex. She did that a lot when she was away from him and missed him. Every picture he was smiling at her and he loved her. She sat toying with her ring. She had put it on at home.
Finally, she said, "I think I'd like to go back upstairs to wait."
Kate was true to her word, she only talked after Jen did. Jen suspected she was good at her job. She had a calming presence which was ironic since she flew off the handle with her brothers.
Jen said, "So that was Cara."
"Yup, did you mind? She wanted to take care of him."
"No, it was fine. First, her husband took care of his hand. He's had a tough year."
"He's never been happier. Thanks to you."
"Neither have I."
They fell into silence again and they both jumped when the phone in the room rang. Kate motioned, and Jen answered tentatively. "Dr. Fine here. We're done. He's fine, but still a bit groggy. It will be a little longer before we send him up. You can breathe, he's smiling."
Jen looked at Kate. "He's done and okay."
Kate jumped up and hugged her. "You were so brave."
"I didn't feel brave."
What she felt was a new appreciation for her future sister-in-law. She saw her as a friend and knew she'd grow to love her.
Kate went to work making calls and sending texts with the news. Jen texted Avery and answered when her mother called. She assured her he was fine and they would be home later.
He looked sleepy when they finally wheeled him back in. She went right to him and kissed his cheek. "Are you alright?" He nodded, and she told him how much she loved him.
Kate asked some questions about his pain. She stayed until after the doctor came to talk to them and answer their questions. Alex was more alert by then. By noon he was sitting up and eating. Jen was feeling less stressed and felt the caretaker in her kicking in. She wanted to make things as easy for him as possible.
Finally, by mid-afternoon he dressed with a little help and discharged. When they reached the house, he was just settled on the couch when Tom, Avery, and Paula came to check on him.
"How long are you staying?" Avery asked.
"Through the weekend, unless he needs me longer."
"I'm going to work tomorrow," Alex announced.
"You can't even drive with your incision." Jen reminded him.
"I'll have someone drive me around."
"Good luck with that one!" Tom said.
A surprise visit from the gorgeous Dr. Nick Burke. Read Unexpected to get to know this hunky doc.
Has anyone had to wait while a loved one had surgery? If so, you know it is awful.