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When all was said and done, family was number one, but what about when he, as an adult, went home—alone. They all had their own families to tend to. Jules wouldn’t want to seem like a burden to anyone or heaven forbid—in the way. Of course, they would never purposely make him feel that way. But he was a man with his pride.
Everything’s all good and done when you’re up and about. But what about someone to care for and reciprocate that feeling? Heck, just being in love could do wonders for your health. He dated a lot of beautiful women but he never wanted anything more serious in those relationships. Then again, he hadn’t met anyone he’d want to be serious with. None who came to mind at the moment—except Amber Johnson-Murray, a friend of Carl’s wife. Yeah, Amber was real nice. Only trouble was she was prim and proper so he didn’t get too far with her—then again, he alerted her up front he wasn’t into permanent relationships. But she probably moved on by now.
How lucky his brothers were to have found “the one.” The question was, would Jules ever find “the one” before it was too late?
Just then, the door swung open. “Hi, Jules, it’s time for your session today. Is now a good time for you?” the shy physiotherapist queried as she entered the room. Beside her was the occupational therapist. They’d come to see how he was doing and to help him to manage himself in his day-to-day activities as part of his discharge plan.
“Sure,” Jules said.
“We’ll be out in the hallway, okay, bro?” Dion said for his brothers as the men proceeded to give him space.
“Sure, no probs. Granddad, you don’t have to leave.”
“Nonsense, you do what you have to do. Shelly and I will be outside in the waiting area.” His grandfather had his young wife, wife number five, on his arm as he made his way out of the room. Shelly was great and she was also a nurse, so she had been extra supportive when all this happened.
“It’s nice to have a big family like that,” Deana, the OT, told him.
“Yeah, when they’re not a big pain in the butt,” he joked, and he shifted himself on the side of the bed, the way they had showed him earlier.
“Good, Jules. You’re doing well.”
Jules appreciated Deana cheering him on. But he wasn’t used to this one bit. He was strong, independent and could bench press two hundred pounds of iron weights with little effort. Heck, why was he feeling like such a dead weight? Man, being unwell didn’t suit him a darn. He would do everything in his power to never end up like that again. Still, he would also never take anything again for granted thinking he was invincible. He should have taken his time on the slopes. Even if it was for a good cause. He was showing off his sports prowess a bit if he was honest with himself. Well, that would teach him.
After his session, Jules sat in a chair alone in his hospital room. Dr. Adeem entered and commented, “You’re a healthy man, Jules. Healthy and wealthy.”
“Excuse me?” Jules could not believe his ears.
“I’m not referring to being wealthy, money wise, Jules. I’m talking about your family.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’ve had patients before who have a lot of money but no visitors, outside of maybe the help.”
“Oh?”
“Well, they were very lonely, Jules. Don’t take it for granted, those nice guys are surrounding you with positive energy and lots of love. I find in my practice having an abundance of love and support can make a difference. More often than not.”
“I hear you.”
“There are patients I’ve had in the past who have told me they would trade all the money in the world they possessed to have someone visit them in hospital as they sat there alone with no one to care about them. If you have family and close friends who love you and support you—count yourself richly blessed.” Dr. Adeem smiled. He looked young in the face but his graying hair revealed his age—and wisdom.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Dr. Adeem smiled but Jules knew what else was coming. “Now, as I spoke to you before, there were some complications as a result of your injuries.”
“I know.”
“Have you done anything to…?”
“Listen, I haven’t spoken to my family about my…situation so I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.”
“I’d never do that, Jules. Even though your brother and I have worked together, it would be a breach of patient-doctor confidentiality.”
“Thanks.” Jules fought to swallow that gelatinous lump stuck in his throat. “So you’re saying I may not ever have kids because of my…injury from the accident?”
“Well, not quite. But it could be risky. We’ll do the surgery I spoke to you about as an outpatient but the chances are fifty-fifty of it being successful. You know, having biological children is only one way to be a parent if you ever want to-”
“I know,” Jules cut him off, and emotion subsequently climbed in his throat. He came across more curt than he intended. But he was a true Romero. Romero men didn’t do weakness and all that other stuff.
His mind ran on Lucas and Maxine and their cute daughter Mary-Louise and his cousin Antonio’s son Alexander and how they were adding to the branches of the family tree.
The family tree.
The Romero bloodline.
Jules felt a sudden onset of nausea. Damn, he never cared about having kids before. Heck, marriage wasn’t ever on his mind before. But just knowing now that there was a possibility that he may never even have that choice tore a hole in his gut.
How could a woman want to be with him if he couldn’t give her—an heir, a child?
No. Don’t jump the gun, Jules. Doc didn’t write you off just yet. You’re not out till the end. And it’s nowhere near the end.
“Jules, I know it may be hard now but the best thing to do for your full recovery is to get back to life. You don’t want to sink yourself into a depressive state. Not that you would, but as I tell all my patients, it’s best to focus on things that bring us contentment.”
Jules drew in a deep breath. “Right. I know what I have to do, doc.”
“And what is that?”
“Oh, don’t worry. When I’m good and ready, I will have kids.” Jules didn’t know how it was going to happen but Romero men never accepted defeat. Ever. Where there’s a Romero, there’s a way. Period. “So when can we schedule this…surgery?”
“Well, it can be done in a few weeks. I’ll talk with imaging first. We need to do another ultrasound. Then we’ll get you to see a reproductive urologist.”
“Great!” Jules sounded braver than before. “We need to get this thing done fast. I have a big deal coming up.”
“Oh?”
“Well, you just said I need to get back to living my life and work is my life. You’ve heard about the privatisation of the Mayberry Hill Family Center.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’ll be putting in a bid, so the sooner I recover the better.”
“You boys sure have your hands full running a whole lot of companies. I don’t know how you and your family keep up.” Dr. Adeem gave Jules a supportive smile. “I’ll get the tests booked immediately.”
CHAPTER TWO
Six months later…
“I can’t believe you’re back!” Amber Johnson-Murray announced to her elderly customer as she set a plate of scrambled eggs, toast and slices of bacon in front of her. “It’s good to see you up and about again, Mrs. Van Hogen. Here’s your order. Just the way you’ve always liked it. Eggs scrambled and fluffy, two slices of well-done bacon and lightly buttered toast. And it’s on me.”
Amber got a sudden boost of energy despite feeling nauseated all morning. And in fact, it was her first day back at work since she’d been off sick. Her belly knotted up in nerves. She drew in a deep breath. She was well aware of the stares from some of the other patrons. Her midsection had almost doubled in size from the last time she was there.
Some of the regulars at the café knew she’d broken up with her ex six months ago. He’d made a nasty scene at the café that day. The look of pity on their faces didn’t do much to make Amber feel any better. Yeah, he was out of the picture and she was now six-months pregnant. She was going to fight to raise her child—alone.
Mrs. Van Hogen turned to face Amber with a glow on her face. The aged woman’s silver short-cropped hair glistened in the early morning sun as she sat in her favorite seat by the window of the Murray Café.
“Why, thank you, Amber! That’s so kind of you. And it’s so good to be out and about again. Six months is a long time to be housebound after my hip surgery,” she said with a wide smile, patting her right hip, her walker by her side. “But this new hip will get me back in action.”
Amber smiled and tilted her head. Her customers made her day. Most of the diners were older and had been going there over the years. Just listening to them talk about their lives and families and bringing in wonderful stories warmed Amber’s heart and gave her new appreciation for taking it slow.
The Murray Café wasn’t making a profit. It was breaking even after paying the wonderful staff and ensuring they had the best home-cooked meals to give the locals. The cafe was just barely making it. It was a family-owned business that felt the effects of popular chain-store coffee shops opening up in the area over the years.
