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“I should have been home last night,” Julie said softly.
She slowly let go of Emma’s hand and leaned back in her chair next to me.
“If I had been home last night, maybe I could have done something.”
“Hey,” I said leaning her into my arms. I kissed her softly on the head. “I promise you; you did nothing wrong. Even if you were home last night, I doubt you would have caught it any sooner. We got her here while it was all still very new in her system. She is going to bounce back quickly.”
“I just can’t leave her anymore,” Julie said looking up at me.
“And you don’t have to. Okay?” I assured her.
She nodded and leaned into me.
“Once she gets a good amount of fluids in her, she’ll be able to leave by the end of the day. I can take you both home.”
“And stay with us,” Julie said with her head pressed against my shoulder.
She looked up at me then. I searched her eyes for her meaning.
“As long as you want me to,” I answered.
I slipped down to the hospital cafeteria to get us both something to eat. Julie was still a little anxious and didn’t feel comfortable leaving Emma, even if she was still asleep.
I scanned the line of the usual hospital food. It didn’t matter if it was in the middle east or hear in my hometown, hospital food sucked.
My eyes fell on a case full of sweet treats, and I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed one to give to Emma when she woke up.
I came back upstairs and to Emma’s room to find both girls awake and sitting in the hospital bed.
Emma already looked better. Her nap, as well as the added liquids, brought color back to her face. I couldn’t help but match the smile she gave me when I walked into the room.
“You look like you are feeling better,” I said as I strolled into the room. “You're in luck too, because I found the perfect treat for you. Don’t tell your mom," I added in a whisper with a wink.
I pulled out of the bag a chocolate cupcake with pink frosting and a bright red cherry on top.
“Just in case your wondering, it’s called a cherry coke cupcake. That means not only is it a cake, but a cake filled with soda.”
I looked over at Julie who had a brow raised at me and one arm already on her hip and ready to scold.
“I don’t think sweets is a v
ery good idea right now,” Julie said. “It can't be good for you when you are sick.”
“Are you kidding me. It’s the best thing for you,” I said more to Emma. “Trust me, I know. I’m a doctor,” I added with a wink.
I ignored Julie's scoff.
I placed the cupcake on the small table and wheeled it in front of Emma. She hesitated a moment and looked at me. She looked at her mom, and I saw some unspoken words pass between them.
Turning back to me she said, “Mommy says you're my Daddy. Is that true?”
I looked over at Julie surprised by the words. Julie gave me a nod of encouragement.
I looked down at Emma. I struggled to keep my emotions in check.
“I am your Daddy. I know I haven’t been around up until now. I was hoping that could change. Would you be okay with that?”
She took the cherry off the cupcake and popped it into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed as she seemed to think this over.
