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“We’ll find out,” said Steven as he walked to answer the doorbell. Anne was thinking how nice it was to be a part of something fun after being locked away in the apartment all week. Going to the hospital for Emily’s emergency didn’t count as an outing.
The doors opened and chaos erupted. Charlie came in, laughing, followed by three girls, about her height. All were excited and giggling as they rushed into the penthouse checking out the interior with curious glances. Then came Grace, conversing with a young man with close-cropped hair and a goatee. Next came a tall, broad-shouldered fellow with blond hair, cradling the limp body of Emily in his arms. Spencer, who was obviously fuming, followed right behind him.
Anne struggled to stand up. “What’s wrong with Emily?”
“She’s okay,” said the blond man with a smile. “She’s just sleeping.”
“Because you drugged her!” accused Spencer.
“I didn’t drug her. I gave her some pain medication.”
“Like I said, you drugged her. And you should’ve let me carry her.” Anne could almost see steam coming out of Spencer’s ears. “What did you give her, anyway?” he demanded.
“I gave her some acetaminophen with hydrocodone. Where should I put her?” he asked Anne.
“Please, lay her here on the couch.”
“Okay, but you should know she’s pretty dirty.” He nodded to Anne. “Hi, I’m Josh.”
“He saved Emily’s life today,” said Charlie. “Him and Brad.”
“I saved her first,” grumbled Spencer.
“Hi, I’m Brad.” The other young man walked over to offer his hand to Anne.
“I’m Anne, Emily and Charlie’s mom, and this is their father.”
Steven moved through the crowd to offer his hand to the young men. “Hi. I’m Steven.”
Brad and Josh stared with wide eyes at Steven.
“Steven Gherring? Are you Steven Gherring?” asked Josh, pumping his hand.
“I’m afraid so.” He chuckled.
Brad grabbed his hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you, sir. Charlie didn’t tell us who her dad was.”
“Technically, I’m their stepdad, but today I think I deserve to be called Dad.”
“I agree,” said Anne. “You definitely get dad status.”
“I’ll give you dad status for letting us use the limo,” said Charlie, giving Steven a hug and kiss on the cheek.
“Nice to meet you,” Josh said to Steven. “And thanks for the ride home.”
“Thanks to both of you for taking care of Emily for us and bringing her home,” said Steven.
Spencer added sullenly, “And for giving Emily illegal drugs.”
“It wasn’t illegal,” Josh growled.
“Codeine—without a prescription!” He spat back.
Josh’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “But you see, I’m a doctor and so is Brad. So it was perfectly legal for us to give her hydrocodone.”
Spencer’s face deflated and he stomped into the kitchen.
“You’re both doctors?” asked Anne.
