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“Of course.” Arianna smiled broadly.
Within five minutes, Rafael had managed to ease the woman’s reservations and confuse the hell out of Arianna. Had he just proposed in front of the CPS caseworker?
“Captain Lopez, I’ll take you up on your offer and come to visit your condos. This baby may be discharged in a day or two. Finding her a foster mother who’s a nurse and a foster dad who’s ready to help is a plus.”
“When would you like to come? Now? Tomorrow? In a few days?”
“How about tomorrow morning at nine?”
“Can we make it eight?”
“No problem.” He gave her the address and his phone number. “I’ll meet you downstairs in the lobby at eight sharp.”
Just then, Cody walked in. “How’s my patient?”
After a peek at the baby, Arianna answered, “I think she’s getting better.”
“I’ll examine her now.”
Arianna stood and gently placed the baby in her crib.
Annabelle shrieked, her strident scream stunning everyone in the room.
“No way! She’s recovered her voice.” Cody laughed. “It’s the first time we hear her cry. Yesterday, she could barely whimper.” He turned to her. “I told you, Arianna, you’ve accomplished a miracle just by holding her.”
“Poor little thing. She needs affection.” Arianna struggled with the tears threatening to escape.
Cody examined the baby. “The surgery scars are slowly healing. The fever is gone, and her BP and pulse have slowed to a normal rate. Unless we have an unforeseen problem, she can leave tomorrow.”
Arianna spun to face the caseworker. “You heard that Ms. Robb?”
“I did. We need to act fast. Dr. Mason, can we assume once she’s recovered, she’ll be a normal, healthy baby?”
“Unfortunately not. She’ll recover, but she’ll need a lot of attention and care. The right food, a limited amount of exercise, regular checkups, and scans, maybe another surgery in a year or two. One should never forget she’ll always be a child with a heart problem.”
Ms. Robb huffed. “In other words, a difficult case to place.”
Arianna’s heart squeezed painfully. The woman had already labeled Annabellea difficult case to place.
“Don’t worry, Ms. Robb. I promise you’ll find loving foster parents for this baby.” Rafael’s smile seemed to charm the pants off the woman.
None too pleased, Arianna scolded herself into a calmer mood. Rafael was doing his best to get them into the caseworker’s good graces.
“Thank you, Captain. Can I accept your offer to visit your place today? Huh, I mean the place where the baby will live if she comes to you?”
“Of course. Arianna, are you coming?”
“I would like to spend more time with Annabelle.” Geez, he would do a better job convincing the woman without her, frowning at every misplaced smile or sweet word. She approached the crib and cooed. “Right, sweetie pie?” The baby lifted her arms toward her, fretting. “Aww, come baby girl.” Arianna picked her up and pressed her cheek against the baby’s.
“See you soon, sweetheart.” Acting like a good husband, Rafael touched her lips in a quick kiss.
Josie’s face softened with envy, and Cody grimaced in anger.
Rafael ignored them. “After you, Ms. Robb.”
He trusted her with Cody, she would trust him with Josie.
***
