Proctor entered his patient's room with a smile on his face. He had just received the most recent blood test results and they were looking good. He was happy for her. And when he thought about it, this patient had wormed her way into his heart and he was more concerned than normal for her well-being. Refusing life-saving treatment was just the beginning.
"How are you feeling?" asked Proctor when his patient turned to face him.
"Weird, but good," replied Karen Simon. She had come to like this doctor since she had met him two days earlier.
Proctor sat on the edge of the bed as he spoke. "Well, your labs are back and your kidneys are responding well to the treatment, so..."
"You probably think I'm insane." A smile crossed Karen's face briefly as she said this.
"No. I think you're going to be an incredible mother and I think your daughter's a very lucky girl," said Proctor as he stood up to leave.
"Hope."
Proctor turned around when he heard Karen's voice. "Sorry?"
"That's what we're going to call her."
"That's nice. Enjoy your daughter."
Proctor gave Karen another smile as he left her to rest.
Karen opened her eyes to find that her husband, Frank, was talking with Proctor. Both had smiles on their faces and Karen hoped that whatever they were talking about was good news.
"Frank," called Karen. She watched as her husband turned around and walked over.
"How are you Karen?" asked Frank.
"I'm good. What are you two talking about?"
"You."
"Frank, what's going on?"
"Nothing. Doctor Proctor was just telling me that he was thinking about sending you home tomorrow."
"That would be great."
"He also has some other news for you but I'll let him tell you that."
Karen eyed her husband suspiciously but quickly turned to face her doctor when he came into the room.
"I have some good news for you Karen. It turns out that your kidneys responded really well to the two treatments we've given you so far. I'm happy to tell you that they are functioning properly again and that you won't need treatment anymore. I do want you to take it easy for a few days, but as soon as you get your daughter, you can stop worrying about anything ruining the adoption plans," said Proctor to an astonished Karen.
"That's great," exclaimed Karen as she hugged her husband. "Thank you so much."
"That's okay. Just be careful. I don't want to see you here again."
"You won't, that I can promise."
"Karen, look who just got here," said Frank quietly.
Karen looked up from her position on the couch. Frank had gone to the airport to pick up their daughter while Karen had been resting at home.
"Hope," whispered Karen happily as she and Frank cuddled their new baby girl.
THE END
