Chapter Eight

When he did fall asleep on the couch in the room, Rick remembered to take it off his artificial limb this time. Kenny woke im with a soft shake at 6:15a.m..

"Hey," he said quietly. "I bought you breakfast and coffee. I was talking to Claudia. She packed some clothes and stuff for you guys. I'll go get it for you. Drew is finishing up and will be around in a few minutes."

"Thanks Kenny," he said. "Could you do us another favor and check on Bri, too? Just make sure she took her meds and that on time?"

Rick realized that Claudia would do that but it didn't hurt to make sure. They didn't need two daughters in the hospital.

"That's the plan."

Brianna slept with her in the guest room that night.

Or barely slept.

She promised her dad that she wouldn't google any further respiratory complications her baby sister could have. No, Cori was technically not a baby anymore but Bri still thought of her that way. But she was terrified Cori wouldn't be all right and might have to through the same thing she had. The second Brianna saw Kenny she asked him if he had seen her sister, how was she?

"She's fine. She's comfortable, sleeping. I think she might be there for a little while, though," Kenny said. "We're taking good care of her, sweetheart. You will have to ask your dads but you might be able to visit her soon."

Brianna nodded. Since Kenny was bringing clothes and food for her parents, she asked him to bring Elliott, Cori's stuffed panda to her. Kenny thought that was a good idea especially when Cori was more awake. He would even put a bracelet on the toy with Cori's name and room just in case he was misplaced. Topher insisted on giving Drew the night off tonight and Drew "really should" go home and try to rest after his shift and the stressful night.

And Brianna needed to see him too after such a scary night.

His daughter was the only reason Drew came home. Not for sleep or a shower or anything else. Brianna teared up in Drew's embrace. Drew reassured her that Cori would be okay and explained what was wrong with her and how it was being treated. Unfortunately her stay in the hospital would be longer than they hoped but Brianna could see her in the few days. Drew smiled telling Bri that Cori was still feisty, telling her about when Cori realized there was a diaper on her.

Brianna laughed.

"Oh, I know she hated that!"

Both father and daughter had a busting headache and had to take two Advil before laying down. The two fell asleep, Brianna with her arms around Drew. Drew slept knowing Cori felt safe with Rick at her side at the hospital. Thanks to one of the nurses Rick was able to pick up and cradle Cori while sitting in a recliner. Despite all the medications and being in a half-conscious state Cori had started to fuss. Someone thought her dad holding her for a while would be a good idea. Cori immediately stopped moving around and crying when she was lifted into Rick's arms. When Rick sang to her, she settled completely.

"How long has she been with you guys?" The nurse asked.

"Two weeks," Rick replied, then explaining existing relationship between their adopted daughter. He added Cori's sad beginning and how many failed placements and group homes she had endured. It was more than Brianna's and Cori wasn't half Brianna's age. "But she's ours now."

"She certainly seems to know she's your baby," the nurse said, smiling at Cori's snuggled into Rick's shirt, gripping the material.