Chapter 11
Finally, they were allowed to go home just before lunch. Everyone else was out of the house. Naturally, Harry was out of commission for the rest of the day. Nathan carried the boy up the stairs while Kristin followed.
Nathan laid the boy down on his bed. "There you go, Champ. Are you cold?"
Harry shook his head. "No, just tired."
Kristin sat on the other side of the bed and gently stroked his hair. "How about I stay with you until you fall asleep?"
"OK," the boy answered weakly.
Kristin put her hand in his and squeezed. It took all his might, but Harry squeezed back. He wanted his mother to know how much he needed her and appreciated her at that moment.
"I'll be right here," Kristin assured him. She kissed his cheek and whispered, "Just close your eyes and relax. I'll be right here."
Harry closed his eyes, and it didn't take long for him to fall asleep.
Nathan put his arm around her. "Why don't we try to get some rest too? You look exhausted."
Kristin was exhausted. She hadn't slept very well the night before, and she knew Nathan hadn't either. But, she was worried about letting herself sleep. What if she fell asleep and didn't hear Harry calling her? She didn't want to leave him.
"He'll be fine," Nathan assured her, noting her reluctance. "He's asleep."
"I know," Kristin said. "But I'd never forgive myself if…" Her voice trailed off.
Nathan sighed. "I think I can fix this."
Kristin gave him a confused look as he stepped into the hallway. She heard him rifling through the hall closet, and a few moments later, he returned with a box.
"What is that?"
Nathan opened it up. "A baby monitor," he said simply. "I had ordered it on the Interenex when we thought you were pregnant. I had it on the boat this whole time; I hadn't taken it back yet, so I brought it here. I was going to exchange it, but I never did."
"You had it all this time?"
He nodded, blushing slightly. "I guess there was a reason I kept it. Anyway, we can use it for Harry."
"That's brilliant!" she said, rather pleased.
"I thought so." He quietly slipped into Harry's room and placed the monitor in there. Then, he walked out. "Now, we can go lie down, and we should hear him if he calls us."
"OK," she replied.
The two entered their bedroom, both exhausted from not sleeping well the night before and from the trying morning at the hospital. Kristin lie on the bed and listened to the soft sounds of Harry's breathing. A few moments later, Nathan laid down beside her. He took the baby monitor from her hand and gently set it on the table next to the bed.
"Are you OK?" Nathan asked. "You haven't really said much since the hospital."
Kristin sighed. "I think the reality is setting in," Kristin replied quietly, her voice weak from the lump in her throat.
"You've held it in all morning," Nathan pointed out. "I honestly don't know how you've done it."
"I think it's the doctor in me coming out finally. It's been suppressed for a while, but now…" Her voice trailed off as she started to sob.
Nathan held her tight and allowed her to let it out; he shed tears of his own as well. Soon tears subsided as exhaustion won over, and both fell asleep.
Hours later, Nathan awoke. He shifted quietly so he wouldn't wake Kristin. He sat up and listened; the soft, rhythmic breathing echoed through the monitor, telling him Harry was still asleep as well. But, Nathan could also hear quiet conversation, telling him someone else was home. He took a blanket off the foot of the bed and carefully covered his sleeping wife. He then slipped out the room and headed downstairs.
"Hey, Cap!" Lucas called quietly when he saw him. Cynthia, Malique, Maggie, and Crystal were there as well, along with Robert, Kendall, Michael and Kristy. Wendy, Katie, Ben and the twins were in the dining room.
"When did you all get here?" Nathan asked.
"About an hour ago," Robert informed him. "We wanted the house to be quiet when you got home…for Harry. How'd it go?"
"Rough," Nathan admitted. "I don't think he'll get out of bed the rest of the day."
"What about Mommy?" Kristy asked.
Nathan sighed. He felt a tremendous bit of guilt at that moment. Since they'd arrived in New Cape Quest, he hadn't time to spend with his newly recovered son. And, he barely said two words to his grandson. And, now, his own daughter was being pushed aside because of Harry. None of it was very fair. He crouched down next to her. "Mommy's asleep; she's been taking care of Harry all morning, and she's exhausted. I'm sure you'll see her later."
The girl nodded, but the emotion in her voice was evident. "I miss her."
"I know, Sweetie." Nathan stood and looked around at the sad faces. There had to be something he could do to bond with them, to reconnect. "Hey, I've got an idea. How about we go sailing?"
"Right now?" Lucas asked hopefully.
Nathan nodded. "Why not?" I think I need a break from all the chaos, and I've missed all of you. So, anyone who wants to come is welcome."
And so, it was decided, Nathan, Robert, Ben, Lucas, Kendall, Michael, Cynthia, Malique, Maggie, and Crystal all headed down to the docks. Wendy, Katie, and the twins headed out to the beach as well, but they opted to stay on the beach. But, it was a lovely change of pace for all involved. It wasn't long before Nathan's boat was far from the land, and everyone on the boat was having a wonderful time while Wendy and Katie watched from the beach. No one heard Harry calling out.
"Mom! Dad!" Harry called weakly. He waited for a few minutes for someone to come. Then, he called, "Mom!" a little louder. "Dad!" He needed to use the bathroom, but he hadn't the energy to get out of bed himself.
Kristin sat up in bed. She was sure she heard something through the monitor. "Nathan?" she said when she realized he wasn't next to her. She thought perhaps she heard him in the bathroom. However, when she heard no answer, she realized he wasn't there. She stepped out into the hallway and headed for Harry's room.
She found the poor boy lying in a heap on the floor. She rushed to his side. "Oh, Sweetheart!" she exclaimed.
"Mom?" Harry said. "I needed to use the bathroom…but I fell. I called for you and Dad."
Kristin helped the boy up, not really looking at his face. When she did, however, she gasped. His nose was bleeding. "Oh no," she muttered.
"What?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Um, nothing," Kristin assured him. She helped him to the bathroom. When he was finished, she said, "You've just got some blood." She took a washrag and cleaned his face. "There," she said once his face was clean once again.
"That's not a good sign, is it?" the boy said knowingly.
Kristin averted his gaze for a moment, trying to decide whether she should tell him the truth or not. She started to over -compensate. "It might be nothing."
"Mom?" Harry said desperately. "You don't have to lie to me. I can handle it."
Kristin finally looked at him, tears in her eyes. "It's not the best sign," she admitted.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I know. I couldn't even feel it," he admitted.
Kristin quickly wiped her eyes. "We'll tell the doctor about it later; she's supposed to call. Do you want to lie back down?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I'm tired."
"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" Kristin asked.
"I'm fine, Mom," he insisted. "No, I don't want to eat or drink right now." He could see the worried look in his mother's eyes, so he changed his answer. "Maybe some crackers and some water would be alright."
Kristin nodded, smiling a bit. "Alright. I'll be right back." She headed down the stairs to the kitchen. She noticed the house was in slight disarray, telling her the others were around somewhere. As she was going through the cupboard to find the crackers, she felt her anger rise over the situation at hand. She couldn't believe Nathan didn't leave a note or anything. She couldn't believe he'd just walk out, knowing Harry could wake at any moment. She looked out the window and saw Wendy and Katie. She opened the sliding door and called to them. A few moments later, they were back inside.
"We didn't realize you were awake," Wendy replied, carrying little Liam.
"Well, I only just woke up," Kristin said. "Where is Nathan?"
"Oh, he took the others sailing," Katie explained, Marina in her arms. "I think he's feeling guilty about not spending time with them."
"Well, that might be, but I can't believe he didn't leave me a note or anything," Kristin exclaimed.
"Is something wrong?" Wendy asked. She could tell Kristin was acting a little panicky.
"Well, Harry and I were sleeping, and I woke up because I heard him calling me. The poor thing was too weak to get to the bathroom."
"Oh, dear," Katie gasped.
"Anyway, I didn't hear him right away, so he tried getting there himself. He ended up falling, and he got himself a bloody nose….and Nathan wasn't anywhere to be found," Kristin said, tears in her eyes. She showed them the crackers and water in her hands. "I need to get these up to him. Excuse me."
The two other women stared after her. "That was Kristin?" Katie said. She was used to seeing her so in control.
Wendy, on the other hand, was used to seeing her this way over the past month. She nodded. "I don't think I blame her though. She's doing the best she can, considering."
Katie hugged her daughter close. "I don't know how I'd handle it if either of these two were…." Her voice trailed off.
Wendy nodded in understanding. She set Liam down in the bassinet Katie and Ben had brought with them. "If you don't mind, I'm going to see if she needs any help."
"Not at all," Katie replied. "In fact, I might-" She was going to offer her help as well, but she was interrupted by her son's crying. "I guess I can't help after all."
Wendy smiled. "I think she'll understand." She left Katie to attend to her children while she slipped away upstairs.
She knocked gently on the Harry's door.
"Come in," she heard Kristin say.
"I was wondering if you needed any help?" Wendy offered as she entered the room.
"Maybe you could take a look at him?" Kristin asked. Now, of course, Kristin could have easily done so, but it's difficult for a doctor to see (or admit) illnesses or effects of illnesses he or she may see in his or her own family members. Wendy knew Kristin didn't trust herself.
Wendy nodded. "Of course." She sat down next to the boy. "Harry, how are you feeling…truthfully?"
Harry looked at his mother; he hadn't wanted to scare her, hadn't wanted to tell the truth. Sure, he wouldn't be feeling well, considering he'd just had a treatment. But, he'd been through this once before. He knew that what he was going through was far worse this time. He knew he shouldn't feel as awful as he did at that moment. He hesitated.
"Would it help if we asked your mom to step outside?" Wendy offered.
Harry nodded.
Immediately, Kristin began to protest. "No, I-"
But Wendy stood. "Just try to separate yourself for a moment. Think of him as a patient, not your son."
It was difficult, but Kristin did, for only a second. And, it was that moment that she knew Wendy was right. She looked at Harry. "I'll be right outside the door."
The boy nodded, and Kristin left. She leaned on the railing of the staircase and cried softly. She was overwhelmed by anger and sadness.
A short time later, Wendy opened the door. Kristin turned and looked at her expectantly. "I think you ought to call the doctor."
Kristin nodded, expecting as much. "I need Nathan."
"I'll contact him on the radio," Wendy assured her.
Kristin nodded and headed to the vidphone while Wendy contacted Nathan.
A short time later, everyone bounded into the house upon hearing the news.
Nathan found Kristin sitting in front of the vidphone.
"Where were you?" she said through tears.
"We….I….we were out sailing. I thought it would be a nice change for the others. And, I…I haven't spent any time with them since we've been here."
"I know," Kristin admitted, feeling the slight pain of guilt as well. "But, you didn't leave a note or anything. This isn't just a cold, Nathan. It's cancer. You can't just be running off without saying anything."
"I thought things would be fine," he admitted. "I'm sorry."
Kristin sighed. She felt her anger melt. "Well, I suppose I can't be angry with you. I understand what you were trying to do, but…"
Nathan could hear the tears in her voice. "What happened?"
Kristin explained what happened with Harry. "And I just spoke with the doctor…she wants him in the hospital."
Nathan held her tightly as she cried into his shoulder.