Chapter 36
It had been two weeks since the surgery, and almost seven weeks in the hospital. Today was the last.
"You ready to get out of here?" David asked Amanda as he walked into her room.
"Is the doctor ready to release me?"
"Do you want me to go get him? You could work your magic on him, convince him you're ready to go."
"And if that doesn't work, I could always go straight to the chief of staff. I have some pull with him too."
"I'm surprised you haven't been able to get out of here earlier, I mean with all of this pull you seem to have."
"It's my doctor. He keeps telling me I need rest, and blah, blah."
"Well maybe it's for a good reason? Did you ever think that maybe he knows what he's doing?"
"Yeah but does he know how hard it is to sleep, when your daughter is at home, alone with her father?"
"Hey now, I take offense to that."
"Nothing against you babe, it's just, I'm her mom and all I do is worry about her when I'm not with her." She reassured him putting her hand on his face.
"Well all of that is going to change because I'm springing you from this joint today, as long as your Ejection Fraction is holding at 40%."
"It better be, because I can't spend one more minute in this horrible place, no offense. I know you take great pride in your hospital."
"Your right, I do. Although I don't hold it against you. You had to spend way too much time getting to know this place."
"So much time that I wouldn't be surprised if you decided to name a wing after me."
"Oh you mean the new Amanda Dillon Cardiac Care Wing?" He said with a half smile.
"David."
"I just couldn't help myself. Do you know how much I charge for a surgery like yours?" She shook her head. He loved to crack jokes at her.
"So where's our baby girl?"
"She's with her aunt Kendall and uncle Zach. They should be here anytime now."
"I bet Kendall loves having a little girl around. She always talks about having a girl and now she has one she can spoil."
"The kid already has a entire new wardrobe and it's only been a couple of days." David told her and she laughed.
"Hey mom." Kendall said from the from the doorway holding Natalie in her arms.
"Are you hear to help mommy break out of here too?" Amanda said to her daughter as Kendall put Natalie in her arms.
"Thanks for watching her these last few days. I really appreciate it." David thanked Kendall and Zach who had just walked in.
"It's no problem at all. She's so adorable and the boys really love having her over." Kendall said, while cooing at the baby.
"You hear that Zach? Sounds like someone wants a little girl." Amanda tossed at a less than amused Zach Slater.
"All I have to say is that you better keep your boys in line Slater. If I catch them near my daughter..."
"Don't worry Hayward, my boys will be perfect gentlemen."
"Aww thats so cute. Daddy's protecting you from boys already." Amanda laughed
"There's no need protecting from my boys. They're a catch." Kendall proudly stated.
"We've got at least two, three years until we have to worry about that anyway. Hey you, can you go sign whatever papers so we can go home?"
"Yes. Yes. You three keep an eye on her. She's been trying to escape." David said teasingly to Kendall, Zach and Natalie before kissing his daughter and then Amanda before leaving. Zach had followed him out of the room.
"So when is the wedding?" Kendall asked, curious as to why no one had mentioned a wedding after hearing the story surrounding the proposal.
"We haven't set a date. I guess we figured we'd figure that out once we got home and got settled. Plus I think David sees walking down the eisle as strenuous activity."
"I guess it's your fault you fell for a cardiologist."
"He's yours too."
"Not to be all morbid, but I thought that maybe David would want to marry you as soon as possible. We all learned that we never have as much time as we think we do."
"You're right, we don't. But I think that if we got married right away, that it would feel like were doing it just in case, you know?"
"But isn't that what the two of you want? To be husband and wife?"
"We don't need some piece of paper to tell us how we feel about each other. I know I have the greatest guy in the world. He literally saved my life."
"It's no secret we've never been friends. In fact, I think you're an arrogant bastard. But I've seen you work miracles. You saved my wife's life and your wife's life. How can I ignore that? You're alright."
"Thanks, I guess."
"Just don't tell the rest of Pine Valley. I have a reputation to uphold."
"Secrets safe with me."
"So you're taking her home today?" Zach asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah. I'd like for her to stay a few more days but I think she'd actually get up and walk out if she had to stay another day. Not to mention the fiance in me wants her home."
"I get that. If you two ever need some time, don't hesitate to give us a call. We'll be glad to watch Natalie."
"Thanks, Zach. We could watch the boys if you needed us too."
"That's a good one David. Ha ha. That's what nanny's are for."
"What? You don't think we could handle them?"
"The three of them? NO."
"Thanks for encouragement."
"I'm sure you'll be a good a dad, but three might be too much to handle."
"Heart surgery is so easy. Taking care of toddlers, now that's a different story."
"So true." Zach laughed. "I've got to know one thing? All this time spent on married women, women your age. And then you end up with twenty something Amanda Dillon."
"Jealous Slater?"
"I love my wife."
"Come on. Guy to guy. You want to know how I hooked hot young thing like Amanda? I have no idea. Just the way love works I guess."
"Yeah, I guess. Alright, go get Amanda and that baby of yours home. You deserve some family time."
"Thanks. I will."
"You ready?" David asked, wheeling in a wheelchair.
"I've been ready for the past two weeks!" Amanda said more than ready for the ride out of the hospital.
"As soon as you get in this chair we'll get out of here. Hospital policy."
"Don't think this is going home with us. I can walk."
"What makes you think I don't already have one at home?"
"That's not funny."
"She thought it was." He said, referring to the smile on Natalie's face.
"Let's just go home."
"Home it is."