Chapter 12- Mary Mccord
Monday morning came way to early. Mary had to be at the hospital at 5:30. Her surgery was at 7. Henry woke up at 4:30 showered and got dressed. He than woke up Elizabeth which proved harder than he had thought. "come on babe you have to get up you can sleep while where waiting but if you want a shower you have to get up now" Henry pleaded with her. Elizabeth started to stir. "I will go get you a glass of water and some Advil you get up and get in the shower" Henry kissed her forehead and headed downstairs. His dad already had a pot of coffee going. "How's mom doing this morning" Henry asked his dad. "Not to bad she is nervous, but she will be ok." Henry grabbed the Advil and a glass of water to take up stairs. "Elizabeth drink a little to much last night? I heard her come in it was pretty late when you guys finally came up from downstairs" Patrick asked Henry giving him a side glance while smirking. Henry smirked and shook his head and went upstairs. Elizabeth had been around long enough that the whole family knew that tipsy Elizabeth was very affectionate.
When Henry got back upstairs Elizabeth had turned back over and went back to sleep. "Babe you got to get up or my dad is going to leave with out us." Henry tried pleading again. Elizabeth jumped up not realizing she had fallen back asleep. She grabbed on to her head movement that fast wasn't a good thing. Henry let out a small laugh and handed her the water and the Advil. "how much time do I have before we need to leave" Elizabeth asked still trying to wake herself up. "Only about 10 minutes babe so you better hurry." Henry explained. "Ok I will skip washing my hair but I am kind of sticky from our sexapades so I need to jump in the shower. Will you get me a coffee to go and I will meet you downstairs." Elizabeth kissed Henry, grabbed her clothes, and headed to the bathroom.
Elizabeth threw her hair up in a ponytail on the top of her head, quickly undressed and jumped in the shower. Patrick was a stickler for time, and he would leave right on time with or with out her. She took the worlds quickest shower. She got dried off and dressed then put her hair in a more appropriate ponytail. She grabbed dirty clothes and threw them in the hamper in Henry's room. Grabbed her Shoes and socks and ran down the stairs. "Good timing Elizabeth were just walking out the door, why don't you have your shoes on?" Mary questioned "I will put them on in the car just wanted to make sure I didn't get left behind." Elizabeth bashfully explained "Maybe if you to kids learned to go to bed at night instead of your sexapades in our basement you wouldn't be so tired." Patrick looked at Henry as he spoke. Elizabeth and Henry's face both turned red. "Are the other kids coming to the hospital this morning?" Henry asked trying to change the subject. Maureen is Tom had to work an overnight, so he is going to go home and sleep for a few hours and then join us. Amelia must work so she will be at the hospital and check in on us as often as she can. Shane will be there after he takes Sara to school. I am not sure if Erin was able to find a sub, we are kind of short on them around here." Mary answered "I think Erin found a sub and was going to meet us at the hospital this morning. We ran into one of her friends last night and I think they talked about it." Elizabeth explained but leaving room incase Erin overslept.
When they arrived at the Hospital it was 5:15 Patrick had instilled in Henry that being early was being on time and being on time was late. Patrick held on to Mary's hand as they walked up to the doors of the hospital. He squeezed her hand as they got close. Patrick stopped and pulled in Mary for a hug before they walked in. "Sweetheart everything will be ok, you are the strongest women I know, and we will fight this together. You can't leave me, who else will keep me in line" Patrick whispered in Mary's ear as he held her tight. Elizabeth could see where Henry learned to be such an amazing husband. Henry and his Dad didn't always get along, but He learned so much from Patrick and Elizabeth could see so much of Patrick in Henry.
As they were standing outside the doors Maureen came walking up to the doors. Patrick grabbed Mary's hand again and started inside the building. Maureen grabbed Mary's other hand just wanting to be close to her mom for a moment. Elizabeth and Henry walked behind them. Henry was trying to hold back his tears as the importance of this moment wasn't lost on him. Elizabeth squeezed his hand to silently let him know everything would be ok. He turned a gave her a small smile. Patrick got Mary checked in, they had everyone wait in the waiting room except for Patrick while they went and got Mary prepped.
"I heard you and Erin had a few drinks last night" Maureen questioned Elizabeth
"ya we did nothing to major she just needed to let off some steam" Elizabeth answered back careful to keep her voice tone soft.
"Do you really think that's what she needed the night before Mom is having surgery" Maureen was angry
"Maureen enough, Erin is a grown adult who can make her own choices" Henry snapped back
Erin came in as if on cue and sat down, "good Moring guys how's mom" Erin asked
"if you were on time you would know" Maureen answered back bitterly.
"They are prepping her now; we can go see her when their done before they take her to surgery" Elizabeth answered Erin ignoring Maureen
The nurse came in and told them they could come in 2 at a time. Maureen stood up right away, Elizabeth told Henry to go ahead that she would go in with Erin. Henry gave Elizabeth a quick peck on the cheek and he and Maureen followed the nurse. Henry begged his sister to lay off just for the day it was going to be hard enough with out everyone fighting. Maureen agreed and apologized she was just nervous.
When Henry and Maureen got to Mary's room, she was in the hospital bed with a gown on, she had a few different iv's and cords Henry wasn't exactly sure what for. He let Maureen go first and stood next to his dad not saying anything just put a hand on his shoulder. Mary pulled Maureen in for a hug, "promise me if anything happens you will take care of your dad. He is going to need you" Maureen shook her head and told her mom that everything was going to be fine. "Promise me" Mary pleaded "Ok of course I will but everything is going to be ok" Maureen was trying to keep the tears out of her eyes. She hugged her mom one last time and stepped back so Henry could talk to her. Mary pulled in Henry for a hug, "I made Maureen promise to look after your dad if anything happens to me, but I need you to promise me two things, that you will look at for your siblings and that you will keep working on your relationship with your dad and don't leave things bad with me if you guys argue always end on a good note. He is stubborn so you're going to have to be the one to make the first step" Henry let the tears fall out of his eyes as he hugged his mom tighter and tried to reassure her that she would be ok and nodding his head in agreement for what she had ask of him.
Henry and Maureen walked back to the waiting room. Maureen grabbed Henrys hand a squeezed it before letting go. When Henry walked in the waiting room, Elizabeth stood up and hugged him tight. "I love you it will be ok" she whispered in his ear. He nodded his head as that is all he could manage for the moment. "Erin and I are going to talk to Mary and when I get back, we can take a walk if you want" Elizabeth told Henry before squeezing him tight one more time and giving him a quick kiss on the lips.
Erin and Elizabeth walked down to see Mary, this surgery wasn't super high risk but because of her age and heart condition it was a risk. "what if this is the last time, I see my mom" Erin asked Elizabeth with tears in her eyes. Elizabeth wasn't sure how to answer she didn't want to think that they might lose Mary. "the best advice I have is to make sure you get to say I love you." They walked the rest of the way in silence.
When they got in Mary's room Patrick was beside her bed holding her hand crying. They stood outside of the door letting them finish their conversation. Erin was in tears; Elizabeth was better at hiding it but her heart was breaking. Patrick came out of the room a few minutes later almost crashing into the women. "you girls go ahead and go in I will be right back" Patrick said as he quickly walked away. As they went in Erin went to Mary first. "Mom I love you and everything will be ok" Erin leaned down to hug her mom. "Baby I love you to always remember that I love you and no matter where your life takes you, I will be proud of you." Mary squeezed Erin tight. When Mary let go Erin said she was going to find Patrick. Elizabeth went over and hugged Mary "Thank you for everything you have done for me Mary. Thank you for raising such an amazing man and being such a wonderful grandma to my babies and such a wonderful mother-in-law to me and for always keeping Patrick and Maureen in line." Mary laughed a little before responding, "Elizabeth I need you to promise me to keep taking care of Henry if anything happens to me, he will take it the hardest. He has always been a momma's boy even now as we both know. Also make sure that you guys stay in contact with Patrick and help him to be patient with his dad." Mary pulled in Elizabeth for another hug before continuing. "Also thank you dear for being an amazing daughter in law and for putting up with all the crap from Patrick and Maureen. Thank you for letting me be there for you when you had Stevie and for always making time to bring Henry and the babies to see us." They were both in tears. As Elizabeth turned to leave Mary called out her name. "Elizabeth, I signed a DNR which is why Patrick is so upset I don't want the other kids to know but he is going to have a hard time processing this. Patrick walked in at that moment and Elizabeth felt the tears start to escape she turned and nodded to Mary and walked back to the waiting room. The nurse came and took Mary back to the operating room.
When Elizabeth got back to the waiting room everyone was crying, she guessed that Patrick had told them about the DNR. When Henry saw her, he stood up and walked over to her pulling her close needing to feel her comfort. She wrapped her arms around him pulling him close to her. They stood there and cried till it felt like there were no tears left. Henry asked if anyone wanted coffee it was going to be along day. Everyone wanted coffee so he said he and Elizabeth would go get some. They walked hand in hand to the cafeteria. Neither of them saying anything just taking comfort in each other. They ordered coffees for everyone and grabbed a bunch of cream and sugar and walked back to the waiting room. They delivered the coffee and sat with everyone for a minute no one really saying anything. "I need to go for a walk" Henry stood up and started walking to the door. "do you want company?" Elizabeth asked not sure. "Ya babe that would be great" Henry gave her a small smile
Henry and Elizabeth held hands and walked out to garden area of the hospital. This hospital had a beautiful garden with a walking trail. They had been here when his dad had a heart attack a few years back. Elizabeth had been out of the country when she got the news and flew back immediately family always came first. They walked around the Garden silent at first. They came to a bench near a little pond and Henry sat down pulling Elizabeth on to his lap and hugging her tight. She smelled like vanilla and home and she could calm his nerves in a way no one else could. They just sat there for a while when Elizabeth asked Henry if he wanted to talk about it. He was holding back his tears and wasn't great at talking about his feeling when it came to him being vulnerable. She pulled his chin up so she could look into his eyes. She planted a sweet kiss to his lips. "whenever your ready I will listen babe, I know it hard just know I am here" Elizabeth planted another kiss and wrapped her arms around him pulling him close again. Henry just nodded and said "I will talk about it later babe right now I just want to hold you"
In the waiting room Shane had arrived and Amelia had come to greet him. Patrick told Shane about the DNR and he cried into Amelia's scrubs, how could she do that with out getting to say goodbye. Amelia handed him a letter. She asked me to give you this when you got here. I have 15 minutes do you want to go for a walk with me. Shane and Amelia went for a walk, Shane opened the letter.
Shane,
My sweet boy I am sorry that you were not able to be here this morning. I am sure I will come out of surgery fine, but I just wanted you to know that I know how much you love me. I also want you to know how much I love you and how proud I am of the father and husband that you are. I am headed to surgery now, just know I love you,
Mom
Amelia pulled Shane into a room and pulled him into a hug, holding on tightly to him. "Hey, I talked to the nurse and so far, everything is going well I really think she will be ok. Your mom is the strongest women I know, and I have a feeling she has a lot of years left in her." Shane pulled Amelia tighter and shook his head. They walked back to the waiting room, Amelia gave him a quick kiss and told him she would check back in soon.
When Shane walked into the waiting room his Dad was sitting down with Erin on one side and Maureen on the other. No one was really talking which for the Mccords rarely ever happened. Shane sat across from his dad. "I am sorry I should have found someone to take Sara to school Shane apologized to his dad but more to himself. "It's ok buddy no one knew she was going to sign a DNR she will probably be back to keeping me inline in no time." Henry responded with a light chuckle. They started to talk a little more telling stories about Mary and different times they thought they had gotten away with something and Patrick would bust them down saying nope your mom knew she just figured you learned your lesson, so she didn't bust you.
Elizabeth stood up pulling Henry up with her, she told him "let's go check on everyone and stretch are legs a little. I am not a tiny as I used to be your legs probably hurt"
"Babe your still tiny and my legs are fine but yes let's go check on everyone." Henry pulled her into a hug
On the way back from the garden Henry spotted the chapel, Henry asked Elizabeth if she minded if he went in the chapel for a little bit and he could meet her back at the waiting room but she was not about to leave him so she said she would go in the chapel with him. They lit a candle for each of her parents before sitting down. Elizabeth was not normally a prayer person, but she figured now was as good as time as any, so she sent up a silent prayer asking God to keep this family whole a little while longer. Henry sat a prayed quietly and then just sat a little longer taking comfort in the chapel.
They walked back into the waiting room and saw everyone laughing and telling stories. Elizabeth and Henry sat down next to Shane and joined in the conversation. About 11:30 a nurse came to the waiting room and asked to Speak to Patrick, they all stood up Erin and Maureen each grabbed their dad's hand. Elizabeth grabbed Henry's hand and Shane's as she was standing between them.
"Mr. McCord the surgery went well we believe we got it all, their will still be quite the recovery process and she will still need some chemo, but we are confident in her prognosis." Dr. Brent explained. Patrick who was not the hugging type went over and pulled the Dr. in for a hug. "when can we see her" Patrick asked. "As soon as she wakes up, we will come and get you." She will be in the ICU for a few days just because of the risk factors. Only one person will be able to be in there at one time. Everyone turned and hugged each other. They were all crying Happy tears.
They decided they would all go to the cafeteria for lunch as the Dr. had said it would still be a couple hours before they would be allowed to see her. Tom showed up just intime for lunch, pulling Maureen into a tight hug. "Babe I am so glad everything went ok. You should of called me I would have come here sooner" Tom told Maureen pulling her in tighter. Shane texted Amelia to let her know the good news and told her they were going to the cafeteria. She texted him back saying she would meet him down there it was her lunch break anyways.
All the McCords sat and ate together enjoying each other's company with a big relief that Mary would be ok. Mary was the glue that held them all together. Elizabeth was extremely thankful that they wouldn't have to learn the hard lesson of what losing a parent meant at least not today. She wouldn't have to lose another mom at least not today. She said a silent prayer thanking God for keeping her family whole a little while longer.
Patrick told the kids he would be staying at the hospital until Mary was released but that they should go home and get some rest and get back to their families and jobs after they talked to her. Elizabeth offered to run and pack him and Mary a bag as they had not done that before. Henry said he would go with as it would still be a while before they could see Mary and even than only one at a time. Patrick agreed but than told Henry they should head home early tomorrow and get back to their kids and jobs. Mary would be in the hospital anyways and there was nothing they could do.
Henry and Elizabeth went to the house and packed a bag for Mary and Patrick. It was 2 o'clock already so they decided they would leave tomorrow but stop by the hospital first. While they were at the house, they did a quick clean up and went through the fridge and made sure that there was plenty of food and that nothing needed to be thrown out. Elizabeth grabbed Mary's favorite throw blanket that the grandkids had gotten her for Christmas. Henry grabbed a couple books for his dad to read. They got back to the hospital just as the nurse was coming to tell them they could see her one at a time.
Patrick walked into the room slowly, he wasn't sure what he was going to find and wasn't sure he wanted to. There was wires and tubes everywhere she was a small woman but had always looked larger than life to Patrick. She was still beautiful and took his breath away. He walked up and held her and just cried. He was so thankful that he did not lose her. She was his lifeline, and he didn't know what he would do without her. She was still groggy, but she squeezed his hand. Letting him know she was ok. Patrick told her the kids wanted to see her and then he was sending them home.
All the kids came into to see her one at a time. She was groggy but could feel the love that her children and their spouses had for her. Each kid only took a few minutes as the nurses wanted her to sleep. Elizabeth told Patrick they would bring him back supper, so he didn't have to eat hospital food. The kids all gathered at Maureen's house that evening. It was too weird to be at their parents' house with out them. Tom grilled up some stakes and hamburgers and they sat out on his patio drinking and celebrating that fact that Mary was going to be ok. Tom made up a plate with a steak, a baked potato for Elizabeth and henry to take back to the hospital for Patrick. Elizabeth ask Maureen if she wanted them to take Jason tonight or come back in the morning for him. Maureen told them just come back in the morning he is having to much fun with his cousins. About 8:00 Henry and Elizabeth left Maureen's to go take Patrick a plate. Patrick didn't want to eat Infront of Mary, so he met them in the waiting room. He asked Elizabeth to go sit with Mary while he ate. Elizabeth was more than happy to do so.
Patrick and Henry sat in the waiting room while Patrick ate his supper. Henry promised his dad he would be up in a few weeks. Patrick nodded and smiled. "Son how much was that grocery bill for the food you brought up" Patrick asked his son. "It was $150 the receipt is on your counter I know your going to pay me, but you really don't have to." Henry tried telling his Dad knowing it was useless. His dad wrote him a check. "Son if this doesn't come thru the bank by Friday, I will be driving down there an giving you cash so don't even try not to cash it we don't need any handouts.
Meanwhile in Mary's room, Elizabeth sat next to her holding her hand letting her sleep. She talked quietly to Mary telling her about the latest trouble her grandkids had gotten into and how she was so happy Mary would be around to watch them get in more trouble. After a while Henry came into the room. He kissed Elizabeth who slipped out quietly. Patrick was outside the door, "Henry just wanted to say goodnight real quick thank you for sitting with her" Patrick told Elizabeth as he kissed her cheek. "Anytime Pat, try and get some sleep you won't be much good to her if you're tired." Elizabeth scolded him "I can sleep anywhere I am old" Patrick let out a small laugh.
Henry came out of the room, hugged his dad and said goodbye telling his dad they would be back in the morning to say goodbye before leaving town. Elizabeth grabbed Henry's hand and they walked out to the car. They went back to house and got ready for bed. They crawled into Henry's small twin size bed. Henry laid on his back, Elizabeth laid with her head in the crook of his shoulder and her arm around his chest. Henry cried for the millionth time that day, these were happy tears glad that his mom was ok. He kissed Elizabeth tenderly "thank you for always being by my side and holding me up I don't know what I would do with out you. You are my home, my soulmate, my best friend, and partner. Elizabeth kissed him back, "Henry I will always be here for you, you gave me back a family, you make me a better, stronger person every day. I would not survive without you, you are the best husband, and father I could ever want you to be. You know I see a lot of your dad in you. I see how your dad takes care of your mom just like you take care of me. I see how hard your dad works to provide for your family not just money wise but emotionally and physically. I know you and your dad don't always get along, but I see a lot of him in you. They laid there tangled up together on that small twin bed both feeling more love than their heart could hold. They fell asleep as it had been a long day and they had not got much sleep the night before.
When Henry woke up the next morning, he noticed it was already 9 o'clock. They never slept that late and they needed to get on the road as they had a long drive ahead of them. He went down and started a pot of coffee knowing he would have trouble getting Elizabeth up with out it. When the coffee was ready, he took a cup upstairs to her waking her up with a kiss. "what a wonderful way to wake up kisses and coffee." Elizabeth teased. "Babe its already a little after 9 we should probably get showered and get going. Fine but can we at least shower together, no funny business I promise I just want to be close you" Elizabeth gave him the puppy dog eyes knowing he wanted to get on the road. "fine but no funny business we need to get going or were going to run into traffic" henry answered as he grabbed her hand to help her up.
They took a shower with out any funny business. Henry washed her hair for her which was one of her favorite things it made her feel treasured. He loved her hair and was happy anytime he got to have his fingers in it. After there shower, they got dressed and ate a quick breakfast before calling Maureen to tell her they were going to stop by the hospital quick to say goodbye and then they would be there to pick up Jason. Henry took their bags to the car and Elizabeth made a few sandwiches for Patrick for lunch along with some chips and some fruit. She grabbed a bagel and some cream cheese for breakfast and filled the thermos with coffee.
They went to the hospital and Mary was much more awake this morning. They let Henry and Elizabeth go in together and Patrick went out to eat his breakfast. Mary held each of there hands as they talked for a little bit. Henry promised his mom he would be back in a couple of weeks. "you better bring my grandbabies with you" Mary threatened. "we will they both have a week with no games, and they have Friday and Monday up so it will be a long weekend." Elizabeth promised giving Mary a kiss on the cheek. Henry said goodbye and they went and picked up Jason and headed back to VA. Jason talked nonstop for the first 3 hours and then crashed mid-sentence. Henry and Elizabeth listened to music talked and enjoyed each other's company.
It was 4 O'clock by the time they made it back to VA. Ms. Janie was just pulling up with Ali. Ali jumped out of the car and ran to her mom. "mommy I missed you" Ali had tears running down her face. "I know baby I missed you to I am so glad I am back" Elizabeth planted about 20 kisses on Ali's head before setting her back down and sending her and Jason inside. "How is your mom Henry?" Ms. Janie ask, "She is going to be ok, thank you so much if you want to take off early today you can or you could come have some coffee which ever you prefer." Henry answered. "I have a hot date tonight, so I think I am going to take off early" Ms. Janie winked at them they all laughed, and she got in her car and headed home. Elizabeth texted Mitch that she would pick up Stevie at the end of the driveway today. "hey Ali want to walk with me to go meet Stevie" Elizabeth asks Ali already knowing she would jump at the chance.