Happy New Year! It is New Years Eve here, but I don't know where everyone is so. Thank you all for reviewing, reading, the follows and favorites. I did not include the corona virus pandemic in this story. I felt like we all needed an escape from all that. Enjoy this installment. Amber
Chapter 13
Callie and Frank stopped at Panera Bread to get lunch. They both ordered panini's. Frank took a sip of his drink. "How are you feeling baby?"
"Okay right now. The pain pill helped. I'm glad I cut them in half. It's just enough to take the edge off."
They finished eating and Frank drove them to Callie's nephrologist. The waiting room was not crowded at all. In fact at the moment there was only the receptionist there. Callie was grateful. She checked in and sat down with Frank to wait. "Callie Hardy?"
Callie and Frank stood up and they followed the nurse to the back. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm not in as much pain that I was two weeks ago but still have bad pain at times. I take half of a norco and that helps."
"Good. You know not to take any NSAIDs right?"
"Yes Dr. Dresden did mention that in the hospital. It's a shame because my periods are bad and the cramps are awful. Tylenol doesn't do anything for them."
They were now in a room. The nurse took Callie's bp it was 118/70. Much better than earlier. "The doctor will be in shortly. You need to put on a gown so she can remove the staples."
Callie nodded. She found the gown. She took off her shirt. She was mindful of Frank in the room. She still felt self conscious. So she turned her back to him and took off her bra. Then put on the gown in haste. She didn't remove her pants. That wasn't necessary. The nurse could shove it as far as she was concerned. She sat on the exam table. She was embarrassed that she had been self conscious. "Sorry Frank."
Frank who was sitting in the chair giving her the space she needed replied. "Don't be sorry. You're still recovering. It's going to take time baby."
A knock was heard at the door and Dr. Dresden walked in. "Hello Callie, how have you been feeling?"
"My pain isn't as intense but I still have some. It hurts to pee and there's a tinge of blood in the urine. Nothing like before."
"I'll get a urine sample to rule out a UTI. Let me look at your incision."
Callie held up the gown. The doctor nodded. "Looks good, ready to get these staples out?"
"Yes. When can I pick up my daughter again?"
"To be safe another month. You want to let the internal sutures heal completely. Those take longer."
Callie nodded. "Okay. Let's do it."
The doctor expertly removed the staples. Callie gave a urine sample and it was confirmed she had a UTI. He gave her bactrim for the time being and sent the urine off for a culture. Ten minutes later they were heading home. Frank squeezed her hand while they were in the car. Callie squeezed back. "I'm glad that's all over Frank."
"I am too. So one more month and you can pick up our little girl again."
"I'm marking the date on the calendar."
Frank laughed. "You start your virtual classes tomorrow?"
"Yes I think I will do better with that at least for now."
"I've switched mine too."
"Really?"
"Yes really. We need to be together right now."
Grateful beyond words Callie leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you honey."
"Any time."
They pulled up to the drive thru of the pharmacy and picked up Callie's prescription. Then they went home. When they opened the door a loud squeal was heard. Brooke made a beeline to Callie. She reached for her. Callie knelt down and hugged her. "Hello baby girl."
Brooke babbled. "Ma Ma, Da De Unca Joe read me books."
Frank smiled. "Did he. Is your Nana in the kitchen?"
Brooke reached up to him. "Da De!"
Frank picked her up and kissed her cheeks. "We love you baby."
"Na Na in kitchen."
Frank carried her back. Laura was busy making dinner with their housekeeper Millie. Frank smiled. "Hello ladies."
Millie looked over. "Frank! I washed Brooke's linens everything came out. I made the crib up good as new."
"Thanks Millie. Did you get to our laundry?"
"I have it's washed and put away. I helped Laura make her lasagna. I have to say it looks like a much yummier recipe than mine. I'm going to have to use it from now on."
Laura laughed. "You're welcome too. My father is italian and my mother is scandinavian."
Frank asked. "Did you invite Grandpa and Grams?"
"I did as well as Fenton's parents. I hope Callie doesn't mind. We haven't seen them for a bit and I have been in the area a few times."
"Of course I don't mind. I love the Ricci's and Fenton's parents. It's nice having family in the house.
Laura warned her. "Just so you know they are both nurses and might ask you how you're feeling."
"I'm glad that I have such a wonderful support network. I really do."
Brooke reached for Callie. "Ma Ma."
Callie bit her lip. "I'm sorry baby mommy can't hold you right now."
Brooke screamed in anger and buried her face in Frank's shoulder. Frank soothed her. "Shhh. Mommy still has her bad boo boo's baby. She'll be healed in a month. Look we're going to mark it on the calendar okay."
Brooke her lip trembling said again. "Want Ma ma."
Frank said. "We know sweetie and trust me your mommy wants to too but we can't risk it. You're a big girl okay. Let me show you the calendar. "Today is here...mommy can pick you up…." Frank flipped the page. "Here. We're going to mark it with a heart. See."
"Heawt."
Frank nodded. "That's right, we can mark through the days we finish when we go to bed at night okay. So that you can see."
Brooke looked hopeful. "OK Da De."
Callie was so relieved. She had almost left the room in tears. But Frank made an activity out of it so that Brooke could be engaged. It was wonderful.
Laura looked over at her. She whispered. "What a wonderful idea."
"I hope it keeps the tantrums down." Callie said.
The doorbell rang. Callie stiffened. She still wasn't comfortable answering the door by herself. Joe hollered from the other room. "I'll get it."
Callie breathed a sigh of relief. She went over to Frank and Brooke and hugged them both. Joe's voice booming across the house stopped them all cold. "How dare you! Who do you think you are?"