Chapter 7
Javier pulled the SUV up to the curb in the parking garage. He came around the back of the vehicle and opened the back door on the right side for Kate, noticing someone coming out the door. "Come on Beans," he smiled, getting her out first and then Kate. "Hey kid," Javier grinned at the person walking up to them.
"Good morning to you sir," Baker said.
Kate shook her head. "Abigail, what are you doing here?"
"The kid is good Doc," Javy smiled.
"Don't tell me," Kate said. "Somewhere along the line you two have crossed paths."
Baker smiled. "When I first made detective, he was my prescient captain."
"But that still doesn't explain..." Kate started.
"With the Commissioner out of the office, there isn't a whole lot for me to do. Plus the Commissioner knows I still miss doing fieldwork. So does Jimmy, the head of the Commissioner's security detail. I'm your security for the day."
Kate smiled and winked at Javy. "You really trust the kid?"
"She'll do," Javy grinned. "Same as yesterday Doc for your ride home?"
"Yes. Thank you Javy."
"See you then Doc."
Abigail held the door open for Beans to lead Kate into the building. Beans followed Abigail to the elevators. "She is so good," Baker smiled.
"Abigail, I got my independence back when I finished training with her and got back home."
"Training Kate?"
"Six weeks. They just don't give you a dog and send you out the door. We had to learn to be partners and trust one another."
Abigail smiled, watching Beans leading Kate into the elevator and followed them in. The doors closed. Kate smelt her perfume and looked at Baker. "Please tell me you got some sleep yesterday."
Abigail smiled. "Brian woke me up at six last night. With Cody home and dinner cooked. I conked out again after Brian left for his last overnight tour for the week. We'll be a regular family the rest of the week."
Kate grinned. "Hang on to that man Abigail. He's good."
Baker looked at Kate. "Since this is girl talk and private, I really hope you and the Commissioner do the same."
"That's the plan," Kate smiled back at her.
The elevator doors opened on the seventh floor. Beans led Kate off with Baker following them. One of the officers guarding Frank's door, pushed it open for Kate to enter. "Thank you Detective," Kate smiled.
"You're welcome ma'am," he said back.
Kate walked in the room and smiled at the sound of Frank softly snoring. Kate pointed Beans to the recliner. She put her bag in the recliner and took off her coat and scarf. Gwen came in the room. "Good morning Doc Mac," she said. "Need some nasty ass hospital coffee?"
Kate laughed, pulling out her travel mug of coffee from her bag. "I got my home brew. I'm good to go."
Gwen smiled. "Just to let you know, Doctor Fitzgerald is on the floor and is reviewing the Commissioner's chart."
"Thanks for the heads-up Gwen," Kate smiled. "Please go do your job."
"I'll check on you later Doc Mac," Gwen smiled.
"Thank you," Kate smiled back as Gwen left. Kate released Beans from her guide harness. Beans went for the first ray of sunshine coming in the windows to settle into her morning nap on the floor. Kate followed Frank's snoring to his bed. She rubbed his chest with her right hand and kissed his cheek.
"Hi," Frank groggily said.
"Good morning," Kate smiled at him. Frank conked back out. Yet that told Kate what she suspected. She just needed Doctor Fitzgerald to come in the door and confirm it.
The door opened. "Good morning Doc Mac," Fitzgerald smiled.
"Good morning Doctor," Kate said, looking at him. "You are the attending doctor and I'm retired. And you more than earned my respect years ago."
"Thanks Kate," Fitzgerald said. "Has he responded to you?"
"One word," Kate said.
Doctor Fitzgerald smiled. "I know you. You've already figured out what I'm doing."
"You're giving me a test Doctor?" Kate challenged.
"Yes I am," Fitzgerald responded with a grin.
"You moved Frank off Advil three at four this morning to regular Advil in an eight-hundred milligram drip that wears off around noon so you can get some solid food in him." Mike pressed the button to get the head and shoulder part of Frank's bed to raise Frank's upper body a bit. "And doing that tells me the BP readings are saying the graft is set."
"Very good Doctor," Mike smiled. "Thanks for making me the doctor I am."
"You did that all on your own Michaleen," Kate smiled. "I just gave you the push."
"Push my ass," Mike growled. "You rode me like a horse."
"You needed it," Kate defended.
Fitzgerald shook his head and smiled. "Yes I did. Thanks Doc Mac."
"You're welcome Mike," Kate sincerely said. "I'm proud of you."
"And, of course, you nailed it where I am with my patient." He looked at Kate. "I'm really happy for you. So I don't mind you looking over my shoulder. You, of all people, need to be happy. I'm glad to be a part of it."
"Thanks Mike," Kate smiled. "While I'm here for Frank, I'm also here for the family."
"I get that," Mike responded. "They can come this evening. As you predicted, I want to get some solid food in him at lunch. Then a full dinner. He should be good to have them for an hour."
Kate looked at Mike. "You're still keeping him down a bit?"
"A lesser dose of Advil, but yes. Let me do it Kate. He'll be home Saturday. With conditions," Mike said. Kate looked at him. "I'm on your side Doc Mac," he grinned. "Please trust me."
"Thank you Mike," Kate smiled. "I'll let the family know."
-0000-
Frank woke to Kate shaking him a bit. "What's going on?" he asked. He looked around. "I'm not flat on my back anymore?"
"A light lunch of solid food that you need," Kate smiled, as a nurse raised the bed into a comfortable sitting position. "Some tomato soup and a half of a grilled cheese sandwich."
"Sounds like heaven," Frank said, yawning again. "But I need water first." The nurse helped him drink from a large container of ice water. "That helps."
"Sounds like you're going to survive," Kate said. "You've got one good arm. Please eat. I wish I could be of more help."
Frank smiled, taking a bite of the sandwich. "You're here. That's all I need. What about your lunch?"
"It's coming up after you finish yours," Kate smiled. "I know people around here."
"How long have you been here Kate?" Frank asked.
"Just during the day so your dad and the kids could get some rest or do their jobs."
"How long have I been out?" Frank asked, taking a spoon full of soup.
"You're not done," Kate smiled. "But come four this afternoon, thirty-six hours. Which you needed Frank. I backed Janice's plan because it was the right call. Doctor Fitzgerald backed it as well. After you eat, you conk out this afternoon. Then eat a good meal tonight. Your body is then on its own with no meds. Just you and the sandman with your blood pressure getting to normal. I've already talked to your dad. The family will be here tonight."
"And where will you be?" Frank asked, taking another bite of his sandwich and another spoonful of soup.
"Back home," Kate replied. "You need time with your family."
"You know you can be here," Frank said.
"I prefer not to push it right now." Kate looked at Frank. "Please trust me."
"I do," Frank said, finishing his sandwich and cup of soup. He deeply yawned. "Tell the doc I don't need the drugs."
Kate smiled. "They're already hooked up. Say good night Frank." She kissed him.
"Good night," Frank responded, falling to sleep. Kate lowered the upper part of the bed back to a comfortable sleeping position. Frank opened his eyes. "Thank you. I love you."
Kate smiled, kissing him again. "I love you too. Get some more sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Probably taking over my recliner."
"I'm ready," Frank yawned.
"Get to sleep," Kate said, rubbing his chest. It took Frank thirty seconds to conk back out.
-0000-
Kate walked into Frank's hospital room the next morning to Gwen greeting her and assisting Frank out of the bathroom with him in hospital pajama bottoms and the usual hospital top with his left arm and shoulder firmly enclosed in a sling and clean-shaven. He was wearing a robe as well. Kate smiled. "Let me guess. The catheter is out and you took a whiz on your own."
"Alone didn't happen," Frank growled as Gwen helped him walk to the recliner.
Kate roared with laughter. "Frank, I was a doctor, doing trauma surgery for how long? Gwen has been an RN for over twenty years. Do you really want to hear our stories of the worst male units we've seen?"
"Doc Mac, please don't go there," Gwen begged, getting Frank sitting in the recliner. She pulled up the recliner handle to get Frank's legs elevated.
"My apologies ladies," Frank said. He looked at Kate. "I smell breakfast."
"Javy and I stopped at O'Malley's on the way here," Kate said, setting her bag down on the coffee table and letting Beans go. She made a beeline to Frank for loves. Frank happily pet Beans as Kate pulled out a to-go container.
"I've got it Doc Mac," Gwen smiled, handing the container to Frank. Kate pulled out a second container and put it on the coffee table.
"Kate, please tell me you brought some of your coffee from home." Kate pulled out a thermos, smiling at him.
"I love you," Frank smiled. Kate smiled back at him.
"There's coffee cups in the kitchenette," Gwen grinned. "I'll get them." Kate pulled out three bottles of apple juice.
"What are they for?" Frank asked, taking a bite of his breakfast sandwich.
"You've been on pain killers for two days. Trust me," Kate said. "The first two are for you."
"She's right," Gwen added as Kate poured them both a cup of coffee. She put a couple packets of sugar in Frank's coffee and a single serve creamer. Gwen took the cup and gave it to Frank. Kate added two single serve creamers to her cup of coffee.
"Commissioner," Gwen said. "You drink that apple juice."
"Thank you Gwen," Frank smiled, taking a sip of his coffee. "Message received. And for the record, I feel like the Hoover Dam."
"Duly noted Commissioner. One of the pills I gave you earlier." Gwen said. "I'm glad Kate is here for that job," she smiled.
"Gee thanks Gwen," Kate smiled.
Gwen put the blanket Kate had used over Frank's legs. "You warm enough?"
Frank smiled. "I'm good Gwen. Thank you."
Gwen smiled. "Enjoy you two. I'm out."
"Thanks Gwen," Kate and Frank said together.
Kate came back into the room after lunch and taking Beans for her walk. "Kate," Frank said. "I think that pill Gwen gave me and the apple juice is about to work. Can you call a nurse?"
Kate smiled, pulling off her coat. "You've got a doctor in the room." She moved to Frank, getting him out of the recliner. "Take your time," she said, with her arm around his waist.
They got to the bathroom. Kate got Frank to the toilet, helped him pull down his pajama pants and got him seated on the commode. "Gee, you didn't blink about me helping you," Kate grinned. "That says a lot about our relationship."
"Yes it does," Frank smiled. "Now please, get the hell out of here. I'm about to fumigate this bathroom."
Kate kissed him. "Do the big job," she smiled. "Whistle when you're done." Five minutes later, Kate heard the toilet flush. Frank whistled. Kate walked in. "Someone die in here?" she smiled. "Do you feel better?"
"Yes," Frank yawned.
"But ready for a nap," Kate said. "I've got something for you."
"What?" Frank asked.
"A non-hospital issue clothing item that your dad sent along with me." She showed Frank the pair of boxers she brought.
"Thank you," Frank said.
"You're welcome," Kate replied. "Let me help you get them on."
Twenty minutes later, Frank was conked out in bed and Kate was napping in the recliner. Beans out-snored them both, stretched out between Frank's long legs on the bed.
When Henry and Jamie walked into the room a little past three-thirty, they found Frank in the recliner and Kate sitting on the couch. "Hey dad," Jamie smiled. "You look a lot better than you did last night."
Frank smiled. "I feel a lot better."
"Good to hear Francis," Henry smiled.
"Good to say Pop," Frank smiled back at him.
Kate stood up, using her leg to guide her around the coffee table. "Jamie, put your and Henry's coats on the sofa."
Jamie took her hand and pulled her to him. "Thank you Kate, from all of us, for being here for dad. We really appreciated it."
Kate smiled, rubbing Jamie's bicep. "I was happy to do it. I do have some investment in this."
Jamie smiled. "Some?" he asked, kissing Kate's temple. "I'm in," he grinned. Kate rubbed his arm more.
Henry pulled Kate into a hug. "You know where I stand." Jamie emptied the grocery bag he brought in. A stack of paper plates, a sleeve of cups and a gallon of milk, which he put in the mini-fridge.
"We both know," Kate smiled. "And we appreciate it." Jamie took off his coat and helped Henry out of his.
"So what's going on with this big family pow-wow?" Henry asked.
"I'm pretty sure Doctor Fitzgerald is going to release Frank tomorrow," Kate said.
"That soon?" Jamie asked.
Kate smiled. "That soon. But with conditions. Which he needs to talk to all of you about."
Henry looked at Kate. "Do you agree with that?"
Kate smiled. "The nursing staff has kept me updated on Frank's BP. The graft is holding. There's no reason why he can't be home, doing what he is now. But he will need some help."
"I'm in the room all of you," Frank growled. Kate smiled at Jamie and Henry. Just then, Erin and Nicky came in the room.
They shared hugs with Frank while Jamie took their coats. "How do you really feel dad?"
"Erin, I've slept today, while not sleeping flat on my back. I've had breakfast and lunch that didn't come out of an IV bag, peed in a toilet and took a big dump."
"TMI grandpa," Nicky smiled, kissing his cheek.
Erin rubbed Kate's arm. "He's that good?"
Kate smiled. "He's that good. Thanks for buying in on the keeping him down plan."
"Kate," Erin said. "You brought that home loud and clear. Thank you," she smiled.
Ten minutes later, Mike Fitzgerald held the door open to Frank's room for Jack and Sean. They were each holding a handle on the side of a cooler. Mike nodded Danny and Linda in the room with a smile and followed them in. The boys set the cooler down along a wall in the suite.
"Hello everyone," Mike said as the boys, Danny and Linda added their coats to the pile on the couch. "I am Michael Fitzgerald. I've been taking care of the Commissioner after Janice signed off from the case. Like Doctor Sherman, I am a protégé of Doc Mac," he nodded at Kate. "But the high stress of trauma surgery was never my thing. I'm the after-care specialist following trauma surgery so Janice and her team can move on to do more of their magic. I was part of the consult to keep you down, Commissioner, for thirty-six hours."
"Pleasure to meet you Doctor," Frank said.
"Likewise Frank," Mike smiled. "That said, our game plan came through with your recovery Commissioner. I see no reason to keep you here after tomorrow." The Reagan family all smiled. "But I have big conditions"
"Which are?" Frank asked.
"My first thought is to send you to a convalescence home. Commissioner, you need major after care."
"Such as?" Erin asked.
"For the next two weeks, his shoulder cannot move out of the sling. At least not without proper medical supervision," Mike said to the family. "Then add on Commissioner," Mike said, looking at Frank, "you need help getting dressed, far less bathing, getting your hair washed, etc. And someone certified to change the dressing on your surgical wounds. If you won't go to a convalescence home, you need in home care, twenty-four seven."
"I don't like either option," Frank growled.
"Dad," Jamie said. "Hang on." He looked at Kate. "Could you do all that?"
"Sure," Kate said.
"But not at our home," Frank said. The kids all looked at him. "Kate can't do steps. And honestly, you all know what my bedroom looks like."
"It's your and mom's room," Danny said.
Henry softly smiled, winking at Mike, getting his plan. "Kate, could you do this in your home?"
"Of course Henry," Kate said.
Henry shook his head. "Then I really don't see a big decision here," he smiled.
Erin winked at her grandfather. "Would you be OK with that dad?"
Frank smiled. "I could live with it."
Jamie looked at Kate. "No sass back?" he grinned.
"If you all are in, his arse is mine. We'll butt heads but he'll learn quickly it's my way or the highway," Kate grinned back. "And I'll get the job done."
"Doctor," Danny said, looking at Mike, "you just got our answer."
"Congratulations Commissioner Reagan," Mike smiled at Frank. "You're out of here tomorrow." He grinned. "Welcome to the Doc Mac show of keeping your ass in line."
Frank looked at Kate. "Really?"
"Really," Kate smiled back.
"Really," Henry added.
"Really," Erin said as well.
Kate looked at Mike. "Thank you."
Mike smiled. "I told you I'd pay you back."
After Mike left, Kate looked at Jack and Sean. "I need a favor guys."
"Name it," Jack smiled.
"Take Beans out across the street to the park to let her pee. You won't have to do the plastic bag thing."
"We can do that," Sean smiled, pulling his coat back on.
"Please just use the leash, not the guide handle. And if someone asks, tell them you are taking care of Doctor McInerney's guide dog," Kate said.
Jack pulled on his coat. "Come on Beans," he smiled, taking the leash.
The boys left. "Who wants a beer?" Jamie smiled.
"The pizzas should be here in twenty minutes," Linda added as Jamie pulled beers out of the cooler.
He looked at Kate. "Can your patient have one?" Jamie smiled.
"One," Kate smiled back.
When the boys returned, Kate smiled at them. "Any problems?"
"Nope," Sean replied, taking off his coat. "Your line worked," he smiled.
Beans walked up to Kate. "Yes, I know. It's your dinner time." She unhooked the leash. "Who's close?"
"Me," Jack said. Kate handed the leash to him.
"You can put that with the harness Jack. But what I really need you to do for me is get her some water and feed her. There should be two emesis pans on the counter in the kitchenette."
"Huh?" Jack asked.
"They're kidney shaped," Kate explained.
"Got 'em," Jack smiled.
Danny looked at Linda. "They have a name?"
"Yes they do," Linda smiled back.
"My bag was on the couch," Kate said.
"I put it on the floor next to me," Nicky said. She started to pick it up.
"Nicky," Kate said. "Just find the baggie of dog food I put in there."
"Got it," Nicky said, pulling it out of Kate's bag.
"Airmail Nick," Jack smiled, holding up his hand. Nicky tossed the bag.
Sean caught it. "You throw like a girl." That set off the usual Reagan family fireworks.
"Kate," Frank said. "Take three steps towards me." Kate did. Frank gently grabbed her left hand, pulled her to the recliner, and got her to sit down on the right arm cushion. He put his arm around her. "Welcome to Reagan family dinners," he smiled.
XXX