Chapter fifteen
Abi sat on the edge of the bed as Ben went into the bathroom to fill the hot tub. When he came out Abi was lying on her back on the bed, though her feet were still on the floor. She had her eyes closed, and when he came closer he noticed they were filled with tears.
"Abi, hey sweetie, what's wrong?" he asked, climbing onto the bed next to her.
"Nothing," she answered.
"You don't cry over nothing. Come on. Tell me what love. Is it the baby?" he asked anxiously.
"No. It's tears of relief. I'm just so happy the children are safe, and Ethaniel is gonna be ok. I'm just happy we're home."
Ben helped her up and stood next to her holding her in a warm strong embrace. "I'm happy too," he said.
"Ben," asked Abi suddenly, "Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure love. Anything."
"Will you please go down and get the children up here please?"
"Now?" he asked. "I thought you wanted to shower and sleep."
"I want the children by my side. Please?"
Ben looked at her for a minute then realized something. He would never be able to say no to this woman. She was so precious to him; there was nothing in the world he wouldn't do for her. He smiled at her wiping the remaining tears from her eyes, and then he let go of her heading downstairs to the living room where the children and the rest of the people were sitting.
Everyone looked at Ben as he was walking back into the living room. Even Kristin and Phillip who were totally absorbed in their quiet conversation. "Hi Ben. I thought you two kids will enjoy each other upstairs," said Nick grinning.
Ben smiled back bashfully, "Mother want's her children by her side," he said approaching Sarah and Noah. "Hey guys," he said. "You two wanna go upstairs and play with mommy?"
Sarah got up and started calling out happy "Mommy, mommy. Sarah want mommy." Noah just stood and reached out his hands to Ben.
Ben picked them up and held them both close to him. "Daddy," said Noah suddenly.
"Yes son. Daddy is here," he said and then left the living room a happy smile on his face.
Ben entered the bedroom and to his surprise Abi was waiting for them wearing a bathing suit.
"Mommy," said Noah reaching his hands to her. She took him from Ben's arms and he wrapped his arms around her neck. Abi hugged him tight and covered his had with small feather like kisses. Sarah hung on to her father, and Abi moved closer to the two of them and kissed her as well.
"How would you like to play with mom and dad in the hot tub?" She asked. They entered the bathroom Ben and Abi lowered the children to the floor. Ben went out to put on his own bathing suit. When he came in, the children were wearing suits as well, and already inside the hot tub with Abi, so he joined them. The children were ecstatic. They didn't get to spend so much time with their mother so in spite of their young age, they cherished every moment she spent with them.
About an hour later when the water began to cool down and since most of them were out on the floor with all the splashing the kids made Abi stepped out of the bath with them. She wiped them dry and put some clothes on them, while Ben got dressed as well. After he was finished getting dressed, Ben kept an eye on the children while she got dressed as well.
"You want to sleep with mom and dad?" Abi asked them.
The two of them giggled on the bed positioning them selves in the middle. Abi and Ben laid down on both sides holding on to the children as close as they could, and so they fell asleep.
It was about 4pm when they all woke up. The children woke up first and were nudging Abi and Ben. They got dressed and went down, but the house was quiet and no one seemed to be around.
"They are probably all resting after last night," said Abi.
"Probably," answered Ben.
They went into the living room with the children and put then down on the carpet with some of their favorite toys. Ben sat on the sofa and Abi sat between his legs, her head on his chest. The children looked at them from time to time, as if afraid they might disappear. Abi and Ben smiled at the children every time they noticed those looks.
They sat like this for a while when the phone rang. Abi picked it up, listened for a minute then smiled and said "Thank you. I'll be right there."
Ben looked at her "Ethaniel woke up?" he asked.
"Yes. I'm going over to see him." She was about to leave when she came back and asked, "Ben, you wanna come with me?" she asked.
Kristin and Phillip walked in, "Where are you two going?" asked Kristin.
"Ethaniel woke up, and we wanna go visit him for a while," said Abi.
"Need a baby sitter?" asked Phillip.
"Are you offering?" asked Ben in return.
"I think between the two of us, the children will be safe," said Kristin.
Ben got up and joined his wife at the door. They waved at the children promising to be back as soon as they can and left for the hospital.
At The Hospital
Ethaniel opened his eyes, and for a moment couldn't remember where he was. He saw a figure standing next to his bed looking at him.
"Abi," he mumbled, not fully awake yet.
"Welcome back," said the woman who was standing there. "Abi, must be a very lucky girl."
"What?" he asked, not sure he understood her remark.
"I mean, she is a very lucky woman to have such a handsome man call her name, especially since you just came back from god knows where."
"Abi is my friend," he said. "Boss and best friend." Ethaniel didn't understand why he was trying to explain the situation to this woman. She seemed to be a doctor by the white coat she was wearing.
"Well, it is certainly good to have you back. You had us worried for a while."
"Sorry, I don't think I got your name," said Ethaniel.
"Dr. Gruner. Lizi Gruner," introduced her self the young doctor.
"Dr. Gruner, when can I go home?" asked Ethaniel.
"God, you only just woke up. Give your body a chance to heal before thinking about going home. It may take a few days," said the Dr. smiling at him a little amused by his anxious desire to leave the hospital.
"Is he giving you trouble?" asked Abi who walked in at that moment. "Hi there. Welcome back to the land of the living," she said to him reaching out and holding his hand, Ben standing behind her smiling at him. She then turned to look at Dr. Gruner. She extended her other hand and introduced herself; "I'm Abi Rayne Adler. Don't let this man fool you. Keep him here as long as it is necessary."
"Dr. Elizabeth Gruner," said the woman shaking Abi's hand.
Abi left the two hands she was holding; Ethaniel's and the Dr. Allowing Ben access to Ethaniel. She walked aside and whispered her question to the Dr. "Is he going to be all right?"
"I think he'll be fine Mrs. Adler. And he will probably be able to go home by the end of the week."
"Call me Abi please. And I thank you. You were the one who operated on him, right?"
"Yes, I did. I like to check on my patients in person. Especially when the operation was so dangerous and life threatening. And call me Lizi."
"Well Lizi, thank you for saving my friends life. By the way, are you doing anything on Friday evening?"
"Nothing I can think of. Unless I have to be here."
"So if you are free, come over to us to dinner on Friday night. We will celebrate Ethaniel's return home," said Abi and gave the Dr. a card, which had the house's address.
"Luna foundation, I heard that name before," mumbled Lizi. "Sure, I'll try and clear my schedule and be there for dinner. Thank you Abi."
"Welcome."
"Does he have any place to stay till he fully recovers?" asked Dr. Gruner.
"Of course. He will be staying with us," said Ben without a moment's hesitation, knowing that what Abi would want.
"Good," said Lizi. "He shouldn't be alone for 2-3 weeks. I have to go on my round right now, but I'll stop by to see you later. Try not to tire him too much," she asked of Ben and Abi.
"We won't stay long," promised Abi. "We have children waiting at home."
The dr. left the room and Abi turned her attention to Ethaniel. "I'm so happy you decided to come back," she said quietly.
Ethaniel took her hand in his and said "Me too. I'm happy to be here."
Abi and Ben sat with him for a while, careful not to let get too excited. They did most of the talking not allowing him to speak or laugh too much at their stories. About an hour passed when Abi said it was time to go back home. She leaned down and gave Ethaniel a small light hug smiling at him.
"I am so happy I didn't lose you," she said softly.
"Me too, dear friend. Me too," he said smiling back trying to hold on to her but his arms were too weak.
She and Ben walked out holding hands. As they came out Abi saw Dr. Gordon. Coming over in their direction.
"Damn," she said.
Ben looked at her wondering what was wrong. "It's that Dr. Gordon I told you about," she said to his puzzled look.
He approached them asking her "Is your friend awake?"
"I hope you are not here to talk to him and question him. He is not up to that," said Abi frowning.
"I guess then I'll just have to wait till he is," answered Dr. Gordon.
Abi turned her back on him and left, Ben following in her footsteps.
"Abi," he said and pulled her hand. "I have never seen you so rude to someone before. Why are you letting him get to you? He is only doing his job. No one can call you an unfit mother. Come on dear, relax. He can't hurt you."
Abi stopped and turned to face him as he spoke. She knew he was right, so why did this man get to her so much? She came into Ben's open arms and laid her head on his chest. "You are right," she said. "I was rude and that was probably not a good way to handle this."
She went back in the hospital looking for Dr. Gordon. She found him still standing at the door to Ethaniel's room. She approached him and extended her hand to him saying, "I'm sorry Dr. Gordon. I was being very rude. My apologies. Shall we start from the beginning?" she thought for a minute and then continued, "How about you come over to our house for dinner on Friday evening? Its just a few close friends celebrating the return home of another close friend." She took out another business card and gave it to him.
"I'll be glad to," he said smiling and shaking her hand.
With that Abi and Ben finally left the hospital back to the house.
