It was Brooke's first day back at Sascha Naj since returning from maternity leave and by far it had been a rough one. The NBA pre season had resumed and Lucas was on a road trip to Detroit. Before his departure they had spent weeks in search of a suitable nanny and had finally agreed on a middle aged divorcee named Mrs. Patterson. She came highly recommended with excellent credentials and references and both Lucas and Brooke really liked her. More importantly, little Harmony seemed soothed and content in her arms. Everything was ready and all set for the working parents return...everything except the working parents.
As much as Lucas loved basketball and road trips and being a Knick, it killed him actually having to get in the limo taking him to the airport to fly far away from his beloved baby girl.
"Be good, Harmony. I'll be back before you know it", he'd said. "I'm gonna miss you and Mommy very much so take care of things while I'm gone and watch over Mommy and be a good girl for Mrs. Patterson."
Mrs. Patterson smiled as Harmony gurgled and managed a smile for her father. Even though they were 26 and responsible, sometimes it was almost like they were too young to be parents. But one thing was for sure…they adored their tiny daughter. The nanny couldn't help but feel all warm inside as the devoted young father kissed and talked to his baby as if she were years and years older.
Brooke however was a mess. Mrs. Patterson was only hired on as daytime help and the night Lucas left for Michigan was Brooke's first ever alone with the baby. Harmony hardly slept at all and that morning Brooke was due bright and early at a very important board meeting. She had slowly been working her way back into the job scene since Harmony's birth but this was her first time in the office for a full eight hour plus, day.
That morning Brooke had considered taking the baby in with her but she knew it wasn't practical and would only lead to an unbreakable habit. Even in the posh Manhattan digs, an office wasn't the ideal surroundings for a two month old so Brooke had reluctantly left Harmony with Mrs. Patterson for the day. There was no doubt the child was in capable hands but Brooke was frantic. It was her first time away from her daughter since she had been born and Harmony's first time not being with at least one of her parents. So needless to say Brooke's mind was not 100 percent on the job at hand. Her brain developed a severe case of ADD within the first few minutes of the conference. But if Brooke's emotions were out of whack, no one would ever tell from the outside. Her body was in remarkable shape for just pushing out an eight and a half pound baby eight weeks before and she had squeezed her svelte frame into one of her trademark classy pantsuits.
"Diva, don't worry I am on that function in upstate New York."
"Huh?"
"The party up in Albany next week that we just spent an hour discussing in that meeting."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Yeah…that. Um, thanks, Gordie."
"You alright, child? You look fabulous but I can tell your mind is a million miles away. Talk to me."
"I'm fine. Just having Harmony withdrawals, that's all", she managed to smile.
"Speaking of, how is my precious angel of a goddaughter?"
"She's great. A little fussy last night but she's such a good baby."
"Well I guess as godfather it's one of my duties to come over and babysit."
"Actually, it is", Brooke grinned.
"I guess I could take her to Central Park. Her and that mutt Pete. Hmmmm...a baby and a big old scruffymutt.Think that would help me find my newest boy toy?"
"I love you Gordon but sorry. Neither my child or my dog will be used as pawns in your never ending quest for a man."
"Spoken like a true stuffy old married hag."
"Ah ha, but I won't be one for long. Five more weeks and I will be free or what you would call a stuffy old single hag."
"How do you feel about that, Diva? You okay?"
"I'm fine. It's the right thing to do", she nodded.
"And Judas?"
"He's accepting it slowly but surely. But we're getting along better now than we did when we were supposedly happily married. I think it'll all work out for the best."
"Well as long as you and Baby Diva will be okay…"
"We'll be fine. I'm sorry, I'm just tired from last night. I know I need to drink some coffee or do something to get my ass back in gear."
"It'll take a while to get back in the swing of things."
"There's no time for that. Jessica and other very important people are depending on me here and Harmony depends on me at home. There is no room for mistakes or excuses."
"I'm just saying you don't have to go around being perfect all the time. You're only human. Besides, I think you're doing a wonderful job…here and at home."
"Thanks Gordon. That means a lot."
Brooke was relieved to be back at work but truth be told, she couldn't wait to get back home to her baby. She missed Harmony terribly and counted the seconds until the work day ended. She fought her way through rush hour traffic and let out a huge tired sigh of relief as she pulled into her driveway. As she made her way to the front door, she heard her baby before she saw her.
"Mrs. Patterson, has she been like this since I left?" Brooke asked.
"Pretty much. She's been very cranky, not sleeping or wanting her bottle either. Basically I just walked the house with her and sang to her all day."
She thanked the nanny and paid her before sending her on her way. Whatever was wrong she hoped it would be over soon. Around dinnertime Brooke was finally able to get her down for a nap but it lasted all of an hour. She felt like she was losing her mind. As she went to pick her up, Brooke was shocked at how warm Harmony's tiny body felt. She touched her daughter's forehead, chest and belly and the baby was burning up with fever. Brooke was terrified. She picked up the phone and dialed Luke's cell.
"Lucas, sorry to bother you like this on the road but it's about Harmony. I think she's really sick", Brooke blurted out.
"Whoa, whoa, slow down. What's going on?"
"She has been really cranky lately. She's not taking her milk, she won't sleep and absolutely nothing comforts her. Mrs. Patterson said she was like this all day today. I finally got her to sleep here but she woke up an hour later and now she is burning up with fever."
"It's okay, Brooke. Calm down. Call that Dr. Whaley guy, the pediatrician."
"I did but it's after hours and I can't get through. I left a message but I don't know. It's bad Luke. I'm scared. I think I'm just gonna take her to the Emergency Room."
"Okay, okay. Do that then. Um, I'm gonna talk to the coach and try to cut out of here. I'll try to get another flight."
"Are you sure? What about your game? Aren't the Pistons supposed to be your chief rivals this year?"
"Yeah, something like that but I don't care about that. I don't care about basketball right now. If the baby is that sick where you have to take her to the hospital then I need to be there with you guys."
"Okay. Look, I'm gonna take her now. Call me, okay? I'll have my cell phone on."
"Alright. Bye."
"Bye."
Brooke packed a quick bag and dashed to the car. The hospital where Harmony was born was a short distance from the residence. Brooke parked in the first available space and hurried into the ER.
"Please help me", she told the first nurse she saw. "There is something wrong with my baby."
"It's okay, ma'am. Calm down. Fill out these forms and have a seat. We'll be with you in a minute."
Brooke scribbled answers on the clipboard filled with about ten sheets of paperwork. One hour later they were still sitting there and Harmony was no better.
"Excuse me, ma'am", Brooke said again to the nurse. "I have been waiting here over an hour. My child is very sick. She's only two months old. She is burning up with fever. When can we see a doctor? This is an emergency."
"We apologize for the wait, Mrs. Scott. A pediatrician should be with you shortly. We do appreciate your patience. Please have a seat and fill out a few more papers and we'll call you back momentarily."
Brooke looked around the waiting room that was nearly empty and then down at her crying, helpless, sick kid.
"Nurse, I don't think you understand", she pleaded. "My child is really sick..."
"All our patients here are sick, Mrs. Scott. That's why we call it the Emergency Room."
Oh no she didn't! Brooke could seriously feel a "Gordon moment" coming on. If she hadn't been holding Harmony she would have knocked that stupid lady through the wall right then and there.
"All your patients are sick?" Brooke asked. "Lady, how dare you get smart with me! There are hardly any people here and the ones that are here are sitting up laughing and talking. I see a few of them sniffling even if that. No one is puking on the floor, I see no apparent broken bones and nobody appears to be bleeding profusely from the head. Nobody looks like they're dying either although they probably will besoon considering the wait in this joint. I have an eight week old here screaming her head off with a temperature. I'm not going to ask you again. Get my child to a doctor and do it now!"
"Ma'am, please. Please lower your voice. Just fill out these other papers and..."
"I do not want to fill out any more papers for you! I have filled out enough paperwork! I am not doing anything else until someone takes care of my child! Feel her goddamned forehead! She is burning up! I won't sit down, I won't lower my voice, I won't do anything until you help her! Do not make me pull a John Q in here!"
Now she had her attention. Brooke had everyone's attention as a matter of fact. She may have caused an embarrassing scene but at least her child was able to get the prompt medical attention that she deserved. Three hours later, her cell rang and it was Lucas.
"How is she?" he asked.
"Not good", Brooke sighed. "She has pneumonia."
"Pneumonia? What? How? Oh God, is she gonna be alright?"
"They say she's going to be fine but it's always a scary thing when children as small as her get it. They're giving her antibiotics and trying to bring her temperature down right now. Also they have to do a few more tests, you know, to make sure her lungs aren't getting filled with too muchliquid and stuff. We're gonna have to stay overnight."
"Yeah I had a talk with Coach but I ended up having to play anyway. I am on the next plane out of here."
"Okay. Are you alright?"
"No. I'm pissed off. The coaching staff was more concerned with a dumb game than my daughter's health. I'm sick of this shit. I'm out of here, Brooke."
"Just get here when you can as soon as you can", she sighed. "We really need you. I'm scared Lucas. I know Harmony is going to be fine but I feel so helpless with them sticking her and putting tubes everywhere. I think I'm losing it. I can't stand to see my baby in pain."
"It's okay, Brooke. It's okay. Just hold it down until I get there. I'm on my way, alright? Don't cry."
"Okay", she sobbed into the phone.
He hung up and Brooke found herself praying her husband would arrive soon. She pulled up a seat by the bed where they were working on Harmony. She dozed off and when she woke up she felt someone putting a sweater over her.
"Nathan? Where'd you come from? What are you doing here?"
"We were in Jersey for a game against the Nets. Luke called. He's on his way. How's that niece of mine?"
"Better. She'll be okay but we have to stay here a little while longer."
"Luke's on his way but I'll stay with you", he said, handing her a cup of coffee. "You holding up?"
"Trying to. I'll be okay, a lot better when Lucas gets here. Thanks for coming though and thanks for the coffee."
"You're welcome."
"I…I can't believe you came. That was really nice of you, Nate. I thought you and Haley would still be pissed about the baptism."
"We are but whatever. That's water under the bridge, right? This is serious, it's important. Harmony is my niece and divorce or no divorce you are my sister. I'm here and I'll be here anytime you need me."
She nodded and took Nathan's hand as they silently watched Harmony sleep. It had been a hell of a scare but Brooke just thanked God her baby would be okay.