Chapter 14
Warrick was ready for battle as they sat in the little office. Jessica had been with the doctor and now she was off in a playroom so the doctor could discuss her case with them. "Doctor, what is the deal? It's not like we haven't worked with Jessica on this. We do not baby talk with her. We've tried to speak correctly."
"Mr. and Mrs. Brown, What have you been told about Jessica's speech impediment?" Dr. Blankenship looked at the nervous couple sitting across from him.
"The pediatrician said that her speech progress was worrying him. He sent us to Dr. Fuller, who said we would need a surgeon and sent us to you. We have been told SQUAT." Warrick finished the last part rather loudly, causing his wife to reach over and take his hand in an effort to calm him.
"I am sorry about that. Obviously, the lack of communication has caused you to worry needlessly. Yes, Jessica's impediment requires a surgical procedure, but no, it's not something as terrible as what you've been thinking." The doctor rose to come around the desk. Propping himself on the edge of the desk in a casual stance, he continued. "Jessica suffers from Ankyloglossia."
"What is that?" Gemma questioned. "It sounds rather ominous."
"Yes, the scientific word usually makes it sound rather frightening. It's more commonly known as Tongue-tied." Dr. Blankenship agreed. "It simply means that her lingual frenulum, the fold of tissue that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, is too long. Jessica's connects to nearly the tip of her tongue. This is limiting the tongues movements, causing her speech problems. Which is why it's referred to as Tongue Tied."
"Tongue-tied?" Warrick grunted. "That's not a real thing, is it? It's just a phrase we use to mean we can't think of the right word or something like that. "
"Oh, Mr. Brown, It most certainly is a real condition. It is not a serious condition and it's not uncommon. One out of twenty-four babies are born with Ankyloglossia." Dr. Blankenship offered.
"If it's so common and all these babies are born with it, why haven't we heard of it? Jessica isn't a baby; she's nearly six years old." Warrick demanded to know. Gemma reached over, touching him on the knee to soothe him.
Dr. Blankenship frowned. "Someone should have pointed it out along the way. Although, I can see by her records that she hasn't been to the doctor regularly until the last couple of years."
"Her biological father wasn't too keen on going to the doctor. He prevented me from taking her in unless she was majorly ill. Since Jess was a healthy baby, she never got sick enough to require a doctor." Gemma explained bluntly. "When I married Warrick, things changed. But, why haven't I heard of other children with this problem?"
"For the simple fact that most children out grow it, or at least, their tongues out grow it." The doctor explained calmly. "Most do not even realize their child has it."
"Jessica didn't outgrow this naturally and that's what the problem is?" Gemma concluded quietly. "Is there a cure?"
"Yes, some children don't over come this and they require Frenulectomy. It's a minor surgical procedure." The doctor picked up a folder from atop his desk and pulled out a sheet of photos of a tongue. "The patient is given a minor sedative while we go in and clip back the tissue. We then insert a few dissolvable stitches. The procedure takes about fifteen minutes."
"And afterward? Are there any side effects?" Warrick questioned, calmer now that the seriousness of it had been explained.
"Possible minor bleeding. Slight pain, but nothing else. It's an office procedure. She doesn't have to be admitted into the hospital." Taking off his glasses, Dr. Blankenship placed them and the photos on his desk. "There have never really been any problems with this procedure. It's been said that midwives used to do the procedure on the newborns at birth, with a sharp fingernail, I might add."
Grimacing at that thought, Gemma had one more question. "That's it. That's all she needs to correct her speech?"
"Well, it's not a miracle cure. After the procedure, Jessica will need speech therapy sessions. She will need to be retrained on how to use her tongue to speak. Truthfully, her speech will worsen slightly before it improves. Her tongue will be like a foreign object in her mouth."
"But, she'll be able to speak normally?" Gemma questioned, unbelieving that it could be so simple.
"After the procedure and with the speech therapy. She'll be making public speeches in no time."
Warrick carried Jessica in one arm as they walked out of the medical building. Gemma leaned heavily on the other arm. She seemed exhausted now that the initial stress was over. As they got into the car, he pulled out his phone and turned it back on. The phone immediately lit up with messages. With a smile, he switched on the speakerphone and played the first message.
"Warrick? This is Gil,…..I was just wondering what the doctor said about Jessica. Please, call me or have Gemma call me as soon as you can."
"Hey Warrick. It's Sara. I'd like to know what the doctor said about Jess. Call me, anytime. You know I don't sleep anyway."
"You really need to get your wife a cell phone. That way I wouldn't have to be calling you to get to talk with her." Hodges' dry humored message ended as abruptly as it had begun.
"Hello,….Warrick? This is Sean…..Arthur. Are you finished with the doctor? I think I got the time change right. Well, anyway, I was hoping you'd share the gen about Jessica."
"Hey!" Nicks voice came loudly out of the speaker. "We're all waiting to hear what's going on. None of us is doing any sleeping, so we are all meeting up at your place to wait for you. We figure it'll save you a lot of time and energy if you tell us all at once. If you don't like that idea, well…. tough, serves you right for giving me a key to your house."
Gemma was smiling as the final message ended. "Grams didn't know she was going to be babysitting the entire night shift of CSI's when she agreed to watch Suzie for us."
"I bet you she did. I bet she has the house all decked out in food to feed that mob." Warrick disagreed as he started the car. "She could give Lucy a run for her money on the all-knowing business."
"You have a fabulous family Warrick Brown." Gemma sighed, leaning back in the seat.
"We have a fabulous family Gemma Brown." Warrick countered, reaching over to run his hand along her cheek.
"They're taking time from sleeping, to sit, waiting to hear about Jessica. They are amazing." Gemma leaned into his caress for a moment before pushing his hand away. "Hey, put both hands on the wheel! As much as I adore your family, I don't want them raising our daughter."
"I ain't planning on crashing." Warrick chuckled as he turned his full attention on the road. "But….maybe we should look into making out a will, in case something like that should happen for real. I need to make sure that you're provided for if something should happen to me."
"I don't want to even think about that." Gemma shook her head.
"Maybe not today, but soon." Warrick agreed with a nod.
As Nick had promised, everyone had gathered at their house. As Warrick had foreseen, Grams was in her element, feeding and catering to the ragtag bunch. As usual, Nick and Lucy were off in a corner, arguing heatedly about something. Every time he saw them going at it, Warrick could not help but smile. Nick was so easy going; it was amazing to see him riled.
It didn't take long for everyone to gather around Warrick and Gemma as they entered the house. They didn't get a chance to say hello before they were commanded to tell everything they knew. After recapping the whole of it, Warrick stood back and tried to listen as everyone began to talk at once.
"What the hell is Tongue-tied?" Catherine questioned loudly. At that, everyone looked to Grissom who looked shocked.
"How would I know? As far as I know, bugs do not get tongue-tied. I'm the bug man, remember?" He defended himself, turning to Al. "Ask the doctor."
"Of course, I've heard of Ankyloglossia." Doc Robbins shrugged. "But it's usually referred to as a dental procedure or a procedure for newborns."
"Dental?" Warrick demanded. "What the f-"
"Warrick." Gemma stopped him with the simple use of his name. "Doc? Why would it be a dental procedure?"
"The lack of mobility of the tongue can make it difficult to clean your teeth." Al shrugged. "I'll do a little more research about it. What I can suggest right now, is for you to look into getting a second opinion."
Warrick excused himself, going into the den to email Sean instead of calling him. With a houseful of guests, he didn't want to try to talk to Sean. He wrote a quick note to explain to him the newest information and promised to call him after the house had emptied. Even though he could not bring himself to call him brother, he was beginning to think of the man in that way. It was actually a good feeling.