As I walked into the room, I found a mother holding a very blue newborn. The baby had been delivered the day before by cesarean when it was discovered that the baby was breech. All had been well post-delivery. I rushed into the room and immediately began checking the infant girl who had been born a week early.
"Call pediatrics. We're going straight to the NICU," I told Katie, as I listened to the baby's chest through the stethoscope.
"She has a collapsed lung, Dr. Shepherd," Katie answered, rushing to alert peds that we would be there shortly.
I inserted a needle between the baby's ribs at the second intercostals space. Immediately, I heard a puff of air, signaling the re-inflation of the collapsed lung. Just as she began to breathe on her own, the Isolette that she would have to remain in for a while arrived to take her to the NICU. As we arrived at the NICU, she stopped breathing again. I turned to Katie. It was quiz time.
"You should've had the needle in her chest before I got to that room," I reprimanded.
"I'm sorry. I got the page when I was at lunch. I came into the room only a few minutes before you."
"Why wasn't anyone monitoring that baby?"
"Mother and baby were fine post-op. She wasn't being monitored by machine. The mother didn't realize anything had happened until the baby began turning blue."
"Well, now she may be taking home a brain-damaged child."
"I'm sorry, Dr. Shepherd. I'd asked for the needle just before you came in."
"What should we do now?" I gave Katie a hard glare.
"A chest tube should be inserted to help her breathe."
"Good. Do it."
"Me? By myself?"
"You better not kill this child."
I turned on one Blahnik to return to the mother's room. I would have to inform her of the possibility that her baby girl could have suffered brain damage and of the surgery. All things considered, the mother seemed to handle the situation quite well. She asked about the risks involved with surgery, but her eyes only welled for a moment. Trying to be a reassurance, I patted her on the arm. Then I went back to the NICU to check up on Katie.
"How's our patient, Dr. Bramwell?" I asked as I entered the scrub room.
"She's breathing on her own again."
"Good. Show me what you can do."
After Katie inserted the chest tube and began to close up, I went to find Mark. He was sitting exactly as I left him at his desk. I closed the door behind me and sat down on his chair arm. He pulled me into his lap.
"Spontaneous pneumothorax in a one day old infant," I answered the questioning look in his eyes.
"How's the patient?"
"Doing well, no thanks to my intern. When I got there, she was just standing there. The baby had been without oxygen for a couple of minutes at least."
"What did she say?"
"That she had asked for the needle to use to re-inflate the baby's lung."
"The baby will be fine, Addison. Two minutes without oxygen won't cause significant brain damage."
"But she should've already had the needle in the baby's chest and peds on the way," my voice was louder than I meant for it to be.
"I know. Addie, it's okay. The baby will be fine," he said again.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"You can't help it. Don't be sorry."
He kissed the top of my head, which was resting on his shoulder, and I began to relax. His touch seemed to have a calming effect on me. Settling into his arms was a nice feeling. I couldn't help but smile.
"What's with the cute little grin?" he asked.
"Happy."
"Do you want to go on a date tonight?"
"Seriously?" my eyes widened at the thought of an actual date.
"Yes, seriously."
"Yeah!"
"I'll come pick you up around 7:30."
"Okay. I can't wait!"
True to his word, Mark arrived at exactly 7:30. The doorbell rang, and when I opened it, I was greeted by a bouquet of orchids exactly the same color as the Prada dress I bought especially for the occasion. I took the flowers from him and set them on a table in the foyer. The he opened his jacket and pulled an envelope from the inside. I took it curiously and began to open it.
"Not yet," he put his hand over mine. "That's for after dinner."
"Where is dinner?"
"You'll see."
He wrapped my gray silk shawl around my shoulders and opened the front door. We walked into the cool night air toward a limousine. He opened the door and allowed me to get in before getting in himself. As we settled into the seats, he poured two glasses of my favorite French champagne. He handed me one glass then pulled a box from under the seat. The box was fairly large and tied with a huge purple bow.
"Can I have this one now?"
"Yup."
I untied the ribbon and opened the box to find a shaggy brown teddy bear inside. The bear was wearing scrubs, a surgical mask, booties, and a stethoscope. The name on the birth certificate said "Max". Immediately, tears began to well in my eyes. I glanced up at Mark, who was waiting to see my reaction with a blank face.
"How did you find out my nephew's name?"
"His birth and death records were on file."
"Oh. Right. That makes sense."
"He came from Build-a-Bear workshop. You have no idea how stupid I felt jumping in a circle and kissing a teddy bear, but you're worth it. Is it okay that I named him Max?"
"Yes. He's perfect."
"I always thought your room looked too grown up."
"We are grown ups!"
"I know, but you needed a stuffed animal, and I seem to remember you saying Derek thought they just collected dust."
"He did. All of my stuffed animals are at my parents' house."
"Well, you need a stuffed animal."
"Thank-you, Mark. You have no idea how special this is to me."
Just then, we arrived at the restaurant, Alain Ducasse at the Essex House. I was impressed, as Alain Ducasse is one of the most expensive restaurants in New York. We walked inside and were shown straight to our reserved table. Mark pulled out my chair for me and draped my shawl over the back of my chair after pushing my chair in. We were offered the special, a meal that came highly suggested Mark. Wine was served and drank in silence, feeling suddenly awkward now that we were in a dating situation.
"Did you enjoy the meal?" he asked as we walked to the limousine.
"It was lovely. Thank-you. Now where are we going?"
"To see 'Chicago'."
"Really? I've been trying to get Derek to take me to see 'Chicago' forever!"
I leaned over and kissed Mark directly on the lips. He put his arm around my waist, one hand in my hair.
"You're so beautiful."
After the musical, I stepped outside where a horse drawn carriage sat waiting. Mark lifted me into the carriage, and we rode around the city. Mark draped his arm around my shoulders to keep me warm on the unusually cool summer evening. Resting my head on his shoulder, I began to remember what it was like to feel loved again. It had been a perfect evening once we maneuvered out of the awkward moment in the restaurant. We held hands the entire ride, perfectly content to be in each other's presence. When we stopped, we were in front of a gate.
"Here we are," Mark said, lifting me out of the carriage.
"Where is 'here' exactly?"
"We're going for a moonlight stroll in the most beautiful garden in New York."
He led me into the garden along a beautiful path, and stopped next to a blanket on the ground surrounded by candles. A metal serving platter was in the middle of the blanket.
"What's this?"
"Dessert."
I opened the lid to find the most spectacular chocolate cake I had ever seen. Mark cut the cake, but when I tried to take the piece he put on the china, he reached out to stop me. He took the plate and fork from my hands.
"Ladies first," I argued.
"Open up, beautiful," he held the fork up to my lips, and I took a bite.
"Mmm. That is so good," was the reply.
"No fair with the sexy noises."
"Mmm. Mmm."
"You're just trying to turn me on."
"Mmm hmm."
We finished the most delicious cake and curled up on the blanket, spooning. He caressed my neck and shoulder with his thumb, kissing each place before he touched it. I turned my head to kiss him back, and he pulled me into him. I broke away from him, breathless.
"What's wrong?"
"Are we going to get in trouble?"
"No, one of my buddies owns this place. He unlocked it just for me, his wife made the cake and set up the blanket and candles. You still look concerned."
"I'm okay. It's just that I've never seen this side of you."
"Don't tell anyone, okay," he said as he pulled the blanket over us while simultaneously slipping my dress off.
"Mmm'kay," I mumbled, falling into rhythm with his body.