Chapter 6

The wait seemed interminable. CC had scrolled through her PDA more times than she could count. She had tried to eat something vile from the snack machine, and her stomach had immediately rejected it, resulting in CC on her knees once more in a public restroom. This one was not, thankfully, quite as grimy as the one in the ER. After that, she resolved not to eat until she left the hospital, hopefully with Niles by her side.

Doctors came out to speak with the family members of other patients, and one by one, the room cleared. CC's anxiety mounted, and her nausea returned. She glanced at the clock on the wall, and realized the Sheffield children must be home from school by now. Pulling out her phone, she dialed the house.

"Sheffield residence," Sylvia answered.

"Sylvia, are the children home?" CC asked.

"Miss Babcock! How is he?" Sylvia exclaimed.

"I was able to speak with him earlier, and he's having a test done right now. I should know something soon, but I'm still waiting to hear from the doctor." She managed to speak as if she weren't counting every second.

"Do you want us to come over? I was waiting for your call. Brighton and Gracie are home, but Maggie hasn't come in yet."

"No, not yet. I'll call again after I've spoken with the cardiologist." CC paused. "Thanks, Sylvia."

"Well, you're welcome, Miss Babcock. We all love Niles. And you, too," she added hastily.

A slight smile on her lips, CC ended the call and slipped her phone back into her bag. For the hundredth time, she looked back towards the door where doctors had been emerging all afternoon. Still not a sign of Niles's cardiologist.

CC's stomach rumbled, and she rubbed her abdomen tiredly. Maybe she should've let Sylvia come. She wouldn't mind a piece of that cake about now. She leaned her head back against the wall behind her chair and let her eyes drift closed, promising herself she was just resting them.

"Mrs. Babcock?" Dr. Nash shook her shoulder gently. "Mrs. Babcock, your husband came through the procedure fine."

CC jerked away, immediately embarrassed that she had fallen asleep. "Doc—Dr. Nash, what did you say? How is Niles?" She stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"He's fine. We found no evidence of a remaining blockage. The blood thinners did the trick."

CC released a sigh of immense relief. "When can I see him?"

"Well, he's still woozy from the sedation, but you can come back with me now. We'll keep him overnight in the CCU for observation, but if he continues to improve, I see no reason not to release him tomorrow afternoon. He's going to be fine. He just needs to cut down on the goose liver pâté, the brie, and the chocolate mousse."

CC followed the doctor through the automated doors, past half a dozen cubicles. Outside Niles's, the doctor turned to CC and extended his hand. She shook it firmly, and the doctor said, "We'll be moving him to CCU shortly. You won't be able to stay with him once he's there, so I hope you'll go home and get some rest."

"Thank you, doctor," she said, ignoring his advice and turning to see Niles.

He slept peacefully in the hospital bed, and CC didn't think she was imagining the improvement in his color. She pulled a chair up to his bed and sat, reaching to clasp his hand in hers.

Remembering the others waiting for an update, she used her other hand to dial the house, giving Sylvia the good news. She pulled the phone from her ear and cringed as Sylvia yelled out to the children that Niles was improving and expected to make a full recovery.

"We'll be there in a few minutes, Miss Babcock," Sylvia said, finally lowering her voice to address CC.

"Wait, no—he can't have any visitors this evening. The doctor said he'll be released tomorrow afternoon."

"Are you sure? We could sneak in," she said confidently.

CC rolled her eyes. Sylvia Fine and the three Sheffield children could do many things, she was sure, but sneaking probably wasn't one of them.

"I'm sure. We'll be home tomorrow, and everyone can come over and see him then."

"What do you mean, come over? He's coming back here, isn't he?" Sylvia asked, confused.

"No, we'll be at the penthouse." CC spoke matter-of-factly, and raised her eyes to check on Niles. She was surprised to find him watching her, a small smile on his face. "Listen, I have to go. He's awake."

Sylvia was still talking when CC ended the call.

"You're planning to kidnap me, then?" Niles asked, his voice scratchy.

"I'm planning to take you home with me," she huffed. "Max and Nanny Fine will be back to take care of the children by tomorrow."

"You called them?"

"Of course I did. They said they'd leave on the first flight out. They're probably already on their way."

"So what's the verdict? Am I going to make it?" Niles spoke flippantly, but his expression was guarded.

"Dr. Nash seems to think so. No evidence of a blockage. And you get to come home tomorrow." She softened her no-nonsense tone by running her thumb over his knuckles as she spoke. "So I guess I'm not getting rid of you after all."

Niles smirked and reached for her. She rose and then sat beside him, hip to hip on the narrow hospital bed. "Have you eaten anything today?" He asked, splaying his hand across her belly.

CC narrowed her eyes. "Do you ever think of anything besides what I put in my mouth?"

Niles leered at her. "That's just too easy," he said.

CC snorted but otherwise ignored his comment. "Yes, I have eaten today. Not enough to suit you, I'm sure, but I did eat." She neglected to tell him that she had promptly been sick after eating. He didn't need to worry about her right now, and in fact, she'd prefer if he'd stop measuring every bite she took, in general. Changing the subject, CC continued, "They're going to move you to the Cardiac Care Unit. The doctor said I can't stay with you, but we'll see about that." She cracked her knuckles.

Niles smiled. "You don't need to maim any nurses, love. I'll rest much easier knowing you're home in bed rather than watching you try to sleep in a straight-backed chair."

CC leaned forward and kissed him gently. "But I'd rather be here with you."

"And I'd rather be at the penthouse with you, and tomorrow I will be. Have you spoken to the children?"

"Oh! Yes, Sylvia was here earlier, and I called her at the house just as you were waking up. They're all worried about you. They love you."

Niles's eyes shimmered. "I know they do," he said, lifting her hand to his lips. "They care very much about you, too."

CC shrugged, uncomfortable with the topic. She turned at the sound of a knock on the cubicle's glass door and slid off the mattress to stand beside Niles.

"Good evening, Mr. Babcock, I'm here to move you to CCU," the nurse said.

Niles glanced at CC. "We're going to have to have a discussion about that later."

She knew he meant the name, and winked at him.

"Dr. Nash said I can't stay with him in CCU, but surely I could visit for while?" CC directed her question at the nurse.

"I'm sorry, but visiting hours are already over today. You'll have to come back in the morning. We'll take good care of him."

CC rose to her full height. Just before the storm broke, Niles cut her off. "My wife was about to head home, anyway. She doesn't want me to have to worry about her all night when I should be resting."

CC flinched at that. His wife… "All right, I won't argue. But I'll be here first thing tomorrow." She leaned down and pressed her lips to his cheek. "Sleep well, baby," she murmured, low enough that the nurse wouldn't hear.

"You too. And go eat something."

She grimaced and mock-saluted him. "Yes, sir."

"I could get used to you calling me 'sir'," he said, waggling his eyebrows.

"Well, don't. It won't be happening a lot." She grinned at him and picked up her bag. "Bye," she said as the nurse helped him into the wheelchair.

"Good night, Babcock. Don't forget to come collect me tomorrow."

"I'll see if I can pencil you in," she tossed over her shoulder, and left the cubicle.