Note: I know everyone wants to see Baze connect with Lux. Eventually he will. I'm trying to write him close to the actual character. In the show, every description of Baze in high school portrays him as immature, selfish and, well, a jerk. Before all of the Baze fans get defensive, I like Baze. He's probably one of my favorite characters. I think he's changed a lot since high school. But, in this story, he's still in high school. I don't think he would immediately step up to the plate and be a good dad. So, he's not going to. It's going to take him awhile and he's going to struggle with it.
Cate was ready to go when John pulled up to her house the next morning. She was going to introduce him to Lux and John was going to arrange to take care of the medical bills.
"Has my granddaughter…what's her name?" John asked, realizing he didn't know.
"Lux," Cate replied, smiling slightly.
Every time she thought of her daughter, Cate became giddily happy. Almost like a schoolgirl with a crush. Except Cate only had eyes for her daughter.
John frowned. "Lux. Is that a family name?"
"No. It means light. She has blonde hair even though Baze and I have dark hair," Cate explained.
John smiled. "Her grandmother has blonde hair."
Cate returned the smile.
"Has Lux been in the hospital long?" John asked.
Cate's expression sobered instantly. "Yeah. She's been in the hospital since she was born."
John swallowed.
They drove the rest of the way in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
Cate led the way to the nursery. Several of the nurses greeted Cate when they saw her.
"You've been spending a lot of time here," John observed.
Cate nodded. She broke into a grin when they approached Lux's basinet. "Hi, Baby," she cooed. "This is your Granddad."
"Hi, Lux," John said gently, peering into the basinet.
His expression was grave when he saw his granddaughter. He hadn't realized she would be hooked up to a ventilator and beeping machines.
Cate noticed and smiled reassuringly.
"Can I hold her?" John asked, though he was already reaching for Lux.
"No!" Cate said quickly. "She's too susceptible to infection."
John's expression was pained.
"You can touch her, but you have to wash your hands and wear this weird plastic thing," Cate said.
"She has Nate's eyes," John observed, smiling slightly.
"I always liked his eyes," Cate said. She blushed slightly when John gave her an odd look.
"I heard you were back," Alex said as she entered the nursery. She handed Cate one of the weird plastic things.
"Thanks!" Cate said gratefully. She nodded toward John. "This is Mr. Basille, Lux's grandfather. Can he get one, too?"
"Sure," Alex said, smiling at John. She left to get another one.
"You can call me John," John said awkwardly. He had a feeling he'd be spending a lot of time with Cate.
Cate didn't answer. John looked up curiously and realized Cate was in her own little world with Lux. Cate smiled in adoration as she patted Lux, her eyes glued to the tiny figure in the basinet.
John smiled as he watched Cate with Lux. He had to admit, he'd been a little concerned about a seventeen year old raising his granddaughter. Looking at Cate he could tell she loved Lux more than anything in the world and would do anything to protect her.
Alex reappeared and handed John a plastic cover-up. He put it on and moved toward Lux.
Cate watched apprehensively as John reached his hands in and patted Lux gently. He was the first person other than her and the doctors and nurses to touch Lux.
John smiled. "You're such a pretty little girl," he said softly.
Cate couldn't help but smile when Lux cuddled into John's hand. It was kind of nice to have someone else there who cared about Lux.
After a few minutes Alex suggested Cate feed her.
Cate sat down and Alex brought Lux to her.
Cate hesitated. She felt weird feeding Lux in front of John. She didn't think both Baze and his dad needed to see her boobs.
John noticed Cate's discomfort and said, "I'd like to speak with Lux's doctor."
John waited in the hallway while Alex went to get Dr. Cooper.
This was the first time Alex had left Cate alone with Lux in her arms. Cate felt strangely nervous. What if something happened? What if she did something wrong?
Don't be silly, Cate told herself. She's your daughter. Nothing's going to happen.
Lux drank thirstily. She gurgled a little.
Cate quickly forgot her worries, fascinated by her daughter.
Lux looked like a doll. She was so tiny and perfect. Well, except for the scar on her chest, Cate thought sadly.
No matter how many times Cate visited Lux, every time Lux moved or made a sound, it surprised Cate a little, reminding her that Lux was not a doll, but a little person.
"I'm Lux's doctor, Dr. Cooper." Dr. Cooper extended his hand to John.
John shook it firmly. "John Basille, Lux's grandfather. What is Lux's prognosis?"
"Lux has congenital heart defect, or a hole in her heart," Dr. Cooper began.
"She was born with it?" John interrupted.
"Yes," Dr. Cooper replied.
"Why? Is it genetic?" John wondered.
Dr. Cooper shook his head. "We don't know the cause. About one percent of newborns are born with it."
"How is it treated?" John asked impatiently.
"It depends on the severity. In Lux's case, she needs surgery to repair the defect," Dr. Cooper explained.
"Why haven't you performed the surgery? She's been her for…" John trailed off, realizing he didn't know when Lux was born.
"We did open her chest to perform the surgery. However, there were complications and-"
"What kind of complications?" John demanded.
"Lux lost a lot of blood. Her vitals were weak," Dr. Cooper said.
John swallowed. He couldn't believe his granddaughter had been through so much already. Hell, he couldn't even believe he had a granddaughter.
"Mr. Basille, I can assure you we're doing everything we can to help Lux," Dr. Cooper said gently.
"What exactly are you doing?" John asked.
Dr. Cooper sighed. "We're waiting until Lux is strong enough for another surgery. As soon as she is, I'll go in and repair the defect."
"Where did you go to medical school?" John asked.
"Johns Hopkins," Dr. Cooper said defensively.
"I want a second opinion. I want the top cardiac surgeon to look at Lux," John said firmly.
"I assure you, I'm more than capable of-"
"Apparently not. If you were, my granddaughter wouldn't be here. The first surgery would've been successful and she'd be at home where she belongs," John interrupted. He was clearly agitated.
Dr. Cooper sighed. "I can give you the name of the top cardiac surgeon in Oregon."
John scribbled the name and number down in his address book. "One more thing. I'm going to take care of the bill for Lux's treatment. Where can I see to that?"
Dr. Cooper showed John and John arranged to take care of Lux's medical bills before returning to the nursery.
John paused outside, watching Cate through the glass window.
Cate was done feeding Lux, but Lux was still in her arms. Cate was looking at Lux as though she was the most amazing creature in the world.
John noticed Cate was holding Lux as if she were breakable and smiled.
John cleared his throat as he entered the nursery. He felt a little like he was interrupting a precious moment. "How's she doing?"
"She's perfect," Cate said.
"I can't argue with that." John smiled kindly. "I talked to Dr. Cooper. I got the name of the top cardiac surgeon in Oregon. I'd like him to perform Lux's surgery."
Cate looked up in surprise. "He's probably expensive."
"I don't want you to worry about that. I've arranged to take care of everything," John said.
"I don't know how I can ever thank you," Cate said softly.
She wasn't used to people helping her. She'd been forced to take care of herself. And Abby. Because Laverne had been a drunken mess through most of Cate's childhood. It felt weird to rely on John.
John looked at Cate strangely. This teenager, who was responsible and grateful, was a far cry from Baze. "You don't need to thank me. She's my granddaughter. I want to do this."
Cate looked doubtful.
"The truth is, I should have done this a long time ago. I wish Baze had told me." John shook his head sadly. "I know you've been trying to do everything on your own, but you don't have to anymore."
Cate smiled gratefully. "Thank you."