It was Everlys second night in the hospital and she appeared to be getting worse.
"She's really sweaty again," Allison said, "and she's hot. There's something not right."
"What do you want to do," Asher asked, "you know more about this."
"I want to call a doctor to look," Allison said, "she's too lethargic."
"She's hardly been awake today," Asher agreed.
"Look at how sweaty she is," Allison said.
"She hasn't ate or drank much," Asher said, "she's refusing popsicles and ice cream."
They paged a nurse and she came in right away.
"She has a fever," the nurse agreed, "I'll call the resident for a decision."
"We want an attending," Allison said.
"Pardon," the nurse asked.
"We want an attending," Allison repeated.
"The only attending in for peds now is Dr Riggs," the nurse said.
"Page him," Allison demanded, "or I call the chief."
"Who do you think you are," the nurse snapped.
"I'm Allison Altman-Hunt," Allison replied,"the chief is my aunt."
"Dr Riggs isn't her surgeon," the nurse said checking the chart.
"He's her uncle," Allison replied, "call my brother in law."
"Pardon," the nurse asked.
"Call Dr Riggs," Asher repeated.
"How do you," the nurse asked.
"Teddy Altman and Owen Hunt are my parents," Allison said, "the chief of surgery for the entire hospital is my aunt. Do you want me to call her?"
"It's a low grade fever," the nurse said.
"Two days post op," Allison said.
"I'm calling your mom Allie," Asher said.
Asher took his phone out and called Teddy.
"Asher what's wrong," Teddy asked.
"Everly has a fever she's really sweaty," Asher said, "like we've changed her gown and tried damp cloths but."
"Did you page an attending," Teddy asked.
"The nurse won't," Asher said, "she's getting the resident. Josh is here but she won't page him."
"Call Josh yourself," Teddy said, "and I'll call Megan."
"Mommy," Everly whimpered.
"I'm here princess we'll get you feeling better," Allison said, "I know your burning up."
"Sleepy," Everly whined.
"You can sleep," Allison said rocking her daughter in her arms.
"Allie call Josh," Everly said, "your mom is calling Megan."
The resident who the nurse had paged entered the room.
"What's going on," the resident asked.
"We asked for an attending," Allison snapped.
"You're chief Altman's daughter," the resident said looking at Allison, "I'm a fifth year peds trauma surgery resident. I can page dr Riggs if you would feel better."
"Please," Allison said.
"Your mom is coming," Asher told Allison, "and your dad is in the pit. She's telling him."
Moments later Owen jogged into the room.
"Mom called," Owen said, "what's going on?"
"Fever and she's really sweaty," Allison said, "she's hardly ate or drank today not even popsicles."
"Diapers," Owen asked.
"Not as many as normal," Allison said, "but a few. She's not eating enough."
"Hsu get the thermometer," Owen said.
"Sir," Hsu, the fifth year resident said.
"This is my granddaughter instead of standing around page Robbins and Hayes," Owen barked, "Everly clearly has a fever."
"I'll order labs," Hsu said.
"Dad," Allison asked, clearly panicking.
"Labs will tell us what's going on," Owen said, "I want them rushed."
"I'll order it sir," Hsu replied.
"Tummy hurts," Everly whined in Allisons lap before gagging.
"Basin," Owen barked before holding it under Everly's chin.
"It's okay," Allison soothed rubbing her back.
Asher took the basin from Owen.
"What is it," Asher asked.
"I want to check the incisions," Owen said.
Owen pulled the gown away from Everly's hip and saw the pus around the incision.
"How long has it been like this," Owen asked.
"I mentioned it to her nurse before dinner," Allison said.
"This is infected," Owen said, "Hsu get a sample of the fluid to culture."
In the hallway a senior nurse turned to her student, "Ava this patient we have to be careful. Everything has to be perfect. Her grandma was the chief of surgery for almost 20 years."
"It's Everly," Ava said, "or one of Grace's kids?"
"Everly Blouin," the senior nurse said, "you know her?"
"Allison is my best friend," Ava said, "Everly didn't look good earlier."
"Did you tell your nurse," the senior nurse asked.
"I did," Ava replied, "she told me it was nothing to worry about but it's not Everly. Everly doesn't act like that or refuse to hug me. Everly is the popsicle princess and wouldn't even touch her favourite cherry one."
"How well do you know Everly," Joyce asked.
"I've known her since she was 6 days old," Ava said, "usually I see her once a week. I babysit her. Allison and I are really close. She's asked me to be her maid of honour next summer."
"So Everly's dad," Joyce asked.
"I've known him since middle school and Allie since second grade," Ava said, "Asher will be calmer than Allison."
"We're going in and taking over," the senior nurse said, "Ava can you work with me the rest of this shift? I have a feeling we're with Everly most of the night. How is she with people?"
"Everly likes people," Ava said, "unless she sick then she just wants Allie, she might be okay with Asher, Owen and Teddy but otherwise she'll hide in Allie's arms."
"You know here well," Joyce said.
"She's my niece," Ava said, "I love her."
"Can you be professional," Joyce asked.
"I will be," Ava said, "but I might call her Ev or Princess."
"Build rapport," Joyce encouraged, "use that to help calm. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Ava replied, "Joyce can I stay with you for the rest of the rotation? I learn more with you than Breanna."
"You may," Joyce replied, "come on we have a little girl to see and an anxious set of parents."
They went into the room and heard Owen bellowing orders.
"Dr Hunt," Joyce said.
"She's got an infection," Owen barked, "how did your nurses miss it?"
"It wasn't that bad," the first nurse said.
"Ava," Owen replied, "you're going to help get the IV in ,I've ordered fluids. Everly is dehydrated."
"Me," Ava asked.
"You can do it," Owen said, "Joyce?"
"She can, I saw her do three great ones today," Joyce said, "Ava go for it."
Ave ducked into the hall for an IV kit and brought it back.
"Everly can I see your arm," Ava asked gently.
"No," Everly whined.
"Ev let auntie Ava see your arm," Asher coaxed.
"Give grandpa your hand," Owen encouraged, "hold my hand."
Teddy ran panting into the room.
"Mom," Allison gulped.
"We'll work it out baby girl," Teddy said, "we're all here."
"Allie can you hold her totally still," Ava asked.
"I can," Allison replied, "Ash it takes both of us with these braces."
Asher helped hold Everly. Teddy moved to put her hand reassuringly on Allison's back.
Everly whimpered when she saw the needle.
"I don't want Ava to do it," Allison said, "she can help but not do the stick. I don't want Ev to think about it when she sees Ava."
"I'll be so gentle," Ava said.
"Ava can have one try and if she doesn't get it in one I'll do it," Joyce offered.
"That works," Teddy answered for Allison.
"Princess look at grandpa," Ava instructed.
"You're doing good princess," Allison soothed.
Owen began to tell Everly one of her favourite stories, the three little pigs. Ava slipped the IV into Everly's arm.
"All done," Ava said.
"Hang the fluids," Joyce direced.
"You were so good princess," Asher praised, "that was so brave."
"You're going to start feeling better with the fluids," Allison told Everly, "they always made me feel better when my tummy was upset."
"You had them a few times that fall," Asher said.
Everly began to gag again.
"Can we give her something for the nausea," Allison asked.
"We're waiting for Link," Owen said.
"Her fever," Asher asked.
"None of us can order meds for her," Owen said.
"Call Link and get him to give verbal orders," Teddy said, "a NSAID and antiemetic."
Everly continued to gag and sob as Allison held her. Asher put his arms around both of them knowing how tense and upset Allison was.
Link joined them and quickly did his exam.
"Labs," Link asked.
"Drawn and coming," Teddy replied, "the fluid from the incision sites is being cultured. We suspect post op infection."
"I'm going to order a broad spectrum antibiotic and change it when we get cultures back if needed," Link said, "I want a nurse in here monitoring vitals."
"Can we have Joyce back," Teddy asked.
"Mom will you stay," Allison asked.
"I will," Teddy replied.
"Dad are you on call for the pit," Allison questioned.
"I called another trauma surgeon to be on standby," Owen replied.
"Lets put her on a couple chux pads and take of her diaper," Link said, "let the incisions breathe."
"Will she be okay," Allison asked.
"She will," Teddy assured, "infections are a common complication."
"What's next," Asher asked.
"We keep you here for a few days," Link said, "until the infection clears. I'm ordering an MRI of her hips to see if theres an abscess. If there is I take her up to the OR and we clean it out. I am going to place drains to get the fluid out."
"In the OR," Allison asked.
"I don't think I need to put her under general," Link said, "sterile procedure but not surgery."
"When," Asher asked.
"After the MRI," Link said, "I'll order it and you'll go as soon as it's clear for you, being the middle of the night it wont be a long wait."
Allison and Asher tried to soothe Everly as they waited for the MRI.
"Just some pictures to see how your hips are doing," Asher coaxed.
"No mommy," Everly sobbed.
"I'll be right here," Allison promised.
Everly sobbed as she was secured on the table for the MRI, Allison turned to Asher, he pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight. Allison sobbed into Asher's shoulder while they waited.
"She's okay," Asher assured.
"I can't," Allison sobbed, "I can't lose her."
"We're not losing her," Asher said.
"Theres a complication and an infection," Allison said, "that's bad."
As soon as the images were up Link spotted an abscess in one hip.
"We're going to the OR and I'm washing it out," Link said, "now. Allison Asher I need your consent."
"Do what you have to," Allison said taking the consent form.
Allison and Asher both signed the consent form and watched as Everly was rushed to the OR.
"This is not uncommon," Owen tried to assure them.
"Dad what if," Allison asked.
"It will be okay," Teddy soothed, "what do you need?"
"Can you call my parents," Asher asked.
"I will," Teddy agreed.
Teddy stepped out of the room and called Asher's mom.
"Teddy," Michelle gasped, "it's 12:30am what happened? Last time you called me Asher was in an accident."
"Everly has had a complication and is undergoing emergency surgery to remove an abscess from her left hip," Teddy replied, "she's in the OR now. The kids need all of us."
"We'll be there," Michelle said, "Grey Sloan?"
"Yes," Teddy replied, "peds building, surgical floor waiting room. Asher's asking for you."
"We'll be there as soon as we can," Michelle said and hung up.
"Mark get up," Michelle said shaking him awake.
"What's wrong," Mark asked sensing her panic.
"It's Everly theres been a complication," Michelle said, "Teddy called, she needs a second surgery to remove and abscess her left hip. Everly is really sick. Asher wants us."
"He wants us it's been four years," Mark said.
"They need us," Michelle said.
"Get dressed I'll tell Mitch," Mark said.
They got dressed and drove to the hospital as quickly as they could.
"Mom, dad," Asher said, his eyes red with tears as him and Allison clung to each other.
"She'll be okay," Mark said, "she's tough like her parents. She's a strong little one."
"What if," Allison croaked.
"God is looking out for her," Mark assured, "would you like us to pray?"
"Please," Asher said.
Mark began to pray.
As he finished Megan came in, "why wasn't I called?"
"We had it under control," Teddy replied.
"I shouldn't have to find out when I get paged at 1:15 in the morning to cover trauma," Megan said, "you've known for hours."
"We had enough on our plates," Owen snapped, "Allison and Asher are at their breaking point. Everly is critical possibly septic."
"Where is she," Megan barked.
"Or with Link," Teddy replied.
"I'm getting an update," Megan yelled.
Megan ran to the OR.
"Status," Megan barked from the door.
"Two year old female," Link started.
"I know it's my great niece," Megan yelled, "I want to know what your plan is."
"Drain placed on the right," Link said, "I'm finishing the wash out on the left and will place a drain. I'm going to have a catheter placed for urine."
"Did it get infected that way," Megan asked.
"I don't know," Link said, "we don't have the cultures yet."
"Timeline," Megan barked.
"90," Link estimated.
"I'll tell my family," Megan replied, "fix it Link."
"I am," Link assured.
Megan went back to the family to give the update, "the drain is in on the right, Link is washing out the left with antibiotic solution then will repair the suture lines and place a drain before closing."
"How long," Mark asked.
"90 minutes," Megan answered, "maybe less. He's being through."
"Auntie Megan," Allison asked in a little voice, "will Everly live?"
"She will," Megan assured, "Allie I see this complication happen more often than I would like. You will be holding your daughter in the next couple hours."
They all sat in tense silence with Allison and Asher clinging to each other until Link appeared.
"Allison, Asher," Link approached, "she came through really well it was a success."
"When can we see her," Asher asked.
"Soon," Link said, "we're still waiting on cultures but the abscess is completely out I've washed out the hip with antibiotic solution."
"What does this add to the time line," Teddy asked.
"I'm going to keep her in the hospital until her CBC is normal," Link said, "until the infection is gone I'm going to keep her here."
"I need to see her," Allison said, "I have to hold my baby."
"She is a very sick little girl," Link warned, "mom, dad this is going to be a fight. Her body is working hard to fight the infection."
"I want to see her," Allison demanded.
"Soon," Link assured, "we're monitoring."
"I'm over riding," Megan replied, "they can scrub and gown."
"Mom," Allison asked.
"I'm coming," Teddy assured, "I'm right with you."
In post op Allison and Asher held Everly's hands and softly stroked her hair back from her face.
"She feels cooler," Allison said.
"They'll bring the fever down," Teddy agreed.
At the nurses station Ava asked, "when can we hear about Everly?"
"You really love her don't you," Joyce said.
"I do," Ava smiled, "she's family. I remember when Allison told us she was pregnant senior year."
"I thought that was gossip," Joyce said.
"No," Ava said, "the fall of senior year. I remember Allison doing our AP french oral exam like 38 weeks pregnant. She was not comfortable but she did it, she was my conversation partner and we had to stand and she kept pacing and rocking. But we nailed it. Allison can't take things like tonight. She is really tough and with Everly's CP she fights hard for her but seeing Ev that sick Allie was about to break."
"You're due for a meal break," Joyce said, "we can check in when you come back."
"I need to see how Everly is doing," Ava said, "can you check the charts?"
"You can," Joyce agreed.
"I'll never have kids," Ava said, "guys don't like me."
"Ava you are a young intelligent woman," Joyce said, "you are compassionate, you clearly care deeply for your friends and their children. You have a real talent for paediatric nursing. You connect with kids and especially the little ones."
"Everly taught me," Ava said, "and babysitting."
Joyce checked the tablet for Everly's chart.
"She's out of surgery," Joyce said, "when she's moved back to her room you can check in. take your friend a warm drink. What does she like?"
"Tea," Ava said, "I'll make it I know how she likes it. Asher will want a coffee."
"And a treat for the little one," Joyce asked.
"Popsicles and brownies," Ava said.
"Take her a popsicle when she's alert enough," Joyce said, "patient care, making these kids feel safe and cared for is the most important part of your job. When Grace Altman does her seminar for residents on it I want you to attend. I always push my nursing students in on that one in the lecture hall. It's the most important part of being a peds nurse Ava. if you can't get kids and their families to trust you you can't do your job."
"I know," Ava said, "Grace has told me as much so has Teddy."
Just before dawn they resettled Everly in her room.
"Mommy sleepy," Everly whispered.
"Then sleep princess," Allison said.
"Daddy," Everly asked.
"I'm here," Asher said sitting on the other side of the bed.
Allison began to sing the old lullaby Teddy had sang to her as a child, Teddy joined in with the song and soon Everly was drifting in and out of sleep.
"I have tea and coffee," Ava whispered slipping into the room.
"Thanks," Allison forced a smiled.
"How is she," Ava whispered looking at the monitors.
"Resting," Owen replied.
"Her vitals look good," Ava said.
"They do," Teddy agreed.
"She's not sweaty," Allison said.
"That's a good sign," Teddy agreed, "I had just got home and hadn't showered when you called. Allie are you okay if I run to the locker room and shower?"
"Yes," Allison said.
"We'll stay," Michelle said.
"We're okay for now I think," Asher replied, "you have to drive everyone to school."
"Why don't we come back around lunch time with food for you," Mark offered.
"Please," Allison replied, "thank you for coming in the middle of the night."
"We'll always come," Michelle said, "can we give her a kiss good bye?"
"Let's hold off," Teddy suggested, "we don't want to wake her right now. When you come back later she'll be alert."
"We'll see you in a few hours," Mark said.
"Thank you for coming," Asher said.
"Always," Mark said, "if you need us call us."
"We will," Asher assured.
When they left Allison said, "mom, dad, we're okay for now. Go do your thing and check back with us?"
"We will," Owen said, "call if you need us or have questions."
When the family of three was finally alone Allison and Asher stopped pretending to be holding it together, not that they had been doing a good job of it. They sat on the couch holding each other and crying tears of fear and worry.