Chapter 709: Beaulieu Manor
Thursday, March 16th, Evening
He sat in his office, staring at his laptop; this would be difficult. This was the appointed time for the Zoom call he got from the text message. With his son deployed overseas with the army, she was the hardest of his five children to get a hold of. So, they set up this date to talk; he must first speak with her.
Lucas stared at his laptop, waiting. He understood his daughter was busy, but she said she would be here. Lucas had learned patience over the years, but since his diagnosis, he had a hard time waiting. He wanted to get things done with. He sighed as the Zoom call notification came on the screen. Lucas reached over and answered it.
His oldest daughter and oldest child appeared on the screen. Dr. Candace "Candi" Scott, MD, FAAP, was sitting on the sundeck of the Hermosa Beach, California home, where she rented a room. The sight of Hermosa Beach spread out behind her. Her light brown hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she wore a light-colored tank top.
"Hey, Dad, how are you feeling today?" Candi asked.
"The usual, today's a good day," Lucas said.
Candi nodded, "Congratulations on ring number five; I wanted to come but couldn't get off. I bet Brett was ecstatic," she said.
"She was, especially since Angela came down to watch her," Lucas said.
"Did she actually slam the ball?" Candi asked.
Lucas nodded, "Yes, from what she said, she caught everything right; she was going for a layup," he said.
"She was all over the place the last quarter," Candi said.
"Brett got injured in the third, and AP stitched her up. She came out to settle all accounts," Lucas said.
"I would've loved to have been there," Candi said.
"Well, make it up to her when she comes to LA in college," Lucas said.
"Yeah, right; why would she hang out with her boring doctor cousin?" Candi asked.
"Umm, look at your backyard for one and two, white mamba," Lucas said.
"I wish NIL existed when I was at Duke," Candi said.
"Yeah, you and Angela would've cleaned up," Lucas said.
Candi nodded, "Dad, you're avoiding talking about the real purpose of the call," she said.
"It's not easy, Candi," Lucas said.
"I looked at what you sent me, talked with my colleagues, and put a courtesy call into your doc," Candi said.
"And?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah, he's right; you should be good," Candi said.
"Why does everyone suggest I get my affairs in order?" Lucas asked.
"Um, Dad, it's heart surgery; it would be wise," Candi said.
Lucas shook his head, "It's not fair," he said.
"Dad, I can empathize with you, I hated having surgeries, but it's for the best," Candi said.
"I don't want to put Sawyer through this," Lucas said.
"Well, Dad, if you put it off, she could go through it anyway," Candi said.
Lucas nodded, "I'm going to get everyone together to tell them when Izzy's in town," he said.
"Do you want me to Zoom in?" Candi asked.
"Why not? Kay, Grandma, Angela, they're Zooming in," Lucas said.
Candi nodded, "So, is there anything you want to ask me?" she asked.
Lucas shook his head, "No, not now," Lucas said.
Candi looked off-screen for a minute, then turned back to Lucas. "You won't be alone, Dad," she said.
"I know Brooke, Sawyer, Keni, and Ellie will be around," Lucas said.
"That's not what I mean, Dad," Candi said.
"What do you mean?" Lucas asked.
"After I talked about your condition and showed your file to them, they insisted that I be there for you," Candi said.
"You don't have to," Lucas said.
"I want to, and I'm coming out and going to your doctor's appointments," Candi said.
"You don't have to," Lucas said.
"Dad, button it; I'm coming next week, I have to finish my schedule, and I will advocate for you," Candi said.
"Candi!" Lucas said.
"Dad! You don't want me there because other than Keith, I don't take your shit," Candi said.
"Ellie can be tough on me, too," Lucas said.
"Not like me, and admit it," Candi said.
Lucas held up his hands, "I give up," he said.
"Good, good, now what else do we need to discuss?" Candi asked.
"Nothing really, other than I'll need your travel details," Lucas said.
"Of course, once I've finalized them, I'll email them to you," Candi said.
"Thank you, oh, we're opening Leighton. Do you want to stay there, or should I ask Brooke to set aside a room?" Lucas asked.
"Where will you be? Wait a minute; you're opening Leighton? Is Keith home?" Candi asked.
"No, Keith's not home yet, but soon enough," Lucas said.
"How about that?" Candi asked.
"Can't wait?" Lucas asked, "It will be nice to have most of you home."
"Where are you staying?" Candi asked.
"Beaulieu," Lucas said.
"Okay, I'm staying with you," Candi said.
Lucas nodded, "Okay," he said.
"Alright, I got to go," Candi said.
Lucas sighed, "Alright, I'll see you soon," he said.
"See you soon, Dad," Candi said, disconnecting the line. Lucas nodded and got up, leaving his office.