And love

Chap 38 All better?

ST. VICTOR'S ICU – SWING SHIFT

Head nurse Gloria Stevenson is talking with the incoming swing shift nurses. "Paula, you will have bed 1, Mrs. Wilson. She had a mild MI* 3 days ago and will be ready for a step-down bed tomorrow. Also bed 2, Daniel Reagan; he had left elbow surgery today. He arrived from recovery 2 hours ago, and currently is stable. Any questions?"

"Ah . . . Mr. Reagan. He and I, ah-

"Yes, what is it?"

"Nothing ma'am. I'm good."

"You sure?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm sure."

"Ok, Gail-

Patient assignments continue.

After Paula Hill has finished checking vitals on Mrs. Wilson, and seeing to her patient's needs she moves on to bed 2 – Daniel Reagan's room.

"Hello, Mr. Reagan. I am Paula, your nurse for this evening."

Danny peeps at her through sleepy eyes.

"I'll be checking your vital signs and attending to any needs you might have. What is your pain level right now, on a scale of 1-10?"

"Ah, 2 I think. Do I know you?" He mumbles.

"I don't think we've ever met. It doesn't seem that you need any pain med right now, is that ok?" She checks his BP cuff and starts the auto blood pressure machine.

"Right, not now. Are you sure we never met; your name sounds familiar?" He groans as he moves his left arm.

Paula aims a temperature probe at his forehead and charts his vitals. She checks the dressing over his elbow, she sees no bleeding. "Your vitals are within expected range, and your operative site is dry and w/o bleeding. I will be back to check you again in 20 minutes. Be sure to call if you need anything." She makes sure that his call light is within reach and leaves the room.

'Paula? Don't I know her'? He dozes off.

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3 HOURS LATER, ICU

Linda breezes into the ICU to visit Danny. Jack and Sean have arrived home, and she got them started on supper. She meets Paula as she is about to enter Danny's room.

"Paula, hi! Have you seen my Danny?"

"Yes, I'm his nurse this evening. He is doing very well."

"That's great, thanks." Linda enters her hubby's room. "Hi, babe! How are you doing?" She walks over and kisses his forehead.

"Hey, Lin. Doing ok. Say, that nurse, Paula. Do I know her? You seem to know her."

Linda winces.

"What was that look? She said we'd not met. Was that a lie?"

"No, you have never met her. I met her here at work; she is really nice. We eat meals together sometimes, in the cafeteria." Darn, he's too good a detective!

Paula brings his supper tray in and gets him set up. "Sorry Mr. Reagan, it's clear liquids tonight. Your diet will be advanced at breakfast time." She scoots out of the room quickly. Leaving Linda to visit and help him if needed.

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J/E APARTMENT – FAMILY CONFERENCE

"Girls, we have 3 things to talk about," Eddie starts. "First is DVDs for our new car."

"FROZEN," they shout in unison.

Jamie responds, "we know you all like Frozen, and that is ok. But most car trips we take will be much shorter than a movie. So, your mom and I think you should select a variety of shorter videos to have in the car."

"Cartoons!" Mary Rose raises her hand.

The older girls frown. "No," Mal objects.

"Now girls, let's compromise, shall we?" Eddie inputs.

Cassie is getting another lesson in family life. She raises her hand. After Eddie nods, she speaks; "Maybe each of us could pick 2 DVDs for the car. And everybody gets a turn to pick what we play?"

Jamie and Eddie look at each other – WOW they silently communicate.

Mal voices, "I like that, Cass."

"Me too," Mary Rose nods in agreement.

"Ok, that's a good idea. May I suggest the 3 of you pick 3 movies together," Jamie inputs. "Then each of you pick 2 shorter DVDs for the car, or DVDs with shorter sections. Mother and I will have VETO power, and mom will enforce the taking turns about what to watch." He looks to Eddie, she nods.

"OK!" All the girls exclaim.

"Second," Jamie starts. "Cassie, have you ever ridden a pony or horse?"

"Well, once at a county fair. The pony was led around by a man. It was weird."

"So, essentially no, "Jamie concludes. "We ask because mother and I are thinking of a family vacation; horseback camping. Maybe next spring break or during the summer."

"Really?" The girls eyes get big.

"Yes," Eddie concurs. "So, we all need some horse back riding lessons." Eddie supplies. "We have looked into lessons, and found stables close in on Long Island."

"We will shoot for a weekend day once a month. What do you girls think?" Jamie asks.

Everyone is on board!

"Third, birthdays," Eddie starts.

"Our birthdays are all in October!" Mal huffs.

"Even mine," Cassie adds, with raised eyebrows.

"We know," Eddie admits. "Instead of 3 little parties, dad and I would like to do 1 big party!"

The parents wait for a response.

The girls look at each other. Mal speaks for the group, "Can we talk it over and get back to you?"

Mom and dad are incredulous! The maturity they often see in their daughters amazes them. And Cassie is showing signs of the same.

"Ok, how soon can we expect an answer," dad asks.

"2 days?" Cassie opines.

Mom and dad nod. "Ok."

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BAY RIDGE – FAMILY DINNER

Cassie and Mal each carry in a cake. The girls were in charge of dessert. Their cooperative effort produced 2 cakes; a chocolate one, with chocolate frosting and a lemon one with cream cheese frosting. Eddie supervised but intervened very little.

"GG! We are here," Mary Rose announces. "Where shall we put the cakes?"

Pops comes out to greet them, "On the kitchen table, please. My, those look delightful! Thank you, ladies!"

The girls grin as they march to the kitchen.

"Mary Rose! You are youngest, you get to set the table!" Sean proudly announces.

Mary Rose looks to her dad. He nods. She pouts.

"I'll help you," Cassie whispers in her youngest sister's ear.

"No fair helping," Sean hollers.

The 3 sisters cooperate anyway.

Sean grumbles all thru dinner.

Erin offers the blessing and talk begins.

Linda starts, "Danny's surgery went very well. His recovery is progressing nicely."

"Will he need to go to rehab," Frank asks.

"We don't know yet. He has just started physical therapy."

"I plan to see him tomorrow," Pops adds. "I'll take some leftovers."

"He'll like that. He should be on the ortho floor. I'll text you his room number as soon as I know it."

"Thanks, Linda."

"We're going on vacation," Mary Rose erupts.

"Horseback camping," Mal adds.

The table looks at Jamie and Eddie, who say nothing.

"Well," Erin questions.

Still nothing. Cassie wonders what's going on.

"And?" Pops raises an eyebrow.

Jamie shrugs, Eddie continues to eat.

"Come on," Sean begs.

"Well, I thought the announcers had this well in hand," Jamie smirks.

"What he said," Eddie points her fork at her husband. Then stabs a piece of potato.

"Ok, I will fill in the blanks," Cassie steps in. "We are thinking of a horseback camping family vacation.
Either spring break or next summer. Mom and dad are looking into riding lessons somewhere on Long Island. Did I get it right?" She looks at Eddie then Jamie.

Silence for a moment.

Then all around the table clapping begins:

"Way to go girl!"

"Good for you!"

"Hooray!"

"Finally!"

Cassie hides her face in her hands-, embarrassed.

Eddie rubs circles on her newest daughters back. She whispers in her ear, "welcome to the family!"

All raise a toast, "Welcome to the family Cassie!" Grandpa Frank loudly proclaims.

"CHEERS!"

"Thank you," she sheepishly voices.

"Now, one more thing," Jamie motions to his wife.

"Yes," Eddie begins. "We have the unusual situation of 3 birthdays in the same month. October."

"Oh, my," Pops exclaims.

"Our daughters have talked it over-

"They let you do that?" Sean isn't sure he believes that.

All 3 girls nod. "Yes, we did," Eddie affirms. "And they decided to take our offer of 1 big party; instead of 3 little ones. So, we will let you know soon when that big party will be. Stay tuned."

Party talk consumed the rest of the meal.

Afterwards, Linda cornered Jamie. "Can we talk, about Danny and Paula?"

"Yes, can you call us in 1 hour?"

"Will do."

The families head for home.

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TBC