And love
Chapter 87 AGAPE
A/N: Skyross19, thanks for the poke (review) re Mal, Mary Rose & our core JAMKO family. I have 1 more major segment about Linda and that crew. Then they will fade, but not completely disappear.
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DR. CASEY NELSON'S Ob-Gyn OFFICE
FRIDAY 11:00
"Hello Eddie and Jamie," nurse Debbie is her usual effervescent self. "Thanks so much for remembering to save those panties! Most women get so panicked that they toss them. Kind of a normal reflex I think."
They have been ushered into an exam room, and Eddie is following the drill, i.e. strip to waist-gown on-up on exam table-sheet covering belly to knees-relax. Yabba dabba doo!
After vitals, "Casey will be in momentarily." Debbie exits.
Jamie stands close by Eddie's side, arm around her shoulder, talking softly.
Soon Dr. Nelson appears. "Hi guys, haven't seen you since that fabulous party at the Saddle Rock Ranch. Tell me, how is Mary Rose doing? I know you were a little anxious about her loving Maddie and Joseph."
Jamie responds, "She is doing great. I don't think that little darling will ever run out of love."
"Wonderful. Now about mother."
"You too?" Eddie scowls.
Casey frowns, "What?"
"She's not fond of my calling her mother," Jamie explains.
"Oh, well we are 5 kids in, my dear."
"Just what he said," Eddie frowns some more.
"Well, shall we get down to business here?"
"Yes, let's do that!"
"Ok. We sent the underwear to the lab. I'm not hopeful that they will provide any useful information. But we shall see. Today, I will do a vigorous pap smear. That means I will be more forceful than usual when I take the sample from your cervix. Now, there may be a little pain, but for just a moment. Any questions?"
"When will we get the results of today's tests?" Jamie asks.
"Well, unfortunately it is Friday. But I wanted to get this process started ASAP. We probably won't hear until Wednesday or Thursday."
Eddie's face falls. Jamie tightens his hold on her shoulders.
"Eddie, the chances that this is something serious are small – but not 0%. We'll talk about next steps after we get the pap done. Now, does Jamie stay for this or not?"
"Stay, please?" She looks to Jamie.
He nods and says, I stay!" He helps his wife lay back, get in the stirrups and position herself.
Casey calls for Debbie.
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After the pap has been obtained, Casey exits. Debbie helps Eddie get upright and leaves also.
After Eddie is all put together, Jamie signals that they are ready for the next steps.
Cadey returns and sits. "After we get the pap results, we'll know more about what we need to do further. I can say this, Eddie. There is probably a 75% chance that you will need a DandC. That is a dilatation and curettage. What happens is 1) the cervix is gradually dilated by inserting a series of larger and larger probes; 2) when ready, the inside of the uterus is scraped all around (the curettage part) to get a good sample of the tissue lining the inside of your womb. This will give us our best info as to what is going on. This is done under anesthesia. Any questions?"
"At the hospital?"
"Usually. I have done a few here, but I feel better if we have an anesthetist or anesthesiologist help us."
"I agree," Jamie nods. "You?" He looks to Eddie.
"I agree. Should we schedule that now?"
"No, surgery won't let me schedule a procedure until I have a test result showing that the procedure is indicated and necessary."
"That makes sense," Eddie admits. "So, we wait?"
"I'm afraid so."
"You can't rush it?" Jamie asks nonchalantly.
"Sorry, if I do that too much, I will get a reputation I don't want."
"Understood."
They wrap up the visit and head home.
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SUPPER
As agreed, "Mom has some news," dad starts.
The table stills, even Pat and AJ.
Eddie tells her story, including today's doctor visit. She was so complete that there were no questions.
"So, we will get the 1st round of results next week. Tuesday or Wednesday."
"Ok, thanks so much for telling us," Cassie said. "My parents, ah my 1st parents, never told me anything."
"You are welcome sweetie. Father (she glances at Jamie) and I want you to be in-the-loop." Eddie said.
"Yes, your mother and I do want us to all be on the same page." Jamie chuckles.
"What's going on with you two?" Mal sets her fork down and stares at mom and dad.
"What?" Two older voices squeak.
"Oh, I don't know," Mary Rose adds. "These looks; saying mother or father!"
"Like we are in an old folk's home!" Mal finishes, her hands on hips.
"BUSTED!" Cassie mutters.
Jamie and Eddie look at each other.
"He started it. He called me MOTHER!" Eddie crosses her arms across her chest.
"Ok . . . then she called me FATHER! And I'm not old! So there." He smirks.
ROTFL
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2 WEEKS LATER, SATURDAY
Danny's training position has started nicely. His group caught a big case so he will be working today. He will probably be lucky to be home before midnight.
This gives Linda the chance she has been looking for. A chance to talk with Jack and Sean about her KEY.
After breakfast is done, including clean up, Linda asks the boys to talk. They sit at the kitchen table.
"When I called and told Jack that I was coming home, I said that I had found my key."
"What," Sean voiced. He looks at Jack.
"Mom never said what the KEY was, what it looked like or what it was the key for." Jack throws up his hands.
"Correct, I didn't. Now I want to share with you; I need your help."
"You want our help with a key we haven't seen and don't know how to use?" Sean is dubious.
'Danny has really rubbed off on Sean. I hope it's not too late!' Linda thinks.
"Give mom a chance," his older brother implores him.
"Thank you, Jack."
"I came home because of something I read in the Bible.
"I found the key to our relationships – AGAPE!"
She reviewed her experience ON THE ISLAND. Listening to a family discussion (that was strange by Danny/Linda's standards), the calm and supporting atmosphere (WOW) and more.
"I need to drag the real Danny Reagan out of the present dry husk he's trapped in, and I need your help. We, the 3 of us, need to LOVE him unconditionally until he gives up. And loves us back. Will you help me, boys?"
Jack dives into the deep end of the pool; Sean agrees to start at the shallow end, and work his way deeper. Over the course of 3 months, it works!
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PRESENT, WEDNESDAY
RING – Eddie's cell
"Hello, Dr. Nelson?"
"So formal Eddie! We have your results. Can you and Jamie come in at 7 PM today?"
"DAMN, bad news, right?"
"Not the best, but we'll conquer it together. I really want to discuss in person."
"Ok, we will be there."
TXT to Jamie-
ER: tests back, doc office 7 PM, discuss in person.
JR: know more?
ER: no, not good, beatable she said. 1-4-3
JR: K 1-4-3
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TBC
