Well, there goes my super-baby idea.
Then the gears in my brain start to grind, and I shake my head to understand what he just said. “Wait, Max gave me this blanket?”
“Yeah. Sat and talked with your gran while you were asleep, too.” He finishes up with the drip and scribbles something on Nan’s chart. “What I wouldn’t give for my brother to be more like him.”
I lean down and open the bag. On the top of a pile of my clothes is a handwritten note.
Hey, Eden.
I hope you’re doing okay.
I thought you might like a change of clothes and some toiletries, considering you’ll want to stay with your Nan. I hope you don’t mind that I conned the super of you building into letting into your apartment. In case he says anything, the FBI agent apologized for thinking you owned bomb-making equipment and were a threat to national security. If he gives you any trouble, let me know. Agent Richards can always make a return visit to set him straight.
I hope Nannabeth is doing better today.
Please let me know if you need anything. I’m just a phone call away.
Max x
“You okay?”
I look up to see the nurse staring at me.
“Uh ... yeah, I’m fine.”
He gives me a sympathetic look. “Miss your brother, huh?”
I nod and pack the note away. “Yeah. Unfortunately.”
*
For three days I live at the hospital. I get used to washing up in the public bathroom, grabbing takeout food from the cafeteria, and sleeping in the cot they set up for me. I talk to Nan all day long about anything and everything that comes to mind. I make up stories about amazing men I’m going to date and have children with, because really, if anything’s going to call her back from the great beyond, it will be the prospect of me finally ending my filthy single-lady ways and settling down.
Toby has been running interference for me at work, but even so, I knew I couldn’t avoid Derek forever. When my phone lights up with his number on the afternoon of the third day, I sigh and answer it.
“Hey, Derek.”
“Eden. Hi.” His voice is strange. Soft. Not pissed off. And he used my first name.
Oh, God, is he firing me?
“Look,” I say, sitting up straighter. “I know my partial draft was due yesterday, but I have a lot going on right now, so if you could –”
“Eden, it’s fine. I’m not calling to harass you.”
“You’re not?” Now I’m more confused than worried.
“Toby used every excuse in the book to explain where you’ve been for the past few days, but he finally spilled the beans about your grandmother. I just wanted to call and send you some good thought. I lost my gran two years ago, so I sympathize with what you’re going through. I really hope she pulls through.”
That was the last thing I expected from him. I slump back into my chair. “Thanks, Derek. That means a lot.”
“This doesn’t mean I’m giving you a free pass on the story, mind you. But it does mean you can have some extra time. Where are you with your research?”
“I have everything I need. I just have to write it. And to be honest, right now, I can’t think about much except being with my Nan.”
I hear rustling papers in the background. “I get it. I’m heading off to Europe tomorrow to meet some possible investors for Pulse, so you can have until I get back to finish up.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Two weeks. Can you get it done?”
“I think so.”
“Good.” There’s a pause, and then he clears his throat. “Okay, so it’s weird speaking to you for this long without yelling, so I’m gonna go.”
I laugh. “Thanks for calling, Derek. I really appreciate it.”
“Yeah, sure. Take care of yourself. And as soon as you can face it, get writing.”
“I will.”
We sign off, and I sigh. I never thought I’d see the day Derek would act like a regular person with human feelings, but I guess in times of crisis, people can surprise you.
I look over at Nan and take her hand. “See, Nan? Everyone’s on your side, even my asshole boss. That’s got to count for something, right?”
I stroke her skin and yawn as the sun kisses the tops of the buildings outside the window. I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s hard. Telling myself she’s going to be okay is one thing. Believing it is another.
“Ash called today. She was so excited, I didn’t have the heart to tell her about you. I know you’d approve, because you’d hate it if she gave up this opportunity and got on the first plane home. Besides, what can she do? The position of chief hand holder and chatterbox is filled. She’d have no purpose.”
I stroke her paper-thin skin and trace my fingertip over her tiny blue veins. “But of course if you wake up, I can call her and say you’ve had an accident but that you’re fine, which would work out well for everyone. So, just ... wake up, okay?” I look over at her and will her to move. “You don’t have to do anything major. Just open your eyes. Or squeeze my hand. You could squeeze my hand. That would be fine.”
I stop talking, because I get that pain in my throat that tells me I’m about to lose control. So instead, I press my forehead against her wrist. In this position I can feel her pulse, and I have to believe that as long as her heart’s beating, there’s a chance she’ll make it through.
When I hear footsteps come into the room, I figure it’s just one of the battalion of nurses that checks on Nan every half hour. I flinch when a warm hand cups my shoulder.
“Eden, come on. You need to rest. Let me take you home.”
I shouldn’t be surprised he’s here. All week, my ‘brother’ has been leaving care packages for me. He’s very popular with the nurses. Of course he is. All the ladies fall for Mister Romance, whether they want to or not.
When I raise my head, he strokes my back. “Hey, there.”
“Hey.” I’m so tired, my voice breaks.
“Wow,” he says, pushing hair away from my face. “I didn’t think it was possible, but ... you look like crap. Very beautiful crap, but still ...”
I let out a hoarse laugh. “Awww. You really are the sweetest man I know.”
Without waiting for my permission, he grabs my phone and purse and pulls me to my feet. “Come on. You’re exhausted.”
“Max, I can’t leave.”
“You can and you will. The nurses have told me they’ll call the second Nan’s condition changes. But tonight, you’re going to eat, shower, and sleep in a nice, warm bed, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“But she needs someone to talk to her.”
He stops and faces me then says, “I have that covered. Our wonderful cousin Dyson is going to stay here tonight and read to her.”