Falling Into Grace(6)

Both Ella and Hunter have taken the news better than I have. It makes me feel like I failed as a mother because they are stronger than me. They have been my strength, telling me every day that they love me. I live for nothing but them. I see Hunter out of the corner of my eye and bend down to pick him up.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” I smile and he smiles back.

Ella follows shortly after. She runs to me quickly and jumps into my arms.

“Mommy, you look pretty today.” I do?

“Thank you, baby! Do you want breakfast, lovey? I’m making waffles.” They both look so happy today. I pour the batter into the waffle iron and close the lid. Excitement twinkles in their eyes as I get the chocolate syrup out of the fridge. I mix them both a glass of chocolate milk and place it on the table in front of them. I see the light flash green and the waffles are done. I make them each a plate and watch as they inhale their food. We finish up breakfast, and they go back upstairs to get dressed. They are back, before I finish cleaning up.

“We brushed our teeth already, hot mama,” Hunter says, giggling.

“Oh, you did, did you? Let me see.” They both open their mouths, showing off that they actually did a good job. To show my approval, I nod and laugh. They are my world. I would not have been able to move on if it weren’t for them. I look them over to make sure they are all ready. Backpacks are already on their backs, shoes are on, and their faces are clean.

“OK, let’s move it out the door.” I drop them off at school and become a robot. I head into work with nothing on my mind. I sit down in my office and check my messages.

“You look good today, Hannah.” I look up, and it’s Michele, my boss in the doorway.

“Thanks. I did something with myself today. It’s been awhile. I thought it would lift my spirits,” I confess.

“Well, it agrees with you. You look like yourself again. If you need anything, I’m here.” I have heard that every day for the last three months.

I took five months off after Chase died. I couldn’t bear to see the world after it crashed down around me. It feels good to be back in the land of the living again. Slowly and steadily, I have begun to feel again.

“Oh, Hannah, I had to do emergency heart surgery early this morning; could you check on my patient for me? I have to go. I’m late for a parent-teacher conference.” Dr. Michele Mitchell is one of the top cardiovascular surgeons in the state. I’m her physician’s assistant.

“Sure, no problem.”

“I told the patient’s family about you and that you would be monitoring her today. Thanks, Hannah. You’re the best.” She gives me her big smile, then disappears out of sight. When I finish checking messages, I make my way down to ICU to see our patient. I say good morning to the staff, then sit down and go through the chart. Victoria Grace, sixty-one and widowed. I feel the pain and swallow. I read on and collect the info I need. I wonder if her family is still here, and yes, they are. Three men sit around her, making a fuss. She rolls her eyes and stops when they meet my eyes. I recognize the sadness, and I think she might too.

“Mrs. Grace, I’m Hannah Redman, Dr. Mitchell’s PA. I will be monitoring you today. How are you feeling?” I ask as I walk over and take her hand.

“I would be better if they would leave. They are the reason I am here. They drive me crazy.” She is fire. I love the attitude right away. I’m going to like her, I think to myself.

“Gentleman, could you please give me a moment with Mrs. Grace?”

As they leave, she sticks her tongue out at them. I almost laugh.

“Now, how are you feeling? Are you in pain?” I read her monitors and everything looks perfect. She is one strong woman.

“I feel as good as I can for just having my chest cracked open. I just want to get out of here. My sons are driving me nuts.” Her voice strains, and I can tell she is tired.

“Do you want me to tell them you need rest?” I ask, tempting her. “They can wait in the waiting room and give you a few hours.”

“If you could do that, I would give you my firstborn.” She has a sweet look in her eyes. I feel like she is reading me, like she can see the matching pain in my eyes.

“No problem, Mrs. Grace. I will make sure they leave you alone for a while so you can rest.”

“Please call me Tori. Mrs. Grace is my mother-in-law,” she snorts, looking uncomfortable.

“OK, Tori. Get some rest and I will be back later to check on you.” I walk out of the room and head into the waiting room. The three men stand as soon as I walk in the door. They are all well dressed in black tuxes. They must have been at an event last night when all of this happened.