Chapter 23
Post-surgery Sarah was in and out of sleep, groggy and confused. She looked around with bleary vision into the bright room that had too much white and saw her sisters.
“Rin? Eva?” she croaked, realizing how dry her throat was.
“Here,” Corrine said, stepping forward and bringing a glass of water with a straw to Sarah’s mouth. “Drink.”
Sarah sucked in, gulping down the refreshing cold water so fast she almost choked.
“Slow down,” Corrine said, pulling the straw away.
“I’m in the hospital,” Sarah said out loud.
“Yes, you are,” Corrine said, placing a kiss on Sarah’s forehead. “You had us worried sick."
“How did you find me?” Sarah said, a bit confused.
“We got here as soon as we heard. The nurses called us and let us know where you were and what happened. Apparently, a Danny brought you in,” Jess said, smirking.
“Who is Danny?” Eva asked, looking as if she already knew the answer to the question.
“We didn’t even know you were dating someone,” Corrine said, sounding exactly like their mom.
“I really hope it’s that hot doctor we talked about,” Eva said with a smile on her face.
“Um, it’s still very new,” Sarah said, embarrassed and off-kilter from being put on the spot.
“So who is he?” Jess asked.
“His name is Danny. Oh my God you guys back off, I almost fucking died or something. A baby did..” Sarah said, clearing her throat trying not to cry.
“Oh shit Sarah, we are so sorry. Of course. How insensitive. We were just so worried and all we heard about what that a man named Danny brought you in. Naturally we are interested. Are you ok? What can we do?”
At least Corrine can empathize.
“Ok but seriously. Is he the doctor, though?” Eva said, stepping forward in impatience.
At that moment, Danny walked in and Sarah couldn’t see anyone else. He looked disheveled but still incredibly insanely hot. Sarah worried about how she looked just before he smiled at her. She could see how happy he was.
Sarah saw her sisters were ogling Danny and she grimaced, hoping he didn’t notice.
Danny turned to the older images of herself with his hand extended.
“Hello. My name is Daniel Struthers, call me Danny. I regret meeting you under these circumstances, but it’s a pleasure,” he said.
“My name is Eva Patterson,” she said, stepping up with her hand outstretched.
Danny shook it and smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I haven’t heard a lot about you. Would you happen to be a doctor, by chance?” Eva asked with a smirk.
“I am, actually. I work up in peds, oncology,” Danny said.
Eva’s grinned even wider. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Corrine,” Corrine said, intentionally stepping up and pushing Eva out the way.
“It’s a pleasure as well,” Danny said, shaking her hand. “And you must be Jess,” Danny said, turning to the last sister.
“I am. Nice to meet you,” Jess said with a smile and impressed he knew her name.
Finally, Danny turned to Sarah and walked towards her. “Hey you,” he said sitting on the edge of her bed, pushing her hair behind her ears.
“Hey,” Sarah said, feeling her heart race in her chest.
“Babe. How are you?” he asked, looking at her with concern and love.
“I’m okay,” Sarah said, trying not to blush. She felt like a schoolgirl and they were doing all this in front of her sisters.
Danny obviously didn’t care, he leaned down and kissed her forehead just as Sarah’s nurse came in. It was clear by the nurse’s face that she recognized Doctor Struthers. He recognized her face but not her name. She was one of the float nurses who filled in for nurses who couldn’t show up for their shift.
“Doctor Struthers, I didn’t know you were working on surgical recovery,” she said, standing just inside the door with uncertainty.
Sarah watched him tense and awkwardly state, “I’m not working,” and he left it at that.
“Right,” the nurse said, her eyes moving back and forth between Danny and Sarah. “Okay. I’ll be right back,” she said and stepped out of the room.
“Guess the cat is out of the bag,” he said, turning to Sarah. “This news will spread like wild fire.” He winked.
The nurse returned and introduced herself, while eyeing Doctor Struthers and Sarah like they were animals in a zoo—like she was waiting for them to do something special for her to report back.
Everyone cleared out so the nurse could do her thing without having to climb around four people to check Sarah’s vitals. They all stood in the hallway with Danny and Sarah knew they were all feeling awkward. She was tired and ready for the testing to be over. Five minutes felt like an entire hour before the nurse left.
Danny returned alone and Sarah asked where everybody was.
“I asked them if I could have a few minutes alone with you,” he said with a smile. He sat on the edge of her bed and took her hand.
“Okay,” she said with uncertainty. “What’s up?”
“I love you,” Danny said. “Like I really really love you.”
Sarah gasped.
“I knew it weeks ago but I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t want to make you feel pressure. I know it has only been a few weeks, but this is real,” he said, gesturing between their chests. “I can feel it there and I know I love you. I’ve loved before and thought my first wife dying was the worst thing that ever happened to me. You healed me. You make me feel alive. My daughter loves you, and she’s a picky customer.”
Sarah laughed though tears fell down her face.
“You’re hilarious. You’re beautiful and kind and I believe you’re perfect for me. I don’t know what tomorrow brings or what we’re going to do about this stupid policy thing, but I know I love you and I want to be with you,” Danny said.
Tears streamed down Sarah’s face as she listened to Danny, heart racing and full of love.
“I want to be with you too,” she said, reaching forward to hug him.
The door opened and the nurse stepped in to say something but squeaked in surprise and stepped back out of the room.
“We’re really going to have the rumor mill churning now,” he said with a laugh before taking Sarah’s lips to his own.