Theo


    POV


    Saun took a few photos of the child and the parents, gathering as much as he could for a press release. Robson would approve it before it was sent to the public. This was a huge deal; we wanted it all to go well. So far, so good with the child. Her oxygen saturation was good, and that was my main worry. She had been slightly blue when she was on the operating table.


    Atst, the parents left the building; after some strong encouragement from Robson, it was nned that the child would be kept sedated for at least twenty-four hours, and the parents could return tomorrow and see how she was doing. They wanted to stay for the twenty-four hours, but that was just silly. What would they do, stand all that time and stare through the window?


    Robson, Saun, and I sat at the table in the research wing, reviewing the photos and picking out the ones we wanted to use. While we looked at the pictures, Saun''s fingers flew over the keyboard, writing the story to apany them. Saun includedments about the monkey and Mr. Green and how they had high hopes of sess with this operation, which would pave the way for other young children in the same condition.


    ''That looks good, Saun. Release it. Robson signed the paper for the release, and Saun left. Together, Robson and I went to theputer and opened the child''s charts; the heart was working well, and everything looked to be on schedule. This little one had a lot of fight left in her, even though it did not look that way before the operation, and we thought she was not going to make it off the table.


    ''She is going to make, I just know it.'' Robson said, looking more enthusiastic than when Saun was here earlier. He wanted to wait to make predictions of sess. No matter how good it seems, when ites to children, they can change in seconds; in one moment, you are singing sess, and in the next, you have a child going downhill so fast you can barely keep them alive.


    ''Come on, let''s get something to eat and talk! Robson led me down to the cafeteria and brought us curry and rice. He carried it to an outdoor table, and we sat under a tree and devoured our meal.


    ''How is Bethany doing?'' Robson looked at me with concern. Things had not been easy for her, and it was not over yet. Jacko said that she would have to go to court as a witness. I am sure she wants all this behind her and to get on with her life; that is how I feel. ''Tired and sore, but coping. Spending time at Thomas''s house helped. You should have seen her with the baby; she is a natural.'' I spoke with pride in my voice. You would think I was talking about my own baby.


    ''It has been traumatic for her. I was concerned about her mental state, but she seemed to be calm and in control in the theater.''


    ''Bethany held her own. She was finding it hard towards the end, and that is why she asked me to close. On the whole, all went well. She will need a spa and massage tonight, and her muscles will be sore from the long hours of standing!'' I joked and got the chuckle response I was aiming for.


    ''Don''t let her sleep too long, or she won''t sleep tonight. Take her out for a nice meal, grab a takeaway, and give her that massage you were talking about. Robson stood up, collected the trash, and threw it away; I walked alongside him as we headed back inside. Robson had a lot on his mind and paperwork to do, documenting the operation; depending on how this goes, it might end up being a training video at some point.


    ''Sweetheart! I whispered in Bethany''s ear, kissing her lobe. She groaned and stretched before rolling over and looking up at me.


    ''Hummm?'' She murmured sleepily.


    ''It is Time to get up. It is nearly eight o''clock, and you need to eat. Come home, and I will give you a massage and feed you. I nudged her gently, and she groaned butplied, sitting up and looking around the room. ''How''s the child doing?'' She asked as she walked over to the bathroom. I leaned against the door frame as Bethany washed her face and tried to say something. I am still trying to figure out what was said. ''Takeaway?'' Bethany repeated.


    ''Sure, or we can stop at the food hall and eat there before getting you home for a spa and massage; you will need it. I pushed again. I really wanted to give her a massage. I am sure it will lead to more than a massage if it is anything likest time.


    ''Food hall sounds good; I am not sure what I am in the mood for. We stopped to check on the child before leaving for the night. Last time, Bethany fretted and stayed all night when Mr Green was operated on. I am unsure why she agreed not to keep up this time, but I am happy she agreed. I would have put her in the spa and given her a massage here at work, but it would have been much nicer to be home.


    We walked down the hall to the lifts to leave the hospital; the staff epted we were an item now, as I had not been propositioned in a while. Thank goodness.


    The food hall was packed; Bethany said she would find us a table and get her a steak, easy peasy. I lost sight of her and had to weave between a lot of people before I saw her sitting at a table at the back. sses of water and utensils were on the table, and she was watching me head towards her, smiling. I was going to. This girl had me under her spell, and I loved it. There is little I would not do to make this girl happy.


    We ate andughed, and seeing that she was not holding back was good. Her appetite was back to pre-ident days, eating as much as I do, and I could not see any hint of remorse or tears, just tiredness. That was good to see; it was not the tiredness, but she was still not hurting by all that had happened to her.


    ''What happened with Pam and your Dad?'' I wondered what happened; Bob seemed to have forgiven her for her slip-up. ''She exined that another crew was watching me and sent Scott''s team home because it waste, and she did not seem to think we needed both teams if we were doing an all-nighter, but I got too tired to do more when they found more of the books I had given them, was in code. I will teach someone to trante, so I do not need to do that any longer than a guy called Toby. Dad asked me to forgive and forget, so I am trying. I thought she was a traitor and was shocked when she arrived at Thomas''s house. Dad and Pam are going to see if they can manage a rtionship. Dad likes her a lot!''


    ''How do you feel about that?'' This was news to me; I had been so unsure of Pam and her motives right from the start; she came on too strong for my liking, trying too hard to be by Bob''s side. I hope he knows what he is doing and that I have read this all wrong. I know that sounds strangeing from me, but she rubbed me the wrong way, a gut feeling she was hiding something. Maybe she had revealed what the is to Bob, and that is why he had forgiven her.


    ''If Dad is happy, then I am so excited for him. He has had a hard time with Wendy and her cheating ways, only to find out he was never married to her, any more than I was married to Bret. We were both hoodwinked, and we were both feeling a little bitter about that. Dad, I had a good talk, and I have Dad''s back if it works out well. If it doesn''t, he gave it a good go. I will be there for him to help him pick up the pieces of his life again!''


    ''Sounds like a good n. I am right beside you on this one. If Bethany feels it is good, I will trust her instincts. ''Thanks. On another matter, I was thinking of shifting out of the penthouse.'' What the? I thought she liked the ce. What do you mean you are leaving the Penthouse?'' I wanted to scream and shout no.