Fourth Down: Second Quarter - 3. Chapter 3

When we reached Ethan’s room, we found him sitting up against the wall on his bed having a coughing fit. Dale rushes to his side, taking our boy in his comforting arms and rubbing his back. Evan asked Madox to grab his bag from the car, he then asked me to grab the nebuliser we had on hand incase Ethan had one of his asthma attacks. He then instructed Bruce to prepare it so that they could place the small child sized breathing mask over Ethan, who was looking tired as he lay limply in Dale’s arms.

Madox wasn’t long in grabbing his boyfriend's medical bag, Evan then instructed Bruce on what he needed from it, while his attention was placed solely on Ethan. Something told me that this was no normal asthma attack.

“Is he ok?” Mia’s small scared voice asked from the doorway.

“Uncle Evan is making sure he will be. Come on sweetheart, let's go make us some hot chocolate.” Olivia said while leading Mia away, with Belle shepherding her two curious kids away from Ethan’s room.

Vicky and I stood to the side, feeling helpless. Only able to watch Evan helping our boy. He had placed a thermometer in his little mouth which jutted out from the side of the mask, and was listening to chest with his stethoscope. The look on Evan’s face betrayed something that displeased him, causing him to stroke Ethan’s hair from his face as. Ethan then suddenly spat out the thermometer, as he started coughing as if he was trying to expel his lungs from his chest. Evan gently pulled the little glass stick from it’s lodging in the mask and proceeded to examine the reading. Shaking his head in response.

“I want to get him to the hospital, it might be nothing too serious, but I want him there to do a few tests, just in case it is what I think it is.” He told those of us in the room.

No sooner had he said that, I was on my phone calling for an ambulance. It would have to be something serious if he felt the need for Ethan to be in the hospital.

The ambulance soon arrived, taking both my son and my husband to the hospital. With Vicky, Eva and myself following close behind it. Madox, Olivia, Bruce, and Belle chose to stay behind to try and distract the kids, and make sure Mia was ok.

When we got to the hospital, Evan and I rushed straight for the emergency room, and Vicky had gone to find a space to park the car. As I was just about to follow him through to where Dale and Ethan were, I was stopped from entering when a middle aged sour looking nurse stopped us.

“I’m sorry, you can’t go in there, you’ll have to see the triage nurse if you are in need of medical attention.”

“My son, Ethan Peterson, has just been bought in by ambulance.” I inform her, as panic highlights my words.

“Young boy about six years old?” She asks.

“Yes!” I exclaim.

“His father is already in there with him.” She says confused.

“That’s my husband, Dale.” I told her.

“Are you the biological father?” She asks, looking as if she had smelled something rotten in the immediate vicinity.

“No, but--”

“Then I’m afraid you can’t go in.” She says, looking at me in a way that was just asking me to try and challenge her.

“That is my son in there, and I demand to be let in to see him!” I say raising my voice at this woman who was keeping me away from my son.

“Is there a problem here?” Evan asked, coming back from the ER.

“Oh Sorry Evan, just preventing a NON relative from trying to see a patient they are NOT related to.” She says smugly. “I was just sending him off to wait in the waiting room.” She adds, dismissively.

“First of all; it’s DR. Smith, while we are on duty, Bridget. Secondly; this man IS related to the young patient as he IS the boy's father.” He said, clearly holding in how angry he was with this whole situation.

“But he is not the biological father.” She tries.

“So are we in the habit of keeping guardians, foster, or adoptive parents from seeing their children?”

“No, Dr! Of course not.”

“Oh. So it’s just same sex couples that we are preventing from seeing their loved ones.” Dale asks, in a calm furios tone.

“Um..” She falters.

“I thought not. Come on Hunter, Dale is waiting for you. And Bridget. If I hear you treating other patients or visitors who have rights to see loved ones as you have treated my friend here, you WILL find yourself having a not so very nice conversation with HR.”

He then grabs my hand and pulls me through to where other nurses and doctors were treating a myriad of other patients. Each case ranging from the very minor to the rather severe.

“They are this way. Sorry about her.” He says as he’s leading me to where Ethan was being treated.

“How is he?” I ask, nervously.

He stops me for a second, taking me aside, so people in beds could be moved past us easily.

“I think he might have pneumonia, though I am hoping it is just a mild chest infection.”

“Again?” I ask, thinking back to the several times he had had that nasty illness, and the many hospital stays he has had to endure at such a young age.

“I am hoping not.” He says, “But with his history, I just want to rule it out, so I have ordered a chest x-ray for him. Once I have the images, I’ll know more. Ok?” He adds while gently rubbing my upper arm. “Come on,”

And with that, he was leading me around to a bay with the privacy curtain obstructing who was in there. Evan pulled the curtain aside, revealing Dale in one of the hospital beds, holding a very miserable looking Ethan, with his tiny little oxygen mask. Ethan looks up at the noise the curtain makes, and instantly makes whimpering noises upon seeing me. He lifts the arm that is not clinging to Dale towards me, flexing his little fingers, indicating his need for his other Daddy. I smile at my little boy gently as I take a seat next to the bed, taking his little hand in mine.

“Hey little man. How you doing?” I ask quietly.

“His coughing has subsided, but he still has a temperature.” Dale tells me, as he looks worriedly at Ethan, who had fallen asleep.

The Curtain moves again, and Evan walks in wearing a white coat, and his stethoscope around his neck. He was looking at what I presumed to be an x-ray of Ethan’s chest.

“How is it?” I ask, hoping to god it is nothing too serious.

“It’s as I feared.” Evan says, disappointedly.

“So pneumonia?” Dale asks.

“I’m afraid so,” He sighed, “I have told the staff to get a single room ready for him on the children's ward, and a nurse will be in shortly to set up an IV for antibiotics and fluid.” Evan says, in Doctor mode as he makes his way over to the other side of the bed. “Poor kid.” He adds, letting ‘Uncle Evan’ out to show his concern for his nephew. He then looked at us, “He’s in good hands guys, try not to worry.”

All Dale and I could do was nod, and trust that Evan knows what he is doing.

“Thanks,” I say, quietly while looking at my sleeping son in Dale's arms, still holding onto my hand.

“Is he ok?” Came Vicky's voice as she stepped quietly through the privacy curtain.

“Evan says he has pneumonia.” Dale informs her.

“Shit, again?” she asks.

“Looks like it,” I tell her sadly. “Evan is getting a room ready for him now.”

Shortly after, a kind looking nurse introduces herself as the night nurse who will be looking after Ethan tonight. She had also bought things she would need to set up the IV that Evan had ordered.

“Hopefully he won’t wake up from this.” the nurse said quietly as she prepped the area on Ethan’s little arm that would be the sight for the needle to go.

Sadly Ethan woke with a start as soon as the needle pierced his delicate skin. His eyes burst with tears, as he started crying from the new pain that he was feeling, looking at us to help him soothe his pain.

“It’s ok,” Dale whispered, kissing his head. “This is just to make you feel better.” He said, with moisture in his eyes.

“I know it hurts, Buddy,” I say sadly, “But it will soon be over.”

The nurse, having finished inserting the needle, then placed a thick piece of wood to act as a splint, behind Ethan’s elbow, then started to wrap it up along with his arm, so he would not be able to bend the it and accidentally obstruct the needle, it would also serve to protect it from being accidentally pulled out. She then got assistance from one of the orderlies to assist wheeling Ethan to his new room on the bed he was currently in. She had also given him a lollipop, for being such a brave boy, which seemed to cheer him up a bit.

On our arrival to the children's ward, we saw the nurses station situated between two corridors. The walls came to about waist high with glass windows which sported all sorts of colorful cartoon characters on them. Allowing the nurses to be able to keep an eye on their young charges, many of whom were currently fast asleep. As we passed the nurses station, who were all busily writing notes in patient files, or talking softly to each other. The few that did see us pass quietly by, smiled and waved at us.

As we came to the room that Ethan would be staying in, the orderly stopped pushing the bed, and proceeded to open the door and switch on the light. Revealing a clean looking room with a hospital bed,a side table and a small plastic couch to the side. The bed itself had a large clear plastic sheet over it in the shape of a tent, with a door that zipped up on the side of the bed. An oxygen tent. Something that we seemed to be getting familiar with.

The orderly then unzipped the tent, then lowered the closest bedside rail of the ER bed, allowing Dale to climb off of it, and carry Ethan over to this new bed where he placed him down gently. Stroking his sweaty wet hair out his little face, and placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

“I love you kiddo.” He whispered.

“I wove you too Papa.” Ethan said sadly. Then stepping aside so the nurse could remove the oxygen mask as the tent was being pumped full of the stuff.

Coming up beside Dale, I placed my arm around his waist, and smiled down at my boy. “Looks like you get to go camping in the hospital.” I tell him, while trying to hide just how anxious I was.

Ethan just rolls on his side and weakly smiles at us. “Can go camping pwopely?”

“When you’re better we’ll try, how does that sound?” Dale tells him.

Ethan closes his eyes, with a gentle smile on his little face. Once he has fallen asleep, Dale turns into me, seeking the strength and support he needs for our son. His hot tears staining my shirt as I hold him to me.

“He’ll be fine.” I whisper to him. Kissing the top of his head and gently squeezing him to me. Seeking the comfort from him that I too needed. Vicky also embraces us, and we both take her in our arms, holding each other up. Looking down on our sweet boy as he has yet another battle with this illness.

It’s never easy seeing Ethan like this. He has spent so much time in and out of hospitals due to his asthma. Thank God we have Evan in our lives, I’m not sure what we would have done without him. I don’t even think that Ethan would have survived if he wasn’t. Ever since we found out about Ethan’s medical issues, Evan had taken it upon himself to research, and educate us on how best to take care of our boy's needs.

***

I woke up the next morning being sandwiched between my husband, and the mother of our children, to the sounds of a cartoon playing, and small quiet giggles that seemed to have been muffled. Opening my eyes, I saw Ethan awake, sitting cross legged on the bed in the PJs we had brought him in. Eyes fixed on the tv above his bed, gently bouncing up and down. While having a small cough here and there.

“Someone looks like they’re feeling better.” I say quietly to Ethan as I disentangle myself from my husband, and friend on the little couch and kneeling beside the hospital bed. Reaching inside the plastic tent to affectionately squeeze the closest little foot nearest to me.

“Good mawning, Daddy” Ethan smiles brightly to me.

“What you watching here?”

“Is all bluwy,” Ethan shrugs, “But is funny.” He giggles.

“Where are your glasses?” I ask, looking at the available surfaces for the missing object.

Ethan again shrugs.

“We must have left them at home.” Dale says, his voice thick with sleep. “We’ll grab them along with anything else Ethan may need. Goodmorning Sweetheart, did you sleep ok?” He asks, once he is standing next to the bed, looking lovingly and somewhat relieved at our dear son.

“Mawning, Papa.” He beams at his other father. “Mommy still sleeping?” He asks, while squinting at the couch, trying to discern who the other occupant might be.

“Yea, Mommy’s still sleeping.” I inform him quietly.

Ethan just places his index finger to his lips, making shushing noises, then giggles quietly to himself. Soon after there was a knock on the open door. Belle was peeking into the room, with a disposable coffee tray that held four large styrofoam drinks. Her strappy handbag dangling precariously on one shoulder, and small canvas bag on the other.

“Morning guys,” She whispered. “Would anyone like some coffee?” She asked as she quietly walked into the room.

“Hi Aunty Belle.” Ethan scream whispers, excited to see a new visitor, and trying to not wake his mum.

“I got you something.” She smiles, digging into her purse after she had set down the hot drinks, and pulls out a small apple juice. “I have also packed a few of his things this morning, and Mia made sure I bought these too.” She added as she pulled out a small pair of glasses.

Dale then opened up the plastic tent, “Come let's get you freshened up.” He said as he picked up the small six year old. Then thanking Belle, he took the bag, and proceeded to take Ethan into the small bathroom.

“How is he?” Belle asked, her concerned look trained on the closed door that both Ethan and Dale disappeared behind.

“He seems much better this morning. Evan should be round sometime this morning to have a look at him, then we will find out more.” I sighed, as I sat down with two coffees, handing one to Vicky who had only now just woken up.

“That’s good,” Belle said, as she sat down on one of the arms of the couch. “We were all so worried about him last night. We tried to distract Mia as best we could but I’m not sure if we were successful or not.” She added, as she rummaged through her bag, finding what she needed. She then threw back her head and popped a few white pills before washing them down with a sip of her coffee.

“Are you ok?” Vicky asked, cradling her own coffee.

“Just a headache,” Belle smiled, before taking another sip.

“Who’s looking after Mia?” I ask, hoping that one of our friends was looking after her.

“She’s in good hands. Ruth, surprisingly, is keeping her occupied at your place, and Olivia said she would stop over to make sure everything was ok”

“That’s good,” I say somewhat relieved, “Ruth hasn’t made much of an effort to know the twins, so I am somewhat surprised she volunteered.”

“She may act disinterested, but she secretly loves them, don’t tell her I told you.” Belle winked, before suddenly wincing.

“You suffering a hangover I ask?”

“Na, it’s just the way I slept last night I guess.” Belle waved me off.

The door to the bathroom opens, and out walks a fresh looking barefooted boy in his pajamas, followed by a father who seemed to have gotten his clothes slightly drenched in the effort of washing his son. Ethan was then placed back in bed, his glasses placed on his head, and the side of the tent zipped up.

We kept Ethan company a bit longer after Evan showed up and was happy with Ethan’s recovery so far. Giving us all a hug before he left for his shift in the ER. Once we got home, Mia, Ruth and Olivia were asking about Ethan. Asking ‘How is he?’, ‘Is he feeling better?’ and ‘When is he coming home?’. We answered what we could, with both Dale and I feeling drained from the previous night’s events.

“You guys go rest up,” Olivia told us, probably recognising how shattered we must look. “We’ve got things under control, haven’t we Ruth.”

“We sure do.” Ruth smiled.

So with that, Dale and I retreated to our room, where we collapsed onto our bed. Falling asleep the moment our heads hit the pillow.

Opening my eyes revealed that it was dark out, and that I was alone in our bed. Getting up, I stretched out some of the kinks before I started my search for my missing husband. Only to find him outside Ethan’s room with a worried look on his face.

“He’ll be ok,” I say as I take him in my arms.

“I know, I just wish he didn’t have to go through this shit.” He whispers, looking at the bed that Ethan should be sleeping in. “She misses her brother, look.” He tells me, nodding towards the bed.

The bed that should have been empty, was actually occupied by a small little lump, red wavy hair spilling from the covers, tiny arms holding onto a little blanket. We smiled sadly at our little girl, our home was not complete with Ethan not here.

“Come,” I say gently, as I take Dale’s hand and lead him back to our room. “We’ll go and visit him tomorrow. For now let us get our rest, and keep our strength up.”

Dale offers no resistance, as I undress him to his underwear, then get him under the covers, after which I follow suit and take him in my arms, comforting both him and myself as sleep takes us both.

Thank you for reading Chapter 3  hope you all enjoyed it