“None of us knew,” I remind her. “It’s not your fault.”
“It’s my fault,” Da says. “For not making her go to the damn doctor.”
“It’s nobody’s fault,” Izzy repeats and rubs Da’s arm. She holds my hand tightly with her other hand.
Anastasia shifts the baby and then frowns at her husband. “Would you please take him for a minute? He’s only eight pounds, but he starts to get heavy.”
“Of course, love.”
“May I hold him?” Izzy asks. “I’ve meant to come see you, but something always comes up.”
“You’re more than welcome to hold him,” Kane says as he brings the baby to Izzy and gently lays him in her arms. “He’s been a little fussy today, so if you need his binky, we have it ready.”
“Aww, are you fussy, little love?” She kisses Thomas’s head and smiles down at him. “He’s already changed so much in such a short period of time.”
“I swear, he changes every day,” Stasia agrees. “Yesterday, I thought he looked more like me. This morning, he smiled just like Kane. And about an hour ago, he looked like an alien.”
“He’s too little to smile,” Kane insists. “It was probably gas.”
We laugh a little, the mood lightening a bit with talk of the baby.
“No, you don’t look like an alien,” Izzy says. The baby is awake now and watching Izzy talk to him. “You’re an amazing little man. Yes, you are.”
He opens his mouth as if searching for a snack. “I think he’s hungry.”
“I don’t think I can help you with that.” Izzy kisses his forehead again.
“Here.” Kane pulls a bottle out of the baby bag and shakes up some formula. “You can help.”
He passes her the bottle, along with a spit rag.
“I do breastfeed, as well, but I wasn’t producing enough, so we had to supplement with formula.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Izzy says, watching the baby as she feeds him.
My stomach felt tight when I saw her holding him at the hospital before, and it’s even more so now. But before I can say anything, Maggie returns with the coffee orders.
Not long after, there’s a knock at the door, and Jace walks into the waiting area. He’s in scrubs, a stethoscope around his neck.
“Hi, everyone. I think we’ve all met, but if not, I’m Jace. Anastasia’s brother-in-law. When she was first presented, we thought Mrs. O’Callaghan was having a major heart attack due to the severity of her symptoms. But once we got in there with an angiogram, we discovered that this was actually a minor cardiac event.”
He goes on to show us images of Ma’s heart and indicates where an artery was clogged.
“She’s been having symptoms for a long time,” Maeve admits. “And she blew it off, saying it was a sore shoulder.”
“That’s pretty common, especially in women. She’s likely been suffering with this for a little while given how blocked that artery was. But we were able to put a little balloon in there to open it up, and I placed a stent in the artery so it can’t get blocked again.”
“So, no major surgery?” I ask.
“No, I don’t see the need for that. She’ll be on blood thinners for a while and other medications. She’ll want to eat a more heart-healthy diet. I already told her, no more meat pies for a bit. I’m going to keep her here for a couple of days for observation, and then she’ll be ready to go home. I’ll send a whole list of instructions home with her.”
“Thank you.” Da stands and shakes Jace’s hand, then pulls him in for a hug. “You just saved her life, and she’s the most important person in the world.”
“You’re very welcome. That’s what we’re here for. Now, do I get to peek at the baby?”
Anastasia laughs, and Izzy stands so Jace can get a better view of the little guy.
“Joy’s going to be jealous.”
“Joy’s seen him,” Stasia says with a laugh. “She told me not to tell you because you’d be jealous.”
“Joy and I are going to have a little conversation later.” He sounds serious, but he’s laughing when he places the baby back in Izzy’s arms and then kisses Stasia on the cheek. “Good job, Mama.”
“Thanks.”
“If you have any questions about Fiona, I’m here all day, and the nursing staff is incredible.”
“When can I see her?” Da asks.
“She’s being moved into her room now. Once they have her settled, you can all see her. But because there are so many of you, let’s rotate you through, okay? Tom, you’re welcome to stay with her, but the others will have to take turns.”
“That’s the story of our lives,” Kane says. “We’ve mastered taking turns. Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Now, go spoil her rotten.”
“Oh,” I say as Da stands to go see her, “we will.”
Chapter 14
~Izzy~
This is my first day off in a long while. Keegan gave me strict instructions this morning to stay away from the pub all day, and I’m not exactly sure what to do with myself. Even on the days I don’t have a shift waiting tables, I still go in to help out in some way.
I’ve turned into somewhat of a workaholic.
Mostly, I enjoy the atmosphere in the pub—the sounds and laughter. And I like being close to Keegan and his siblings.
I finally feel accepted by a family.
But today, I’ve been kicked out. So, I decided to get on the ferry and go to Seattle to see Fiona.
She’s been in the hospital for three days, and I want to go and check on her. After checking in at the visitors’ desk, I make my way up to Fiona’s room.
I knock on the door and am surprised to find Fiona alone when I push inside.
“Hey there,” I say with a smile. “Where’s Tom?”
She grins over at me like a young girl. Her cheeks are rosy, and her green eyes are bright. “He went to get me some things so I can go home today.”
“They’re releasing you?” I sit next to her and set my handbag on the floor next to me.
“They are, and I’m going to surprise the kids. They don’t know. I’m just going to walk into the pub like I own the place.”
I chuckle with her. “This is exciting. Congratulations. I’m so relieved that you’re healthy, Fiona. We’ve all been worried sick.”
“I hate that I caused so much worry. It’s a mother’s job to soothe her children, not scare them.”
“They love you,” I remind her. “They all love you very much. And I have to admit, I’ve grown rather attached to you myself.”
“What a lovely thing to say.” She reaches over and pats my hand. “And it’s attached that I’ve grown to you, as well, Izzy. You’re a sweet woman.”
She shifts in the bed, and I can see that she wants to say more. “What is it?”
“Well, I’m a protective mother, you see. And I guess I’m wondering what you see happening between you and Keegan in the long term.”