Christine struggled to put one foot in front of the other as she completed her normal evening duties. It had been a long day of giving Stephen the post operative care he needed, and now her own body was crying out for rest. Before pushing on, she paused to lean against the countertop and watched Nic with half-lidded eyes. He was crushing something with a mortar and pestle, but she was too tired to ask or care about what it was. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, allowing herself a few precious moments of zen.
“Christine?”
She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Nic’s voice so close to her. He was standing about an arm’s length away with a baby bottle in hand.
“Nic, don’t do that,” she groaned, too exhausted for their usual banter. “I should get going. I don’t even remember what I came in here for.”
“Was it this?” He moved to give her the bottle after inverting it a few times. There was a smug little smirk on his face too, but Christine let it slide – just this once.
“Thank you but no, Stephen needs his medi-“
“I know. I made it into a powder and mixed it into his nightly bottle. It’s just warm milk, his pills, and a little bit of honey. I added it to hide the taste of the medicine, but hopefully it will help soothe his sore throat, too.”
Christine stared at him in shock, unable to believe that someone had done her such a wonderful favor. She was so accustomed to doing everything herself or micromanaging other people to accomplish tasks that Nic’s thoughtfulness came as a total surprise. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect someone to take the initiative and help her without being asked.
“Oh my god … the medicine … is in the bottle,” she said as realization dawned on her. How could she have missed something so obvious?
Nic nodded and gave her a worried look. “Yep, all set. Christine, why don’t you go take a hot shower and get something to eat? I’ll start his nighttime routine.”
“That’s so kind of you to offer. I really do appreciate it, but we both know he refuses everyone but me,” she sighed. “Also, no offense, but I don’t think he’s too keen on you. He only knows you as the big scary man who stuck an IV in his arm.”
“I interned at Saint Vincent’s Hospital for Littles when I was in med school. I think I can handle it,” Nic smiled reassuringly.
“Alright,” Christine accepted begrudgingly. “You know you really don’t have to do this, right? You’re not listed as his primary caregiver, and you have your own patients to tend to.”
“I know, and it’s okay. I’m finished with my work for today, and the litany of paperwork doesn’t matter to me. I just want to help you.”
She stood on her tiptoes and pulled Nic into a warm hug. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, now go take a break! I’ll settle the baby,” He sent her off with a wink and a smile.
Christine started making her way down the hall but turned around in seconds. A variety of details concerning the care and keeping of one sensitive little boy came rushing into her mind, and she couldn’t resist the urge to turn around.
“He can’t sleep without Bats - it’s his stuffed toy dog. And he’ll want you to read him a bedtime story!” she called back.
“Don’t worry Christine, everything will be fine!”
She smiled sadly. If only it were that simple!
•••
Nic took a deep breath and gently opened the door to Stephen’s room. He was truly glad to help, but every step forward made him feel as if he had just crossed over into enemy territory. He closed the door behind him with a soft click and walked toward a comfortable chair next to the bed. That was what Christine always did, right?
“Hi Stephen,” he greeted cheerfully.
“Whewe’s Mommy?” Stephen asked before Nic even had a chance to sit down. “Wan’ Mommy!” His big eyes were already glassy with tears that threatened to spill at any second.
Christine was always there to tuck him in, and there had never been a time when she didn’t feed him his bedtime bottle. Now Dr. Nic was sitting in her special chair with her special blanket and-
“Shh, it’s okay, Mommy is on her way,” Nic gave Stephen a little pat on the knee. “I’m going to take very good care of you in the meantime, yeah?”
“No owie IV?”
“No owie IV, I promise. In fact, Mommy asked me to start getting you ready for bed.”
Stephen sniffled into his stuffed toy dog and let the tears fall. “Wan’ Mommy,” he whimpered sadly.
“I know baby boy, Mommy will be here soon,” Nic spoke softly and dabbed Stephen’s eyes and nose with a tissue. “Who’s that you’re holding?”
“Bats.”
“Hi Bats, I’m Dr. Nic. It’s so nice to meet you! Are you helping Stephen feel better?”
Stephen had been clutching Bats tightly to his chest, but now he used one arm to make the plush basset hound nod ‘yes.’
“That’s very kind of you, Bats. Stephen must be super happy to have you as a friend.”
Nic smiled to himself when he heard Stephen give a watery little giggle.
“Now Bats, it’s time to go ni-night, okay? Let’s make sure our little boy is all nice and comfy, and then we’ll read a bedtime story.”
Stephen smiled genuinely and chewed on one of Bats’ floppy ears while Nic pulled up his blankets and fluffed his pillow.
“There we go, all tucked in. Is everyone ready for a story?”
Stephen seemed to have fallen into a meditative trance while mouthing the already-worn stuffed toy. His eyes were glazed over with peaceful innocence, and his breaths were soft and even as if he were already asleep. Nic took the quiet as a ‘yes’ and opened the treasury that had been placed on the bedside table.
“Hmm, what story should we read tonight?”
“Cah-pilla,” Stephen answered with a yawn.
Nic scanned the table of contents and then flipped to the first page of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
“One Sunday morning the warm sun came up and – pop! -out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar,” he began.
Just then, Christine arrived already dressed in her lounge clothes. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw Stephen snuggled up in bed and enjoying Nic’s storytelling. Nic, of all people! She supposed two miracles in one day were her reward for a hard day’s work, but she wasn’t about to start questioning the universe now. She set her overnight bag down on the couch and then tiptoed over to say hello to the boys.
“Hi sweetie,” she whispered as she leaned down to kiss her little one’s forehead. “Did Dr. Nic get you all ready for bed?”
Stephen’s eyes lit up with joy upon seeing his Mommy. He reached up to touch her hair, now soft and sweet-smelling from the shower.
“It’s okay, sweetie, you can touch.”
He clumsily grabbed at a little section of her flowing chestnut curls and didn’t waste any time in trying to get the hair into his mouth for chewing.
“No baby, you can touch Mommy’s hair but it isn’t for eating, silly boy! Let’s have your baba instead,” she said while silently acknowledging Nic with grateful eyes.
“How did you do it?!” she whispered quickly.
“I just did everything you told me to,” he replied with a shrug.
“He’s so … calm,” Christine mused as she took a moment to admire her little boy. “Thank you, Nic.”
He shared her happiness and simply smiled back.
“Baba!”
The demanding call yanked her mind back to the present but she only chuckled. “Okay baby, Mommy’s here.” Christine was somewhat petite, so it wasn’t too hard for her to climb up on the bed and squeeze in next to Stephen. She used one arm to cradle his head while holding the bottle in her other hand.
He latched on as soon as the nipple was within reach of his mouth. Stephen suckled contently, feeling safe and loved by his Mommy and Dr. Nic, who he realized wasn’t so bad after all. Actually, he seemed pretty nice now that he’d gotten a chance to know him better.
Nic resumed reading the story, but didn’t get far before he heard a soft snore. He put the book down and carefully stood up to see Mommy and baby both sound asleep. He gingerly picked up the empty bottle and draped a blanket over Christine. He couldn’t resist taking a picture of the heartwarming scene on his phone; she would be happy to see it in the morning.
“Sweet dreams,” Nic whispered to them both and touched Christine on the shoulder to let her know he was leaving.
“G’night, thannyou.”
“Ni-night Doct-Nic.”
The door closed almost silently.
“… Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Doctuh Nic’s a good doctuh.”
“Yes, he is. He’s a very good doctor. I’m glad you two are friends now.”
“Mmhmm! Ni-night Mommy, wuv-you.”
“Love you too, sweet boy.”