Back to School Special: The Circle of Life, Part 3
Written by Rosey Collins
Additional material by Jake Collins
Additional material by Jake Collins
Libby and Daisy soon found themselves in a hospital waiting room full of toys, sitting at the feet of an uninterested nurse who was reading a magazine. Across the room, a small boy and his mother were playing with plastic firemen. There was a pile of building blocks between Libby and Daisy, but the two girls weren't touching them. Daisy was staring down at her hands with red eyes, her lower lip wobbling.
'Don't worry, Daisy,' said Libby. 'It'll be all right now we're in the hospital.'
'I want to know what's happening,' said Daisy.
'They're finding out what's wrong with the baby and fixing it,' Libby said bracingly. 'I know they are.'
She fixed Daisy with a reassuring smile just as their ghost materialised a few feet away, tearing at his black hair and crying out, 'Tontos!'
'That sounds like Spanish,' said Daisy, looking up in surprise.
'What's it mean?' asked Libby.
Daisy shook her head. 'I don't know that word.'
'It means fools!' said the ghost, approaching the two children. 'They're using their heathen ways to look into where the baby waits to be born, and still they say nothing is wrong!'
Libby looked around to see whether the nurse, the mother or the little boy had noticed that there was a ghost in the room. All of them were carrying on as before, oblivious.
'Is this the future?' the ghost went on, frowning at his surroundings until his eye fell upon the nurse with her magazine. 'Is this woman supposed to be taking care of you children?'
Daisy nodded mutely, staring up at the ghost with her red-rimmed eyes. He continued to frown at the nurse, then suddenly his lips rose into a smile and he said, 'Ah! Muy afortunada! She will not notice, little one, when you go and talk to... to her!' He pointed through the open doorway to where a middle-aged woman was standing in the corridor, frowning over some pages on a clipboard. 'Go now. Tell her who your mother is, and that she is in room three-twelve with people who don't understand that her baby is in trouble.'
Daisy's lip stopped wobbling; she nodded resolutely and got to her feet.
'Use her name!' the ghost called after her as she headed for the doorway. 'It's Judy!'
The woman with the small boy looked up as Daisy left the room calling, 'Judy!' When Judy looked up, then down, and smiled enquiringly at Daisy, the mother shot a disapproving look at the nurse with the magazine before returning her attention to her son.
'Bruja entrometida,' muttered the ghost, frowning at the mother. Then he looked around for Libby and found that she had moved; she was beckoning to him from the far corner of the room. He walked obediently over to her and crouched to meet her eyeline, his heavy black brows rising in enquiry.
'Who are you?' Libby asked in a half-whisper.
'A friend,' said the ghost.
'Yeah, I know that. You saved Grandpa Carl too, didn't you?'
'Too? Ha! I haven't saved anybody else yet. The goings-on in this hospital... I don't have the words!'
'Then it was you?' prompted Libby.
'Yes,' said the ghost. 'I am an ancestor of... of your family.'
Libby nodded in agreement. 'You have the Gaspar nose.'
'Of course,' said the ghost, swelling with pride. 'It was I who brought the Gaspar nose to the new continent exactly five hundred years ago. When I saw that your Grandpa Carl and his older son had it, I thought: aha! Those little girls must have it! But,' he added, deflating, 'it has yet to appear in your generation.'
Libby tried to look sympathetic as she said, 'I don't guess this new baby will have it either, since Conchita doesn't.'
'It's a small price to pay if the child lives,' said the ghost, turning his gaze to Daisy as she traipsed back into the room. When she reached him, he asked, 'Did she listen to you?'
'Yes,' said Daisy. 'She's gone to see what's going on.'
'Gracias a Dios!' said the ghost. 'Then all will be well.'
'Are you sure?' said Daisy. 'Mommy's been worried about the baby before.'
'I know, little one,' said the ghost, 'but you were the one to make somebody listen. Remember, in the end, a daughter must do more than her mother. Now, I must leave you.'
'Oh,' said Daisy. 'Well, bye.'
'And thank you,' added Libby.
The ghost nodded to them, then rose to his full height at the same time as dissolving into thin air.
'Don't worry, Daisy,' said Libby. 'It'll be all right now we're in the hospital.'
'I want to know what's happening,' said Daisy.
'They're finding out what's wrong with the baby and fixing it,' Libby said bracingly. 'I know they are.'
She fixed Daisy with a reassuring smile just as their ghost materialised a few feet away, tearing at his black hair and crying out, 'Tontos!'
'That sounds like Spanish,' said Daisy, looking up in surprise.
'What's it mean?' asked Libby.
Daisy shook her head. 'I don't know that word.'
'It means fools!' said the ghost, approaching the two children. 'They're using their heathen ways to look into where the baby waits to be born, and still they say nothing is wrong!'
Libby looked around to see whether the nurse, the mother or the little boy had noticed that there was a ghost in the room. All of them were carrying on as before, oblivious.
'Is this the future?' the ghost went on, frowning at his surroundings until his eye fell upon the nurse with her magazine. 'Is this woman supposed to be taking care of you children?'
Daisy nodded mutely, staring up at the ghost with her red-rimmed eyes. He continued to frown at the nurse, then suddenly his lips rose into a smile and he said, 'Ah! Muy afortunada! She will not notice, little one, when you go and talk to... to her!' He pointed through the open doorway to where a middle-aged woman was standing in the corridor, frowning over some pages on a clipboard. 'Go now. Tell her who your mother is, and that she is in room three-twelve with people who don't understand that her baby is in trouble.'
Daisy's lip stopped wobbling; she nodded resolutely and got to her feet.
'Use her name!' the ghost called after her as she headed for the doorway. 'It's Judy!'
The woman with the small boy looked up as Daisy left the room calling, 'Judy!' When Judy looked up, then down, and smiled enquiringly at Daisy, the mother shot a disapproving look at the nurse with the magazine before returning her attention to her son.
'Bruja entrometida,' muttered the ghost, frowning at the mother. Then he looked around for Libby and found that she had moved; she was beckoning to him from the far corner of the room. He walked obediently over to her and crouched to meet her eyeline, his heavy black brows rising in enquiry.
'Who are you?' Libby asked in a half-whisper.
'A friend,' said the ghost.
'Yeah, I know that. You saved Grandpa Carl too, didn't you?'
'Too? Ha! I haven't saved anybody else yet. The goings-on in this hospital... I don't have the words!'
'Then it was you?' prompted Libby.
'Yes,' said the ghost. 'I am an ancestor of... of your family.'
Libby nodded in agreement. 'You have the Gaspar nose.'
'Of course,' said the ghost, swelling with pride. 'It was I who brought the Gaspar nose to the new continent exactly five hundred years ago. When I saw that your Grandpa Carl and his older son had it, I thought: aha! Those little girls must have it! But,' he added, deflating, 'it has yet to appear in your generation.'
Libby tried to look sympathetic as she said, 'I don't guess this new baby will have it either, since Conchita doesn't.'
'It's a small price to pay if the child lives,' said the ghost, turning his gaze to Daisy as she traipsed back into the room. When she reached him, he asked, 'Did she listen to you?'
'Yes,' said Daisy. 'She's gone to see what's going on.'
'Gracias a Dios!' said the ghost. 'Then all will be well.'
'Are you sure?' said Daisy. 'Mommy's been worried about the baby before.'
'I know, little one,' said the ghost, 'but you were the one to make somebody listen. Remember, in the end, a daughter must do more than her mother. Now, I must leave you.'
'Oh,' said Daisy. 'Well, bye.'
'And thank you,' added Libby.
The ghost nodded to them, then rose to his full height at the same time as dissolving into thin air.
Judy barged into room three-twelve while Conchita was pulling her top down over her baby bump and a young nurse was switching off the ultrasound machine.
'Conchita Rivera, it is you!' cried Judy, beaming at the startled patient.
'Um... yeah,' said Conchita, looking enquiringly at her.
'It's Judy,' said Judy. 'You saw me, just briefly, when you were visiting little Michaela as a newborn. That must be – goodness – five or six years ago?'
'Almost ten,' said Conchita.
'Ten!' said Judy. 'Where does the time go? And look at you: one of the first babies I ever delivered, expecting your second! Well, Rash,' she said, turning to the nurse, 'what's going on?'
'Ms Rivera is concerned that she hasn't felt her baby moving much,' said Rash, 'but I found the heartbeat and everything looks all right on the scan, so...'
'Let me see it,' Judy said officiously.
'Yes, ma'am,' said Rash, clearly flustered as he retrieved a print-out of the scan from the top of the machine. 'Dr Reed looked at it too, and he –'
'You and Dr Reed are both very new to the profession, aren't you?' said Judy, frowning at the image she had been given. 'I'm going to show this to a more experienced doctor.'
'Why, what's wrong?' Conchita asked anxiously.
'The baby looks fine at the moment,' said Judy, 'but the placenta looks a little small, and as you've reported limited movement, I think we may be looking at placental insufficiency.'
'You mean the placenta's not giving the baby everything it needs?'
'Not quite everything,' said Judy. 'I'm going to take this image to the senior obstetrician, who I'm certain will agree with me that this baby needs to come out today. You aren't long off your due date, are you?'
'About three weeks,' said Conchita, wide-eyed with alarm and confusion.
'Good, then it's perfectly safe to deliver,' said Judy. 'We'll arrange for you to have a caesarean section as soon as possible. Does that sound good?'
'Yes,' said Conchita, 'if it'll save my baby.'
'We'll take the best possible care of you both,' said Judy. 'Rash, keep monitoring that baby's heartbeat, and arrange for somebody to call whoever needs to be here for the birth.'
'Yes, ma'am,' said Rash, looking guiltily at Judy's back as she bustled out of the room.
'Conchita Rivera, it is you!' cried Judy, beaming at the startled patient.
'Um... yeah,' said Conchita, looking enquiringly at her.
'It's Judy,' said Judy. 'You saw me, just briefly, when you were visiting little Michaela as a newborn. That must be – goodness – five or six years ago?'
'Almost ten,' said Conchita.
'Ten!' said Judy. 'Where does the time go? And look at you: one of the first babies I ever delivered, expecting your second! Well, Rash,' she said, turning to the nurse, 'what's going on?'
'Ms Rivera is concerned that she hasn't felt her baby moving much,' said Rash, 'but I found the heartbeat and everything looks all right on the scan, so...'
'Let me see it,' Judy said officiously.
'Yes, ma'am,' said Rash, clearly flustered as he retrieved a print-out of the scan from the top of the machine. 'Dr Reed looked at it too, and he –'
'You and Dr Reed are both very new to the profession, aren't you?' said Judy, frowning at the image she had been given. 'I'm going to show this to a more experienced doctor.'
'Why, what's wrong?' Conchita asked anxiously.
'The baby looks fine at the moment,' said Judy, 'but the placenta looks a little small, and as you've reported limited movement, I think we may be looking at placental insufficiency.'
'You mean the placenta's not giving the baby everything it needs?'
'Not quite everything,' said Judy. 'I'm going to take this image to the senior obstetrician, who I'm certain will agree with me that this baby needs to come out today. You aren't long off your due date, are you?'
'About three weeks,' said Conchita, wide-eyed with alarm and confusion.
'Good, then it's perfectly safe to deliver,' said Judy. 'We'll arrange for you to have a caesarean section as soon as possible. Does that sound good?'
'Yes,' said Conchita, 'if it'll save my baby.'
'We'll take the best possible care of you both,' said Judy. 'Rash, keep monitoring that baby's heartbeat, and arrange for somebody to call whoever needs to be here for the birth.'
'Yes, ma'am,' said Rash, looking guiltily at Judy's back as she bustled out of the room.
Zak was back in Rose and Laura's apartment, this time getting along very well with Penny, who was roughly licking his long, furry tail with her tiny tongue.
'Wait 'til I tell Uncle James that Penny tries to wash him,' giggled Michaela, watching with Rose from a seat at the table while Laura washed up a heap of dirty dishes in the kitchenette.
'I'll take a picture,' said Rose.
As she fumbled in her pocket for her smart phone, the wall-mounted landline phone began to ring. Laura looked around, saw that Rose was too preoccupied with the animals to answer it, swiftly dried her hands on a tea towel and went to pick up the phone herself.
'He's such a good dog, isn't he?' said Michaela. 'And he's so clever, knowing how to act around Penny. I'll bet he could've been a police dog if he'd wanted to.'
'Of course,' said Rose, 'but he didn't want to.'
'Rose,' said Laura, waving the phone at her, 'it's Jack.'
'Who?' said Rose.
'Josh's brother.'
'Oh, that Jack.'
Rose got up to cross the room, stepping over Zak and Penny as she went, then reached out to take the phone from Laura and put it to her ear.
'Hi, Jack,' she said. 'What's up?'
'You'll never guess,' said Jack.
'Probably not,' said Rose.
'You and I are getting a new niece or nephew today!'
'Today? You mean... Chita went into labour?'
'No,' said Jack. 'The baby's being born by caesarean, like, right now!'
'Oh my God, why?' said Rose, clearly alarmed.
'It's okay,' said Jack. 'It's far enough along to come out.'
'Yeah, I know,' Rose said irritably, 'but... something must be wrong, mustn't it?'
'I don't think so,' said Jack. 'I mean, there's some reason why it needs to come out today, but I think it'll be fine when it does come out. Josh didn't tell me everything on the phone, though; I don't think he understood it all himself – he took the call right in the middle of a busy kitchen. But he said to call you and we could go meet the baby, and then take care of Daisy after.'
'Ooh, that'll be fun,' said Rose. 'Is it just going to be us? Are your parents still in Mauritius?'
'Yeah. Are yours still in Mexico?'
'They'll be on their way back right now – their plane's supposed to land in a few hours. I guess I'd better leave a message on their machine or something... anyway, Jack, I'll see you there. Thanks for calling.'
'No problem. See ya, Rose.'
Rose hung up, then turned round and addressed the room. 'Conchita's having a caesarean.'
'You mean that thing where they cut her open and pull the baby out?' said Michaela.
'Yes, that's exactly what I mean,' said Rose. 'I need to get down there to be with her. You understand, Mikey, don't you?'
'Of course,' said Michaela. 'I have a sister too. Talking of which, did you forget she's down there?'
'Oh shoot, yes, I did forget!' said Rose. 'Someone'll need to bring her home.'
'Maybe the same someone'll give you a ride,' Laura said helpfully.
'Except Papi has the car,' said Michaela.
'Right,' said Rose, 'and I wouldn't want to ask Beth to leave Carl even if the car was here. Ah, I know who to ask!' and she picked up the phone again.
'Wait 'til I tell Uncle James that Penny tries to wash him,' giggled Michaela, watching with Rose from a seat at the table while Laura washed up a heap of dirty dishes in the kitchenette.
'I'll take a picture,' said Rose.
As she fumbled in her pocket for her smart phone, the wall-mounted landline phone began to ring. Laura looked around, saw that Rose was too preoccupied with the animals to answer it, swiftly dried her hands on a tea towel and went to pick up the phone herself.
'He's such a good dog, isn't he?' said Michaela. 'And he's so clever, knowing how to act around Penny. I'll bet he could've been a police dog if he'd wanted to.'
'Of course,' said Rose, 'but he didn't want to.'
'Rose,' said Laura, waving the phone at her, 'it's Jack.'
'Who?' said Rose.
'Josh's brother.'
'Oh, that Jack.'
Rose got up to cross the room, stepping over Zak and Penny as she went, then reached out to take the phone from Laura and put it to her ear.
'Hi, Jack,' she said. 'What's up?'
'You'll never guess,' said Jack.
'Probably not,' said Rose.
'You and I are getting a new niece or nephew today!'
'Today? You mean... Chita went into labour?'
'No,' said Jack. 'The baby's being born by caesarean, like, right now!'
'Oh my God, why?' said Rose, clearly alarmed.
'It's okay,' said Jack. 'It's far enough along to come out.'
'Yeah, I know,' Rose said irritably, 'but... something must be wrong, mustn't it?'
'I don't think so,' said Jack. 'I mean, there's some reason why it needs to come out today, but I think it'll be fine when it does come out. Josh didn't tell me everything on the phone, though; I don't think he understood it all himself – he took the call right in the middle of a busy kitchen. But he said to call you and we could go meet the baby, and then take care of Daisy after.'
'Ooh, that'll be fun,' said Rose. 'Is it just going to be us? Are your parents still in Mauritius?'
'Yeah. Are yours still in Mexico?'
'They'll be on their way back right now – their plane's supposed to land in a few hours. I guess I'd better leave a message on their machine or something... anyway, Jack, I'll see you there. Thanks for calling.'
'No problem. See ya, Rose.'
Rose hung up, then turned round and addressed the room. 'Conchita's having a caesarean.'
'You mean that thing where they cut her open and pull the baby out?' said Michaela.
'Yes, that's exactly what I mean,' said Rose. 'I need to get down there to be with her. You understand, Mikey, don't you?'
'Of course,' said Michaela. 'I have a sister too. Talking of which, did you forget she's down there?'
'Oh shoot, yes, I did forget!' said Rose. 'Someone'll need to bring her home.'
'Maybe the same someone'll give you a ride,' Laura said helpfully.
'Except Papi has the car,' said Michaela.
'Right,' said Rose, 'and I wouldn't want to ask Beth to leave Carl even if the car was here. Ah, I know who to ask!' and she picked up the phone again.
Captain Gaspar paced outside the operating theatre, barely noticing whenever somebody walked through him. He stopped abruptly, however, when someone said to him, 'Why not go in? No one would notice you... besides the baby, of course.'
'Oh, it's you,' said Gaspar, acknowledging the presence of Grandma Rose with a terse nod. 'Why don't I go in, you say? Because it is no place for men. It's disgraceful even that the father of the child is in there!'
'Things have changed,' said Grandma Rose.
'Ha! You think I haven't noticed that?'
'It's interesting, isn't it? My husband didn't witness the birth of my daughter, and her husband didn't witness the birth of their son. But that son was there when Kylie was born, after some deliberation; then when her turn came, there was no question about the father being present.'
'Kylie,' muttered Gaspar. 'She lied to me, you know. About my descendants having my name.'
'Well,' Grandma Rose said soothingly, 'does it really matter now?'
'Huh. I suppose not, as I have been made to learn that women are no less than men. But...' He paused, his brow furrowing in thought. 'The one they call Libby...'
'What about her?'
'That child is descended from minstrels and slaves.'
Grandma Rose frowned and said sternly, 'Really, Captain, I thought you were past that now.'
'That isn't what I mean!' Gaspar snapped, and Grandma Rose's frown deepened. 'I'm only pointing out that she is not of my blood. How can she speak to me?'
'They said children of your line,' said Grandma Rose, 'not of your blood.'
'Bah!' said Gaspar. 'It's the same thing.'
'Clearly not.'
'In Espanish, it's the same thing. English has too many words, so they are chosen carelessly. I would have done this more easily if they had sent me a Spanish mouthpiece.'
'Now, Captain,' said Grandma Rose, 'penance isn't supposed to be easy. Really, I think you could have done a lot worse than to have me explaining things to you. Besides, I'd have you remember that the child you were sent to save is my descendant too.'
Frowning, Gaspar said, 'Isn't it out yet? Just how long does this barbaric procedure take?'
'Oh,' said Grandma Rose, 'about... this long. Listen.'
She nodded towards the operating theatre; Gaspar turned towards it, then put his head to one side and pushed his ear into the solid metal of the door. There came the sound of a baby's lusty wail, then Judy's voice announcing, 'It's a boy.'
'Is he all right?' Conchita asked urgently.
'Your baby is fine,' said Judy.
'He sure sounds all right, doesn't he?' Josh said through the laughter of relief. 'Hey there, little guy...'
At this point, Gaspar withdrew his ear from the door and turned a triumphant grin onto Grandma Rose, saying, 'Ha! It's a boy!'
'Yes,' said Grandma Rose, 'and he's come into this world alive. I think you can come with me now, Captain.'
'Hmm,' said Gaspar, his grin falling into a frown. 'Is it really so wonderful there, Mrs Lockyer? I've heard that it is things like... like singing... talking to God... watering pot plants...'
'Would you rather go on wandering the Earth, lost and confused?' said Grandma Rose, rather sternly, but she softened when she saw that Gaspar was staring anxiously at the door to the operating theatre. 'Don't worry about them. They'll be all right. And thousands like them.'
Gaspar nodded stiffly, turned away from the door and followed Grandma Rose towards the next stage of his journey.
'Oh, it's you,' said Gaspar, acknowledging the presence of Grandma Rose with a terse nod. 'Why don't I go in, you say? Because it is no place for men. It's disgraceful even that the father of the child is in there!'
'Things have changed,' said Grandma Rose.
'Ha! You think I haven't noticed that?'
'It's interesting, isn't it? My husband didn't witness the birth of my daughter, and her husband didn't witness the birth of their son. But that son was there when Kylie was born, after some deliberation; then when her turn came, there was no question about the father being present.'
'Kylie,' muttered Gaspar. 'She lied to me, you know. About my descendants having my name.'
'Well,' Grandma Rose said soothingly, 'does it really matter now?'
'Huh. I suppose not, as I have been made to learn that women are no less than men. But...' He paused, his brow furrowing in thought. 'The one they call Libby...'
'What about her?'
'That child is descended from minstrels and slaves.'
Grandma Rose frowned and said sternly, 'Really, Captain, I thought you were past that now.'
'That isn't what I mean!' Gaspar snapped, and Grandma Rose's frown deepened. 'I'm only pointing out that she is not of my blood. How can she speak to me?'
'They said children of your line,' said Grandma Rose, 'not of your blood.'
'Bah!' said Gaspar. 'It's the same thing.'
'Clearly not.'
'In Espanish, it's the same thing. English has too many words, so they are chosen carelessly. I would have done this more easily if they had sent me a Spanish mouthpiece.'
'Now, Captain,' said Grandma Rose, 'penance isn't supposed to be easy. Really, I think you could have done a lot worse than to have me explaining things to you. Besides, I'd have you remember that the child you were sent to save is my descendant too.'
Frowning, Gaspar said, 'Isn't it out yet? Just how long does this barbaric procedure take?'
'Oh,' said Grandma Rose, 'about... this long. Listen.'
She nodded towards the operating theatre; Gaspar turned towards it, then put his head to one side and pushed his ear into the solid metal of the door. There came the sound of a baby's lusty wail, then Judy's voice announcing, 'It's a boy.'
'Is he all right?' Conchita asked urgently.
'Your baby is fine,' said Judy.
'He sure sounds all right, doesn't he?' Josh said through the laughter of relief. 'Hey there, little guy...'
At this point, Gaspar withdrew his ear from the door and turned a triumphant grin onto Grandma Rose, saying, 'Ha! It's a boy!'
'Yes,' said Grandma Rose, 'and he's come into this world alive. I think you can come with me now, Captain.'
'Hmm,' said Gaspar, his grin falling into a frown. 'Is it really so wonderful there, Mrs Lockyer? I've heard that it is things like... like singing... talking to God... watering pot plants...'
'Would you rather go on wandering the Earth, lost and confused?' said Grandma Rose, rather sternly, but she softened when she saw that Gaspar was staring anxiously at the door to the operating theatre. 'Don't worry about them. They'll be all right. And thousands like them.'
Gaspar nodded stiffly, turned away from the door and followed Grandma Rose towards the next stage of his journey.
An hour later, Conchita was propped up in bed with her baby in her arms while Daisy knelt on the edge of the thin mattress, supported by Jack's arms, kissing and stroking her new brother's bald head. Josh was standing a few yards away, looking on reverently; beside him, Libby sat on a chair picking at her fingernails and looking bored. This was the scene into which Rose and James walked.
'Oh good, you're here!' said Conchita, her face lighting up at the sight of them.
'Yes,' said Rose, going to her sister's Daisy-free side and giving her a hug, 'and I left a message on Mom and Dad's machine – I'll just bet they come straight here when they find it. Are you okay?'
'Yes, I'm fine,' said Conchita, accepting a hug from James as Rose pulled away, 'and so is the baby. Daisy, sweetheart, did you want to tell Aunt Rose and Jim his name?'
'Jay,' said Daisy, beaming. 'Like the bird.'
'Oh, that's perfect!' Rose said to her. 'I know Mommy likes names that are also things in nature.'
'Yes,' said Daisy, 'and Daddy likes boys' names that start with J.'
'So do I,' James said jovially.
'It's a tradition in our family now,' added Jack. 'Three makes it a pattern, right?'
'Sure does,' said Rose. Then she looked at Conchita and asked, 'So what exactly happened?'
While Conchita explained placental insufficiency to Rose and James, Jack made sure Daisy was secure on the bed and then went over to Josh and Libby. He looked sympathetically at the latter and said, 'I think your uncle's gonna take you home any minute now, kid.'
'I am happy about the baby, you know,' said Libby. 'But... well, I've seen him now.'
'Hey, I totally get it,' said Jack. Then he turned to Josh and said, 'I left a message at Mom and Dad's hotel. I think this'll bring them home at last, even if they haven't managed to save their marriage yet.'
'I don't think the answer really is in Flic-en-Flac,' Josh said dryly. 'Y'know, Jacky, I really wouldn't mind if Dad just stayed there forever.'
'Me neither, Joshy,' said Jack, 'but there's no reason why he would, is there?'
'Too bad,' said Josh, then he smiled as James wandered over with Jay in his arms.
'Congratulations, Josh,' James said, beaming. 'So, this was quite a surprise, huh?'
'Yes and no,' said Josh. 'I mean, Chita'd been saying for days that something didn't feel right; we weren't expecting him to come out today, but it does make sense.'
'He almost died, Uncle James!' Libby said dramatically.
'That's true,' said Josh. 'You and Daisy are total heroes, Libby.'
Libby beamed at him, then turned back to James and said, 'Can we go home now? I want to tell you about it. And then I want to tell Ela and Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa, and Papi when he gets home.'
'Of course you do,' said James. 'We'll go in a minute, Libby. Here, one of you guys take Jay.'
Josh took him, and as he did so a little worry came into his face, prompting James to ask, 'Are you okay, man?'
Libby rolled her eyes, slumped off her chair and mooched over to the hospital bed, where she signalled to Daisy that she wanted to talk. Daisy, snuggling contentedly in her mother's recently freed arms, was oblivious.
'I'm fine,' Josh said to James. 'I just remembered I used to worry that, if I ever had a son, I might turn into my dad.'
'Oh, God, don't do that!' said Jack.
'I'll really try not to,' said Josh. 'This'll sound stupid, guys, but I was sort of expecting another girl. Riveras always seem to have two of the same, don't they?'
'Not this time, though,' said Jack.
'And y'know,' said James, 'Jay still could be a girl.'
'Well... that's true, I guess,' said Josh. 'And if it turns out to be the case, I'll be totally supportive, which my dad would've never done.'
'There, you see, it's easy,' said Jack. 'Just think of what Dad would do and then do the opposite. And don't copy Mom's only shortcoming by making them use each other's bathwater.'
'Don't worry, bro,' said Josh. 'I would never do that.'
As he said this, Rose and Libby wandered over to them.
'Is it my turn to hold the baby yet?' asked Rose.
'You bet it is,' said Josh, and they made the transfer.
'And is it time for us to go home yet, Uncle James?' Libby said pleadingly.
'Yes,' said James. 'I'll just say bye to Chita.'
He went back over to Conchita's bed, gave her another hug and said, 'Are you sure you're okay? You must've got a fright.'
'I did get a fright,' said Conchita, 'but everything's perfect now. I'm fine, Jim, I promise.'
'Good,' said James. 'Now, I have to go because Libby's dying to get home.'
'Thank you for having me to visit, Chita,' said Libby.
'That's my pleasure, Libby,' Conchita beamed down at her. 'Thank you for all your help today.'
Daisy scrambled down from the bed to give Libby a goodbye hug, and as she did so she whispered in her ear, 'Do you think I should tell Mommy about the ghost?'
Libby whispered back, 'Not now. Some day.'
'Oh good, you're here!' said Conchita, her face lighting up at the sight of them.
'Yes,' said Rose, going to her sister's Daisy-free side and giving her a hug, 'and I left a message on Mom and Dad's machine – I'll just bet they come straight here when they find it. Are you okay?'
'Yes, I'm fine,' said Conchita, accepting a hug from James as Rose pulled away, 'and so is the baby. Daisy, sweetheart, did you want to tell Aunt Rose and Jim his name?'
'Jay,' said Daisy, beaming. 'Like the bird.'
'Oh, that's perfect!' Rose said to her. 'I know Mommy likes names that are also things in nature.'
'Yes,' said Daisy, 'and Daddy likes boys' names that start with J.'
'So do I,' James said jovially.
'It's a tradition in our family now,' added Jack. 'Three makes it a pattern, right?'
'Sure does,' said Rose. Then she looked at Conchita and asked, 'So what exactly happened?'
While Conchita explained placental insufficiency to Rose and James, Jack made sure Daisy was secure on the bed and then went over to Josh and Libby. He looked sympathetically at the latter and said, 'I think your uncle's gonna take you home any minute now, kid.'
'I am happy about the baby, you know,' said Libby. 'But... well, I've seen him now.'
'Hey, I totally get it,' said Jack. Then he turned to Josh and said, 'I left a message at Mom and Dad's hotel. I think this'll bring them home at last, even if they haven't managed to save their marriage yet.'
'I don't think the answer really is in Flic-en-Flac,' Josh said dryly. 'Y'know, Jacky, I really wouldn't mind if Dad just stayed there forever.'
'Me neither, Joshy,' said Jack, 'but there's no reason why he would, is there?'
'Too bad,' said Josh, then he smiled as James wandered over with Jay in his arms.
'Congratulations, Josh,' James said, beaming. 'So, this was quite a surprise, huh?'
'Yes and no,' said Josh. 'I mean, Chita'd been saying for days that something didn't feel right; we weren't expecting him to come out today, but it does make sense.'
'He almost died, Uncle James!' Libby said dramatically.
'That's true,' said Josh. 'You and Daisy are total heroes, Libby.'
Libby beamed at him, then turned back to James and said, 'Can we go home now? I want to tell you about it. And then I want to tell Ela and Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa, and Papi when he gets home.'
'Of course you do,' said James. 'We'll go in a minute, Libby. Here, one of you guys take Jay.'
Josh took him, and as he did so a little worry came into his face, prompting James to ask, 'Are you okay, man?'
Libby rolled her eyes, slumped off her chair and mooched over to the hospital bed, where she signalled to Daisy that she wanted to talk. Daisy, snuggling contentedly in her mother's recently freed arms, was oblivious.
'I'm fine,' Josh said to James. 'I just remembered I used to worry that, if I ever had a son, I might turn into my dad.'
'Oh, God, don't do that!' said Jack.
'I'll really try not to,' said Josh. 'This'll sound stupid, guys, but I was sort of expecting another girl. Riveras always seem to have two of the same, don't they?'
'Not this time, though,' said Jack.
'And y'know,' said James, 'Jay still could be a girl.'
'Well... that's true, I guess,' said Josh. 'And if it turns out to be the case, I'll be totally supportive, which my dad would've never done.'
'There, you see, it's easy,' said Jack. 'Just think of what Dad would do and then do the opposite. And don't copy Mom's only shortcoming by making them use each other's bathwater.'
'Don't worry, bro,' said Josh. 'I would never do that.'
As he said this, Rose and Libby wandered over to them.
'Is it my turn to hold the baby yet?' asked Rose.
'You bet it is,' said Josh, and they made the transfer.
'And is it time for us to go home yet, Uncle James?' Libby said pleadingly.
'Yes,' said James. 'I'll just say bye to Chita.'
He went back over to Conchita's bed, gave her another hug and said, 'Are you sure you're okay? You must've got a fright.'
'I did get a fright,' said Conchita, 'but everything's perfect now. I'm fine, Jim, I promise.'
'Good,' said James. 'Now, I have to go because Libby's dying to get home.'
'Thank you for having me to visit, Chita,' said Libby.
'That's my pleasure, Libby,' Conchita beamed down at her. 'Thank you for all your help today.'
Daisy scrambled down from the bed to give Libby a goodbye hug, and as she did so she whispered in her ear, 'Do you think I should tell Mommy about the ghost?'
Libby whispered back, 'Not now. Some day.'
A little while later, Michaela and Libby were tearing around the back garden with Zak while Penny watched from the top of the fence with a distinct air of majesty about her; Kevin and Oscar watched from the kitchen doorway with doting smiles on their faces. Zak suddenly decided to plonk himself down in the middle of the lawn for a rest, so the girls sat down with him.
'Were you scared when you saw the ghost, Ela?' Libby asked. 'I wasn't scared, but Daisy was.'
'I was more startled than scared,' said Michaela, 'but I was definitely glad to have Zak with me.'
'I think you were a little scared.'
'Yeah, well, I guess I was. I'll bet anyone would be a little scared to have a ghost visit them in bed in the middle of the night.'
'You're right,' said Libby. 'I don't think I'd like that if it happened to me. I'm glad I got to meet the ghost in the daytime.'
'I'm glad we both got to meet him when our family needed him,' said Michaela.
Zak chose this moment to roll onto his back and wave his legs around while gazing up invitingly at his two companions, who eagerly obliged him with a barrage of rubs and pats.
'So,' Oscar said to Kevin, 'it sounds like our guardian angel was homing in on Carl's DNA when he went to Michaela that night, and actually it was his own DNA too, but he could've talked to Libby if he'd tried, which he didn't because he thought she wouldn't be able to see or hear him, although it turns out he was wrong about that.'
Kevin cast Oscar a sidelong smile and said, 'Still trying to reason out the actions of a random ghost, huh?'
'Don't you still want me to?' said Oscar, smiling back at him.
'Like I said before,' said Kevin, 'we just have to thank our lucky stars that he did show up, both times! I guess I shouldn't have called him a random ghost this time, now we know he's actually the bringer of the Gaspar nose.'
'I need to make a start on that mac and cheese,' said Oscar. 'We really should make sure the girls get to bed on time tonight; they both have school tomorrow.'
'An early night sounds like an excellent idea to me,' said Kevin, giving Oscar a significant look.
'Me too,' Oscar grinned. 'But first things first.'
'I'll go see if I can find Jimmy,' said Kevin. 'He's been up there for ages.'
As Oscar busied himself with his food preparation, Kevin went into the front hallway, where James was on his way down the stairs from the floor above.
'You could've taken the stairlift if you'd wanted,' said Kevin.
'I didn't want to run the batteries down,' James replied with a smile.
'How's Dad doing?'
'He's pretty tired from his physical therapy, but he seems very upbeat about the whole thing. I don't think he's putting on a brave face or anything... in fact I'm sure he isn't.'
'So am I,' said Kevin. 'I hope he'll feel up to hearing Libby's account of this afternoon's drama; she'll absolutely burst if we don't let her tell him about it before she goes to bed.'
James smiled and nodded, then his expression changed as he burst into silent tears.
'Oh, Jimmy,' said Kevin, gathering his brother into a hug. 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing, really,' said James, clinging tightly to Kevin's torso. 'Everything's way, way better than it easily could've been and I know we have a heck of a lot to be grateful for, but... but when I think about how easily we could've lost him that night, and how easily Chita could've lost her baby today...'
'I know,' Kevin said soberly. 'Thank heavens for divine intervention, huh?'
'Yeah,' said James, managing a small smile as he looked into Kevin's eyes. 'And thank heavens for you, Kev. And for your wonderful daughters. And for Daisy. And for Judy, of course. Anyway, I should go now.'
'Do you want to stay for some mac and cheese?'
'No thanks, I need to get back.'
'Thanks again for bringing Libby home.'
'No problem. You know, I'd like a child myself.'
Kevin smiled and said, 'You would, huh?'
'Yeah,' said James. 'I don't mean immediately, but maybe a year or two from now could be the right time to do something about it. It's been on my mind ever since I started moving my stuff out of here, and I wouldn't be surprised if I'm not the only one who's started thinking along those lines.'
'It sounds like now could be the right time to have an initial conversation about it,' said Kevin.
'Yeah, I think you're right,' said James. 'Of course, what I'd really like to do is have a son and name him Kevin. Or Kevin Junior, I guess, to avoid confusion.'
'How about Little Kev?' Kevin suggested.
'Perfect,' said James.
'Were you scared when you saw the ghost, Ela?' Libby asked. 'I wasn't scared, but Daisy was.'
'I was more startled than scared,' said Michaela, 'but I was definitely glad to have Zak with me.'
'I think you were a little scared.'
'Yeah, well, I guess I was. I'll bet anyone would be a little scared to have a ghost visit them in bed in the middle of the night.'
'You're right,' said Libby. 'I don't think I'd like that if it happened to me. I'm glad I got to meet the ghost in the daytime.'
'I'm glad we both got to meet him when our family needed him,' said Michaela.
Zak chose this moment to roll onto his back and wave his legs around while gazing up invitingly at his two companions, who eagerly obliged him with a barrage of rubs and pats.
'So,' Oscar said to Kevin, 'it sounds like our guardian angel was homing in on Carl's DNA when he went to Michaela that night, and actually it was his own DNA too, but he could've talked to Libby if he'd tried, which he didn't because he thought she wouldn't be able to see or hear him, although it turns out he was wrong about that.'
Kevin cast Oscar a sidelong smile and said, 'Still trying to reason out the actions of a random ghost, huh?'
'Don't you still want me to?' said Oscar, smiling back at him.
'Like I said before,' said Kevin, 'we just have to thank our lucky stars that he did show up, both times! I guess I shouldn't have called him a random ghost this time, now we know he's actually the bringer of the Gaspar nose.'
'I need to make a start on that mac and cheese,' said Oscar. 'We really should make sure the girls get to bed on time tonight; they both have school tomorrow.'
'An early night sounds like an excellent idea to me,' said Kevin, giving Oscar a significant look.
'Me too,' Oscar grinned. 'But first things first.'
'I'll go see if I can find Jimmy,' said Kevin. 'He's been up there for ages.'
As Oscar busied himself with his food preparation, Kevin went into the front hallway, where James was on his way down the stairs from the floor above.
'You could've taken the stairlift if you'd wanted,' said Kevin.
'I didn't want to run the batteries down,' James replied with a smile.
'How's Dad doing?'
'He's pretty tired from his physical therapy, but he seems very upbeat about the whole thing. I don't think he's putting on a brave face or anything... in fact I'm sure he isn't.'
'So am I,' said Kevin. 'I hope he'll feel up to hearing Libby's account of this afternoon's drama; she'll absolutely burst if we don't let her tell him about it before she goes to bed.'
James smiled and nodded, then his expression changed as he burst into silent tears.
'Oh, Jimmy,' said Kevin, gathering his brother into a hug. 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing, really,' said James, clinging tightly to Kevin's torso. 'Everything's way, way better than it easily could've been and I know we have a heck of a lot to be grateful for, but... but when I think about how easily we could've lost him that night, and how easily Chita could've lost her baby today...'
'I know,' Kevin said soberly. 'Thank heavens for divine intervention, huh?'
'Yeah,' said James, managing a small smile as he looked into Kevin's eyes. 'And thank heavens for you, Kev. And for your wonderful daughters. And for Daisy. And for Judy, of course. Anyway, I should go now.'
'Do you want to stay for some mac and cheese?'
'No thanks, I need to get back.'
'Thanks again for bringing Libby home.'
'No problem. You know, I'd like a child myself.'
Kevin smiled and said, 'You would, huh?'
'Yeah,' said James. 'I don't mean immediately, but maybe a year or two from now could be the right time to do something about it. It's been on my mind ever since I started moving my stuff out of here, and I wouldn't be surprised if I'm not the only one who's started thinking along those lines.'
'It sounds like now could be the right time to have an initial conversation about it,' said Kevin.
'Yeah, I think you're right,' said James. 'Of course, what I'd really like to do is have a son and name him Kevin. Or Kevin Junior, I guess, to avoid confusion.'
'How about Little Kev?' Kevin suggested.
'Perfect,' said James.
Later that evening, Conchita was left alone with Jay. He was feeding from her breast when Judy peered into the room and said, 'I hope I'm not interrupting.'
'No, not at all,' said Conchita, looking up smilingly and beckoning Judy with her free hand. 'Oh, Judy, thank you! You saved my little one's life!'
'That's my job,' Judy smiled at her. 'I've been in meetings ever since I left you, making sure nothing like that happens here again, and I'll also see that it won't happen in any other maternity ward in this city. We were lucky, you know. Did I tell you that your daughter sent me to check on you? She's obviously very intuitive. She even knew my name.'
'Well, that's weird,' said Conchita, frowning and beginning to button up her top one-handed, as Jay had stopped suckling. 'It was her who made me come here today in the first place. I mean, I already felt like something was wrong, but...'
'But you'd been sent home too many times already, hadn't you? Well, not anymore, now that you have your beautiful new baby boy. Did you decide on a name for him yet?'
'Yes. His name is Jay.'
'Jay, lovely,' Judy smiled. 'And has anyone talked to you about your recovery?'
'Oh yes,' said Conchita. 'They told me what pain medication I can have while I'm breast-feeding, and they said to rest for a good six weeks after I'm discharged. It's a long time, isn't it?' she added, her brow creasing with worry.
'Yes,' said Judy, 'and it's absolutely necessary. You've undergone major surgery today, my girl, do you understand?'
'Yes, Judy.'
'Good. Now, I must be getting home. I hope I'll see you and your family again some time.'
'So do I. Goodbye, Judy.'
'Goodbye, Conchita.'
Judy smiled at her one more time before turning and walking off down the corridor. Seconds later, Conchita heard a shout of joyous surprise, followed by Judy exclaiming, 'Hello! How wonderful to see you! I almost missed you – I'm so glad I didn't!'
'Don't tell us anything, Judy,' Kylie's voice replied, and Conchita's mouth began to wobble. 'We only just got the news that we were getting our new grandchild today.'
'Everything's all right, isn't it?' Eduardo's voice added.
'Everything is absolutely fine,' said Judy. 'They're just in there – I'll leave you to it.'
The three of them burbled some hasty goodbyes out in the corridor, then Eduardo and Kylie made their way into the room. The moment she saw them, Conchita burst into tears. Kylie ran over to the bed and took her daughter into her arms, saying, 'Oh, sweetheart!'
'I knew something was wrong!' Conchita wailed. 'And they wouldn't listen! If it hadn't been for Judy, they would've just sent us home again and he would have died!'
'Really?' said Kylie, exchanging a worried look with Eduardo. 'Wow. Well then, thank heavens for Judy. Everything's all right now though, sweetie, isn't it?'
'Yes,' said Conchita. 'I know I shouldn't be thinking about what might have happened, but I can't help it, and it's just so unbearable...'
'You've been through a lot today, querida, haven't you?' Eduardo said soothingly. 'You need a good cry.'
'I guess so,' said Conchita, laughing and crying at the same time. 'Here, Dad, have a cuddle with your grandson. His name is Jay.'
'Hello, Jay,' Eduardo crooned, taking the baby from Conchita. 'Do you know who I am? I'm your abuelo.'
Jay looked unimpressed and started to fall asleep, while Kylie got right up onto the bed and enveloped Conchita in both arms.
'They said I'd have to stay here at least four days – maybe a week,' said Conchita, leaning her head on her mother's chest. 'And when I get home, I'm supposed to stay in bed as much as possible for another six weeks, but Josh can't do everything for Daisy for all that time! I thought we had another three weeks, or two at the very least. I don't even know what's going to happen tomorrow. Oh, God, Daisy's starting her new school tomorrow!'
'Oh, sweetheart, don't worry about that,' said Kylie, rubbing Conchita's arm soothingly. 'I'll take Daisy to and from school, and I'll listen to her grievances about her first day, and I'll feed her and put her to bed if Josh can't, and I'll do anything else that needs doing. And I can do the same thing Tuesday.'
'And then you're going back to work Wednesday,' Conchita sniffled.
'Then I'll take over,' said Eduardo. 'I'm the boss, remember – I can take as much time off as I want. Don't worry about anything, seashell.'
Conchita hiccuped and said, 'Okay, I'll try. Thanks, you guys.'
'That's better,' said Kylie, giving her a squeeze.
'Chita,' said Eduardo, 'do you know how Carl's doing?'
'Yes, of course,' said Conchita. 'He's doing pretty well. You know that Kevin and Oscar made sure he got to the hospital as fast as possible, don't you? Sort of like me,' she added, her brow furrowing in thought. 'And Michaela said...'
'What did Michaela say, sweetheart?' asked Kylie.
'She'd probably like to tell you herself,' said Conchita, shaking her head clear of the thought. 'I can't. I'm too tired.'
'You need to get some sleep,' Kylie said briskly, getting off the bed.
'And she and Libby will want to introduce you to Zak,' Conchita added, as she began settling down in the sheets.
'Who's Zak?' said Kylie.
'The new dog,' said Conchita.
'They got a dog?' said Kylie, astonished, and Conchita nodded sleepily. Her eyes were already closed, so Kylie went on hastily, 'Anyway, sweetie, I won't be here when you wake up – I'm going to your apartment to help take care of Daisy. Call me if you need anything.' She looked at Eduardo. 'What are you going to do?'
'I'm going back to Manhattan,' he said. 'I want to see Rosy and Carl and everyone, and meet this dog and hear all about everything. Here, take Jay.'
Kylie smiled as she took her sleeping grandson from Eduardo's arms. When she turned round, she saw that Conchita was sound asleep.
'I feel so guilty for not being here,' Kylie said quietly to Eduardo.
'Hey, come on,' he replied, putting his arm around her. 'There was no way we could've known anything would happen, and given that something did happen, there were loads of people here to support her. Anyway, we're here now.'
'We are,' said Kylie, mechanically patting Jay's butt as she talked. 'But you'd better get going if you want to get to Carl's house before they all start going to bed.'
'All right, I will,' said Eduardo. 'I'll see you... soon, I guess.'
'We'll make some definite plans tomorrow,' said Kylie, smiling. 'Bye, sweetie.'
Eduardo left, and Kylie went to lay Jay in the hospital cot beside his mother's bed.
'No, not at all,' said Conchita, looking up smilingly and beckoning Judy with her free hand. 'Oh, Judy, thank you! You saved my little one's life!'
'That's my job,' Judy smiled at her. 'I've been in meetings ever since I left you, making sure nothing like that happens here again, and I'll also see that it won't happen in any other maternity ward in this city. We were lucky, you know. Did I tell you that your daughter sent me to check on you? She's obviously very intuitive. She even knew my name.'
'Well, that's weird,' said Conchita, frowning and beginning to button up her top one-handed, as Jay had stopped suckling. 'It was her who made me come here today in the first place. I mean, I already felt like something was wrong, but...'
'But you'd been sent home too many times already, hadn't you? Well, not anymore, now that you have your beautiful new baby boy. Did you decide on a name for him yet?'
'Yes. His name is Jay.'
'Jay, lovely,' Judy smiled. 'And has anyone talked to you about your recovery?'
'Oh yes,' said Conchita. 'They told me what pain medication I can have while I'm breast-feeding, and they said to rest for a good six weeks after I'm discharged. It's a long time, isn't it?' she added, her brow creasing with worry.
'Yes,' said Judy, 'and it's absolutely necessary. You've undergone major surgery today, my girl, do you understand?'
'Yes, Judy.'
'Good. Now, I must be getting home. I hope I'll see you and your family again some time.'
'So do I. Goodbye, Judy.'
'Goodbye, Conchita.'
Judy smiled at her one more time before turning and walking off down the corridor. Seconds later, Conchita heard a shout of joyous surprise, followed by Judy exclaiming, 'Hello! How wonderful to see you! I almost missed you – I'm so glad I didn't!'
'Don't tell us anything, Judy,' Kylie's voice replied, and Conchita's mouth began to wobble. 'We only just got the news that we were getting our new grandchild today.'
'Everything's all right, isn't it?' Eduardo's voice added.
'Everything is absolutely fine,' said Judy. 'They're just in there – I'll leave you to it.'
The three of them burbled some hasty goodbyes out in the corridor, then Eduardo and Kylie made their way into the room. The moment she saw them, Conchita burst into tears. Kylie ran over to the bed and took her daughter into her arms, saying, 'Oh, sweetheart!'
'I knew something was wrong!' Conchita wailed. 'And they wouldn't listen! If it hadn't been for Judy, they would've just sent us home again and he would have died!'
'Really?' said Kylie, exchanging a worried look with Eduardo. 'Wow. Well then, thank heavens for Judy. Everything's all right now though, sweetie, isn't it?'
'Yes,' said Conchita. 'I know I shouldn't be thinking about what might have happened, but I can't help it, and it's just so unbearable...'
'You've been through a lot today, querida, haven't you?' Eduardo said soothingly. 'You need a good cry.'
'I guess so,' said Conchita, laughing and crying at the same time. 'Here, Dad, have a cuddle with your grandson. His name is Jay.'
'Hello, Jay,' Eduardo crooned, taking the baby from Conchita. 'Do you know who I am? I'm your abuelo.'
Jay looked unimpressed and started to fall asleep, while Kylie got right up onto the bed and enveloped Conchita in both arms.
'They said I'd have to stay here at least four days – maybe a week,' said Conchita, leaning her head on her mother's chest. 'And when I get home, I'm supposed to stay in bed as much as possible for another six weeks, but Josh can't do everything for Daisy for all that time! I thought we had another three weeks, or two at the very least. I don't even know what's going to happen tomorrow. Oh, God, Daisy's starting her new school tomorrow!'
'Oh, sweetheart, don't worry about that,' said Kylie, rubbing Conchita's arm soothingly. 'I'll take Daisy to and from school, and I'll listen to her grievances about her first day, and I'll feed her and put her to bed if Josh can't, and I'll do anything else that needs doing. And I can do the same thing Tuesday.'
'And then you're going back to work Wednesday,' Conchita sniffled.
'Then I'll take over,' said Eduardo. 'I'm the boss, remember – I can take as much time off as I want. Don't worry about anything, seashell.'
Conchita hiccuped and said, 'Okay, I'll try. Thanks, you guys.'
'That's better,' said Kylie, giving her a squeeze.
'Chita,' said Eduardo, 'do you know how Carl's doing?'
'Yes, of course,' said Conchita. 'He's doing pretty well. You know that Kevin and Oscar made sure he got to the hospital as fast as possible, don't you? Sort of like me,' she added, her brow furrowing in thought. 'And Michaela said...'
'What did Michaela say, sweetheart?' asked Kylie.
'She'd probably like to tell you herself,' said Conchita, shaking her head clear of the thought. 'I can't. I'm too tired.'
'You need to get some sleep,' Kylie said briskly, getting off the bed.
'And she and Libby will want to introduce you to Zak,' Conchita added, as she began settling down in the sheets.
'Who's Zak?' said Kylie.
'The new dog,' said Conchita.
'They got a dog?' said Kylie, astonished, and Conchita nodded sleepily. Her eyes were already closed, so Kylie went on hastily, 'Anyway, sweetie, I won't be here when you wake up – I'm going to your apartment to help take care of Daisy. Call me if you need anything.' She looked at Eduardo. 'What are you going to do?'
'I'm going back to Manhattan,' he said. 'I want to see Rosy and Carl and everyone, and meet this dog and hear all about everything. Here, take Jay.'
Kylie smiled as she took her sleeping grandson from Eduardo's arms. When she turned round, she saw that Conchita was sound asleep.
'I feel so guilty for not being here,' Kylie said quietly to Eduardo.
'Hey, come on,' he replied, putting his arm around her. 'There was no way we could've known anything would happen, and given that something did happen, there were loads of people here to support her. Anyway, we're here now.'
'We are,' said Kylie, mechanically patting Jay's butt as she talked. 'But you'd better get going if you want to get to Carl's house before they all start going to bed.'
'All right, I will,' said Eduardo. 'I'll see you... soon, I guess.'
'We'll make some definite plans tomorrow,' said Kylie, smiling. 'Bye, sweetie.'
Eduardo left, and Kylie went to lay Jay in the hospital cot beside his mother's bed.
