Chapter 7 - The Miracle for Wes
Forty-eight hours later, the private pediatric wing of Chicago Memorial Hospital was bright and quiet.
Adeline sat in the recovery room, holding the small, warm hand of her 7-year-old brother, Wes.
The three-hour heart surgery had been a complete, miraculous success. Dr. Vance had repaired the ventricular defect perfectly, and the monitors beside the bed showed a steady, strong, rhythmically healthy heartbeat.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
Wes opened his eyes slowly, the anesthesia wearing off. He looked up at his sister, giving her a faint, sleepy smile.
"Addy?" he murmured softly.
"I’m right here, baby," Adeline cried happily, kissing his forehead over and over again. "You did so good, Wes. You’re all fixed. You’re going to run, play soccer, and do everything you ever wanted."
Wes looked toward the corner of the room.
Standing beside the window, dressed in a sharp charcoal wool coat over a dark sweater, holding a massive box of art supplies and paper folding squares, was Nico.
Wes blinked, pointing a small finger. "Is that Mr. Nico?"
Nico walked over to the bed with smooth, easy steps. He set the heavy box of art supplies on the table, leaning down to meet the little boy’s eyes.
"Hello, Wes," Nico said warmly, his voice gentle and deep. "I heard you’re the best paper crane folder in Cicero."
Wes smiled brightly, reaching under his pillow and pulling out a carefully folded blue paper crane. Its neck was straight, its wings perfectly even.
"I made this one this morning before the sleep medicine," Wes said proudly, holding it out. "It’s for you."
Nico took the fragile paper crane with extreme care, holding it in his large, powerful palm as if it were made of solid gold.
He looked down at the crane, then at Wes. "Why is this one different from the ones on your windowsill at home?"
Wes grinned. "The ones at home face outside because I was waiting for help to come. This one faces inside... because help is already here."
May you like
Nico felt a lump form in his throat. He looked up at Adeline, whose eyes were shining with tears of pure, unadulterated happiness.
"It’s going to stay on my desk forever, Wes," Nico promised, carefully slipping the crane into his breast pocket, right over his heart.
