Page 102 of Fierce- Royce

“No. I just wish we could get some answers from someone. No one will tell us anything,” Elise said.

“Let me call Dane,” Chloe said. “I know it’s not a part of where he works, but who knows if he can find something out or at least direct us where to ask.”

“That would be great,” he said. Royce never wanted to ask for favors, but at this point he needed some answers.

He watched as she called her brother but then she left a message. “I’m not sure how long it will take him to get back to me, but he’s pretty good about returning my calls. I don’t call him often so he might be worried it’s an emergency.”

“Thanks,” he said, pulling her by his side.

It was another twenty minutes before her phone rang. “It’s Dane. Hi, Dane. I’m sorry to bother you.” Royce listened while she talked to her brother. She said thanks and hung up, then looked at him. “He knows a nurse that just transferred from the ER to his office and he’s going to go talk to her and see if she can find anything out from someone here.”

“I appreciate it,” he said. “I guess we just have to wait though.”

They didn’t wait long before someone came out and called his name. “That’s me,” Royce said. “Do you know anything about my father? Richard Kennedy. He was brought in close to two hours ago with chest pains via an ambulance.”

“They are getting him ready for surgery now. There is a problem with his pacemaker. He was aware enough that something was going on with his body and they ran some tests and will get it squared away.”

“He’s not having a heart attack again?” Elise asked.

“I’m not positive. A doctor will fill you in more. I’m just coming out to say he’s going in for surgery and what they are doing.”

“Thanks,” Royce said. He turned to his sister. “It’s better than not knowing.”

“That’s right,” Chloe said. “Maybe it’s nothing that could have been prevented. I know you’ve been upset with him working more, but if it’s the equipment and not him, they can fix that.”

“I hope so,” he said. “I can’t bear to think he isn’t going to make it. He’s got to be here for the baby’s birth.”

“And he will be,” she said. “You know it.”

A few more hours went by. Chloe and he went to get some food. Elise stayed in case someone came out looking for them. He wanted to make sure she ate and didn’t get too stressed out either. He brought back a sandwich for Elise, as they were in a more private waiting room at this point.

Finally a doctor came in and called their name and he and Elise stood up and went to talk to him.

“Your father came out fine from surgery. He’s in recovery right now. His pacemaker’s battery failed. He wasn’t showing any signs of a heart attack. My belief is he knew something was going on in his body and maybe he was having a panic attack. That isn’t a bad thing.”

Royce grinned. “It’s not like him to do that.”

“No,” Elise said. “But maybe he didn’t want to have another heart attack. I don’t know and don’t care. Can he come home tonight?”

“I’d like to keep him overnight to just monitor and be sure, but he should be fine. He’s had this surgery before. But he was recovering from a heart attack on top of it. He’s going to need someone to care for him for a few days. Well, not care but not leave him alone for at least twenty-four hours.”

“I’ll stay with him,” Elise said.

“Are you sure?” Royce asked. “I can do it.”

“No. I can work from home and keep an eye on him.”

They talked to the doctor a few more minutes and then were told one of them could go back to see their father. He let Elise go first. She was more emotional than him and would have to see their father with her own eyes. He was the type that would listen to the doctor when he was told their father was fine.

“You don’t have to wait here for me,” he said to Chloe. “I could be here for a while.”

“I’ll stay until you go talk to him. I’ll stay out here with Elise at least then I’ll go back to your place. I’ll be there when you get out.”

“Really?” he asked.

“Yeah. I wouldn’t be anywhere else. And I know you’re really busy so if you don’t have an issue with it, maybe I’ll bring some things to your house to keep there. You’re stressing over not seeing me and getting work done. I’m fine.”

He wasn’t surprised she’d figured that much out. “I know you are. I don’t want to miss anything though.”