Upon a Midnight Clear (Legend, Colorado 2)

Kim turned to see Tony standing in the doorway. He gave her a weak smile as he focused his attention on Harold. "Good morning, Harold. How are you feeling today?"

"Better," Harold managed, looking at his daughter. She had turned a shade of pink and was glancing around uncomfortably for her purse.

"Kim, I'm glad you're here," Tony said. "Harold, I know you don't want to hear it, but you're going to need some assistance for a while after you return home. Just for a month or so. Maybe a nursing assistant. Someone to help you grocery shop, cook dinner…"

"That won't be necessary," Kim said quickly.

Tony shrugged. "Maybe not necessary, but it would be helpful. He's going to have to take it easy for a while…"

"I understand. But a nurse won't be necessary," Kim said, speaking to Tony across her father's bed. "I'm staying."

Tony was silent for a split second. "For how long?" he asked. It was clear to everyone in the room that he was not asking for professional reasons.

Kim met his eyes directly. She was not staying because she had changed her mind about dating him, she was staying because she was trying to rebuild her relationship with her father. "I don't know. Maybe permanently." She shot her father a quick smile as she grabbed her purse. "I'll see you later, Dad."

As Kim walked out of the room, Tony looked down at the chart, though he was too upset to focus. He had received Kim's message—loud and dear.

Harold stared at Tony, aware of the pain the young man was suffering. "You care about her, don't you?"' he asked quietly.

Tony shrugged as his eyes focused on his patient "Yes. Yes, I care about her. Very much." He sighed. "Anyway," he said, forcing himself to concentrate on the matter at hand, "I'm glad to see that you're stabilized."

"It helps to have Kim here," Harold said, watching Tony carefully.

Tony smiled sadly. "Yes, I'm sure it does."

Harold paused, pushing himself up slightly. "I hear you've been running the department in my absence."

Tony shifted his feet uncomfortably as he glanced toward the door. "Yes, well, not officially. Just filling in for you until you get back."

"I've been hearing good things about you," Harold said.

Tony glanced at him, surprised. "Well, that's nice to know."

Harold nodded, signaling to Tony that he was dismissed. "Keep up the good work," he said.

Tony just looked at him. It sounded like Harold Risson was giving him his blessing. But his blessing for what? "Thank you," Tony said quietly. He hung the chart back up on the wall and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Harold Risson closed his eyes. But he wasn't ready to go to sleep. He needed time to think. He wanted his daughter to be happy, and it was obvious to him that she cared about Tony. He needed to arrange for them to meet outside of the hospital… but how could he do that?

He smiled as he began to formulate a plan.

A few minutes later, he heard the door creak and opened his eyes to see Kim enter the room.

"Kim," he said tiredly. "How do you feel about representing me at the hospital Christmas party this Saturday night?"

"Hey, doc! Where do you want this?"

Tony walked to the front door. On the stoop, two men were holding an overstuffed armchair. "Next to the other one," he said, glancing into the living room.

"One more thing and you're not going to be able to move in here," the delivery man said.

Tony nodded. The room was totally furnished, couch, chairs, end tables, lamps. His entire house, in fact, was now completely furnished.

"What's going on?" the delivery man asked, looking at Tony. "You sure bought a lot of stuff. You getting married or something?"

Tony shook his head. "No. Not that fortunate, I'm afraid."

"Fortunate," the guy said, chuckling. "Take my word for it. You're fortunate right now. Big house, nice dog. No wife. Very fortunate."