The Gift (Unrestrained 4.50)

I hope you don’t mind that I’m emailing you, and I understand you don’t want Drake to be a part of Liam’s life. I know he cares deeply about Liam’s welfare – so much so that he agreed not to try to make contact with Liam or force things with you even though he could. He knows you and Chris are great parents and the last thing he wants is to disrupt things and upset Liam. I was hoping that you’d agree to send me a photo of Liam that I could have framed for Drake as a gift. I know it would mean the world to Drake.

Thanks and I hope all is well with Liam.

Kate

I sent it off, feeling a bit anxious that she’d get mad and make a fuss. Still, Drake deserved to have a picture of his own son, especially since he saved Liam’s life. If Maureen wouldn’t do at least that for Drake, she was some kind of bitch.

I waited all day for a response, but gone none and so I wondered if perhaps the email was one she didn’t check often. When I checked my phone, I saw that my email had been bounced. She must have deleted that email address.

The only alternative was to send her a text to the phone number on Drake’s cell. The text didn’t go through. She really didn’t want Drake in her life if so.

I was angry that she’d be so cruel after what Drake did for them. Then I had a brainstorm. I’d go and meet Drake at the hospital and drop by the children’s ward before and see if I could speak directly to Maureen. I feared that she’d be hostile seeing me, but hopefully, she’d understand and it might mean I could get a photo of Liam for Drake.

I texted Drake and let him know I’d be in the neighborhood and that I’d meet him at the hospital and we could come home together. He was pleased and suggested we stop off for dinner on the way home and I agreed. Now all I had to do was get to the hospital with some time to spare, and check in at the children’s ward to see if Maureen was there. With my heart in my throat, I took the subway north and then a bus east to NYP, hoping that I wasn’t making a huge mistake.

The children’s ward was as I remembered it – brightly colored walls with Disney characters and a playroom filled with all manner of toys. There were no children playing when I arrived just before seven at night. The ward was quiet, and the waiting room was empty. I went to the nursing station and asked one of the nurses if Maureen was there seeing Liam and she nodded. I didn’t want to interrupt her visit but I thought I’d walk by and let her know I was there. My heart was pounding as I walked down the hallway, peeking inside each room in hopes of seeing her and sure enough, at the end of the hallway in an isolation room was Maureen, Chris and Liam, his little body on the bed between them. He looked so small and frail, but his hair had grown in and it struck me how much like Drake he was. I could see that Maureen might hope he was Chris’s son for Chris was very much like Drake as well.

I stood outside the room, watching, and finally, Chris looked over and saw me. It took a moment, but then apparently, he recognized me. He frowned and said something to Maureen, who jerked her head around and saw me, an angry expression on her face. She stood abruptly and then Chris grabbed her arm.

He came out instead of her, but she stood watching me, frowning. On his part, Liam was unaware, and was busy playing with a Gameboy so whatever drama was taking place, he didn’t seem to notice.

Chris left the room and then came out of the anteroom, his gown still on.

“What are you doing here?”

“I sent Maureen an email but she must have changed accounts.”

Chris glanced back in the room, and shook his head. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong with Drake?”

“No,” I said and wondered exactly how to frame my question. “I’m here on my own. Drake knows nothing about it. I wanted to ask Maureen if I could get a picture of Liam for Drake. I thought I could frame it and give it as a gift for Christmas. Liam wouldn’t have to know anything about it. Drake doesn’t know anything either or he would have said no, but I thought I’d ask.”

Chris looked exasperated, his eyes dark under a furrowed brow. “Maureen and I don’t want Drake involved in Liam’s life. I thought you understood th

at.”

“I do, and Drake does as well,” I said, “but I know that Drake would treasure a photograph of Liam. He saved Liam’s life.” I let that sink in for a moment. “The least you both could do is let him have a picture of his son.”

“Biological son, nothing more,” Chris said tersely. “I’m his father and have been since he was born.”

“Of course,” I said quickly. “And Drake knows that. He thinks you’re both great parents and has agreed not to try to become involved in Liam’s life. But still, a picture wouldn’t hurt. Liam doesn’t have to know anything about this.”

Chris exhaled loudly. “I’ll talk to Maureen, but I really think you’re imposing on our good nature to ask.”

“You didn’t hesitate to impose on Drake’s good nature when you needed a donor. This is the least you could do,” I said again, affronted that they were both so uncaring and unappreciative of what Drake had done.

“Go and wait there,” Chris said, pointing to the small waiting room off the nursing station. “I’ll talk to Maureen.”

I nodded and left, making my way back to the waiting room. I sat so I could watch the hallway and saw that Chris went back inside the room and then they both came out, their gowns still on. They stood outside the room and spoke together, leaning in close.

Maureen had her hands on her hips, and didn’t look at all pleased. Finally, she stomped down the hallway towards me while Chris went back into Liam’s room.

“I can’t believe you’re really here. You have a lot of nerve.”

That was all she said and then she stood and glared at me.

“I’m no threat,” I said, holding my hands up. “Drake doesn’t know I’m here. He has no interest in bothering you or Chris or Liam. I’m doing this for Drake so he has something to remember Liam by. Just a photo. I could take one with my iPhone and be gone in three minutes.”

“What am I going to tell Liam?”