Chapter 504 First Get Well
The doctor came out of the room and said, "The patient has a severe lung infection, and there's even fluid buildup. I recommend hospitalization. A family member needs to sign the consent form."
Marcus rushed forward to sign the form.
Nathaniel approached the doctor and asked, "Doc, my grandpa hasn't been sleeping well and isn't eating properly. Is there anything that can help him get some rest?"
The doctor frowned, "Rest is crucial. I'll prescribe some medication. He'll get an injection once he's in the ward. Make sure to stay with him and keep his diet light. You should go handle the admission paperwork."
After completing the admission process, Nathaniel noticed the time on the printed form, and he realized that he had completely forgotten to pick up Aurelia because of the scare his grandpa had given him.
He pulled out his phone and saw seven missed calls from Aurelia.
He quickly called her back, "Aurelia, I'm sorry. I'm at the hospital and can't pick you up today."
"Hospital? What happened?"
"I'm fine. It's Grandpa. He has pneumonia and needs to be hospitalized. I just finished the paperwork."
"He was fine just a couple of days ago. How did he suddenly get pneumonia?"
Aurelia gripped her phone tightly and asked with difficulty, "Was it because he got upset after visiting my place the other day?"
Nathaniel hesitated before answering, "No, don't overthink it."
In those few seconds of hesitation, Aurelia understood the truth. "I'll come over. Send me the room number."
After hanging up, Aurelia quickly received the address from Nathaniel. She had received a call from Beatrice early in the morning, intending to tell Nathaniel that his mom was causing trouble again. But upon hearing about Reed's illness, she decided to keep it to herself.
Aurelia drove straight to the hospital and found Reed's room using the address Nathaniel sent.
When she arrived, Reed was dozing off, finally able to sleep soundly with the help of medication.
After a few minutes in the room, Nathaniel pulled her outside to talk, "Aurelia, you should go back to work. I'll handle things here. Grandpa said he wanted to see the kids. I'll pick you up tonight, and we can bring them over."
Aurelia felt guilty towards Grandpa, "Ask Reed what he wants to eat. I'll make it and bring it over tonight."
Nathaniel took a deep breath. Mentioning food, he didn't even dare to say that Grandpa wasn't willing to eat anything.
"Aurelia, don't worry about it for now. Grandpa can't eat anything. Let's leave it to the doctors."
Aurelia nodded, and he walked her to the elevator. "Be careful on the road. Are your bodyguards with you?"
"Yes, they're with me. You focus on Reed for the next few days. You don't need to pick me up."
Nathaniel paused. "I'll walk you downstairs."
He said he would walk her downstairs but ended up escorting her to her car, watching her drive away before heading back upstairs.
Reed finally had a restful sleep for four hours thanks to the medication.
When Reed woke up, he was disoriented for a few seconds, realizing he was in the hospital. He closed his eyes again, not wanting to talk.
Marcus approached, "Dad, what do you want to eat? I can buy it or cook it at home."
Reed waved his hand, "I have no appetite. Don't bother."
Nathaniel's eyes were red. He knew exactly what was going on with Grandpa. He couldn't get over it and was punishing himself this way.
"Grandpa, I'll go get some of your favorite noodles and some light porridge. Please eat a little, or your body won't be able to take it."
Reed kept his eyes closed, not wanting to continue the conversation. "When can I go back to Imperick? I want to go back to Imperick."
As people age, they often want to return home when they fall ill, as if being in their homeland brings peace, even if it means facing death.
Marcus comforted him, "Dad, your body isn't fit for long trips right now. Let's get you better first, and then I'll go back with you."
Nathaniel was anxious. Grandpa's condition left him helpless. He wasn't eating and was relying on medication. How long could that last?
He checked his watch. "Grandpa, Dorothy and Jacob will be out of school soon. I'll go pick them up. You rest well."
After hearing about the kids, Reed finally showed a rare smile. "Go quickly. Don't be late picking up the kids."
Nathaniel, heavy-hearted, drove to Aurelia's office first, picked her up, and then went to The Velvet Palate to get the pre-ordered food before picking up the kids.
The kids were excited to see both their parents picking them up. They climbed into the car with their little backpacks. "Mommy, Daddy, why are you both here today?"
Nathaniel fastened his seatbelt. "Jacob, Dorothy, we're going to see your great-grandpa. He's sick and not feeling well. Can you cheer him up and help him eat?"
Dorothy tilted her head. "Is Great-Grandpa sick? I'll eat with him then."
Jacob added, "Is Great-Grandpa feeling down and can't eat? I didn't have an appetite the last time I was sad. I'll tell him some fun stories to cheer him up."
The car soon arrived at the hospital. Nathaniel carried the kids out of the car and brought the food containers.
The family of four entered the hospital room.
The doctor had just finished his rounds, giving a list of instructions. Reed was awake but lacked energy, lying there without wanting to talk.
Hearing Jacob and Dorothy's voices outside, Reed perked up, straining his neck to look towards the door.
Dorothy called out, "Great-Grandpa, I'm here to keep you company."
Jacob added, "Great-Grandpa, we brought you some yummy food."
Nathaniel set up the small table on the bed and laid out the food they brought, including porridge, noodle soup, and wontons, all of Reed's favorites.
"Grandpa, it's mealtime. Please eat something."
Reed didn't even lift his eyelids, his attention entirely on the kids. "It's mealtime. Did you feed the kids first?"
Dorothy replied, "Great-Grandpa, we ate at school before we left. We're not hungry. Now I'll feed you. Be good, Great-Grandpa. Dorothy is here."
Dorothy scooped some porridge, blew on it, and brought it to Reed's mouth. The room fell silent, everyone watching, waiting for Reed to open his mouth.
Reed hesitated, then opened his cloudy eyes to look at the adorable child in front of him, his precious treasure.
After a moment, he opened his mouth and swallowed the spoonful of porridge. Jacob then brought over a wonton. "Great-Grandpa, just eating liquid food isn't balanced. You can't be picky."
Reed opened his mouth again and ate the wonton that Jacob offered.
Nathaniel stood by, sweating nervously, signaling the kids to feed Reed more dishes.
Finally, with the kids' coaxing, Reed ate a bit. Nathaniel felt a slight relief.
If Grandpa's health deteriorated because of this, he would blame himself forever.
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