Chapter 797 Interlude
Teddy was gnawing on his hand, confused as to why everyone was staring at him.
Patrick put his arm around Teddy. "Yeah, work's been crazy. My son doesn't like the housekeeper, so my wife's been handling everything."
The doctor motioned for Vera to sit down. Some movements made her fingers go limp with pain. The doctor, having seen this many times, immediately wrote up an examination order. "Put your medical card here. Go get checked out first to see if there are any other issues. It looks like you might have tendinitis."
"It's probably from carrying the baby too much. Your Teddy must weigh over twenty pounds, right? Carrying him every day would be tough for anyone."
"What?" Vera was stunned.
Patrick, hearing this for the first time, asked, "What kind of illness is this? Is it serious? Does she need to be hospitalized?"
The doctor continued writing the examination order while explaining, "We can only diagnose after the results come in. From what I see, she's been dealing with this for a while. She can't even do some joint movements, so it's likely not a mild case. We'll check the wrist and see if there are any other issues. Treatment will depend on the results. First-time parents, first child, they're always too pampered."
Holding the order, Patrick led Vera to get the examination done.
His pace quickened with anxiety, but he was careful not to leave Vera behind. Teddy realized that coming to the hospital didn't mean he was getting a shot, so he happily sat in Patrick's arms, being a well-behaved little angel.
When they reached the examination room, it was crowded with people waiting for their turn, each holding an order slip.
Vera scratched her head. "Honey, let's not do this. There are too many people. Let's go home. The baby is too young, and hospitals are full of germs." She wanted to leave.
Patrick wouldn't let her run off. He took her order slip and went straight to the nurse's station to register.
Teddy looked around curiously. He watched as someone pushed a hospital bed past him, his eyes following the bed.
Soon, a wheelchair was pushed over, with an IV pole attached. An elderly person was being wheeled in, receiving an IV.
Teddy's mouth opened in wonder, his face turned to watch.
The place was bustling, crowded and noisy.
When the elderly person's family went to the nurse's station to hand in their queue slip, Teddy was there too. Without a word, he reached out to grab the IV bag on the wheelchair. His short arms couldn't reach.
The elderly person found him adorable and, seeing his persistent attempts, handed the IV bag to him to play with. Teddy's first instinct was to put it in his mouth.
"No, you can't eat that! Whose child is this? Watch him!" The elderly person shouted in alarm.
The elderly person's weak voice was drowned out in the noisy environment, and the occasional announcements over the PA system further masked it. Neither Patrick nor Vera heard it. Patrick was busy comforting Vera and didn't notice Teddy's actions.
"Honey, there are too many people. We'll be here until it's dark, and the doctor will be off duty. Let's go home and come back tomorrow. I can soak my hand in warm water to relieve the pain. It's not necessary to—Theodore! What are you doing? Let go!"
Vera was trying to convince Patrick to go home when she suddenly saw Teddy tugging at the IV tube, making her scalp tingle with fear.
"Teddy, no!" Vera shouted, her voice sharp with panic.
Teddy was startled by Vera's full-name shout, his little mouth quivering in grievance, eyes closing in distress, and then he burst into tears.
Patrick turned around and saw Teddy's hand in action, trying to put the IV tube in his mouth. He was shocked and quickly pried Teddy's fingers open, holding his hand firmly against his chest. Teddy cried loudly, and Patrick wanted to spank him but refrained due to the crowd. Not spanking made his hand itch, but he held back.
"Stop crying! Quiet!"
Teddy continued to cry, never giving Patrick any face.
Vera hurried over to apologize to the elderly person. "I'm so sorry."
Soon, the elderly person's family came over and realized what had happened. "How are you watching your child? If my dad's condition worsens because of your son, I won't let you off."
The elderly person raised his hand, stopping his family from saying more. "He's just a little kid. How much harm can he do? My condition won't worsen because of a child. Stop arguing."
Patrick pulled Vera over and apologized. "I'm sorry. I was busy talking and didn't watch my child properly." He then addressed the elderly person's daughter, "If my son caused any harm, I'll take responsibility."
Teddy was still crying in Patrick's arms, his little hands held tightly by Patrick, unable to suck his thumb.
The elderly person's daughter nodded. "Alright, take responsibility. Get a doctor now."
The elderly person quickly shook his head. "It's not necessary. We're all here for treatment. Besides," he said sheepishly, "he couldn't reach it. I handed the IV bag to him to play with."
But he didn't expect Teddy to try to eat it.
After a brief argument, the elderly person left. The family of three also felt the crowded room was too hot and stuffy, so they went outside for some fresh air. Vera took out a wet wipe to clean Teddy's face and hands. "Theodore, you're in trouble tonight!"
While waiting, Patrick found a quieter spot for them to sit and started researching tendinitis on his phone.
Teddy wanted to go to Vera, but Patrick gave him a light smack on the bottom, making him sit quietly on Patrick's lap, crying.
Around six o'clock, the doctors were about to leave, and Vera had just finished her examination. They still had to wait for the results.
Molly called to check in. "Patrick, how's Vera's arm?"
"We're waiting for the results."
"Which hospital are you at? I'm off work now, I'll come over."
After getting the address, Molly took a cab to the hospital. When she arrived, she took Teddy from Patrick's arms. "Vera, you're tough. Most people with tendinitis can't bear the pain from the start, but you've held on until now."
Vera replied, "I thought it was just a minor issue, and resting would help."
When the results came in, all four of them went in. "No other issues, just tendinitis. I'll prescribe some painkillers and ointment. Rest well and don't carry the baby anymore. Get a brace to restrict wrist movement."
By the time they left the hospital, it was dark.
Back in the car, Molly held Teddy. "Teddy, you're adorable, but you've worn Vera out. She can't carry you anymore. How about coming with me to the Chase Manor?"
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