Chapter 308 Growing Up with You
A pang of pain gripped Darwin's heart.
"Madison, what's wrong?" he asked urgently.
Madison, sobbing uncontrollably, finally managed to speak between the tears. "Darwin, I'm so scared... really, really scared..."
Darwin's concern intensified. "Madison, can you tell me what happened first?"
"My brother's sick..." she cried harder now, "I can feel his pain, they all say he won't die but I saw mom crying over him last night. Darwin, I'm so scared!"
As Madison spoke, a public address speaker near a tree was announcing the time.
He heard it clearly, the speaker repeating: "At CleanHealth International Medical Center, it's now 10 a.m. sharp."
"Madison, are you in Armie Country?" Darwin asked.
She had never mentioned returning.
"Yes!"
Madison nodded.
Darwin rose to his feet. "Be good, Madison. I'm coming over now. Don't go anywhere, just wait for me, okay?"
" Aren't you busy? Mommy said I shouldn't bother you." Madison said through her sobs, so pitiful yet so understanding.
"It's fine," Darwin reassured her gently.
He had always thought of Madison as a miraculous presence in his life.
Despite only a few encounters with the child, her emotions could always affect him so easily.
Now, seeing Madison so frightened and in despair, all he wanted was to be by her side.
Though the Rhoads family hospital was excellent, having an extra person there meant additional hope. If Madison's brother was seriously ill, Darwin wanted to be there to help.
After a moment of hesitation, Madison still declined.
From a young age, she knew that family matters were not to be shared with outsiders. Confiding in Darwin about her brother's illness was already a mistake.
"Darwin, I need to ask Mom first," Chicago sniffled, "I really want to see you. If Mom says it's okay, I'll tell you, alright?"
Darwin stood frozen in place. Chicago was just a little kid; of course, she had to listen to her parents. His excessive concern might even make the parents suspicious of his intentions.
"I got a little ahead of myself there. So, Chicago, can you stop crying for me? I know some amazing doctors, and no matter what's wrong with your brother, I can get him the help he needs," Darwin said gently.
Chicago's tear-filled eyes suddenly sparkled with hope. "Really?"
Darwin responded firmly, "I'd never lie to you."
A soothing talk with Darwin was exactly what Chicago needed. The overwhelming comfort eased her meltdown. After hanging up, she stood, brushed off the dark red petals from her clothes, and her sadness, despair, and fear vanished entirely.
She turned to Wendy and Stuart with a new sense of urgency, "Let's go, back to see my brother!"
Wendy and Stuart exchanged puzzled looks. "What's going on?"
Stuart rolled his eyes at Wendy, "What else could it be? That Darwin guy cheered her up."
Upon Chicago's return, Charles had already finished his procedure and was back in his room. Chicago rushed there immediately.
Charles was lying on his side, his face as white as paper. Chicago, who had run to the doorstep at the sight of her brother, now approached him with cautious steps as if too eager a move might cause him harm.
"Chicago, where did you run off to? Brother was just asking about Grandma Rhoads," Fiona reached out to Chicago.
Chicago walked over and took her hand, her gaze fixed on her brother. Then she let go of her mom's hand and moved closer to Charles, "Don't be scared, Charles. I'll protect you!"
Taken aback, Fiona quickly turned away as tears spilled uncontrollably down her cheeks.
The light seemed absent in Charles's eyes, but upon hearing Chicago's words, they twinkled like little stars.
"Okay," he replied.
"I will, I promise!" Chicago reaffirmed her promise with utmost seriousness.
At that moment, Dagwood walked in, just in time to hear Chicago's vow.
He glanced at Fiona's back, then swept up Chicago in a swift hug. "Man, our little Chicago is all grown up—strong enough to look out for her big brother now!"
Chicago peered at Dagwood, her fingertips brushing over the darkening bruise beneath his eye. She didn't speak, but her face was etched with concern.
Dagwood felt a surge of emotion.
He touched his nose gently to Chicago's, silently acknowledging her worry before he softly said, "Hey Chicago, big bro's really tired and needs some rest. Uncle needs to talk to mom about something. Can you stay here and keep me company?"
"Sure!" Chicago nodded eagerly.
Dagwood set her down beside him.
Fiona quickly wiped away her tears, pulling herself together.
She then turned and left the hospital room with Dagwood.
Chicago watched the door close, then stepped closer and perched beside Charles's hospital bed. "Don't be scared, bro. The doctors Uncle's brought in are top-notch. Darwin's worried about you too; he's got great doctors on his end. The best doctors from around the world will come to help you get better."
"You reached out to Darwin?" Charles asked.
"Yeah," Chicago mumbled, her head hanging low. "Chicago was just so scared."
Charles nodded gently.
Then he murmured, "Don't worry, I'll grow up with Chicago."
Tears filled her eyes as she gave a vigorous nod.
Charles was exhausted.
He had resisted sleep, worried about Chicago running off.
Now that she was here, he could finally close his eyes in peace.
Before drifting off, a sudden thought crossed his mind—did that person worry about him too? Would they come to save him?
Once Charles fell asleep, Chicago stayed vigilant by his bedside, not budging an inch.
Dagwood had taken Fiona to meet with specialists.
The consultation lasted nearly two hours.
Charles's condition wasn't great.
Conservative treatment options were off the table; a bone marrow transplant was in order.
Once the meeting was over.
Fiona was set to return to the hospital room to be with Charles.
Dagwood held her back: "The sun's beautiful today, and the hospital's camellias are blooming. How about we take a walk?"
"I'm not really..." her lack of spirits trailed off.
Dagwood took her by the wrist, leading her outside before she could finish.
Fiona thought of pulling away.
But then her eyes caught sight of the scars on Dagwood's wrist, and she dismissed the thought.
Indeed, the sunlight was splendid.
As she walked in the sunlight, Fiona felt the heaviness in her heart lighten as though the light were scattering it away.
"I was here on a client visit last time," Dagwood told Fiona, "and they mentioned the hospital had a sweet bakery and café. I tried it out, and let me tell you, the flavors could rival some five-star restaurants. Believe that?"
Fiona nodded in agreement. “You’re picky, so if you say it tastes good, it must be really good.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Dagwood was by her side, pressing his hands on her shoulders and gently pushing her to sit down on a chair.
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