State of the union, p.15
State of the Union, page 15
“My elbow is fine.”
“It is absolutely not fine,” Nick said, glaring back at her.
“Now, kids, don’t bicker,” Anderson said. “We’ll take a good look at everything.”
“You will not,” Sam snapped at him.
“I’m nothing if not thorough,” Anderson said with the charming smile that did nothing for her.
The X-ray technicians were speechless when they realized who their patient was and who had accompanied her.
“Close your mouths,” Anderson said, giving them instructions about the areas he wanted X-rayed. “Right side?”
“Yes,” Sam said through gritted teeth.
“We’re going to need to get you into a gown, Mrs. Cappuano,” one of the young women said.
“I’ll help her,” Nick replied.
The three women nearly swooned when he said that.
Dear God in heaven give her patience, because Sam was about to blow.
They were led to a changing room and given one of those gowns that left the ass on full display, which would probably come in handy in this case. Nick helped her up and out of her clothes.
“You’re very good at this nursing thing.”
He kissed her pout. “I only provide these services for certain patients.”
“It really hurts,” she said, winded from the effort to stand while he helped her change.
“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
Nick stayed right by her side when they wheeled her into the freezing room for the X-rays.
“I’m sorry, Mr. President, but you have to wait outside,” one of the women said, her tone deferential.
“That’s fine.” He kissed Sam’s cheek and whispered in her ear, “Behave so we can get out of here.”
That earned him another glower from her.
By the time they had gotten films of her elbow and hip, Sam had tears streaming down her face from the agony of being turned and twisted into position.
“I’m sorry that was so painful, Mrs. Cappuano,” one of the techs said. “I hope you’re feeling much better very soon.”
“Thank you.” Sam felt clammy and sick to her stomach when she rejoined Nick and Dr. Anderson in the hallway. “Can’t wait to do that again soon.”
Anderson led them to a private exam room that wasn’t in the Emergency Department.
Sam would be forever thankful to him for helping to protect her privacy.
“Let’s take a look,” he said, easing her gown up so he could see her mangled hip.
“This is the moment all your dreams come true,” she said, mortified that she had to show the doctor her ass.
“You know it, hot stuff. Holy moly, you don’t do anything halfway, do you?” Then he looked at her equally colorful elbow. “Ouch. I’m not going to put you through an exam that requires moving it until I see the films. I’ll see if they’re in yet. Be right back.”
Nick stood by her side, holding her hand while they waited.
“Thanks for coming with me.”
“Of course I came with you.”
“You say that like it’s no big deal for you to come.”
“It isn’t.”
Sam rolled her eyes at him. Anything to take her mind off the throbbing pain in her right side and her anxiety over what those X-rays would show.
Anderson returned ten minutes later. “There’s good news and bad news. What do you want first?”
“Good.”
“Your elbow is fine. Just a nasty bruise that’ll hurt for a few days. Your hip, on the other hand, is fractured and will require surgery.”
“Wait. What?”
“You heard me. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“How long will I be down?”
“Four to six weeks.”
“No way. I don’t have that kind of time.”
“Sam, your hip is broken. You have to get it fixed if you ever want to walk again.”
“This is ridiculous! I can’t be down for four to six weeks! I have shit to do.”
“It’ll go by so fast, babe,” Nick said. “You’ll bounce right back and be on your feet again in no time. I’m sure of it.”
“How can a thirty-six-year-old person break their hip?” Sam sounded hysterical even to herself. She could only imagine what they thought of her reaction. “Isn’t that something that happens to old people?”
“It can happen to anyone who lands just so when they fall. I’ll contact Ortho and get a surgeon lined up for you. I’ll be right back.”
When they were alone, Sam turned to Nick. “I got hit by a fucking car and didn’t break my hip. How is this possible?”
“It was just a fluke thing, babe, but I’m sure you’ll sail right through this. You can work from home and oversee your cases and still drive everyone crazy. It’ll be fine.” He brushed hair back from her face and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry about anything.”
“Right. What do I have to be worried about?”
Things moved quickly after that. Sam was shocked to learn she’d be having surgery that day, not in a few days when she’d have had time to wrap her head around it. “I should’ve stayed at Camp David,” she muttered to Nick.
“I’ll remind you of that the next time you’re wanting out of there.”
She called Malone.
“What’d they say?”
“Did you know that a thirty-six-year-old person can break a hip and need surgery to fix it?”
“Stop it.”
“I’d love to, but alas…”
“Sam, no way. I’m so sorry. That sucks.”
“Totally sucks. Put Gonzo in charge of the Olsen investigation and the squad. I’ll be back to busting balls from home in a day or two. For now, I’m out.”
“Keep us posted on how you’re doing.”
“Will do.”
She closed the phone and wasn’t surprised to receive a call from her partner two minutes later.
“Shut the hell up,” Freddie said. “Are you kidding me?”
“You have no idea how much I wish I was.”
“What can I do?”
“Whatever you can for Audrey Olsen and her family. That’s what I need—a full-court press on her case.”
“We’re on it. Don’t worry about anything. Will you have Nick text me after the surgery?”
“Yeah, I will.”
“I’ll be in to see you later with a full update.”
“Excellent. I won’t be down for long.”
“I’m sure you’ll be back to kicking our asses in no time.”
“You swore, young Freddie.”
“I figured the occasion called for it.”
“It certainly does. I’ve got a shit, fuck, damn, hell for anyone who’ll listen. Is Gonzo nearby?”
“Yeah, hang on.”
“Jeez, Sam,” Gonzo said. “What a bummer, huh?”
“Literally.”
“Don’t make me laugh, because it’s not funny.”
“Listen, you gotta stay on the Olsen case and this shit with Stahl and all the other crap.”
“I got you covered,” he said. “Don’t worry.”
“Did Malone talk to you about going to see Stahl?”
“Yeah, he did.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I’m not sure it’ll do any good, but I’ll take one for the team.”
“And you’re sure you feel up to that?”
“I’m okay. I know you’re all still worried about me, but I’m doing much better than I was.”
“What are you hearing from the trial?”
“The defense is bringing in a parade of bullshit character witnesses to sing the praises of what a good guy he is, but Faith tells me the jury isn’t being swayed by the theater of it. They know who this guy is and what he’s done.”
“I can’t believe they wouldn’t allow admission of his past crimes,” Sam said.
“They have more than enough to convict him for killing Arnold. I’m not at all concerned about it not going our way. Once that’s done and the first anniversary is observed, I’ll be able to really breathe again. But in the meantime, I’m feeling good and back in the game.”
“You have no idea how glad we all are about that. If the visit with Stahl is triggering in any way, I want you to leave. Nothing is worth risking your hard-won progress.”
“I hear you, and I can handle him. Don’t worry.”
“Keep me posted.”
“I will. We’ll be in to visit.”
“I’ll probably be home tonight.”
Standing at the rolling computer station, Anderson shook his head.
“Or tomorrow.”
Again, Anderson shook his head.
Sam wanted to scream. “I guess I’ll be here a day or two.”
“Whoa.”
“Don’t get me started.”
“No worries. Just take care of yourself.”
“I’m being told I have no choice about that. Talk to you later.” Sam closed the phone. “How long do I have to be here?” she asked Anderson.
“Three to four days, depending on how you do and if there’re complications.”
“What kind of complications?”
“Infection, for one, but we’ll try not to let that happen.”
“Try really hard.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Babe, I texted Terry to tell him what’s going on, and he suggests we release a brief statement before the media catches wind.”
“I haven’t even told my sisters or Celia or my mother.”
“Do you want me to text them?”
“I guess,” she said, becoming resigned to the fact that this was really happening.
“This is what I’m saying to them. ‘Hi there and sorry for the group text, but Sam slipped on ice, fell in the parking lot at work yesterday and managed to fracture her hip. She’s having surgery this afternoon at GW and will be here three to four days. She is not happy about this, as you can imagine. Please pray for both of us.’”
“Look at you, joining the comedians,” she said as Anderson snickered. “I’ll remember all the people who thought this was funny. There’s nothing wrong with my rusty steak knife.”
“Duly noted,” Nick said. “I sent it.”
“You should tell Eli and Scotty, too.”
He pushed some buttons on the phone. “Done.”
Sam’s phone rang with a call from Tracy.
Sam answered with one of her dad’s trademark sayings. “Kelly’s Pool Hall, eight ball speaking.”
“Seriously, Sam?”
“Yep.”
“Jeez…”
“I know. No sex for weeks.” She took great pleasure in watching Nick’s smile fade. “Nick is just realizing that.”
“Figures that’s what you’re thinking about.”
“I’m thinking about a lot of things, and none of them are good.”
“This is not gonna be pretty,” Tracy said.
“No, it isn’t, but I will be.”
“Well, that’s a given.”
“Trace! Four to six weeks!”
“Ugh. That blows.”
“Totally.”
Anderson, who’d stepped out of the room, returned with a female doctor.
“I gotta go. Nick will keep you posted.”
“Love you.”
“You, too.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Sam, this is Dr. Jane Thurston. Dr. Thurston, Sam Holland Cappuano, and her husband, Nick, who you may recognize.”
“It’s such an honor to meet you both.” Dr. Thurston shook hands with them. “I’m sorry about the circumstances, though.”
“Are you the one who’s going to fix this for me?” Sam asked.
“I am.”
“How soon can I get back to normal?”
“Four to six weeks.”
Anderson gave her an “I told you so” look that earned him another glare from Sam.
“That’s too long. I need to get back to work before then.”
“You can go back to work in a wheelchair before your hip is fully healed.”
There was no way she was going to HQ in a wheelchair. “There has to be some other way, something faster…”
“There isn’t. It’s a fairly serious injury, as I’m sure you can tell from the pain you must be in.”
“I don’t have time to be injured. I just caught a new murder. I’ve got four kids and this first-lady thing to deal with. I can’t be laid up for six weeks.”
“I warned Dr. Thurston that you would be her most exasperating patient ever,” Dr. Anderson said. “And I told her you hate needles.”
“Thanks for preparing her for me.”
“I’ll get you back on your feet as fast as I can, but you have to do what you’re told, or you’ll only extend the rehab even longer,” Dr. Thurston said.
“She’ll do what she’s told,” Nick said. “I’ll see to it.”
He’d pay for that later.
“When is this surgery happening?”
“In an hour. We don’t like to let hip fractures linger for too long, as complications can arise. The nurses will get you prepped, and an anesthesiologist will be in to see you shortly. There’ll also be some paperwork to complete giving consent for the surgery.”
“This just gets more fun by the minute.”
Dr. Thurston patted her arm. “Hang in there. I’ll see you in the OR.”
“I can’t wait.” When they were alone in the room, Sam said to Nick, “This totally fucking blows.”
“It sure does. I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
“We’re both going through it since it’s going to put us out of business for weeks.”
“Oh, no, it won’t,” he said with the devastatingly sexy grin that had made him the fantasy of women around the world since he’d been catapulted into the Oval Office. “We’ll just have to be creative.”
“Nick… I don’t want to have surgery. I hate this.”
He sat carefully on the edge of the bed and held out his arms to her.
She leaned forward to fall into his embrace and breathed in the scent of her love. “Bust me out of here.”
“Not happening. It’s in my best interest to get you pinned back together so everything works the way it’s supposed to.”
“Don’t make me laugh when I’m pissed off.”
“I’ll try not to. Just hold on to me. I’ll be right there with you through it all.”
“You’ve got your security briefing.”
“Only because that briefing can’t be done just anywhere, I’ll go to the White House while you’re in surgery and be back by the time you’re out. You won’t even miss me.”
“Yes, I will.”
Anderson returned with a nurse he introduced as Mindy. “She’ll be setting up your IV and getting you ready for surgery. And yes, I warned her about you.”
“I’m not worried,” Mindy said with a peppy smile that had Sam gritting her teeth, even as she appreciated that Mindy didn’t freak out the way people normally did when encountering the first couple. “What happened there?” She pointed to Sam’s upper arm.
“Oh, I got shot right before Christmas. The stitches come out in six days.”
“You’re having a week!”
“I’m giving you ten punches on your frequent-flier card for the busted hip,” Anderson said.
“Go away,” Sam said. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“Nah, not really,” he said, chuckling. “We’re all better off when you’re out catching killers.”
“Exactly! That’s why I don’t have time for this.”
“Trevor has a statement ready to go out to the media,” Nick said. “What do you think?” He handed her his phone.
First Lady Samantha Cappuano slipped on ice yesterday afternoon, fell and fractured her right hip. She’s undergoing surgery this afternoon at the George Washington University Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery within four to six weeks. The first couple asks for privacy as the first lady recovers.
“Is that okay?”
“No, but I guess you can release it. People will find out soon enough that I’m a klutz with a busted ass.”
Mindy giggled.
“Don’t repeat that,” Sam said.
“My lips are sealed, ma’am.”
“And don’t call me ma’am. My name is Sam.”
“Sam, I need to start an IV. Have you had one before?”
“Unfortunately, yes, and I hate them.”
“We’ll do it in your hand, and I’ll numb it up for you. You shouldn’t feel a thing.”
True to her word, Sam didn’t feel a thing, and thank goodness for that, because needles freaked her out on the best of days, and this was certainly not the best of days.
“Have you had surgery before, Sam?” Mindy asked.
“Nothing like this. Just a few unpleasant fertility procedures that didn’t work.”
“They’ll ask you a hundred times which hip they’re operating on, so be ready for that. It’s how we keep mistakes from happening.”
“What kind of mistakes?”
“Like operating on the wrong hip.”
“That happens?”
Mindy patted her shoulder. “It won’t happen today.”
Sam’s phone rang.
Nick checked the caller ID. “Scotty.”
Sam held out her hand for the phone. “Hey, pal.”
“Well, this is a fine mess, huh?”
Laughing, she said, “You said it.”
“Damn, Mom. Surgery and everything?”
“I don’t do anything halfway.”
“I guess not. Don’t worry, though. We’ll take care of you when you get home.”
“Aw, thanks. Not how I wanted to spend the vacation.”
“You suck at vacation. We all know that. Don’t worry about anything. Eli and I are taking care of the twins, and we’re going out to build the snow fort after lunch.”
“Thanks for helping with them.”
“I love having siblings. It’s so much fun. We’ll come see you later.”
“I’ll be here. Thanks for calling. Love you.”
“Love you, too, and don’t give the doctors any lip.”
“What? Me give people lip?”
They hung up laughing.
She took calls from Celia, both her sisters, her mother and Shelby before Mindy told her it was time to go. Sam reached for Nick, suddenly full of anxiety.
