Time passes slowly before there is another knock on the door. Dr. Calista walks in with her laptop in hand.

"Hi, Mr. Winters. I got the results back from Nicolas's lab work." She smiles softly.

"Was it worse?" I barely croak out.

"Not to the extent I was expecting with how Dr. Barry had talked. His kidney's are still in good health, and his anemia is the worst part of the lab work. Which is brought on by the myeloma."

The way she speaks to me, just calms me because I can actually understand her words and not all that extensive use of words that sound scary. It seemed like that was the only words Dr. Barry used was those huge words only doctors would know. Jewels, the nurse, explained it out but my mind still had troubles wrapping around it because it is such big words. I didn't go to school for any of this, so having Dr. Calista treat us like a person means so much to me.

"Is there anything that can be done then?"

"There is several options we can try and see where we get the most results to where Nicolas can have the best chances. Would you be comfortable going over them now?" She asks sitting on the couch next to me.

I sit up straighter. "Let me here them Doc."

"First, I would like to get Nicolas on a IV course of medications to help with the anemia and get those numbers looking better than they are. It would help him be awake and more aware than the state he is currently in."

"If it gets him to where he is better than show me where to sign." I rub my hands on my jeans.

"That is just the first step though Mr. Winters. Nicolas is still very sick even once we get him to where the anemia is better. He will need to undergo chemotherapy at the very least." She whispers, even though Nicolas isn't able to hear us with him in the sleep he is in most of the day.

"Will that help to get rid of the cancer?"

"That is my hope. What Nicolas has is a rare cancer and there are many gray areas on what can work. The only thing I can say is that I won't give up and will make sure he has a fighting chance."

"I will sign what you need me too for starting the medicine to help him get his energy back."

Dr. Calista nods and types on her computer quickly.

"I got the orders put in and Jewels will be in here within a few minutes to start the treatment. We should start seeing results within just a few hours. I do want to check Nicolas's vitals again."

Dr. Calista goes to the bed and her voice is incredibly gentle as she speaks with Nicolas before ever touching him. It still amazes me she does this even though he is asleep, when none of the other doctors that have came in done this.

Once she is standing by the side table and typing things, I get off the couch and walk over.

"I have one question."

"Sure." Dr. Calista stops typing to look at me.

Her eyes are as soft as her voice, with the chocolate color pulling me in and swirling with kindness.

"When you do his vitals, you speak with him even though he is asleep. Why?"

She smiles. "Because even if Nicolas is asleep, the mind and body could still be aware. Another rare occurrence. If that is the case, my being a stranger to him the last thing I want to do is scare him but instead give him the respect he deserves as a patient too."

For the first time in a what feels like forever, I smile. The feeling is almost foreign to me when my lips curve up some.

"Thank you for trying when the other Doctor was just dismissing us. I have spoke to many on the phone the last week and they were dismissive of his case too."

"That is not who I am Mr. Winters. I believe everyone needs to have that fighting chance unless they say otherwise. Nicolas is so young and just because what he has is rare, doesn't mean we as Doctors shouldn't try."

Before I can register my own actions, I grab her hands and pull her to me. My arms wrap around her tight and she slowly brings her arms around me and encloses me too in a hug.

"Thank you so much." I whisper into her ear, as my words choke out slightly.

She pats my back a little before rubbing the area. "I will do everything I can."

I let her go and cough slightly. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to do that."

"There is nothing to be sorry for. Sometimes we all just need a good hug and that physical touch." She smiles and rubs my hand that is resting on the counter.

Our nurse comes in and I sign the paperwork, before Dr. Calista hooks up things on the IV pole and attaches everything to where it belongs, I guess.

"I will be back and forth to check on his progress and keep a close watch on his vitals. If he wakes up and I am not in here, please hit that call button." Dr. Calista smiles.

The nurse leaves the room and Dr. Calista gets her computer before walking to the door.

"One more thing." I know she came in for Nicolas, but something is eating away at me.

She turns around to look at me.

"When you left the last time, I seen where Dr. Barry grabbed you. Are you okay?"

Dr. Calista looks at me shocked before she composes herself a second later.

"I am fine, thank you."

"I didn't like that he done that." I rub my neck.

"Dr. Barry didn't like what I had said, but my mentor assisted me and I have been placed on your sons case."

"Did it bruise you with the harsh way he grabbed you." I try to keep calm and not show how mad it made me.

"Honestly, I haven't looked Mr. Winters. My focus has been on Nicolas since I got the privilege to help him." She smiles. "I will be back soon. In the mean time try to eat something and rest."

Dr. Calista walks out a moment later and I sit in the chair since it is the most comfortable place to sit instead of the couch. I pick up the container that holds a sandwich and barely taste it while chewing. After eating, I take my bag to the bathroom and wash off my face and brush my teeth.