27
ZANE
Vienna and I are sitting on the balcony the next morning. She smiles as usual, giving no indication that I shared my pathetic insecurities with her.
“I love that we have our breakfast here and not in the restaurant below.” She takes a whiff of her coffee before taking a sip.
I look around before my gaze settles on her as she’s bundled on a chair with a throw blanket around her. There isn’t a chill, but it’s already cold, given we’re on the last days of fall.
I grab a croissant and take a bite of it.
“I used to think if I ever visited Vienna, the highlight of my trip would be café crawling. But these mornings we spend on the balcony are unforgettable.” Her sweet smile makes me believe she really won’t forget our time together. I know I definitely won’t.
Before I can tell her the same in a way I won’t come across as pathetic like I did last night, my cell phone rings.
“Mr. Teager, I’m calling from Vienna General Hospital. This call is to remind you that your wife’s second transfusion is scheduled for tomorrow. Also, Dr. Bernd would like to have a word with you. Would it be possible for you and your wife to visit us at the hospital?”
“Is-s everyth-thing all right?” My grip on the phone tightens while I try to keep my voice measured as Vienna looks up at the rare clear sky and colors of sunrise.
“The doctor will tell you everything, Mr. Teager.” The nurse speaks in that perfectly formal tone that medical professionals are trained to use. Her voice has a slight accent but otherwise her English is flawless. “If you can come around one p.m., I can mark your appointment in Dr. Bernd’s calendar.”
“We’ll be there.”
Vienna’s gaze shoots to me, and her carefree smile drops. My chest tightens at seeing her pale face. “The hos-spital wants us to come in.” Before she can ask all the questions to which I’ve got no answers, I add, “Th-they didn’t say w-why. But I’m s-sure it’s nothing urgent.”
She nods after a beat, but the lines of fear don’t disappear from her face, and I know I can’t do anything about it.
* * *
“Thank you so much for coming in on such short notice, Mr. and Mrs. Teager. I had a word with Dr. Allen about your upcoming surgery.”
Under the table, Vienna grabs my hand, and without pulling my eyes off the doctor, I twine her fingers with mine.
“I told him that our team can perform an endoscopy surgery here. It’s less evasive and one I’d recommend. You can think about it and even discuss with Dr. Allen personally, as he’ll be following up on the treatment. But I think it’s worth considering.”
An hour later, we leave the hospital with so much to think about. An endoscopy is definitely less risky, but this is a foreign country—
My chain of thoughts is broken at the sound of leather squishing when Vienna turns in the back seat of the taxi to face me. “It’s a good thing, right?”
Fuck! I should be talking to her and easing her doubts instead of being scared.
“Yes. It’s-s a gr-reat thing.” I hold her hands in mine. “Your r-recovery will be much faster, and th-the…risk during the s-surgery is lower.”
“We can also hide from your family better if the surgery happens here.” Her panicked eyes meet mine.
My hands, which are rubbing over her cold ones, come to a halt. “Vienna!” I almost gasp. “You sh-shouldn’t think about th-that. That’s th-the least of our concerns r-right now.”
She glances at me for a few more seconds before throwing her arms around me. When the sweet coconut smell of her shampoo hits my face, my restless pounding heart calms a little.
“I’m scared, Zane.”
“I’m her-re.”
After reaching the hotel, we call Dr. Allen. He reassures us further that he has full confidence in the surgeons at Vienna General hospital. His familiar, trusting voice does help in easing some of the worry lines on Vienna’s puckered forehead.
I finally call Dr. Bernd, confirming that we would like to go ahead with an endoscopy.
While Vienna’s texting with Ivy on the balcony, and I decide to tell my brothers that our trip has been extended for a few more days. I conference call Zander and Zach.