‘Fair enough.’ More than he’d expected. And yet why? Max was the consummate professional and an exceptionally good surgeon. Even when it came to his own flesh and blood. Especially when it came to his own family. ‘Thanks. A lot.’
Very few words and yet he felt as though he’d taken a giant step towards his brother and maybe a slightly brighter future. Could be that Jamie was going to turn out to be the best thing that had ever happened to him in more ways than one. But he’d take things slowly, carefully. There was a long way to go if he and Max were even going to be on easy speaking terms.
He watched as Max tapped the back of Jodi’s hand. ‘For a moment on Monday I thought you’d lost your toughness, but I was wrong. It’s there in loads. Jamie’s lucky to have you on his side.’
‘You didn’t think I’d let this turn me into something as soft as spaghetti, did you?’ Jodi gave him one of her megawatt smiles.
‘I guess not.’ Max smiled his Maitland smile then turned away to face Mitch.
Mitch met his twin’s steady gaze and shock slammed into him. Compassion blazed back out of those eyes that mirrored his.
Nah. Couldn’t be. Never once in all the years since he’d screamed for Uncle Fred not to take Max away, for Max to turn round and come back to him, had he known anything from Max that might indicate they were on the same side.
Even at their eighteenth birthday dinner with supposedly loving family—the uncles who didn’t like each other, the aunts who tolerated one another—the underlying competitiveness between him and his twin had risen to the fore, each being encouraged by their respective adoptive uncle. The evening had quickly been ruined. That had been the last time they’d even pretended to want to get together and be buddies.
And now Max goes and shows empathy for his situation. Mitch looked away, around the group of medical specialists gathered for Jamie, and saw their admiration for his brother. He had to agree with them. Max was very good at what he did for his patients.
Mitch’s gaze dropped to his boy. Jamie. Seemed this kid was stirring up the Maitland family all by himself. Might as well get this next bit over before he changed his mind—which in the circumstances would be foolish and selfish. Breathing deeply, he opened his mouth and turned to his twin, told him, ‘You’re to do the operation when the time comes.’
Jodi gasped. ‘Excuse me?’
Guilt assailed him. So much for discussing something as important as who the surgeon would be. Jodi’s lips were tight, her eyes spitting at him. He hurriedly said in as placating a tone as he could manage without seeming to grovel, ‘We’ll talk later.’
She knew Max was the best transplant surgeon available. And they wanted the best.
Max’s eyes had widened and he gave Mitch the full benefit of that infuriating twist of his mouth he’d perfected. But his eyes were devoid of anything other than acknowledgement of the statement. He nodded slowly, as though digesting a lot more than the fact he was to do the lifesaving operation on his nephew. ‘I hope that won’t be too long away.’ Spinning away, he gathered his team around him and began an in-depth discussion about Jamie’s case before they all moved on to examine a teenager further down the ward.
A chill slid under Mitch’s skin as he watched him go. Had his brother already reached the far point of this whole transplant equation? Come to the conclusion that Mitch was going to have to put his hand up and volunteer a kidney? Did Max understand him better than he realised? Why wouldn’t he? They were twins, after all. Despite living most of their lives apart in very different circumstances, they knew each other—very well.
Which meant Max totally understood the arguments he was having with himself. Not that he was trying to get out of the situation. He’d already started down the track of finding out if he’d be a suitable donor by getting Lucas to arrange further tests now that he knew the blood types were compatible.
But it was the wider picture that frightened him. The whole thing of committing to helping his son and the ramifications afterwards—the ties to his lad that were building day by day, hour by hour. The fear he’d fail Jamie. Nothing to do with giving the kid a kidney and all to do with giving him his heart. And Max, blast him, could see that as plain as day.
*
‘Can Bingo sleep with me?’ Jamie’s big blue eyes, filled with trust, stared at Jodi.
‘Bingo? Is that teddy’s name?’ Where did he get these names?
‘I like Bingo.’
‘He’s very cute.’ A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she tucked the teddy bear in beside him. Two days after being rushed into hospital, Jamie was sounding more like himself. But he was still tired, which was why he’d snuggled down after his breakfast in preparation to having a nap. There’d be more dialysis treatment later in the day.
‘Where’s Mitch, Mummy? He hasn’t seen me for ages.’
Mitch had been the favourite person in Jamie’s life since he’d been handed the big bag and told to take a look at his new friend. Just to see Jamie’s eyes popping out of his head had brought warmth curling through her where she’d been cold for the past night and day. Also making Mitch the most favourite person in her life at that moment.
Despite not talking to her about Max doing the surgery. That annoyed her, but it was so Mitch. Taking charge was as natural to him as charming everyone he wanted something from.
‘Mitch is busy at work but he’ll be up to see you soon.’ Now she was defending the guy for being at work. Funny how things went round in circles. To think that a few days ago she’d intended to drag Mitch away from that department of his to be with her and their son until this was over, until he saw how ill Jamie was and how desperately his son needed his kidney.
Stretching her legs out to ease a light cramp in her calf muscles, she couldn’t help smiling. Now she was happy that Mitch had his work to keep him balanced while he adjusted to being a father and all that involved.
Nothing that Max and his transplant team had discussed with them had made her feel any better. Except, maybe, that they were all agreed that the sooner Jamie had a new kidney the better. It couldn’t come soon enough in Jodi’s mind, while at the same time she battled the fear of knowing her little boy had to go under the knife.
Mitch had been acting a bit strangely since he’d told Max he had to do the transplant, going vacant on her at inopportune times. Was he finding it hard that he had to rely on his brother to help them? Maybe this could lead these two stubborn people towards some sort of reconciliation. Or was that like wishing every day to be sunny and warm?
While Mitch hadn’t intimated so, she felt he was seriously considering the whole kidney donation thing. And while that’s what she hoped for and thought she’d be able to ask him to do, being with Mitch these past few days she’d found she just couldn’t do it. That it was Mitch’s decision alone, and that she had no right to ask such a huge thing of him. Mitch being Mitch, he’d get there in his own way and time.
Max had talked to them about the odds of a kidney becoming available in the near future. Not good. No one had mentioned that it was in the lap of the gods unless Mitch put his hand up to find out if there was any reason why he couldn’t donate a kidney. No sign of Mitch doing that, either. Not a dicky bird.
‘Mitch,’ shrieked Jamie. ‘You came.’
‘Why wouldn’t I, little man? Hmm?’ Mitch gave Jamie’s hand a squeeze. Then did the same to Bingo. ‘Hey, bear, how’re you doing?’
Jamie giggled. ‘Grandma, look what Mitch gave me.’
Jodi’s head spun. Mitch and Mum coming in together? Seemed Mitch was knocking down a few fences at the moment.
Mitch slid a hand onto her shoulder, his fingers gently squeezing warmth into her. ‘Hey, there. We’ve come to sit with Jamie while you go and have a shower, refresh yourself.’
When she looked up at him she noted Mitch was focused on Jamie, his eyes making a rapid medical scan, as all doctors were prone to do. What about fathers? Yep, they tended to do that too even if they weren’t me
dically trained. It was an instinctive thing.
‘I’ve brought you clean clothes, and your shampoo and conditioner.’ Mum handed her a small bag before dropping a light kiss on Jamie’s cheek. ‘Hi, sweetheart. How’s my boy? And who’s that in bed with you?’
‘Bingo.’ Jamie tried to lift his new mate but he was too tired. That short burst of excitement had already drained what little energy he had.
‘Here.’ Jodi reached for the teddy and sat him on top of the bed for everyone to admire.
‘Granny, can I have a story?’
‘Sure can. I’ve brought all your books with me. We’ll read while Mummy goes and spruces herself up, shall we?’ Mum was really laying it on about her looking a mess. If she thought a quick shower and clean baggy jeans and top would impress Mitch, think again. He liked his women looking sensational. Not to mention stylish. For a fleeting moment she thought longingly of all those outfits hanging in the wardrobe of her spare bedroom back in Dunedin.
But, no, her bedraggled appearance was the real her, the newer her. It came with the job of being mother to a sick child. Anyway, she didn’t have the energy to care.
Mitch was pulling back her chair and taking her elbow, hauling her up. He handed her a key. ‘Go on. This is for the on-call room. It’s all yours for as long as you need it. You’ll feel better after a relaxing time under those jets of hot water to ease out the cricks and tight spots in your muscles.’
‘Sounds delicious.’ And too darned exhausting to even walk the distance to wherever this on-call room was. She didn’t have the strength to move, let alone argue with these bossy people. Every muscle in her body groaned and her backside aimed for the chair. The drums in her head were playing a heavy beat.
‘No, you don’t,’ Mitch muttered.
She’d have to give it her best effort. ‘See you soon, sweetheart.’ As she leaned over Jamie to plaster his cute face with kisses the mug of disgusting instant coffee sloshed in her stomach. It was always like this whenever Jamie was in hospital.
‘Come on, I’ll show you where the on-call room is.’ Mitch swung the bag off the floor and waved to Jamie. ‘See you in a few minutes, sport.’
‘Okay.’ Jamie’s mouth widened into a huge yawn.