Meanwhile...
Michelle was screaming in pain. Running into her room Mac noticed she was holding her right side.
"What is it love?" "Oww... please daddy. It hurts so bad. Help me daddy." "Alright baby, hold on." Picking up the phone he called 911 when her mom walked in. "Michelle...what's the matter sweetheart?" "I don't mom... oh God it hurts so bad." Hearing her screams, Stella touched her lower right side, and she vomited everywhere.
"Mac... it's her appendix... where the hell is that Ambulance?" "They're coming now love. Go let them in." Once they were on their way. Mac followed behind in the car, leaving MJ and Lea to inform the family.
When they pulled into the ER, they took Michelle right down to surgery. A short time later the surgeon came out. "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs.Taylor?" "Yes... our daughter, how is she. "She's going to be fine. We removed the appendix in time. She's in recovery now. You can visit her shortly."
"Thank you...thatnk you so much." "You're welcome, take care." Heading up to her room Mac grabbed a pink teddy bear from the Hospital gift shop. When they walked in they found her sound asleep. Taking the teddy Mac wrapped it in her arm, and kissed her head.
"Mmm...daddy? Mom?" "yeah sweetie, we're right here. How you feeling now?" "Sore." "I know baby... try not to move to much. would you like anything?" "Some water, and I need to go too the bathroom." Checking under the blanket Stella noticed she had catheter.
"It's okay sweetheart. They have a bag on you." "No... I want to use a toilet mom, please." Pushing the call button the nurse came in. "Well hello love... how are you feeling?" "I need to go to the bathroom." "Oh... that's a wonderful sign. Let's just get that catheter out of you, and then we will walk to the washroom."
"We'll wait outside." While they waited in the hall, the nurse tended to Michelle. "Alright then, you may come back in now." Opening the curtain they seen their daughter partially laying down. "How do you feel now baby?" "Better mom, she gave me more pain medication, and I can have some soup and jello for supper later."
"Mmm...jello blocks. Listen to me sweetheart. When they bring them, we will throw them against the wall." "Mac Taylor... stop that." Stella couldn't help but laugh. For she remembered Mac throwing the cubes and the damn things bounced. "Why daddy?" "Why? You dare ask why? They bounce love. they are like those little rubber balls."
Giggling Michelle couldn't wait.
"Hey, hey, hey...what up Michelle?" "MJ... you came to see me." "Of course I did, why wouldn't I. I love you." Hugging his aunt in his arms, he felt her fever. "Papa... did you know she's fevered?" "Hmm... no, she's fine." "She's hot... just feel her." Leaning over Mac noticed it too.
"Michelle...are you feeling sick?" "No daddy, just a little tired." "Okay...I"m going to get a nurse, don't move," he winked trying to reasure her. When the nurse took her temperature she found it 102 degrees. "I"m just going to take some blood Michelle, okay."
"Why? I feel fine." "I know honey...but we need to be sure you don't have an infection from your appendix." "I don't understand. The doctor told us he removed it in time." "I'm sure he did Mr.Taylor. Please try not to worry. Sometimes infections do run with this type of surgery."
"Now is that because of the waste we carry in our bowels?" "It is Mrs.Taylor. Like I said try not to worry. I'm going to speak to the doctor, we'll get her started on antibiotics." "But what about my jello?" Everyone tried not laugh. Poor Michelle, all she cared about was not getting her rubber jello.
A short time later the nurse came back with a fluid bag. "Alright young lady. Looks like you have a little infection. So we're going to start you on Chlyndamicyn. Now you may feel some nausea, or stomach pain, but it shouldn't be to bothersome." "Okay... can I have my supper now?"
"Of course you can. I'll be right back."
When the nurse returned she had broth, green jello, and juice. "Here you go Michelle. Now if you're hungry later, we have a kitchen where you can help yourself to whatever you like. We even have ice cream." "Thank you."
"You're welcome. If you need anything else let me know."
"Psst...is she gone son?" Checking out the door MJ shook his head yes. Picking up a piece of the jello square, Mac threw it at the wall. Sure enough it bounced. "Oh gosh... that's funny dad, let me try." Taking the jello cube Michelle threw it the wall and it bounced back.
After trying a few spoonfuls of the broth, Michelle fell asleep. "Why don't you go home Mac, I'll stay with her?" "No... I don't mind love, you go home and rest." "Listen you two. How about I stay with Michelle. Lea's on the nightshift later tonight, so I have nothing to do." "You sure son?" "I'm positive papa, you and nana head home."
After they left for home. MJ felt Michelle's head. Seeing that her fever had gone down, he knew he could relax. "MJ... where's mom and dad?" "They went home kiddo, you're stuck with me." "MJ... can you lay down with me?" Climbing in beside her, he wrapped her carefully in his arms.
"Try and sleep Michelle, I'm right here. Let the antibiotics do their job."
Back at the Delko house. Mac and Stella stopped by to see their daughter. Walking in Mac picked up his grandson and tickled him.
"Hi mom... hey dad. How's my sis?" "She's doing alright. Her surgery went well, but she's developed a little infection, they caught it in time." "Good. I'll have to go see her tonight with the kids." "Are you okay honey? You look upset." "Nope... I'll be fine mom. Don't worry." "Mackenzie... look at me."
Looking at her mom, she seen the tears. "What is it sweetheart?" "I want another baby, but Eric doesn't. It's not fair mom. I'm missing the little years." "What? Come on sweetheart. Eric's just turning two, how can you missing those years yet?" "I just am mom. I want another baby. All my girls are growing up to fast, Eric Jr is sleeping through the night. I miss the nurturing, feeding, and bonding.
"Aww... come on Mackenzie... think about honey. You have seven kids. Seven should be more then enough." Mac laughed. "Just what is so funny mister?" "Sorry love. It just reminded me of that TV show... Eight is Enough, remember that show?" "Oh... stop. You're going to make her more upset."
Smiling her dad said..."Listen love... as much as I am for another grandchild, maybe Eric is right. It's just not the right time. Why don't you just enjoy each others company. Do the things you've both missed out on the last several years." "No... why doesn't anyone understand... I want another child."
"Mackenzie... we do understand. But not more then a year ago, you were freaked when you thought you were. Now you're saying you've changed your mind. You're not making sense honey." Stella wondered if Mackenzie had stopped her pills. Her mood swings had changed.
"Mack... are you still taking your birth control?" Looking away from her mom, she wouldn't answer. "Answer me young lady. Are you?" "No... no okay. I went off them a month ago." "Mackenzie Marie Taylor. How could you? You can't do this Eric." "I know mom. I know... but I want another baby."
Taking their daughter in their arms, they held her tight. "I know you do sweetheart. God I know. But you can't do it this way. You can't betray Eric's trust. Just wait a few more years honey, and I'm sure he'll change his mind." Rocking her in their arms, they continued to reassure her, that seven was more then enough.