Speak To Me

(Grant)

I paced back and forth inside the bedroom, feeling my jaw clench as a soft knock sounded on the door.

"The doctor is here. She is ready to check on Sammy and make sure everything is good." Jamie informed me, causing me to nod once as I glanced over at a sleeping Sammy in the bed.

It's been two days after we found out Sammy wasn't Jamie's and I realized he was acting a little differently.

So when he ran to the bathroom and began throwing up this morning, I knew something was wrong..we obviously couldn't take him to the hospital because of the whole kidnapping situation..but Robert Sinclair called his doctor friend and they were going to send someone over to check him out.

"G-Grant..I'm sure h-he is fine..I bet it was f-from all the f-food he ate last night." Gabriella tried to calm me down..but I had never even seen an adult throw up that much let alone a little kid..it was crazy. "Right in here." Jamie's voice could be heard from outside the room and that's when I heard the doorknob turn.

I stopped my pacing, my gaze locking onto the door as a woman suddenly appeared. At first, I thought she must be an assistant nurse or something because she looked way too damn young to be a doctor. She had to be in her early twenties at least..

The woman had light brown skin with curly brown hair that was pulled back in a ponytail..

She wore soft blue scrubs that hugged her curves perfectly and I won't lie..she was pretty damn attractive..but that didn't matter right now. Sammy was the only thing that mattered.

"Are you the doctor?" I snapped, making the woman stop mid-step as she glanced toward me, seeming to be surprised by my tone.

"G-Grant.." My sister scolded me, making my arms cross in front of my chest as I narrowed my eyes at the woman.

"Yes, my father sent me, I am Stephanie Stevens. I am here to check on the young boy?" She informed me, as I glanced towards Sammy's sleeping form, making it so Stephanie followed my gaze.

"Is this your son Mr.." The woman dragged out. I couldn't help but stiffen for a moment as Jamie and Gabriella shared a nervous look.

"Yes, he is my son." I said, not giving her my last name as she just nodded once before stepping closer to Sammy.

"Aren't you a little young to be a doctor?" I blurted, causing the woman to hesitate for a moment before grabbing the stethoscope from around her neck.

"I am currently working on my degree." She informed us, and that's when I shot Jamie a disapproving look.

"So you aren't even a doctor?!" I rushed out, trying not to yell and wake Sammy.

"My father was in the middle of a c-section, and the hospital is currently swamped. I have been training under my father for years though..but if you would like me to leave.." She trailed off, looking towards Sammy just as he let out a groan.

I was about to tell her I wanted exactly that when she suddenly stepped forward, placing her hand on Sammy's stomach.

"What was the last thing he ate?" She rushed out, causing my eyes to narrow at her.

"C-cereal this m-morning." Gabriella spoke up for me.

"His stomach seems to be very bloated.." She muttered, placing her stethoscope on his abdomen before listening.

That's when her brow furrowed. She began examining Sammy much more closely now..noting the bruises and how his ribs seemed to be sticking out.

"Can I have a word with you alone?" She suddenly hissed, making me glance around for a moment before pointing at my chest.

"Me?"

"Yes, considering you are his father, correct?" She snapped and I just nodded once..maybe I was reading her wrong..but why the fuck did she seem mad at me?

I walked towards the hallway, watching the petite woman stomp in front of me before whirling around and poking at my chest. Her brown gaze burned into me and I was honestly taken aback.

"Have you been starving this boy?" She rushed out, her eyes scrutinizing my every move as I just opened and closed my mouth, not sure what to say..obviously I haven't been..but I am claiming to be the kid's dad..fuck, I didn't even realize how badly it would all look.

"No! Of course not! This is how he was when I picked him up..from his mother's house..that's why I called for a doctor right away." I sputtered quietly, not wanting to raise my voice just in case Sammy woke up.

"His mother..and where is she?" The doctor asked, making me scoff now.

"Ran off to Florida with the asshole she left me for." I blurted, not even sure why I said that shit. It was a pretty good lie though, I will admit.

That's when Stephanie's brown eyes widened, making guilt fill them as she took a small step back before lowering her hand.

"Oh, I..I apologize..I take it she must've kept you from seeing your son then?" She asked softly, making me nod as her full lips turned down into a frown.

"Well, it seems as if your...ex..might've been starving your son..and the bruises on his arms, he is very malnourished. I'm guessing he ate too much too fast and is in desperate need of some electrolytes and vitamins." She explained, making me frown now as the realization that Eva was starving Sammy really pissed me off. I mean..I saw their fridge..but to actually hear a doctor..okay..a doctor's daughter say it..I felt fucking horrible for Sammy.

"I apologize for assuming..I will finish the examination now if that's okay with you." The woman whispered much more softer now.

I couldn't help but study her face, noting the way her cheeks seemed to warm and how she gently wet her lips with her tongue before turning back towards the room.

"How old is your son?" She asked, making me answer as I even gave her his birthday which Sammy told me just last night.

We stepped back into the room, my eyes darting towards Jamie and Gabriella as they sat on the sofa together, watching over Sammy carefully.

"It was a good thing you called when you did. A lot of times when children are this malnourished, we believe giving them lots of food to eat will help the problem. It's called refeeding syndrome. I would start with some Pedialyte and softer foods..like apple sauce or even protein shakes we have for kids. Then some multivitamins would be great." Stephanie went on to explain, making me nod as I started jotting this stuff down on my phone.

Suddenly Sammy began to wake up, making relief flood through me as I rushed to his side.

"Hey buddy, are you okay?" I asked worriedly.

Sammy nodded his head as the doctor suddenly reached for the water beside the bed.

"Hi Sammy, my name Stephanie, I was just looking you over to make sure you are doing okay. Your Dad here was really worried about you." She said, making me freeze as Sammy's brow furrowed. "My Dad?" He asked, just as Stephanie placed the water to her lips.

"Yeah, it seems you gave him a pretty good scare..but you are fine now, aren't you?" She said softly, telling him to take small sips of the water.

Sammy looked towards me as his eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Yeah..I feel fine now..dad." He croaked, making my heart clench as I swallowed hard and looked towards my sister and brother-in-law.

I saw a soft smile pulling on my sister's face..and I knew she saw how what Sammy just said affected me...

"Well, we will let Doctor Stephanie finish looking you over..and after that, why don't we watch another movie buddy?" I asked him, making Sammy nod excitedly as I knew right then and there that I was screwed..

We have talked about going to the authorities and having Sammy taken into custody..but truthfully..that sounds fucking awful..whon knows where they will send him or what he might go through.

I don't know what the hell I'm going to do..but there is no way I am letting Sammy go back to that hell hole either..so for now..we just have to get him healthy again, and then we can figure out what to do..yeah, a few more days won't hurt..right?