Ava thought she saw her grandfather pulling in and began to trot over to the portico, then saw that there was no one in the passenger seat and realized that was not them. “And I can do the same thing with them. Right?”
“Well, yes. Sure. I’m just afraid I can’t be of much help. I’ve defended physician clients against both criminal and civil charges, as well as malpractice suits, and won every case, which is why Mr. Huiltfeld requested that I represent you, but in this case, no one would be more of an expert on what you’ve done, and why you’ve done it than you, yourself, doctor.”
“Except for Alek.”
“Excuse me?”
She took a deep breath. “You’re right, Mr. Arenson. I think my husband and I can handle this. I appreciate your time and counsel, and I’ll be happy to pay you for the consultation.”
A bright silver, sporty Mercedes caught Ava’s attention, the kind of car her grandmother would likely have rented. She squinted and saw Eirik behind the wheel.
“There’s no need, Doctor Larson. I’m happy I was of any help and—”
“I insist, Mr. Arenson. I will text you with my directions so you can send the invoice. I’m sorry but I must go. Thank you again, so much!”
She ended the call, feeling a bit rude, but she knew he’d understand. Eirik brought the car to a stop in front of the hotel and a valet rushed over to meet them. Ava did, too.
“Ava!” Hildegard threw her arms around her. “Where are they?”
Ava smiled. “They’re still in the room. I’ll take you there.”
Olivia’s room was on the ninth floor at the very end of the hall. She had her own private suite where Aleksander had gone to great lengths to make it feel less like a hospital room and more like the bedroom of a princess.
Even though Olivia could not see anything, she knew her favorite princess sheets were on the bed, her Cinderella blanket was folded over her lap, and the angel pillow Ava had given her was on the bed.
Aleksander sat at the foot of her bed with her journal and pen in hand and Olivia dictated to him. She still enjoyed making her lists and she wasn’t afraid to ask anyone nearby to write down whatever came to her bright little mind.
Ava knocked softly on the door. “Hilde and Eirik are here.”
Aleksander looked up, flashing one of his trademark handsome grins, which had been appearing more and more lately, stood to greet them, and motioned for them to approach Olivia on the bed.
“Hey, Princess,” said Hildegard to Olivia cheerfully. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Sure am!” She raised her head to receive a kiss from Ava’s grandparents. “I want to visit the castle again.”
“And then we can go have some lunch. I know a special place you will love.”
“I want a double cheeseburger with French fries.” Then she said, “Your voice is very nice, just like Ava’s. I didn’t notice that when I met you.”
“Her eyes are also similar to mine,” Hildegard said. “Since she is my grand-daughter, we have some similarities.”
“Ava’s my mom now. Well, step-mom,” Olivia said. “But I call her mom. Does that make you my step-great grandmother?”
Hildegard laughed and said, “It does, but you can call me Mormor, just like Ava.”
“Mormor?” Olivia repeated. “Does that mean grandma?”
“Yes, it does.”
“And how do I say grandpa?”
Eirik walked closer to Olivia’s bed and said, “You can call me Morfar.”
Though Olivia’s smile didn’t fade, she sighed and said, “I wish I could see you again. I should’ve looked more closely before to memorized your faces.”
“At least you have seen us before and that’s good enough.” Hildegarde put Olivia’s hand to her heart. “And you don’t need to see us now to know that we love you to the moon and back.”
“Hilde’s right,” Eirik added. “We’re so happy to have you as our granddaughter. When you come visit our house, maybe Toddy can help show you around.”
Olivia laughed and patted Toddy again and his tail wagged in response. “Yes, we already started teaching him how to guide me a little, though I do think he prefers to lie down and sleep.”
Everyone laughed then and the pure sound of it filled Ava with enough joy to want to cry. Only a month earlier she believed she would never feel such joy again, not since Emma. And while no one would ever replace Emma in her heart, she had been blessed with so much more than she had ever thought she could have.
Sensing her mood, Aleksander put his arm around her and planted a gentle kiss on her temple. As they both watched Olivia chat lively with Hildegard and Eirik, he whispered, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Ava agreed. “Olivia has lost just so much and yet she can fill a room with such life.”
“It’s her gift,” Aleksander said, pulling Ava closer to him as if she would simply float away if he didn’t hold on tight enough.
“Daddy, I have something else to add to my list.”
“Okay, Pumpkin, give me a second,” Aleksander said, as he walked back towards her bed and reclaimed his seat at the foot and opened the journal. “Olivia and I have been writing a thankful list,” he explained.
“Yes, and now I need a line that says I’m thankful for my new mormor and morfar.”
“What else is on your thankful list?” Ava asked.
“You can read it to them, Daddy,” Olivia said proudly.
“Alright,” Aleksander said, clearing his throat. “Number one, I’m thankful for Daddy, Toddy, Mommy in heaven, and my new mom, Ava. Number two, I’m thankful for my little sister, Emma, who’s in heaven with Mommy.”
Aleksander looked up at Ava who wiped a tear from the corners of her lashes. He smiled warmly and continued to read. “Number three, I’m thankful that I get to have a lot more Christmas parties at The Cottage. Number four, I’m thankful that Ava never gave up on finding a cure even when all the other doctors did. And, now,”—he scribbled the words on the page—“number five, I’m thankful for my new mormor and morfar.”
Aleksander smiled at Ava. Olivia was wide awake, feeling good, and life seemed brighter than ever. “All right, then. Let’s go eat this hamburger.”
Chapter 42
United States of America, New York, Manhattan
Upper East Side, Fifth Avenue
Aleksander Maximilian’s penthouse
Monday, December 21, 2015
7:30 a.m.
* * *
“I kept wishing for this day to arrive, so it could be done and over, but now that it is…” Ava shrugged.
Aleksander drew her into his arms. “I feel the same way. Now, we do something and put those doctors in their place.”
She sent him a cool, fierce smile. “Let’s break some eggs.”
While she did so—literally—and Aleksander made coffee, it struck him that it might have been any morning.
Two people in love—and that was new and fresh and energizing—fixing breakfast.
She placed eggs, fruit, and slices of whole wheat bread she’d toasted on two plates.
“Is it sexist for me to say I love watching you cook breakfast, especially in that robe?”
“It would be sexist if you expected or demanded it.” Slowly, she trailed her fingers down the side of the robe. “Enjoying it just shows you have good taste.”
“That’s what I thought.” He smiled at her. “But with all that political correctness around…”
“You can be as incorrect with me as you like, Mr. Maximilian, I will still love you,”—she sat on his lap and planted a kiss on his mouth—“in fact, I think I will love you more.”
Ava started feeling ill the minute the elevator started its long descent from Aleksander’s penthouse. By the time their driver parked at the hospital garage, she was downright queasy. And when she reached the floor where the meeting would be held, she was quite convinced she would throw up.
Somehow she managed to keep the contents of
her stomach where they belonged, but as they winded further into the corridor, she was filled with an intense sense of apprehension.
No, not apprehension. Doom.
“Look, you have nothing to worry about,” Markus said to Ava as they waited outside the hospital boardroom for the hearing to begin. “Yes, ethics violations were made. But you—”
“Then I have something to worry about,” Ava said, pacing the hallway. “And I understand that the Blackthorn Corporation has made substantial donations to the hospital over the years. But that doesn’t make what I did right.”
She glanced at Aleksander, who was nodding, looking grave. She knew exactly what he was thinking.
“It’s not your fault,” she said to him, taking his hand. “If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would still do everything the same.”
The double doors to the boardroom opened, and Dr. Wang stood there, her face solemn. “Good morning, doctor,” she said, her voice low and somber. She nodded at the men. “Mr. Blackthorn, Mr. Maximilian. Please come in.”
They stepped inside the boardroom to a large, stark black table that took up much of the room. At the very end sat Dr. Cullen and Dr. Follett. Dr. Wang sat between them as Markus placed his briefcase on the table across from them. Aleksander pulled out a chair for Ava. After she sat—at the very edge of it, he noticed—he took a place beside her.
“Let’s begin,” Dr. Wang said when they were all seated.
“Before we do,” Aleksander began, pushing away from the table and leaning over it, toward them. “Let me just say that this is complete and utter bullshit. She’s the best doctor you ever had.”
“Alek,” Ava said softly, but his compliment and his defense of her warmed her heart.
“I assure you, sir, that the claims aren’t—er, bullshit,” Dr. Cullen said, straightening his tie. “The investigation has revealed some very surprising information about the doctor.”
Aleksander crossed his arms, surveying each of the doctors with a sour face, and sat back down in his seat, murmuring, “This is unbelievable.”
Dr. Wang stared at him for a moment, and then continued, “Doctor, you have some very serious allegations placed against you. We have seen evidence that you not only violated the code of ethics regarding transfer of hospital files to your private email, not only did you engage in a romantic relationship with your patient’s father, but you also asked your co-workers to keep quiet about this activity.”
Oh God. Sydney. Ava laced her fingers in front of her and heaved a breath, hoping she hadn’t jeopardized her career, as well.
Dr. Follett looked at the pink diamond ring on Ava’s left hand, and added, “Is it true that you and Mr. Maximilian are engaged?”
She nodded. “Married, actually.”
Without the hint of a smile, Dr. Follett said, coldly, “Congratulations, Dr. Larsen.”
“The correct name is Maximilian, Doctor Ava Maximilian,” Aleksander put in, his voice gruff. “I met my wife before she took this assignment.”
Before Ava could add anything, Markus piped in, “As a member in good standing of this hospital’s board, I move that these allegations be dismissed as they are entirely without merit. Dr. Maximilian puts her whole heart and soul into her job, which sometimes involves skirting the line of what is ethical. But it doesn’t negate the fact that she is a damn fine doctor and this hospital is lucky to have her.”
Dr. Cullen put up a hand. “But that doesn’t excuse her from following the regulations that have been set forth. If we make excuses for her, we would have to make excuses for all of our wonderful doctors. And these rules and regulations do not exist without reason. They were implemented over time for the purpose of protecting every patient in our care, as well as the staff who care for them. With all due respect, Mr. Blackthorn, the allegations are not frivolous and they are not without merit. They are beyond serious, with very even more serious ramifications.”
Markus began to speak when Dr. Follett said, “In addition to mishandling files and the romantic relationship, she deceived the hospital administration by seeking experimental treatment for the child elsewhere.”
“It was Olivia’s only chance,” Aleksander said, sucking in a breath, looking over at Ava. “Doctor Maximilian did it for me. I promised I’d do anything to make my daughter well. And she did it for me.”
She loved him, yes, and at that moment, he’d never loved her more. But if he was the reason she lost her position, he’d never forgive himself.
“And she may have overstepped her bounds by marrying me, but I don’t know if either Olivia or I would be here today without her,” he said, putting his hand over hers and squeezing it. “I thank God you sent her to me. Do you seriously think it would be better if Ava had followed every one of your damned rules at the cost of my daughter’s life? You people told me Olivia was going to die and that there was no hope for her. No hope at all. Take her home and let her die in comfort—that’s what your instructions were.”
Dr. Follett started to speak.
“I’m not done,” Aleksander interrupted, raising his palm. “I seriously want you to think about what she did, the purpose of your rules, and the outcome of my wife’s actions. Do you and the rules exist to save lives? The outcome here was that a life was saved, no thanks to you. Should I sue the hospital and the doctors responsible for negligence? Consider that as you worship at the altar of rules and regulations and prepare to sacrifice my wife.”
“For the record, Doctor Lar—Dr. Maximilian, do you admit that you’ve violated the code of ethics and regulations regarding prescribed treatments?”
Ava glanced at Markus as if he were her attorney, then turned back to Dr. Follett. “I do admit it.” She looked at Markus again.
The doctors exchanged looks across the table. Finally, Dr. Cullen cleared his throat. “Could you please leave us for a moment to deliberate?”
“Doctors,” Markus began. “I have one thing to add for your consideration before you go. You very graciously allowed Mr. Maximilian to bring in outside specialists to examine Olivia with the provision that he would not take any action or make any decisions without the approval of her care team and the administration.”
The three doctors exchanged looks before Dr. Wang answered, “Yes, we did.”
Markus nodded and, opening his suitcase, he took out the printed files of Olivia’s records Ava had given him. “One of those who came to see Olivia was a surgeon named Walter Goldenstein. It was his opinion that if he were to operate on Olivia as soon as possible, he could have possibly removed the cancer, and done so with the possibility of her retaining her sight since the tumor hadn’t reached the optical nerve. Am I correct?”
Dr. Follett straightened in his chair and gave Ava a sour look. “Yes, but it was—”
Markus raised his hand, interrupting any measly explanation the doctor could formulate. “You advised against that treatment, without telling Mr. Maximilian about it. Mr. Maximilian trusted your judgement. I just want it on the record for now, and in the event of any future legal action taken by this facility against Doctor Maximilian—or by Mr. Maximilian against this hospital and the doctor responsible for Olivia’s treatment—that this same Dr. Goldenstein did successfully cure Olivia of her cancer. But she is also blinded. For life.”
And again, the doctors exchanged looks across the table. Finally, Dr. Cullen cleared his throat. “Could you please leave us for a moment to deliberate?”
“It’s not going our way,” Aleksander said, running his hands through his hair. “This is utterly ridiculous. A witch hunt if ever I—”
“Calm down,” Markus said to his friend. “We don’t know that.”
Ava nodded, beginning to pace the hall again, her heels clicking on the freshly waxed tile floor. “They’re going to do what they have to do. It doesn’t matter what miracles I’ve performed. If they feel they need to make an example of me, they will.”
Aleksander put an arm around her, feeling just how
tense she was. The next few moments would decide the fate of her career.
She looked up at him, her blue-green eyes dark, brows knitted, and leaned into him.
He said, “Whatever happens, it doesn’t matter the outcome, I will fight for you until we get your name cleaned.”
“Alek, what’s done, is done and I don’t regret it,” she told him, just as the doors opened and Dr. Wang beckoned them back inside.
When they were once again seated, Dr. Wang said, “We don’t want you to think that we haven’t been impressed by your contributions, Dr. Maximilian. On the contrary, you’ve been an asset to this department since your arrival.”
“Nevertheless, the rules are there for a reason,” Dr. Follett spoke abruptly, quickly negating any sense of pride Dr. Wang’s compliment had planted in Ava’s head. “And it’s clear the doctor has violated them. If we excuse her for these, there is clearly nothing to stop others from disregarding our laws as well. We must maintain order, discipline, and accountability.”
Dr. Cullen sighed and shook his head at what he knew was more a matter of pride than really a punishment being meted out. “I’m sorry, Dr. Maximilian, but this is necessary.”
Ava swallowed. “I understand.”
“I hope you do. We’re not out to punish you maliciously, and as proof of that, you’ll be pleased to know that we will not be referring this case to the medical board. You will keep your license and your fellowship will be granted so you’ll able to start working as a pediatric oncology specialist. But, not at Sloan-Kettering.”
Dr. Cullen looked at Dr. Wang, who nodded, appearing remorseful as she said, “Dr. Lar—Dr. Maximilian, at this time you’ll be asked to turn in your credentials and leave the hospital at once.”
Aleksander opened his mouth to speak, but shut it when Ava clamped a hand over his.
“It’s okay. Really,” she whispered to him, reaching for her bag. She pulled out her hospital ID and pushed it across to the doctors. “If I may, can I ask what will happen to Sydney?”