Pulling Strings

Home : Stories by Catw00man : Bittersweet Miracles : Pulling Strings

Summary: Jeff throws his weight around.

AUTHOR: Catw00man
EMAIL: catw00man@cryptoffic.com
RATING: PG-13
SERIES: Bittersweet Miracles
CHARACTER: Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff POV
COMPLETED: September 23, 2008
WORD COUNT: 2,542
DISCLAIMER: I own NOTHING and am affiliated with NO ONE mentioned here. Not the drivers, not the teams, no one. This is all fiction and fun. In other words...NOT REAL, NOT REAL, NOT REAL. ;-)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I really, really love him with Ella. He really does make an adorable Daddy.
AUTHOR'S NOTE2: Thanks to Zippit for the excellent beta!
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Gordon Residence - Charlotte, North Carolina: February 28, 2008

It’s a good thing my sleep habits aren’t exactly “normal” or the phone ringing early this morning might’ve thrown me off more than it did.  Ella’s been pretty good with sleeping for long stretches at a time, but exactly when those stretches are is still up in the air.  The doctor says she needs to be on a more rigid schedule, but when you have a little one that’s going to be hopping time zones for most of her young life, I think we’re doing good to let her sleep whenever she wants.  That’s why getting a call at 6 a.m. didn’t jar me too much.  Especially since I’d been up since five.

One thing I’ve always admired about Junior is the way he manages to be so even tempered even in the worst situations.  I don’t know how he does it, but somehow he’s learned to keep that red hot temper I know he has in check.  I think it all came from losing his dad and wanting to keep some shred of it to himself.  That changed him and I think ever since he’s kept his feelings a lot closer to the vest than he did before, even if he doesn’t always let you know that’s what he’s doing.

I’ve seen him get out of the car after accidents that would’ve had me ready to rip someone’s head off, but somehow he keeps his cool.  Oh, you can still see the rage glittering in his eyes, simmering under the surface, threatening to be released.  But he doesn’t.  He swallows it down and lets only the barest hint of his true feeling slip through with a well placed comment or snarky remark so lost in his accent you don’t know if you heard him right or not.  Times like that I think he plays the southern redneck on purpose.  And those are the times I wonder the most what he’s really thinking.

The fact he’s always so even tempered, or at least outwardly so, is why when he called me this morning with an edge to his voice I knew something had to be seriously wrong.  In an instant I was terrified something had happened to one of Kevin’s babies and my heart was immediately in my throat.  Thankfully Junior’s known me for years and assured me up front they were ok.  Unlike his dad he’s never ribbed me for being “soft hearted” and I’ve always appreciated that from him…as well as wondered if maybe he was a little bit the same way, just better at covering it up.

Except for that one night at Whisky River.

But we still aren’t talking about that.

It turned out that sometime this morning the hospital moved the baby Harvicks to a new room without so much as a call to their over protective daddy.  That’s all Dale had to say to let me know the edge in his voice was probably from a panicking Kevin, not that I blame him one bit.  I really don’t think I’d have been able to hold up like Kevin has.  If something like this had happened to Ella--

Swallow hard and blink back sudden wetness in my eyes as I continue to sit on the floor and watch her play with her little bear.  There’s no way I can imagine going through what the two of them already have.  And it has been the two of them.  I knew it even before he poured his heart out to me through alcohol and borderline tears.  Junior’s been there for Kevin and his little ones from day one, and I don’t care why.  I never pushed him to explain that night and have no intention of doing it later.  He loves them and wants to help take care of them.  That’s good enough for me.

Trace my fingers down my little butterfly’s leg and she looks up at me with huge blue eyes everyone says look like mine.  It’s funny.  When I look at her all I see is Ingrid.  I wonder if that’s the way it is with your children…that you only see the one you love.  I can imagine Kevin sees DeLana every time he holds them…I just wonder what Junior sees.  But it’s not my place to wonder, is it? 

Tug lightly on Ella’s little foot to make her giggle and then check my watch.  The on call “nurse in charge” told me I should be able to reach the chief of staff at 7:00 a.m.  I’ll be calling at 7:01.  One call from the hospital’s main benefactor should ensure Kevin gets his cameras back.  Junior said they tried to tell them webcams could interfere with the baby monitors.  We all know that’s bullshit because they never once were a problem in the NICU.  I think it’s just a problem with some people trying to throw their weight around.  Well I have a lot more weight to throw around and if they want to play games…let’s just say it will be a very short conversation.

Watch Ella babble at her bear and I can’t help but think how ironic it is that one of her favorite toys happens to be Wellobee Highbanks, “the official” bear of the Children’s Hospital.  I wonder if Junior’s got one of these bears for the little Harvicks.  I’ve seen him pick up bears from all over, so surely he has one…but what if he doesn’t know about it?  Maybe I’ll pick up a few and bring them by because I really should go see them at the hospital.  Kevin needs to know Junior isn’t the only one who wants to see his babies face to face.  I just…need to make sure I’m ready this time because my falling to pieces isn’t going to help a thing.

Glance at my watch again and then crawl over to the end table to grab my phone.  It’s just after seven and if I don’t get the chief of staff I’m going to find someone who has his personal number because this needs to be dealt with now.  Kevin has enough to contend with without worrying about stupid technicalities and bossy hospital staff.  So help me if anyone hurts any of them heads will roll.  I don’t get into anything without having some say and the hospital is no exception.  I’m sure few people ever imagined I’d actually use my pull but I don’t care.  My “generous donation” put me on the board of directors.  It’s about time they did something for me.

Slide open my phone and the hospital is on redial from earlier.  Hit send and then lean back against the base of the couch to watch Ella babble at her bear.  Smile softly as she carries on a conversation only she understands and I wonder if she’ll end up with two new playmates in another year or so.  I’ve heard stories and watched so many drivers’ kids grow up at the track.  It’ll be nice for her to have some friends…if only they pull--

“Hello?  Chief of Staff Marshall speaking.”

“Yes, John, Jeff Gordon calling.”  His voice instantly snaps me into “all business” mode and I can feel the smile leave my face.  “We have a situation in NICU that needs to be attended to immediately.”

I can hear him fumble with the phone and I know I’ve caught him off guard.  Who gets calls from “important people” this early in the morning?  Well I really don’t care if I’ve spoiled his morning coffee.  Those idiots in the neonatal wing never should’ve moved Johnny and Lana without so much as a by your leave.  It’s about time everyone in that hospital realizes how much a family NASCAR really is.  We take care of our own.  No matter what.

“Yes, um, of course.  What-what seems to be the problem Mr. Gordon?  Whatever it is I’m sure we can have it taken care of straight away.”

Hint of a smile curls at my lips but I push it away without even thinking.  “The problem is, John, that the Harvick babies were moved from the NICU to a step down unit without the father being informed.   He arrived this morning to find his infants gone with barely an explanation.  Also their cameras and personal affects were not taken with them and some of the staff seem to have a problem with them being replaced in the new room.”  Pause only a moment to let him process my words and tell him smoothly in a voice that leaves no room for argument.  “So tell me, John, what are we going to do about this?”

“The…um, let me see.  I’m not familiar with…do you know what unit--”

“Unit three is the one they’ve been moved to.”  A slight shiver runs through me when I say the number.  Funny I never noticed it until this moment.  I know it’s nothing but a number, but with Junior so involved…I don’t know.  That number will probably always provoke a response in me.

“Yes, yes, I see what you’re talking about.  I will have a word with the staff right away.”  I can hear the clacking of keys on a keyboard and I have no doubt there will be plenty of trickle down reprimands for this one.  Big boys like this guy don’t like being put in their place.  I just hope the right people end up getting their ass chewed.  “So, you said some of their personal possessions were not being allowed?”

“That’s correct.  In the other room there were web cams installed to watch each of the babies.  With as much travelling as I’m sure you know their widowed father does, you can understand how important it is they are in place and not messed with.”

“Absolutely Mr. Gordon.  I’ll make sure this is taken care of personally.”

“I knew I could count on you , John.”  I finally let a smile spread across my face as Ella crawls toward me and I pull her into my lap.  Lean forward to grab her bear, as I balance the phone on my shoulder, and make it dance for her.  “I trust this is the last we’ll be speaking about this?”

“Yes, yes.  Definitely, Mr. Gordon.  I’ll take care of this immediately.”

“Good.  I’ll let Mr. Harvick know to be expecting you personally.”  I hear a sight jostle of the phone on his end and I smile a little more as I end the call.  That’s right buddy.  You will be taking care of this yourself because my next call is to Junior and I know he’ll be on the lookout.  There’s no way I’m bothering Kevin, but he doesn’t need to know that.  I’m sure Junior will be more than happy to give this guy hell when he shows his face. 

Look down at Ella when she coos at me and I hand her the bear she’s reaching for.  She snatches it, pulling it close and then reaches out with her other hand, looking up at me with wide, blue eyes.  “Da Da Da Da Daaaa.”  My eyes get misty when she calls my name and I let her latch on to my finger the way she wants.  She’s just starting to talk and tell us what she wants…and every time she calls for me my heart aches so much I can barely stand it.

“That’s right, Ella.  DaDa loves you Princess.  That’s my girl.”  She babbles some nonsense to me and then  curls up against me, yawning but not letting go of my hand.  I rock her slowly, humming soft and it hits me.  Will Kevin get to have times like this with his little ones?  Grit my teeth and will back the emotion in my chest that threatens to suffocate me.  After the first time I saw them I did some reading, and made some inquiries.  Those two have a long road ahead of them…when they make it home. 

Look down at the precious little girl curled against my chest and hope he gets to have this.  I hope he gets to experience all the amazing things I have with her…and that he can do it without worry because God knows he doesn’t deserve more pain.  When I think about the last time I saw those tiny babies all I can do was remember all the little moments I’ve had with Ella.  Her first word, the first time I got to feed her, the first time I took her to the track and all those diaper changes where I was the one person in the world who could make things right.  Do Kevin’s little ones look at him like that yet?  Will they?

They have to.  They just have to.

They will.

Shift Ella slightly as she gets comfortable in my arms so I can make my next call.  I could text him, but I want Junior to be watching for this guy because if anyone can move mountains for them it’s John.  He’s not a bad guy, and with the not so gentle prodding I gave him he should be more than willing to help out.  Type in eighty-eight on the speed dial and then bring it to my ear as it rings. 

“Yeah, what?”

“Junior?  It’s Jeff.” He barely let the phone ring twice before answering and now he’s still antsy because he doesn’t let me get out another word.

“Yeah, Jeff, did you talk to someone?  Are they going to deal with this?  Kevin doesn’t need to be worrying about this.  I swear if one more nurse dude says another thing about all the bears…”

“Junior, relax.  I talked to the Chief of Staff.  He should be down there shortly.  I wanted you to look for--”

“What does he look like?” he asks in a rush and I can’t help but smile.  John has no idea what he’ll be walking into.  I know I wouldn’t want to be going to face a panicked and annoyed Earnhardt.  “He’s coming here?  I’d like to have a talk with him about a few of his choice nurse men.”

Hold back a chuckle as I answer.  “He’s about 5’10”, balding with glasses and I’m sure he’ll be in a suit.  I told him about how they moved them and that they’re giving you a hard time about the cameras.  This guy’s a doctor with the ability to order anything you need.”

“He damn well better cause this is getting ridiculous.  Did I tell you they tried to keep me out this morning?  We finally sorted that out but the rest of this….  I don’t know what they’re trying to prove.”

“Explain it all to John.   He should be able to make everything right.”  The edge is back in Junior’s voice and I can only imagine what Kevin’s going through.  I just hope I’m right that John can fix things because those babies have so much more to worry about besides getting stressed because their daddy is.  I think I will go by later.  If anything I’m sure Junior’s going to need a break and I’m more than happy to be a distraction.

They have a long road ahead.  I’m glad I can make it a little easier.

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Catw00man - catw00man@cryptoffic.com