Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. “As much as I can.” I gave her a small smile though I kind of felt like I might pass out. “Please continue.”
Relief and vindication battled with a new grief blooming in my chest. Relief someone finally believed me, we had a diagnosis, and a path forward. Vindication my maternal instincts had been right all along. But grief, too, sharp and unexpected, for the permanent nature of what Lily faced.
“There is no cure for OI,” Dr. Brennan said, as if reading my thoughts. “But with proper management, we can reduce fractures and improve her quality of life. There are medications and therapy showing promising results in children at strengthening bones and reducing pain.”
I thought of Lily at Haven, safe with Lavender and the girls for the afternoon. Lily, who had returned from her very few hours in foster care more clingy and fearful than before. Lily, who now asked every night if she would wake up in her own bed.
“Will she always break so easily?” I asked, my voice sounding distant to my own ears.
Dr. Brennan’s expression softened slightly. “The fracture rate often decreases after puberty, but she will always need to be cautious. Physical therapy will help strengthen her muscles to better support her bones. We’ll want to limit high-impact activities. Swimming is excellent exercise.” Dr. Brennan leaned forward slightly. “Ms. Jans, I want you to understand this diagnosis is actually good news in many ways. We now have a clear treatment path. And most importantly, this definitively rules out any concerns about non-accidental trauma.”
I closed my eyes briefly as tears threatened. When I opened them, Dr. Brennan was watching me with quiet understanding. “I have already sent my findings to the Department of Children’s Services,” she said. “I made it explicitly clear Lily’s fracture history is entirely consistent with her diagnosis and inconsistent with typical abuse patterns.”
“Will that be enough?” The question slipped out before I could stop it, my voice cracking with the weight of uncertainty. “To keep her with me?”
“The medical evidence is conclusive,” Dr. Brennan assured me. “And I understand Judge Whitmore has already issued a temporary order returning Lily to your custody while reviewing the case?”
I nodded, remembering the moment Lily had been returned to me, her small body launching into my arms. “Yes. Three days ago. But the same thing happened before and Ms. Winters came back…”
“Then this report should close the investigation completely.” Dr. Brennan shuffled through papers on her desk, pulling out several glossy pamphlets and a prescription pad. “Now, let’s discuss Lily’s treatment plan.”
For the next twenty minutes, Dr. Brennan outlined what our new normal would look like. Quarterly bone density scans. Bisphosphonate infusions every few months. Regular physical therapy. Vitamin D supplements. Careful monitoring of her growth and development. A medical alert bracelet. Education for her school about activity restrictions.
My mind raced ahead to practical concerns. Would my old apartment be safe for her? Would I need to find a new place with fewer stairs? I wouldn’t need the same support system once Ms. Winters backed off… and what about Cash? His presence in our lives had been used against me, but I couldn’t imagine living without his support.
“Ms. Jans,” Dr. Brennan said, pulling me back to the present. “Do you have any questions?”
A thousand questions swirled in my mind, but only one made it past my lips. “How do I keep her safe?” My voice broke on the final word, the enormity of our situation crashing down around me.
Dr. Brennan’s expression softened. “Children with OI are resilient, Ms. Jans. You’ll find a balance between protection and allowing her to live fully. The resources I gave you should help.” She sat back in her chair. “There is no one perfect way to do this. It’s like with any other thing with children. You work until you find a happy medium between keeping her safe and letting her be a happy six-year-old.”
“Thank you,” I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. “For believing me when no one else would.”
Dr. Brennan nodded, her professional demeanor softening just slightly. “You knew something was wrong, and you fought for answers. Lily is fortunate to have you as her advocate.”
As I stood to leave, clutching our new life plan in my arms, all the fear and uncertainty began to transform into something determined. For the first time since this nightmare began, I knew exactly what my daughter needed and how to help her.
When I got back to our suite at Haven, I spread the medical pamphlets across the coffee table, creating a makeshift roadmap for our future. My coffee had gone cold hours ago, but I couldn’t bring myself to move, to break the spell of finally having answers after so many years. Lily played quietly in our bedroom, her soft humming a comforting soundtrack to my research. The apartment at Haven felt like a sanctuary tonight, a place where we could begin to build our new normal without judgment or suspicion. When the gentle knock came at the door, I knew it would be Ash even before I opened it. Something about the hesitant pattern of his knuckles against wood betrayed his lingering uncertainty about his place in our lives.