In the hospital Ramani held onto Terry as they watched nervously from outside the doors. Jodie couldn't be seen through the doctors surrounding her. Tears fell from Ramani's eyes onto Terry's jacket leaving small stains. He held onto her close, almost as if to keep her upright, he feared that if he let go her knees would collapse underneath her.
"She'll be ok Ramani." These words seem to fall on deaf ears as she just starred into the room. Her daughter was in there, fighting for her life, and there was nothing she could do.
"Ms De Costa?" A doctor stood beside the pair of them. "Would you like to take a seat?"
That same sick feeling rose in Ramani's throat as she sat on a cold chair. Terry put his arm around her.
"Will she be ok?" Asked Terry.
"I'm afraid that Jodie is suffering from alcoholic poisoning."
"Oh god…" Ramani grabbed Terry's hand as her heart began to beat double the rate it normally did.
"This has occurred because she simply drank too much, on an empty stomach, that her body could handle. She may not even have realised the amount she was drinking. She's very lucky to still be alive as whilst vomiting she could have suffered from asphyxiation."
"Will she be ok though doctor?" Terry asked again. He feared for Jodie, he feared for Ramani.
"At the moment she is in what we call the 'Stupor stage'. This means she is lapsing in and out of consciousness with very little movement. As you probably may know the next 24 hours are critical and she will have constant watch. Have you any questions?"
"What could be the worst outcome from this stage?" Ramani leant forward, intently trying to focus on the doctor's words.
"The worst outcome at this stage is if Jodie slips into a coma. Slipping into a coma immenantly means death is more likely to occur."
Ramani felt the walls move around her as his words rang in her ears. Jodie can't be like this. That can't be Jodie. Terry held Ramani close to him. He smiled at the doctor as he turned away.
"Don't worry Ramani.."
"How can you say that! She's in there, practically living off a machine!"
"Hey, don't fight me. You know she's strong, she will get through this."
"Oh Terry, why is this happening?!"
"I don't know, I really don't."
The couple sat in silence, holding each other, for what seemed like eternity. Nurses and doctors kept going into Jodie's room, no emotions or stories showing on their faces.
"Maybe we should go home get some rest?" Terry suggested to Ramani.
"No I can't leave her here alone."
"You need to think of yourself and the baby."
"Terry, she is my baby."
Silence fell upon the pair. They sat with a gap between them, Terry rubbing his hands on his head and Ramani playing with her hair.
"Are you Jodie's parents?" A young, fresh faced nurse looked sympathetically at the two.
"I am, yes." Ramani replied.
"If you'd like to follow me this way, you may see her now."
Ramani stood up and followed the nurse, Terry watched her. He hated to see her in so much pain but what did she mean that she was Jodie's parent. Of course biologically she was but Terry was her father. Or at least he thought he was. He sighed deeply and starred at the ceiling.
"Excuse me, Mr Perkins?"
Terry looked at the doctor.
"Yes?"
"I think you should go in there too, your partner will need as much support as she can. Although she will not be fighting the poisoning like Jodie it is very tough for those on the other side."
"Yeah, cheers."
Terry walked into the room and saw Ramani holding tightly onto Jodie's hand. She didn't make any glance towards him, he walked towards her and looked down at Jodie. Her face was pale, her hair dull and lifeless just like all the limbs in her body. He could see that Ramani was crying so he put his hand on her back.
"I do love you Terry."
"I know, and I love you too. All of you."