For Michael, the next few hours were a mad blur of important information that he just couldn't process. Questions being asked such as from how far away she was shot, what the man looked like, if she had any recent illness or injury. All of these he could answer, except for the last. He had only just gotten to know her, yet God was taking her away from him so quickly. He had only just gotten a taste of what Stella was like, and he wasn't finished yet. She wasn't finished yet.
The bullet had pierced one of her lungs right on the outer layer, and could be pulled out as long as it hadn't gone too deep. This could mean she could be back on the job in a little less than 4 months, but if they couldn't she probably wouldn't be back ever.
Even worse, if it had gone too far, she would die. They all say that this happens rarely; every single nurse or doctor has explained that to him, but what they don't seem to understand is that Stella is rare. She is a rare soul, she is a rare person, and she is a rare beauty. Everything about her is rare and undiscovered and different. So what's to say she couldn't die from this? Because he wasn't paying proper attention? He wasn't paying proper attention to the most important thing in his mind, in his life, in his heart? He let her slip right through her fingers- would her life do the same?
Just like in the movies he had watched countless times, he heard the machines beep. He heard the surgeons scream commands. He heard him yell out numbers, over and over. Then he heard nothing.
And then- he heard a flat buzz.
The most painful noise he has ever heard.
Short, and small, whispered.
Time of death- 3:34 p.m.
He saw the sheet be pulled over her head, her lifeless body trapped between the sheet and the bright light of the room, before it was switched off.
They left her, dead and cold.
A nurse came out to see him.
Sir...sir? Are you alright sir? Sir you need to calm down- she is going to be okay. She will be fine. Sir- I need to talk to you now.
He looked up, after finally hearing her. "What did you just say?"
The nurse gave him a bemused look, and smiled. "I said she will be fine. We have some good news and bad news. The good news is- she is going to live, she will be fine and healthy in a few months time. The bad news is- and this isn't necessarily bad news- that we have found that, you, and her..."
Michael's face remains steady. What was this woman getting at?
"Well- Mr Sandrelli- Stella is pregnant. She is just over 2 months along. The baby is fine and healthy- and wasn't affected from what we can see at all. She will be awake in a few hours, she will be in pain- but should be fine to talk. You can talk to her for as long as you want. She is able to leave the hospital in the next few days as long as we don't see any complications for her or the baby. So congratulations, and have a nice day."
The bearer of good news walked away, just like she had entered 2 minutes ago. And a day of loss and grief had brought two people back into my life.