"We've got a pulse." Connie breathed out.
Both Lily, Max, Lofty and Cal sighed. Ethan was going to be okay. Connie walked over to them and pulled Cal away from the other two.
"You do understand we'll have to keep him in for observation. We don't know how serious he will be until he wakes up, but for now he's stable. "
"I do. Can I stay with him?"
"We'll move him up to ITU as soon as there is a bed available but, you can sit with him until then."
Cal was left alone with Ethan as the others left them. Slowly walking over to the bed his breath hitched as saw Ethan lying still, his eyes still closed. If it wasn't for the rise and fall of his chest, Cal could have thought he was dead. Fortunately, he wasn't and that was good. He could not imagine his life without his brother. Cal's hand brushed over Ethan's. All he wanted was to grab his hand in his, pull him against his chest and never let his little brother go ever again. Silently, sobs shook through his body and Cal's shoulders heaved as he held Ethan close to him.
"I'm so sorry, Ethan. This is all my fault. I should never have let you drive, you were in no fit state to do so." He whispered into his blond curls.
Cal soon felt arms being wrapped around his neck.
"Ethan?" He said stroking his hair and pulling away from their embrace.
As he pulled away Cal saw Ethan looking at him straight in the eyes.
"You're awake, Nibbles." Cal smiled pulling him back against his chest.
"Oof." Ethan grunted as he felt himself being slammed into Cal's chest.
"Sorry. I'm just glad you're awake." Cal told him letting Ethan lean back against his pillow.
"Do you remember what happened?"
Ethan shook his head slightly.
"No, not really. All I remember is driving then everything went black."
Ethan suddenly winced in pain and rubbed his temple.
"Ethan, are you okay?" Cal asked worriedly.
"I um, I….I don't know."
Ethan's eyes rolled into the back of his head and the metal railings began to clatter as Ethan started having a seizure. Pressing the emergency button Cal helped Ethan onto his side.
"What's happened?" Connie demanded as she and Lily entered the room.
"He started to rub his temple. But, he didn't have time to explain what was going on. He started fitting." Cal replied as Connie and Lily helped him to calm Ethan.
"Lily, can I get 5mg of Diazepam." Connie instructed.
Once Lily had injected the medicine Ethan's seizure stopped. Connie checked his vitals signs.
"Well, he's stable."
Ethan's began to flutter open. Taking out a torch Connie shone the light.
"Pupils are reactive and dilated."
"Now to see you back with us." Connie said to Ethan.
"What happened?" Ethan groaned.
"You just had a seizure, but we've managed to stop it. I want to keep you in for overnight observations and we're going to order another CT scan just to see what's caused the seizure." Connie explained to him.
Ethan nodded slightly. Soon Ethan was ready to go up to CT. In the CT scanner, Ethan's breathing was becoming laboured and as he began to slide into the scanner he became agitated. He thrashed about.
"Ethan, you've got to calm down." Connie told him.
"Cal. I want Cal." Ethan cried.
"Ethan…"
"NO! I WANT CAL! WHERE'S CAL?"
"Lily, go and get Cal." Connie turned to her.
Seconds later Lily re-entered with Cal following behind him.
"WHERE'S CAL? I NEED CAL?" Ethan whimpered.
"He's been like this since we've got here." Connie explained to him.
"CAL!"
"Hey, it's okay, Nibbles. I'm here." Cal grabbed his brother's hand.
"I'm scared."
"I know you are." Cal leant over him. "I know it's frightening but, you need to do this. We need to see what caused your seizure."
"Don't leave me." Ethan sobbed.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to leave you. I'll be right out here when you're finished. " Cal reassured him.
Cal turned around to go, but felt his hand being pulled back.
"I don't want you to go. I don't want to do this."
"Ethan, it's okay. I promise. I know you don't want to go in there, but we need to know what's wrong so we can make you better."
Minutes later Cal watched on through the glass as Ethan went into the CT scan. As soon as he entered Ethan began to get agitated again.
"Please, get me out. I don't like it. Get me out." Ethan shouted.
"Almost done." Connie called through the glass.
"No, I just want to get out. Please, let me out." Ethan continued to get stressed.
"Ethan," Cal said through the glass. "Calm down. You're almost finished. "
But, Ethan wouldn't calm down. He still thrashed about, his arms flailing.
"Right, get him out." Connie said.
"Hey, hey. You're okay now. It's all done." Cal spoke to him.
Soon Ethan was rolled back into ITU, Cal beside him holding his hand. Once Ethan was settled Connie took Cal to one side.
"By the look of the CT scan it's not good news I'm afraid. There's a bleed on his brain and he needs to have surgery."
"He will be okay, won't he?" Cal asked.
"We won't know until the surgery is completed." Connie told him frankly. "I'll leave you two alone."
Cal walked back over to his brother and took hold of his hand. He squeezed it tightly.
"Everything's going to be just fine." Cal said to him.