A/N: Again, many thanks to all of you that have read, reviewed, followed and favorited my first SMK story. I love all of you and your amazing feedback. You are all appreciated. God bless and stay well.
The morning hours arrived very slowly and there appeared to be no change in Amanda's condition. Lee was beside himself, he didn't know what to think. As time ticked by, he lost more and more hope. He felt completely helpless.
At about 08:00am Dr. Porter showed up to complete his bi-daily examinations. "Good morning, doc." The doctor shook his hand and smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Stetson. And, how is our patient this morning?" Lee shrugged while running his hand through his hair. "I dunno, doc. You tell me, she hasn't woken up yet?" Dr. Porter laid down his clipboard and placed his stethoscope around his neck before speaking. "Well, I will tell you what, let me perform an extensive exam and we shall find out. Why don't you head down to the cafeteria and when I'm done and let you know exactly is going on, okay?" Lee placed a quick peck to Amanda's lips and forehead. "Alright, doc. Thanks for everything. And, please call me Lee."
At that, he headed out the door only to run into both Billy and Francine. Before Francine headed to the hospital, she'd stopped by the agency to pick up a change of clothes for Lee, that he kept in the Q Bureau for emergencies. Lee explained the doctors' wishes, thanked Francine for her thoughtfulness and they all headed to the cafeteria.
They all grabbed their coffee and sat down and began talking. Francine finally worked up enough courage to speak to Lee. "Lee, I know you are most likely still mad at me, but I really need to apologize to the both of you. I am truly sorry that Amanda heard us and that we were talking about you at all. I will tell Amanda the same thing when she wakes up, I swear! I really didn't mean to make trouble for the both of you. I really do like her and you have always been there for me. Can you ever forgive me?" Lee stared at her for a few minutes digesting all that she'd said. "Thank you, Francine for apologizing. I know you mean it and I am trying to understand. But, to be honest, I can't concentrate on anything but, Amanda right now. I hope you understand?" Francine gave him a small sad smile, "Thanks and I understand." He returned her small sad smile.
Forty-five minutes passed by and Lee stood up and began pacing. He was dying to hear what the doctor would say about his Amanda. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied Dr. Porter grabbing himself a cup of coffee. When he finished, Lee waved him over and they both sat down. Pleasantries were exchanged all the way around. They were all holding their breaths, as they waited to hear the results of his examination of Amanda.
Dr. Porter gave them a small smile after he took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "Well, I've got some good news. Although, Mrs. King hasn't woken up yet, the swelling and pressure on her brain is definitely decreasing. "Lee, Billy and Francine let out an audible collective sigh. "At this point, we still won't know about any possible brain damage until she wakes up. Her pupils and her reflexes are all reacting appropriately. Her vital signs have stabilized and her breathing has leveled out, as well. Overall, I think she is doing remarkably well, considering the great amount of trauma she has suffered through. Right now, if the intercranial pressure continues to decrease, there will be no need for surgery."
Lee perked up a bit as the doctor was giving his report. But, he still felt helpless. Although, he felt some hope creep back into his heart and mind. "Doc, thank you for all you have done to help Amanda. In your opinion, do you think she will have lasting brain damage? And, when do you think she will wake up?" Dr. Porter took a sip of coffee and squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Mr.—Lee, my honest opinion is there a slim chance of any brain damage and to answer your second question, it's hard to tell. She could wake up anytime, there is no way to gauge that, honestly."
Lee quickly stood up with a slight smile, shook Dr. Porter's hand, grabbed his bag and coffee. "Thanks, doc for giving me some hope! I'm going to head upstairs, I wanna be there in case she wakes up soon. Guys, thanks for stopping by. Why don't you head to the office and I will check in with you later," With that, they all said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
Lee oddly felt re-energized, even though he'd barely managed any sleep last night. This sudden spurt had him practically sprinting up the stairs to the SICU. He felt so much more hopeful now, his lady love was going to wake up and soon. He could feel it. When he reached the SICU, his first stop was Amanda's room. He quickly made his way to the side of her bed. He placed down his coffee then leaned over Amanda. He caressed her cheek with his free hand, placed the most loving kiss to her soft lips and whispered out to her. "I love so much Amanda Jean King! Please wake up soon so I can tell you that. I will be back shortly, I am going to shower and change into clean clothes. I wanna look good for my favorite girl!" He gave her one more kiss and hurried out to the nurses' station. He asked the head nurse, if they could find him a place to shower, shave and change. They were nice enough to allow him to use the doctors on call room.
He took off down the hall and made his way into the shower area. He placed his bag down as well as the two towels they'd given him. He disrobed down to his boxer's and shaved his face first. Then he jumped into the shower washed himself and his hair. After he finished, he got dressed into his jeans, a light blue polo shirt and sneakers. He placed a little bit of gel and used his comb with the missing teeth to fix his hair just right. Feeling refreshed he headed back to Amanda's room.
The next several hours dragged by very slowly. Amanda still hadn't woken up, she laid extremely still and he felt his hope waning again as he felt completely alone. Around 6:00pm, Dr. Porter came in for his last examination for the day. This time he allowed Lee to remain nearby. When he was done, he gave Lee his report like he did in the morning.
Dr. Porter waved Lee into Amanda's room and Lee immediately spoke up. "How is she doing, doc? Besides still not waking up, any changes in her condition?" He hoped beyond hope that he would be receiving some good news. The doctor smiled at him and readied to relay his findings. "Well Lee, good news! Her reflexes and vitals are looking good. The pressure and swelling on her brain is still definitely decreasing. I can say with some certainty that she won't need any surgery for that. Her brain activity is also increasing, I really think she will be waking up within the next few hours. I am heading home for the evening, but the staff will be keeping me updated on her condition. There will be two residents on duty tonight, that will be able to handle anything that comes up. Any questions, Lee?"
Lee's confidence shot up one hundred-fold and he was practically jumping up and down on the balls of his feet. He couldn't wait for her to wake up. "No, doc! I don't think I have any questions right now. I just need her to wake up soon. Thank you, for all you have done and giving me a reason to go on and have plenty of hope. You enjoy the rest of your evening, see you in the morning." They both shook hands exuberantly. "You have a good night as well. Keep talking to her and hopefully she will wake up soon." With that said he made his leave.
"Did you hear that, partner? You're getting better and stronger. You'll be waking up soon, I can feel it! Come back to me, please. Don't give it up, Amanda! Don't give it up! I love you and I will be here when you wake up, I promise!" At this point, he was feeling almost giddy.
Approximately an hour later, Billy and Francine stopped by to visit for a while, check on Amanda and bring Lee something non-hospital food for dinner. They kept him company while he ate his two Milo's famous chili dogs. They knew how much he loved and raved about them. After chatting a bit longer, they decided to head home for their suppers' and to get some, much needed sleep. Lee promised he would notify them if there was any change or when she woke up.
A few hours after they'd left, Lee was getting tired. He'd talked to her pretty much nonstop after they were left alone for the evening. It was just after midnight when he decided he needed a nap. He stood up, caressed her cheeks and splayed her lips with several soft loving chaste kisses. He then pulled his chair even closer, sat down and gently brought her dainty hand into his larger and strong hand. He kissed her hand and laid his head down on her right hip and drifted off for a well-deserved nap.
ONE CHAPTER LEFT
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