Frankie could feel his little sister become heavier in his arms. She was losing her grip from around his neck and he could tell that she was not okay. She was losing consciousness again and her tiny body was trembling in his arms. He was trying his best to not get emotional, but this was his baby sister he was holding. It was his job to protect her and keep her safe. He had to be the strong one and hold it together.
It seemed like forever before the police finally got them to medical personnel. When Frankie saw the stretcher and all the paramedics surrounding them, he fought the urge to keep her and not let her go. He didn't like the thought of a bunch of strangers poking and prodding her, partly because he knew she wouldn't like it but mostly because he was an overprotective big brother.
"Lay her right down here," said one of the paramedics in an accent that Frankie was not used to.
Frankie laid Ariana down on the stretcher and stood back as she was strapped down from waist to toe to the most uncomfortable looking gurney he had ever seen. Ariana was motionless. Her body looked tired, like it was tired of fighting without the energy that she needed.
As the paramedics began to get Ariana into the ambulance, Joan made sure they knew that there was no question about her going with them. There was absolutely no way she was going to leave her in the condition she was in, and because she was her daughter and they were in a foreign country. One of the medical personnel told Joan that she would of course be able to come with them, but they could only take her because there was only a certain amount of people they could have in the ambulance. Joan asked Frankie if he would be alright with that and Frankie said of course and that he would get the address for the hospital and meet them there. He didn't want to leave his family but he really wanted what was best for his sister.
Frankie went over to the rest of the 'Grandetourage' and helped them carry all of his and Ariana's luggage outside where their driver was supposed to be with their car.
Joan was led into the back of the ambulance where Ariana was. As she got in, she heard crying. Ariana was near hysterical crying and she was saying something over and over again that Joan could not understand. The medical team was getting ready to work on her. They were trying to calm her down but it obviously wasn't helping. One of the assistants told Joan she could have a seat right behind Ariana's left shoulder so she could hold her hand if she wanted to.
"Ariana, honey, what are you saying tell me." Joan wanted to know what was wrong so they could fix it right away.
"I….need…sugar PLEASE." She said between her heavy breaths and cries. "I just need sugar!" she cried again as a blood pressure cuff was wrapped around her arm. The paramedics heard her and one of them said to Joan, "We're about to give her the IV and that will start to stable her until we arrive."
"Its okay honey they're giving you sugar now okay? I'm right here." Joan put her hand on her shoulder to let her know she was right behind her. The nurse began to prep her for the IV and Ariana continued to cry that she needed sugar. Joan knew this was her body telling her she needed it, and it was almost like an emergency system she had inside of her.
"Hold really still for me okay?" The nurse took her arm and another assistant held her upper arm and shoulder to assure there would be as less movement possible. She was already shaking tremendously and that did not help at all. Ariana did not like restraint. It made her claustrophobic. Her hyperventilation worsened, and as soon as the needle pierced her tiny arm she passed out.