Chapter Ten: Save Her
Disclaimer: I own everyone not recognizable
John left the ring and was met on the other side of the curtain by Sara. She was crying and couldn't speak, all she did was grab John's hand and they ran. When they turned the corner towards catering he saw Mark and Show talking to police, Torrie and Billy standing to the side and she was crying. His heart sank when he saw a body on the ground and a sheet draped over it. He went to Mark and asked what happened. Mark told the police who John was and two other officers escorted John out of the building and to a squad car. They went racing to the hospital which luckily wasn't too far from the arena. They tried to explain what they knew but it was just babble. All he heard was Carli had been shot. He was escorted into the emergency room and was met by the other two guards. John immediately started screaming at them and their failure to protect her. He knew they were hurting too but he didn't care. They let John yell and get out his anger. A nurse came over to John and told him where to wait. The guards went with him to the floor where they'd have Carli. He soon figured out it was the other guard under the sheet at the arena. He was secretly Carli's favorite and she'd be so upset to know he lost his life because of her. 30 minutes later John got company from the wrestlers. The Raw show the previous night wasn't too far and most had gone to the Smackdown taping. Mark and Sara brought John and Carli's things and Sara had called John's parents. He had tears in his eyes when he saw Carli's bag. He looked in the bag and saw her prenatal books, a baby outfit, a picture of the two of them and the sonogram pictures. He took out the pictures and held them to his chest. Everyone sat in silence for another few hours. Steph and Paul, Shawn and Rebecca, Mark and Sara, Billy and Torrie and Dave and Angie sat with John while some tried to sleep and others just paced the halls. He stood after awhile and started walking back and forth in front of the door where the doctor would come out. His parents arrived and went right to him. The three of them hugged and Carol Cena cried. At long last John saw two people coming and was hoping one was Carli's doctor; neither looked like they had good news.
"Mr. Cena?" The doctors asked.
"I'm John." He could barely speak. Everyone came over and stood behind John except for his parents who stood at either side.
"I'm Dr. Johnson your wife's surgeon and this is Dr. Lester, she's a pediatric surgeon." John's Mom choked back a sob as did Stephanie. "Your wife was shot twice. Once in the right shoulder and once to the abdomen. However, the bullet that went into her abdomen had first passed through her right arm and left hand." He demonstrated the actions as he explained. "It shattered the bone which most likely shifted the path of the bullet. The shot to her shoulder was from the back to front which means she probably moved to protect the baby causing the bullet to enter from behind." Dr Lester said, "Your wife's arms wrapped around her belly saved your child." There was an audible sound of shock as the bluntness of the words gave them a visualization of what happened. Carli's surgeon continued explaining Carli's condition and the effects. "She was also hit on the right side of the head by a blunt object, this only left a bruise but she received a concussion when she fell. She hit her head on something pointed, like the corner of a table. She's lost a lot of blood. Based on the timeline of events, it was about 10 minutes before someone found her and whoever that was saved her life and that of your child." Relief was obvious as they all heard the baby was alive. "Your baby is in NICU and your wife -" John cut off the doctor before he could say anything.
"When can I see her?" He asked anxiously.
"Mr. Cena. Your wife is in a coma." The doctor tried to sound gentle but at this point it was useless. John was having a hard time maintaining control and his body began shaking from both fear for Carli and anger. His Dad put his hand on his shoulder.
"How's the baby?" Paul asked. Dr. Lester stepped forward with a gently smile.
"Would you like to see your new baby?" She asked. John shook his head.
"No. I'm waiting for Carli. We're supposed to do that together." The doctor nodded and stepped back. She tried to explain things to John and again, he had a hard time paying attention. All the girls went to find NICU. The guys made John sit down.
"You need to see the baby and let that baby know you're there. You have to go right now." His Dad said firmly. John looked at him and shook his head. Paul, Shawn, Dave and his Dad took John to NICU. They saw the women looking in a window and crying. John stopped afraid to get closer.
"I can't do this. Not without Carli." John broke down again and this time Paul got tougher.
"Carli would want you to be here, not in the waiting room sitting on your ass. Now get over there and let your child know everything will be okay." John walked over to the window and instinctively knew where to look. A nurse was checking the baby and he saw monitors and tubes everywhere and a bandage on the left leg. Two hands, two feet, two arms, two legs, two eyes, looks like all the fingers and toes. And then he saw it 'Baby Cena' written on a blue card.
"I have a son." John whispered as he marveled at his boy. "He looks okay." Tears flowed down his cheeks. "He looks like Carli." John couldn't hold it in any longer and let his emotions go. He got a group hug as he cried. A nurse stepped out from NICU.
"Are you the father?" She asked John. He answered her with a nod. She motioned for him to come with her and she put a gown and cap on him and brought him into the room. She pulled a rocking chair over by the bassinet and lifted the baby. She handed him to John and he was surprised at how heavy he was. He sat down and let the tears fall onto his son. The nurse explained the baby sustained a deep flesh wound. The bullet entered the leg but missed the bone and major arteries. The tubes and monitors were standard for a preemie, it's just to help him breath and make sure his heart is working correctly. "He'll be just fine, sir." She smiled and touched his shoulder. He looked at his son's hands and feet, he traced circles on his face, and kissed his forehead. Carli loved that, it made her relax and it seemed to work on his son. He choked back another lump in his throat. He was overwhelmed by the sudden burst of emotion he was feeling. He loved Carli and his son with all he had. But when you finally hold your child, when you finally look into your baby's eyes, it's astounding. He knew this was single-handedly, without a doubt the greatest day of his life, and yet the worst too. He thought of Carli and looked up at the people watching him. He mouthed to them 'Carli' and they understood. Show said he'd go check and either come back or send someone. His son began to stir and he was coming out of his medication. The nurse came over with a bottle and John fed him. Father and son sat looking into eachother's eyes.
"Hi, baby boy." He smiled down into the little boy's eyes which looked exactly like his Mother's.
Show went back to the waiting room where he found the rest of the group. Vince and Linda had arrived and were talking with the remaining wrestlers. He inquired about Carli and there were no changes. Vince and Linda were going to NICU to see the baby and check on John. The police walked up and began asking about Carli and giving a statement. Linda had to be held back by Vince as she screamed at the police.
"You asshole. Carli wouldn't be here if you fucking people had done your fucking jobs. We could lose her and she might never see her child because you bastards didn't help her!" Linda broke down and cried as Vince hugged her. The doctor came out and said Carli was settled in her room and she could have visitors, no more than two at a time. Everyone wanted to go in, but thought John should be the first. Linda said she would wait there and for Vince to go to NICU to see the baby and she'd go up after John came back.
John took his son to the window and held him up for everyone to see him. John asked the nurse if the grandparents could come in with the baby. She agreed but only the immediate family could visit one at a time. John signaled for his Mom to come in the nursery. She put on the necessary garments and stood with John looking at the newborn. As they both talked about the baby, John handed his son to her. John left the nursery after kissing his son's forehead and went into the hall with the others. They all congratulated him and agreed with John, the baby looked like Carli. He told Vince he and his Dad could go in one at a time after his Mom was finished. Vince was deeply touched that they thought of him that way. Steph, Torrie and Sara walked back with John as he prepared to see Carli. He approached the room as a nurse and doctor were walking out. He heard them talking about Carli not responding to them. She needed to hear someone's voice that she knew. John took a deep breath and walked into Carli's room. He saw her and walked back out. He bent over with his hands on his knees and took a few deep breaths. He went back in and sat next to her.
"It's you and me, baby girl. Just us. It's always been you and me since before we met and it will always be just us. He kissed her hand that wasn't bandaged and leaned in to kiss her forehead. Her heart rate picked up at the sound of his voice. A nurse came swiftly back into the room and John asked what was wrong. She said Carli's heart rate changed so she wanted to check her. When the nurse spoke her heart rate went back down.
"Were you talking to her? She asked John. He shook his head. "Do it again."
"Carli, honey, I saw the baby and we have a son. He's okay and looks just like you." Her heart rate went up again and the nurse called the doctor. As she explained what was happening a tear fell down Carli's cheek. "I need you to wake up so we can talk about his name. I know we have a list but we need to do this together so come back to me and see your son." He stroked her hair and drew circles on her face. Carli really responded to this and the doctor walked in and watched. As John talked, the doctor watched the monitors and Carli's movements. He turned to the nurse and asked for the neurologist to come observe. From what he knew, Carli was coming out slowly and it was only going to happen with her husband by her side. The doctor told John what was happening and what he had observed before John walked in. They thought they'd either lose Carli overnight or she'd remain in the deep coma for a long time. Somehow her body instinctively responded to her husband's voice. John asked if the baby could be brought to Carli. The doctor would find out and let him know, he didn't see why not. He got on his phone and called the pediatrician. Dr Lester said she'd take a look at the baby right now and if he was alright to move, she'd bring him down.
"You hear that baby girl? We might see him in a few minutes." Carli's eyes were darting back and forth and the doctor checked her pupils. They weren't as dilated as they were earlier and this was excellent.
"Come on, Carli. Come back to me and our son. We need you and I'm not ready to lose you. You promised we'd grow old together. You never break a promise so open your eyes honey. Let me see you." Carli squeezed John's hand. "Good girl. Fight baby, fight for us, fight for our family." Dr Lester entered the room with the baby. He was still on IVs but his heart was strong and his breathing was solid. John picked him up and held him close to Carli's face. He laid him on the bed with Carli and put his little hand in hers. She squeezed his hand and held it. The baby turned his head towards Carli and cooed. Another tear fell down her cheek. The doctor walked out and saw the mass of people standing in the hall. He told them how Carli was responding to John and the baby and this was excellent to see so quickly. He agreed to let two more people in the room. Steph went in with John's Mom. They both choked a sob as they saw the three of them. John moved the baby and laid him on Carli's chest so he could feel her heart beat. He wrapped her arms around the baby and again she responded. He put his head on her shoulder and his hands on top of hers. Steph and Carol both took a picture. Steph walked out and let her Mom go in next. Everyone rotated and even the guys came out with tears in their eyes.
John got out the list of baby names and read them off to Carli hoping he'd see a response to the one she wanted.
"I love you, Carolina. I love you straight through to my soul." He kissed her tenderly and willed her to open her eyes. "I'm taking him to put him in his crib now. He has to go back to the nursery to be checked again, but I'll bring him back as soon as he's allowed." As John picked him up Carli's head turned toward the baby. He got back in her face, "Come on baby girl. Open your eyes." He saw them flutter but stop. He knew she'd be back soon. Dr. Lester said she'd bring the baby back in a few hours. John's parents went with the baby as did Linda and Vince. The rotation continued to see Carli and John stepped out to take a break and collect himself. Dave and Angie said they'd go to the cafeteria and get John something to eat and drink. It was the next day and time for breakfast. Those who had visited with Carli were heading to the hotel or heading home. Hardly any of them had slept and stayed up all night. They didn't have to report back until Saturday so those not closest to Carli flew home to their families. Shawn and Rebecca, Mark and Sara and Dave and Angie had to go home to their own families but said they'd be back in a few days. The doctor had ended the visits so Carli could rest. Another bed was brought in so John could sleep next to her. John asked them to put the beds together so he could touch her. He snuggled with her as much as he could without hurting her and she moved her head toward him. "I love you, baby girl." It didn't take him long to fall asleep but his hands remained on Carli. They laid like that for the rest of the evening. Visitors came and went and John never moved from Carli and barely woke up each time someone came in the room. The doctors continued to check on Carli and she seemed to be thriving with John next to her. John's parents went back and forth from the room to the nursery all evening and had decided to go back to the hotel. It was just John and Carli for the night and that's the way he liked it.
John only took breaks to shower in the bathroom in the suite and get food from the cafeteria. Paul brought clothes for John and Carli and a few small things for baby Joey from their house in Connecticut. Shawn and Rebecca packed up Cameron and flew to Boston. Cameron thought it was a great vacation. They rented a hotel suite near the hospital with Dave and Angie and rotated with Steph and Paul at the hospital. Dave and Angie's daughters were spending time with their other parents so it was easy for them to help. Vince altered the schedule so Dave, Paul and Shawn were only used for live shows.
They repeated the same things everyday for the next week. They all agreed Carli was fighting her way back so they stayed with her and talked to her every minute they could. Each person told stories of when they met Carli and how she made each of them a better person. They laughed at the tales of jail time, or visiting hours as Carli called it, John shared some of the crazy things they did together and she always had to one up him.
In the early hours on a beautiful Saturday morning he woke up and looked at Carli. "Hi, baby! I missed you!" He said softly as he finally looked into her eyes.