CHAPTER 11: Saturday – Second Surgery
The doctor walked into Zoe's room to find Bianca on the phone to her assistant. She was arranging for a change of clothes to be brought over for both her and Zoe. At his appearance Bianca ended the call and rose to her feet.
"Is she okay? Can I go to her?" Bianca said anxiously.
"She is being very stubborn. She is refusing surgery until she talks with you, Ms. Montgomery. Apparently there is something very important she has to say to you. She thinks it's more important than her physical health," the doctor said reproachfully.
Alarmed, Zoe and Bianca looked at each other then back at the doctor. Had they heard correctly?
"Surgery?" Zoe asked.
The doctor sighed. "There are signs of continued internal bleeding. We need to close it off as soon as possible or she will die."
"No, oh no!" Bianca started to panic.
"Go to her, Ms. Montgomery, and do whatever you can to convince her to have the surgery immediately."
Bianca left the room at a run and was at Maggie's bedside within seconds. Maggie was asleep and the nurse was in the room. With the nurse's permission, Bianca woke Maggie.
"Maggie wake up; it's me. Come on, wake up." Bianca placed her hand on Maggie's cheek.
"Bianca?" Maggie said lethargically. She placed her hand over Bianca's to confirm she felt the warmth of it against her cheek. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled briefly. "You're here. It wasn't a dream."
"Maggie, the doctor says you need surgery." Bianca's eyes shone with concern.
"Bianca, I need to tell you ..." Maggie struggled for breath.
"It can wait. I promise I will be here when you get back," Bianca soothed, running her hand across Maggie's cheek.
"No! I have to say this," Maggie gasped out.
Maggie was in such pain that it scared Bianca. She looked to the nurse who shook her head. There was nothing they could do to ease it. She lifted Maggie's hand to her own face and rubbed it against her cheek as she said. "I'm here. Tell me, I'm listening."
"I don't want to die without you knowing I still love you. I've always loved you." Tears spilled from Maggie's eyes.
"I know. I love you too." Bianca wiped Maggie's cheek letting her own tears fall freely. "You're not going to die!" She looked up at the nurse for confirmation and paled as the nurse avoided her eyes.
"I never had that before. I didn't know what love really was. It scared me. I loved you so much it scared me." Maggie was trying to explain but the pain was making it hard to concentrate.
"I was scared too," Bianca acknowledged.
"I was sure I was going to loose you. So I made it happen." Maggie closed her eyes and steeled herself against a wave of pain.
Bianca wasn't sure if Maggie was talking about the shooting or what had happened between them.
"I screwed up so bad," Maggie gasped out.
"Maggie, that doesn't matter now. What matters is that you get better. You have to get better so we can get passed this. I forgive you. Please forgive me." Bianca moved Maggie's hand to her lips and placed a soft kiss on her fingers.
"Forgive you? I love you so much, Bianca." Maggie opened her palm against Bianca's lips and rubbed her thumb down her cheek. Bianca closed her eyes at the feel of Maggie's hand. She felt it go limp as a harsh beep sounded.
"Maggie? Maggie!" Bianca cried in alarm. The nurse stepped forward and pushed the code button and all hell broke lose. Within seconds the room was filled with people and noise. Bianca couldn't stop calling out to the woman she loved, over and over again. They had to pry Maggie's hand out of hers. Someone gripped her tightly and ushered her from the room. Even in the hallway she couldn't stop saying Maggie's name. Strong arms surrounded her and she collapsed into them.
Zoe half-carried Bianca to the closest chairs. There was nothing she could say, so she simply held Bianca. Rocking, Bianca never took her eyes off Maggie's room.
All of a sudden everything became quiet. The doctor stepped out of Maggie's room and move toward them. Zoe and Bianca both straighten in fear and faced the doctor, the tension vibrating in their bodies.
"Well, we've managed to stabilize her. We are taking her immediately to surgery. There really is no time to waste," the doctor said briskly.
"Is she going to be okay?" Zoe asked the question Bianca was afraid to.
"I won't lie. I don't know. She is in an extremely precarious condition but she is strong. So, let's hope for the best."
Zoe and Bianca stood as the hospital bed was rolled out of Maggie's room. Maggie was unconscious, with a tube down her throat, looking even more waif-like than she had that morning. They walked with the bed all the way to outside the operating room each holding one of Maggie's hands. They each placed a kiss on her forehead and Bianca said, "I love you." They watched as the operating room doors closed behind Maggie.
Zoe wrapped her arms around Bianca as she said, "She going to be okay, I can feel it."
Bianca looked up in anguish. "Oh God, please be right!" They turned and walked back to Zoe's room, arms wrapped around each other.