Are you all enjoying the drama? Trying to update as quickly as I can but Christmas concerts and things have taken over. A big thank you to all who have left feedback! It has given me such a boost to know people actually like what I write :-)

The waiting room was silent. Most of 51 were there apart from Gabby and Matt. Gabby had been discharged an hour earlier. Matt had been up to offer his support to Antonio, to get an update on Sylvie and to reassure him Gabby was OK. Erin had to return to work but had left Jay with Antonio who had promised to update her as soon as he knew anything.

Antonio sat on an uncomfortable chair with his elbows resting on his knees his hands clenched and his mouth resting on his fists.

Will walked in and scanned the room full of people until his eyes rested on Antonio.

Antonio stood up unsure of how to read Will and praying she was alive. Jay stood up next to him as did Bowden. The rest of 51 sat up straighter waiting for news.

'She's been out of surgery an hour I would have come to find you sooner but we had some trouble weaning her off the vent but she's breathing on her own now'

Antonio looked up and closed his eyes letting out a breath.

'We hoped she would have been awake by now from the sedation but her body has been through a lot and we are not yet at the point where we are really concerned but we will be monitoring her over the next 4 hours to check on her level of consciousness and may need to run more scans'.

Antonio could feel the fear building again.

'Are you saying that she might not wake up?' his eyes red and filling again with unshed tears.

'No not at this stage but I would be less concerned about her recovery if she wakes within the next 4 hours'

Antonio nodded trying to digest the information.

Bowden spoke next.

'So if she wakes will she be ok? Make a full recovery?'

'We were able to locate and remove the bullet which has left some damage which I need to speak to Sylvie about but yeah there's no reason why she can't continue doing the things she's always done before'.

Bowden nodded seeming satisfied but Antonio's was still concerned.

'Can I be with her while you wait for her to wake' he asked.

'Of course but unfortunately the rest of you will have to wait'

Antonio turned to everyone.

'I really do appreciate everyone being here and I know Sylvie will but go home guys and get some sleep and I will keep you updated'.

Bowden nodded 'Antonio's right go home and get some rest' he turned to Antonio 'I'll go when she wakes'

Jay nodded 'Me too'.

Antonio nodded back and followed Will.

Will opened the door and Antonio followed him into the private room where Sylvie was lying still with a nasal tube providing some oxygen on her face and various iv drips, a blood pressure and heart rate monitor attached to her. Her colour had improved and although all the equipment looked overbearing Antonio was grateful to hear the steady beep of her heart on the monitor.

He walked over and gently place his hand over her hand that was canular free rubbing his thumb in circles over the back of it.

Will stepped closer to the bed to look at her chart.

'What are you not telling me about the surgery Doc?' Antonio asked his eyes finding it difficult to leave Sylvie's face.

Will sighed.

'I didn't want to talk about it in front of everyone. When we found the bullet it had caused some damage and bleeding that we were struggling to get under control. In the end we had no choice we had to remove one of Sylvie's ovaries and one fallopian tube'.

Antonio looked horrified at this news. They had never spoken about kids and with him already having Eva and Diego he selfishly has avoided having that conversation not that sylvie had tried to bring it up but now the thought of her not being able to carry a child of his upset him.

'Does that mean she won't be able to have children in the future?' he asked now looking at Will.

Will shook his head 'Not necessarily she's still got another ovary and tube and her womb wasn't affected. It just means that she may struggle to conceive. Her chances have been halved and without some intervention like ivf it may be a long shot'

Antonio nodded he didn't know how Sylvie would take this news but right now he just wanted her to wake up.

'I will be back in a little while to check on her as will the nurses but if you need anything or are worried the nurses station is just out the door and the buzzer is there'

'Thank you Doc'

Will nodded as he left the room Antonio stepped closer to the bed and kissed the top of Sylvie's head his lips lingering long enough for his tears to drip onto her head. He pulled a chair closer and took her hand in his and began to rub circles over the back if her hand.

'Sylvie? It's me. You're, you're scaring the hell out of me. I need you to wake up. There's so much I need to say to you I don't know why I haven't said it before. Please baby I can't loose you' he took his other hand and started to tuck strands of her hair behind her ears and stroke her forehead. He sat in silence praying over and over for her to wake.

Almost 2 hours had passed. Will had been in and several nurses but there had been no change. Antonio kissed her hand for the millionth time and continued to trace a circle pattern with his thumb on the back of her hand. When very lightly he felt her tighten her grip. He sat upright.

'Sylvie? Baby? I'm right here….try and open your eye's'

After a minute Antonio thought that maybe he had imagined it when she tightened grip even more on his hand and she furrowed her brow.

'It's ok you're at med I'm right here don't be scared' he spoke in soothing tones.

Sylvie opened her eyes blinking slowly looking confused and taking in her surroundings. Her eyes finally rested on Antonio who looked like hell and had tears in his eyes. She tried to wade through the fog in her mind but she couldn't remember why she was in hospital the last thing she remembered was Gabby.

She tried to speak but no words came out.

Antonio recognised her struggle.

'It's ok you've had a tube down your throat here try some water' he brought the straw to her mouth and she gratefully sipped.

She tried to speak again but her voice was very horse.

'Gabby?'

'It's OK she's home with Matt they stitched her up she's fine. It's you that gotten everyone worried'

Sylvie looked confused.

'You were shot you're at med you had surgery just over 3 hours ago. I thought you would never wake up' he said seriously.

Just then Will walked in 'Good you're awake! How do you feel?' he asked.

'Confused' she said still trying to remember when she was shot.

Will checked her sats.

'You're gonna need lots of rest and support over the next few weeks but you're lucky to be alive and I have no doubt you will make a full recovery. Has Antonio discussed the surgery?'

Sylvie looked at Antonio who looked worried.

'She just came to as you came in doc so we haven't had that conversation yet'.

Will looked at Antonio as if to gage who he wanted to tell Sylvie but Antonio spoke quickly.

'Maybe if all her obs are OK you could give us a few minutes?'

Will nodded and checked her vitals.

'Everything looks good. I'm going to speak to the nurse I'll be back in a little while if you need anything'.

'Thanks doc' Antonio nodded.

'Thanks' Sylvie said although she was still confused as to what had occurred.

When Will closed the door Antonio squeezed Sylvie's hand bringing her back to reality. She looked at Antonio who was kissing her knuckles again. He really did look like hell.

'You've been worried about me' it was more of a statement than a question.

He half laughed half sobbed 'you have no idea' he said seriously 'I thought I had lost you'.

'Hey I'm ok' she said softly 'I'll be back to driving you crazy in no time' she joked.

'Sylvie if I've never made it clear enough before I just need to tell you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. I...I really don't know what I would have done if things had been worse today. You and the kids they mean everything to me. When I was with Laura I cared for her and thought it was love but with you it's so much more than I have ever had with anyone. What I'm trying to say is please never scare me like that again' they both smiled at his last sentence.

'And I hope you know how much I love you' silent tears fell down her cheeks and Antonio stood up to kiss her softly on the lips as his tears mixed with hers.

As he sat back down Sylvie tried to adjust herself on the bed but felt a sharp pain which caused her face to pinch and to suck in.a breath.

'Are you OK?' Antonio's voice etched with concern.

'Yeah just forgot I was shot' she smiled.

'What happened? The last thing I remember is you coming in and taking the gun. When was I shot?'

'You were shot before I got there. Matt said Gabby told him you said you had a stitch but actually you had been shot. You must have been so pumped on adrenaline and worrying about Gabby and Lewis that you weren't thinking about yourself which actually sounds just like you' he smiled.

'I got the feeling that my surgery wasn't straight forward?' she asked worry sounding in her voice.

Antonio looked down and back up and picked up her hand again.

'Antonio whatever it is just tell me' she said softly.

'Will said you were bleeding out a lot in surgery from the damage the bullet had done...he tried to repair the damage but had to remove the..the damage' he was having a hard time saying this to her.

Sylvie gripped his hand 'Hey it's ok. I'm your tough girl remember' she smiled. He smiled back.

'They had to remove a tube and an ovary. Your womb is fine but you now have 50% less chance of having a baby in the future without help from a doctor' he looked at her.

Sylvie looked down and breathed out 'Well that was a lot to take in...but not as bad as the build up to you telling me'

'I'm so sorry baby I know we never spoke about kids but Will said it doesn't mean you can't just it may be a bit more challenging'.

Sylvie looked at him and smiled 'I always imagined kids in my life. When I was at to marry Harrison I thought the next stage would be a baby'

'And now?'

'I can't say I've given it much thought up until now. I kinda fell for you a long time ago and with that made my peace with that I would never have a child of my own'

Antonio looked confused 'Why do you say that?'.

'You have Eva and Diego and I assumed you wouldn't want to start again with a baby. I kinda like to think that Eva and Diego are becoming close to me and I know I'm not their mom but their friendship means a lot to me. You and I are in a good place with work and that's enough for me. I'm not like you I don't have family around so having you and the kids is more than I could ask God for'

Antonio smiled through tears

'You're such an amazing person Sylvie. Me and the kids we are your family don't ever doubt that. Maybe in the future, God willing, it would be nice to hold a baby of our own'

Sylvie started to silently cry at his words. Antonio stood up and gently hugged and kissed her relieved that she was going to be ok.

Sorry the updates are taking so long. Hope you enjoyed!