Sorry there was no chapter last night I had to deal with something because some people are bloody incompetent! Please note that I'm also switching Thursday and Friday's stories so He Lives in Shadow will be premiering on Friday and I Love You More will be posted Thursday, it will probably be on the short side because I will be spending the day in frustration.
Also check tomfeltonlover1991's page on the DeGrassi Saviors website for a new survey.
Ch. 21 Blue Skies breaking through these Dark Clouds
(CLARE)
"We could order from somewhere," Adam says.
It's Saturday evening and I'm at the Torres house, I've been here all day. Owen left for work at 5:30 and worked until 2 this afternoon at the gym. Then he had about an hour and half to rest before going to the grill where he's working a 4-12 shift. I worried that the 8 hour shifts almost back to back would be too much because he's never worked two 8 hour shifts the same day. Owen assured me he would be fine, tired but he didn't have to be at work until noon tomorrow. It's only four in the afternoon but we're hungry so we're talking about where to go for dinner or where to order from. Dallas came home an hour ago and he's really the one that spurred the whole dinner conversation.
"No I'm not that pregnant yet let's go out while I still can," I reply.
"Little Miss Steaks, Swiss Chalet or something more adventurous we could do Indian or Chinese," Bianca says.
"I'm starving and I'll eat just about," I pause hearing my phone ring and pull it from my purse, "anything." My phone says Owen is calling even though he should be at work but I answer, "Hey shouldn't you be working?"
"Mrs. Milligan," says a voice I don't recognize. The tone of their voice, the fact that some unknown man is calling on Owen's phone, the subtle and very hurried noises I can hear in the background, all of these things have me instantly worried. My heart is racing, my breathing becomes shallow, catching on the lump forming in my throat, my palms are sweating.
"Yes," I say slowly hardly able to even get out the word as I dread the reason this man is calling me from Owen's phone. "Who is this?" I ask and the other's look at me with worried expressions because they can hear the fear in my voice.
"I'm calling from Toronto Western Hospital your husband has been in a car accident."
"What?! How… is he…I'm on my way," I stumble over my words and then hang up.
"What's wrong?" Adam questions.
"Owen was in a car accident he's at Toronto Western, I need to get there, I need to see him," I tell them quickly with a tone strained by anxiety and tears are pushing at my eyes. The possibilities of how badly hurt Owen could be run through my mind, I'm panicking, I feel like I might lose it. I didn't ask how hurt he was but they would have told me if he was dead right?
"We'll take you," Adam says taking my hand and squeezing it as a comforting gesture.
I grab my purse and we leave, Drew drives and the whole ride to the hospital is a blur. I spend the whole drive squeezing Adam's hand and praying that Owen is okay. Drew drops Adam, Bianca and I off at the entrance while he and Dallas park.
"Owen Milligan, my husband, he was in a car accident they called me," I tell the nurse at the receptionists desk.
"Please have a seat the doctor will be out shortly to talk to you," the nurse tells me.
The last thing I want to do is sit down, I want to know that Owen's okay but she's not going to tell me anything and yelling at her isn't going to do me any good. Adam puts his arm around me and we find somewhere to sit down. Drew and Dallas come in while we're waiting, it's a Saturday night and the waiting room is pretty busy. I only manage to sit for a minute before I begin pacing.
"Mrs. Milligan?" A voice finally calls. It's a female voice and I look up to see a female doctor. Thin with long red hair she has pinned up.
"Yes that's me is my husband okay?" I ask running over to her and the others follow me.
"I'm Doctor Natalie Granger, Owen is getting an MRI we're concerned about internal and head injuries. He hit his head on the window pretty hard and we're worried about possible brain trauma. We do know that he has a broken leg, his left tibia has a fracture and he has some other cuts and bruises. I'll be back to talk to you after the MRI results. Brian please show Mrs. Milligan to bay four," Dr. Granger instructs a male nurse.
He takes us back to an ER bed with a curtain around it and I presume this is where they'll bring Owen after his MRI. We wait a moment and then Owen is wheeled in on a gurney. Moving out of the way so the medical staff can lift him to the bed, they hook Owen up to an IV and a heart monitor, a few other machines and as soon as they're out of the way I run over and take Owen's hand. I look at my husband, he has a bandage on his head where he hit it and I see blood on the bandage. The left side of his face is badly bruised; he has some dried blood on his nose and lip. His neck is in a brace, his leg is in one too and it's swollen and red. I see a few other bruises and minor cuts on him but those will heal. What I'm worried about is the injuries I can't see and that Owen is unconscious, I squeeze his hand and he doesn't react at all but he doesn't look like he's sleeping either, he looks very hurt. I begin to cry both tears of relief that he's alive and tears of worry that he's unconscious and doesn't react to my touch. Adam rubs my back while Bianca, Drew and Dallas stand on the other side of his bed looking at Owen with worried expressions.
"Owen has some bruising on his frontal lobe but there is a bump and no bleeding on the brain which is good. Unfortunately we won't know if it caused any damage until he wakes up. We'll put a cast on his broken leg but we do need to take him into surgery he has some tearing trauma to his abdomen and it's causing internal bleeding. A nurse will be in shortly to have you sign some forms," Dr. Granger informs me and then a nurse and orderly walk in and begin prepping Owen to take him for surgery. We're pushed out so they can take Owen and I watch him get pushed down the hall to be taken to surgery.
"He'll be okay won't he?"
"Nothing is immediately life threatening but we are worried about the internal bleeding and his head injury. Dr. Enslin will be preforming the surgery and he'll be in to talk to you after it's done. After you sign the forms we'll take you to a private waiting room. If you have any concerns or questions just press the call button and a nurse will come find me," Dr. Granger tells me and I nod.
A nurse comes in and gives me papers to sign then we're taken upstairs and shown to a room. The nurse gives me a copy of the paperwork, tells us where the coffee machine is and that Owen's surgery will be a couple of hours.
"Owen's parents and Fitz we need to call them the hospital called me and I didn't even think but we need to call them and te…"
"Clare," Adam cuts off my rambling taking me by the arms, "of course they called you you're his wife, his next of kin and emergency contact. They wouldn't have called Owen's parents and you left your phone at my house."
"I'll go call Fitz and Owen's parents you want me to call his work too?" Bianca asks.
"Yeah thanks Bianca," I nod.
Drew goes with her and Dallas sits down but I can't sit down I'm too worried. I know Dr. Granger said Owen's injuries weren't major but she also said they wouldn't know about his head injury and there could be more internal injuries. My thoughts drift between relief and anxiety that there's something they missed, his injuries are worse than they think or he'll die in surgery. Some part of my mind knows I'm being irrational and paranoid but the rest of me can't help but worry.
"Fitz is on his way with Owen's parents," Bianca tells me.
"I called the grill and told them he was in a car accident, they said they hope he's okay and keep them informed about his condition. I called the gym too and they said pretty much the same thing," Drew adds.
"Thanks," I reply managing a smile for my friends. "Wait Tris someone should call Tris. What time is it in Paris?"
"It's after ten, Owen's parents can decide if they want to call Tris tonight or tomorrow," Adam says and I nod again. My mind is racing, I can't hold a thought and I can't sit still, I just keep pacing and rubbing my stomach feeling our daughter toss and turn. I know she's picking up on my anxiety but I can't help it.
"Clare," Veronica's voice stops me from pacing and I hug my mother-in-law. Nick hugs me next and then Fitz.
"I'm sorry they called me, I didn't even think to call you I was just so worried about Owen. He's in surgery I signed the forms I…"
"Clare breathe," Adam cuts me off and I take a deep breath.
"It's okay Honey you're his wife they would have called you, as next of kin you would sign the forms, you did the right thing. Take a breath you're going to have a panic attack," Veronica says in a soothing voice and I take another deep breath.
They sit down while I keep pacing and Adam tells them everything the doctor said. Just as Adam is finishing two policeman walk in and Nick stands up to talk to them. They tell us Owen's accident was a hit and run, some witnesses at the scene gave a vague description of the red truck that hit him but no license plate and no description of the driver. They ask us if we know anyone who owns a red pickup, I mention Jake but I know Jake would never do this. I don't know anyone else with a red truck and the police say they'll talk to Jake and I realize I better call him. Drew goes out to call Jake for me, Drew comes back a few minutes later and tells me Jake is on his way down. I'm still pacing when Jake arrives.
"I'm sorry they asked if I knew anyone with a red truck," I apologize as Jake hugs me and I continue pacing as soon as he lets me go.
"It's fine they'll see that I didn't hit Owen, is there any news?" Jake asks and I shake my head.
I keep pacing until the doctor comes in and then I stop and look at him. Dr. Enslin tells us the surgery went well and Owen will be brought into recovery in a few minutes. He says they stopped the internal bleeding, it was some minor tearing and there were no other internal injuries. I finally sit down and Owen's parents talk to the doctor for a minute until Owen is brought in. He looks worse than before actually, mostly because of the bandage on his stomach and all the bags on his IV. The orderlies and a nurse hook Owen up to the monitors and then they leave. I sit in a chair next to Owen's bed, taking his hand and a deep breath. Adam sits next to me and Fitz stands behind me, Drew and Bianca are on the other side, Dallas leans against the wall and Veronica sits in the chair next to Adam while Nick stands.
"Clare you should go home and rest," Fitz tells me.
"No I'm not leaving him he just got out of surgery he could wake up at any minute," I shake my head.
"Clare it's after nine he's been out of surgery a while. You should get some rest," Fitz asserts.
"No I'm not going to leave him, I'm sleeping here," I insist.
"Clare you need your rest, you should go home one of us can stay," Nick tells me.
"No I'm not leaving him, he didn't leave me when I needed him most and I will not leave him. I'm staying here and I'm going to be the first thing he sees when he wakes up. I'm sleeping here, I'm not leaving his side," I affirm in a resolute tone while squeezing Owen's hand.
"I'll go find a doctor and tell them Clare's not leaving. I guess if something were to happen it would be better if she was here," Nick says and I give him a grateful smile.
The doctor says I can stay as long as I'm not in the way when they come to check on Owen. Everyone else leaves after hugging me and saying something to Owen. They all tell me they'll be back first thing in the morning and then I'm alone with my husband. The room is fairly dark aside from the glow of the monitors. I squeeze his hand and rub my belly, our daughter has settled down and I think she's asleep.
"You have to be okay I need you Owen, we need you. Come back to me, I love you Owen more than anything. I know we were sort of thrown together. If I'd never gone out with Bryce that night, if you hadn't been the one to find me near the ravine on Monday we wouldn't be together but we are and we are because we're meant to be together. I cannot imagine loving anyone more than I love you and we're about to bring a child into this world. She's yours, she's yours as much as I'm yours and I know you love us both. You saved me from the edge of the cliff, you brought me out of the dark and I'm not leaving your side until I know you're out of the dark," I tell Owen hoping that somewhere in his unconsciousness he hears me. While I talk I rub my stomach with my left hand and his hand with my thumb while I hold his hand.
"How far along are you?" Dr. Granger asks stepping into the room and I look up at her wondering how she knew. "The way you're rubbing your stomach it's a dead giveaway," she says.
"Twenty weeks, exactly twenty weeks today," I answer.
"Owen just graduated in June from DeGrassi didn't he?" She questions coming in a little father.
"Yes but how did…"
"My daughter Imogen also graduated that day," she explains before I finish the question.
"We know Imogen, not all that well but a little," I tell her.
"Yeah I believe she talked about you before, she was angry at first because you had cheated on Eli and she's good friends with him. Then she was angry at Eli for stalking you and not letting you be happy with Owen. She said you two got married but I didn't have faces to put with the names at the time," she says.
"Yeah Owen's been amazing since he found out but the wedding was at my mom's insistence. I'm happy though, we're happy but I can't lose him."
"He's doing well and he's in good hands, he's stable, his vital signs are good and we're just waiting for him to wake up. You should take a walk, stretch your legs a bit. Go down and get yourself a cup of hot chocolate," she suggests.
"No I can't leave him, I want to be the first thing he sees when he wakes up," I shake my head.
"Alright make sure you stretch your legs and move a little to get that blood flowing. Make sure you're drinking water and staying hydrated, I'll have the nurse bring in another pitcher. You should eat something too, the cafeteria is closed but I can get you something from the vending machine," she offers.
"Thanks, I just can't leave him," I reply.
She gives me a sympathetic smile and leaves the room, she returns a few minutes later with some snacks, a couple things of juice and the nurse comes in with another pitcher of water. Dr. Granger says she's leaving for the night but to page the nurse if I need anything and I thank them again. The nurse checks Owen's vitals before leaving the room. It's fairly quiet but the ambient noise of the hall lights and the constant noise of the monitors makes for an eerie soundtrack to the night. Even though it's eerie it starts to become soothing in it's own way, Owen isn't even stirring and the stress of the day begins to wear on me. They did bring in a cot for me but I don't want to lay down on it, I just lay my head on my arm and keep hold of Owen's hand. I'm nearly asleep when I hear a voice and I look up.
"Guess he's not dead," Bryce says with a steady and cold voice that, while in no way menacing, sends a chill up my spine.
"What the hell are you doing here? Get out! You did this didn't you? You meant to kill him," I accuse glaring at Bryce with a hatred like I've never felt for anyone.
"What makes you think that?" Bryce asks with a grin as he steps into the room. I get up and walk towards him, not thinking about myself but worried that he might somehow hurt Owen when he can't defend himself.
"Because you're a sick person, you have an over inflated ego and you think I belong to you and the baby is yours," I reply as I walk to him. We're at the foot of Owen's bed now, hidden in shadow and less than an inch apart.
"I know the baby is mine, which means you're mine, how do you think my parents got married? It won't be so bad you'll have more money than you know what to do with and anything you want," Bryce says. The devil is proposing a bargain, endless money in exchange for my life and my soul.
"I don't want your money and I don't want you I want Owen, I love Owen and he makes me happy no amount of money in the world could do that. I will die before I live like that; I will not be a prisoner in that home, treated like dirt by you and trapped in a loveless marriage while draped in a pretty dress. You don't want this child, you wouldn't love her or hold her, sing to her and rock her the way I know Owen will. You don't want us you just can't stand to lose but you are a loser Bryce a pathetic lonely person that thinks they can buy everything you want. We might struggle for money but what we have is more important," I spit at him lacing venom in each word and taking pleasure when I see that it stings him.
"I don't lose, I never lose. A lot can happen in a hospital you know, people that look like they're on the mend suddenly die. If you lose everything you have now who will you turn to? I'll be waiting, you'll come to me when you're out of options and desperate and then you'll wish you'd come to me before," Bryce threatens.
"I already told you I'd never come to you, I'll die first. I'll find a way to take you down and I will never be yours. You disgust me and I'm calling security I'm going to have you arrested for stalking and causing Owen's accident," I growl trying to walk to the call button but he grabs me and slams me to the wall hitting my stomach and I whimper.
"You're a fucking bitch you know that? When I get you I'm going to break you," He snarls in my ear and then lets go of me and runs out.
I feel cramping in my stomach, my heart is racing, I realize I'm crying a little and struggling to breathe because he knocked the wind out of me. I get to Owen's bedside and press the call button, when the nurse comes in I'm doubled over and just beginning to breathe again.
"What's wrong? Should we get you up to maternity?" She asks and I shake my head.
"No I'm not leaving him but I'm worried somethings wrong with the baby," I tell her.
"Then I have to take you up to maternity," she insists again.
"No get a doctor and a sonogram machine and do it in here," I assert.
She looks at me another second and then gives up rushing out of the room and back in with equipment and more people. Since I'm not bleeding and I'm breathing normally again they agree not to take me up to maternity. They do a sonogram and everything looks normal but they still strap me with a fetal heart monitor to be safe. I make a report to security about Bryce's visit without going into too many details. They tell me they'll report it to the cops who will probably have some questions in the morning and I ask them to send Officer Turner. When everyone is gone I go sit at my husband's bedside again holding his hand and waiting for him to wake up.
(OWEN)
My eyes blink open but the room is blurry and for some reason it doesn't look like the cottage. I feel Clare's hand in mine; I know it's her hand, those delicate fingers and soft skin. I look over and wonder why there's a beeping noise, and why she's asleep in a chair with her head on the bed instead of in the bed with me.
"Wife," I say but my voice comes out all scratchy and graveled. I squeeze her hand, rubbing the back with my thumb, "wife get in bed with me."
She sits up with a gasp suddenly looking in my eyes, smiling with great relief she stands up and puts her lips on mine. Her face suddenly becoming wet with tears, I reach up brushing hair from her face and caressing her cheek.
"You're awake thank goodness," she grins when she pulls her lips away. I look at her, then around the room and realize I'm in a hospital, as soon as I realize this my head hurts, my stomach is sore and I feel a cast on my leg. Yesterday afternoon comes back to me like a lightening flash.
"The crash, the truck hit me and I thought about you and then the lights went out. How bad is it?"
"It could have been a lot worse, you have a fractured leg and you had some internal bleeding so they had to operate. You bumped your head too, there was some bruising on your brain but no swelling or bleeding, they'll need to do another exam now that you're awake," she says and kisses me again.
"I'm fine, I'll be up and making love to you again in no time," I assure her and she smiles. It's only now that I notice the big gray belt around her belly with something electronic in it. "Are you okay? What is that?" I question moving her from me to get a better look.
"A fetal heart monitor," she says and my own stops I know I look as worried as I feel. "She's fine we both are it's just a precaution because Bryce was here a…"
"Bryce!" I growl clenching the hand that she isn't holding into a fist and slamming it into the bed. "He did this I'm sure of it, he was trying to kill me," I tell her.
"I know I figured that too when he showed up last night. He didn't admit to anything of course but his threats weren't as veiled as usual. He basically told me he was going to hurt everyone I cared about until I went to him. I told him to go to hell and I would never be his, I wasn't scared this time just really pissed off. I tried to call the nurse and he grabbed me slamming me into the wall."
"That bastard I'm going to kill him, as soon as I'm out of here I'm going to…"
"Do nothing but hold me, I told security they said the cops would be by this morning and I asked them to send Officer Turner as well. He made threats this time Owen and even if they can't link him to the accident he hurt me, he could have hurt the baby, not to mention showing up in the middle of the night. It's got to be enough at least for a restraining order," Clare says.
"Yeah I just hope it's enough," I comment.
"I'm just happy you're awake, they said you'd be okay but it didn't stop me from worrying and I refused to leave you," Clare tells me.
"I love you you know."
"I know I love you too," she grins leaning over and ensnares my lips in a happy tender kiss.
"Kissing is a good sign I hope that means our patient is awake," a female voice says and I look up to see a doctor coming in.
"Yeah I'm awake," I nod as Clare sits back down again.
"I'm Doctor Jacobs I'll be part of your care team while you're here with us. So you are Owen and Clare," she says and we nod.
The doctor asks me a few questions and has me follow a penlight with my eyes. When I'm done she says it doesn't look like there was any brain damage but warns me about headaches and stuff. She looks at my leg, stomach and the rest of me as well. When she's done with me she takes the fetal heart monitor off of Clare telling us that the baby is fine. She says she'll have breakfast sent up in about an hour and to press the call button if we need anything.
"Come here," I say to Clare pulling at her arm until she stands up, "lay with me I want to hold you."
"I don't think I can fit on the bed," she shakes her head.
All my bandages and worse injuries are on my left side so I roll my right and hold my arms out to her. She walks around the bed climbing up and lying down, I wrap my arms around my wife and hold her close with my hands on her belly.
"I love you and I'm not going anywhere, Bryce is not getting rid of me so easily and next time he tries I'll kill him."
Update next Wednesday either picking up from around here or starting with Owen being released from the hospital.