Recovery
Part 11
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Everyone at the admit desk took a deep breath and looked at each other.
Kerry: Are you sure, Jing-Mei? It's really been a whole year since that happened.
Jing-Mei: Positive. Remember, Dave was on his way back...
Jing-Mei started bursting in tears clearly upset.
Abby: Are you okay, Dr. Chen?
Jing-Mei: Yes, I'm fine. It's still very hard. Dave was on his way back from picking up my birthday present...
Jing-Mei holds up her left hand showing her ring finger and the engagement ring on it.
Jing-Mei: ...when he was grabbed and both our lives changed for the worse.
Luka: It's hard to believe that it was an entire year ago it happened.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, one year ago I was two months pregnant with Antonio, and even though I didn't know it at the time, going to start a brand new life with my boyfriend and our baby. Now, one year later and I have two sons and my husband is dead.
Kerry: It's been one hell of a year for you.
Jing-Mei: A year that I will never forget. I can't say that it's all been bad.
Carter: What do you mean?
Jing-Mei: Dave's dead and I can't change that. I wish I could, but I have two little boys...
Haleh: Two wonderful little boys.
Jing-Mei: Agreed. Two wonderful little boys that Dave left behind for me to take care of. I have to raise them the way he would have wanted me to. Make sure they grow up into fine, smart, handsome, loving and sensitive young men like Dave. I have to do right by them. I can't screw their lives up. I want to make Dave proud of me.
Kerry: He would be if I know Malucci.
Carter: So, what will you be doing for your birthday?
Jing-Mei: I was thinking about taking the boys to the cemetery and visit with Dave.
Abby: Not exactly an exciting birthday.
Jing-Mei: I'll admit that there are other things that I would rather being doing on my birthday then going to visit my husband's grave, but the boys feel better there, more comfortable, safe and so do I. (pause) We feel close to Dave there. Antonio is still very young but Rusty and I can feel his presence there. It's strong. If I close my eyes I can almost feel his arms around me, smell his cologne, hear his laughter, see his gorgeous brown eyes watching over us. It's nice.(pause) Besides, this is his day as much as it is mine. My last birthday was the last time that Dave was Dave---the man I feel in love with---the way I remember him. (pause) I know that officially Dave died only 3 and a half months ago, but the truth is Dave died last year---the old Malucci, that is. He was reborn into the new Malucci when the police found him in the hangar 48 hours later and brought him to the ER.
Luka: Is that why you're still wearing your engagement and wedding rings?
Jing-Mei: It's too soon to take them off, besides, they were suppose to signify a whole new life for us---a life that we never had a chance to live. I rented that house because it was wheelchair accessible. I thought it would be easier for Dave to get around when I brought him home---until he was back on his feet, permanently. Ironically, Dave never even got a chance to see the house. He never even left the hospital again.
Jing-Mei looks down at her watch.
Jing-Mei: Got to go. Mrs. Peterson picked Rusty up from school today and probably has both the boys fed and almost ready for bed. I want to get home before they fall asleep. (pause) We have this bedtime ritual that we do. Goodnight everyone.
ER Staff: Goodnight, Jing-Mei. Have a happy birthday and tell Malucci how much we do miss him around here.
The next couple of weeks were pretty uneventful for the Maluccis. Capt. Amos continued to question Erik about his attack. Erik continued to blink his answers and he said he didn't remember anything about it. Not being able to prove it otherwise, Jing-Mei and Capt. Amos had to give him the benefit of the doubt. Capt. Amos told Jing-Mei that Rico was being held without bail in the Chicago City prison and he was held over for trial on drug charges. Without Erik's help, they couldn't connect him to Erik's kidnapping or attack. Also, there were still no leads on the person who shot Erik at his son's christening.
Meanwhile, Rascal was discharged from the hospital and Rusty was nursing him back to health. He was still sore and weak but he was able to get around a little on his leg. It was still in a cast so he had to limp around except when Rusty would try to pick him up and carry him around, against Jing-Mei's orders. Jing-Mei continued to take pictures of Rascal and bring them to the rehab center. They seemed to satisfy Erik enough for him to continue his therapy. Although he was trying to walk leaning on the parallel bars and was making progress, he could only do it for short periods of time. He got tired more quickly than he use to because of his heart defect. Dr. Butler increased his heart meds but said that he would need his heart surgery soon. The valve was getting weaker the longer it was left unattended.
Jennifer continued to help him with his speech therapy, but still Erik remained mute. He tried to speak but nothing would come out of his mouth.
Almost a month later, Jing-Mei walks into Erik's room only to be stopped before she gets completely inside the door.
Dr. Butler: Dr. Chen, I didn't know that this was your day here today.
Jing-Mei: Normally, it isn't but I cover...that is I had free time on my hands and thought that I would see how everything is going with Erik. He's had such a rough time. (pause) Did you just finish examining him? Is he okay?
Dr. Butler: Yes, I did and I did have to make a new adjustment though.
Jing-Mei starts to panic, not knowing what has happened to her husband now.
Jing-Mei: Adjustment? What adjustment? Is it about his heart condition? Has something happened with his heart?
Dr. Butler: Relax. He's stable and his heart is holding out, somehow. I just...well, I was saving it for a surprise for you but you might has well see it now.
Dr. Butler opens the door and Jing-Mei slowly moves into the room, dragging her feet the entire way. She has a grim look on her face that quickly turns into a big smile when she sees Erik sitting up in his bed watching tv. She walks over to him and tries to hug him when he pulls away.
Jing-Mei: Da..Erik! No ventilator!!
Dr. Butler: I thought you would like that.
Jing-Mei: He's finally able to breathe without it's help.
Dr. Butler: Well, without the machine, yes. His lungs are becoming stronger and he's able to breathe primarily on his own, despite the missing piece of his one lung.
Jing-Mei: And his trache, can that be reversed?
Dr. Butler: It can but it won't be.
Jing-Mei: Why not?
Dr. Butler: His larynx was severely damaged in the initial accident that he was in. His surgeons at the hospital where he came from before arriving here had to build him a new airway. Although, Erik doesn't now and hopefully never will again need to breathe on a ventilator, he will need a trache to maintain his airway and breathe for the rest of his life.
Jing-Mei: That's right. I forgot about that, but it's still good news anyway.
Dr. Butler: I think so too, considering the alternative. (pause)Well, I'll leave you two alone to visit for awhile. He has speech therapy shortly so don't stay too long.
Jing-Mei: I won't. Thank you Dr. Butler for everything you've done.
Dr. Butler: You're quite welcome.
Dr. Butler leaves the room and Jing-Mei sits down next to Erik. While Erik is distracted by the tv, Jing-Mei removes his wool cap and bandana and she sees some jet black hair start to fall out from underneath them. Jing-Mei smiles and runs her hand through his new short hairstyle.
Jing-Mei: Well, look it there. It's different. I like it. Gives you a whole new personality.
Jing-Mei places the cap and bandana in Erik's nightstand and sits down next to him again.
Jing-Mei: What are you watching here? Judging Amy. I never would have guessed that was your kind of show. I thought you like things with more drama in them like ER, Third Watch, Law and Order.
She reaches to the end of the bed and picks up a tv guide and starts flipping through it. She starts to read a synopsis.
Jing-Mei: Judging Amy has to preside over a juvenile case in which the teen bomber is from Afghanistan.
As she sits on Erik's bed and runs her hand through his new hair, she watches the tv. Half way through the show, she makes an observation.
Jing-Mei: You know Erik, the guy who's playing the INS Agent, Anthony Cagiano, he kinda looks like the same one who played that Italian sailor, Anthony Mazzolla, on U-571.
Jing-Mei looks at the INS Agent on the tv and then at Erik then back at the tv screen. Then she shakes her head.
Jing-Mei: Nah, couldn't be.
After the program was over, Jing-Mei turned off the tv. She looks at Erik, who is sitting in bed looking down and twiddling his fingers.
Jing-Mei: Erik, you should see the boys. They are really getting big. Rusty's English is getting better but I still have to use my dictionary with him and Antonio is sitting up on his own. He's started eating solid foods although I still breastfeed him from time to time.
Erik glances over at Jing-Mei's breasts and licks his lips. When Jing-Mei turns back to him he swipes his head down again hoping she didn't notice his latest distraction. She didn't.
Jing-Mei: Antonio is crawling around and I had to baby-proof the house for him and Rascal is starting to get his strength back. He's recovering nicely and should get his cast off shortly. As soon as the vet gives his okay, I'll bring him back. He misses you just as much as you miss him. The boys do too. Rusty asks about you all the time...
Jing-Mei is interrupted by Erik's shaking. She jumps up from the bed and checks his machines. The numbers are the same. Confused and worried, she turns back to Erik to see him crying.
Jing-Mei: Erik, what is it? Are you remembering something? Are you alright?
Erik continues to shake and cry. Jing-Mei sighs and sits back down on his bed. She pulls him into her arms and places his head on her shoulder while she strokes his hair.
Jing-Mei: It's alright Erik. I know baby, I know. This isn't how it's always going to be. You'll get your memory, your voice and your life back again. I promise you, and I'll be right by your side the entire way.
As Jing-Mei tries to comfort Erik, Jennifer walks in and sees Erik in the arms of his doctor. Startled by her sudden appearance, Jing-Mei jumps back.
Jing-Mei: This isn't what it looks like. Erik was upset and I was only trying to make him feel better.
Jennifer: I bet you were. Well, I hate to interrupt this tender moment but it's time for his speech therapy.
Jing-Mei: Of course, I'd like to stay if you don't mind?
Jennifer: Actually, I do. You would be too much of a diversion for Erik.
Jing-Mei: I just want to make sure he's okay. He was very upset and he still is and if there's anythin...
Jennifer: If he needs more comforting, I'm here for him. That's all part of my job.
Jing-Mei, feeling defeated, approaches a sadden Erik with a tissue and starts to wipe his tears dry.
Jing-Mei: Now Erik, I have to go but I'll be back soon. You do everything that Jennifer...
Jennifer: Yeah, yeah, yeah. He knows the routine. He'll be fine. I'll make sure he is. Now, I'm not trying to rush you, Dr. Chen, but we have alot of work to do. Sorry you can't stay.
Before Jing-Mei could say a proper goodbye to Erik, Jennifer has her outside the room and slams the door in her face. Disgusted by Jennifer's obvious attraction to Erik, Jing-Mei puts her fist up in the air in front of the closed door and thinks aloud.
Jing-Mei: You've won the battle Miss Jennifer, but the war isn't over and if you think you are going to have your way with my husband, I will give you a fight that you won't soon forget.
Prior to getting totally mad, Jing-Mei leaves the rehab center and goes to work at the ER, wondering just what kind of lessons Jennifer is really giving to Erik.
Later at home, Jing-Mei wants to jump into the shower after dinner. Antonio sits in his swing, Rusty is playing his video game and Rascal is lying in his bed in the corner of the room. She approaches Rusty.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, do you think you could watch your baby brother for a few minutes while I take a shower?
Rusty: I'm 'Tonio's and Rascal's babysitter.
Jing-Mei(stroking Rusty's head): Yeah, I guess you are.
Satisfied that Rusty will do a good job with his two wards, she goes into the bathroom and takes her shower. Two minutes later, Antonio starts to cry. Rusty gets up from his game and hands Antonio his bottle.
Rusty: Here 'Tonio. Here you go.
Antonio pushes it away and then Rusty gets his pacifier and puts it in the baby's mouth. Well, that last's about one second when Antonio spits it out. He picks the baby up out of the swing and lets him crawl around on the floor. He settles down to continue his game while he keeps a close eye on the agile 8-month old. As he starts to play his game, he hears a loud thud from behind him. He goes to investigate. Rascal has gotten up out of his bed and started to limp into the living room. He grabs Rascal and puts him back down into bed. He gives the little dog a stern, warning look and shakes his finger at him.
Rusty: Rascal, I'm in charge. You sick. You stay in bed. Sleep, Rascal.
The puppy lets out a whine and then puts his head down on his pillow. Rusty, stands up and nods his head.
Rusty: I the boss.
As Rusty stands and admires his control over the dog, he hears a noise in the living room. He goes in to see Antonio sitting at the tv, chewing on his game controller. Rusty smacks his forehead with his hand and goes to tend to the infant. He takes the controller off the baby causing Antonio to cry.
Rusty: No, no 'Tonio. Don't chew Rusty's game.
He finds one of the baby's teething rings and hands it to him to chew on, when there's another thud in the kitchen. Rusty gets to the dining room in time to see Rascal taking a drink of water from his bowl. Rusty points the dog to his bed and the sad, little puppy starts limping back into his bed. Rusty re-enters the living room to see Antonio back at the tv pressing the buttons on the remote control causing the tv to change channels constantly.
Thirty minutes after Jing-Mei went into take her shower, she goes into her bedroom to prepare for bed. She comes out dressed in a nightgown and robe.
Jing-Mei: Well Rusty, everything go alright out here...
Jing-Mei's jaw dropped at the sight before her. Sprawled out on the living room floor, were Rusty, Antonio and Rascal cuddled up together and all fast asleep.
Jing-Mei: Ahhh! Isn't that cute? My three men. (thinking out loud with tears in her eyes) God Dave, you have to come home soon. You're missing all of these great family moments that you should be sharing in.
She carried both boys into their beds and then came in and carried Rascal into his bed being extremely careful not to wake any of the three up.
The ER was extremely busy over the next few days so Jing-Mei couldn't get to the rehab center to see Erik. When she finally got back there, she entered to see him fidgeting with all his pictures of Rascal that she bought him. She came over to him and gave him a kiss on his newly grown in hair. He pretty much ignored her. His hand- eye coordination still wasn't in tact so he had difficulty trying to straighten the photos into a neat pile so he could look at them better. His left hand could barely grasp the pictures and his right hand would shake. Realizing he was having a very difficult time with handling the photos, Jing-Mei got an idea. She retrieved his photo album from the night stand. She put it on Erik's lap.
Jing-Mei: It may be easier for you to look at the pictures if we put them in your photo album.
She tried to take them from him but he hung on tight. She managed to pry his fingers off of them.
Jing-Mei: It's alright Erik. I'm not going to take them from you. I just want to show you something.
Jing-Mei opened up his album and started thumbing through it to find an empty page. As she turned the pages, Erik stared at the photos.
Jing-Mei: There, a fresh page to start your collectio...
Before she knew it, Erik swatted the album on to the floor and started whining---LOUDLY. She went over and picked it up, totally confused. Erik started pulling away from her and whined louder.
Jing-Mei: What is wrong Erik? It's only your photo album. You've seen it before.
She managed to work her way over to her petrified husband and with the album back open to the same fresh page as it was before Erik knocked it on the floor.
Jing-Mei: What is it? What are you so afraid of, Erik?
Jing-Mei picked it up again and opened up to the same page as before. Erik took his finger and pointed at a picture on the opposite side of the blank page. He put his finger on a picture of a very large, bearded older man. Then he tightly closed his eyes and tried to shake off the bad feeling he had. Erik started to cry. His tears soaked the album beneath him.
Jing-Mei, realizing what was wrong, took a deep breath and left out a huge sigh.
Jing-Mei: Your father!!!
To be continued. Please read and review.