The O.C
A Life Half Lived
A/N: I have to admit, I've taken some liberties with the medical part of this chapter. I don't know much about this sort of thing plus I kind of had to write it so it fit my story. I hope no one is offended. Sorry for the major gap in between updates. I had to work all weekend and then I had my birthday party plus I've just had some major writer's block issues… Happy reading! Genevra xxox
yelly-belly: I know that the way I wrote the last chapter was confusing but I thought it would be more effective. I'm glad you liked it anyway. I hate Zach too. Obviously. He just irks me. If you ask me, it's not that he's in love with Summer, it's that he's jealous of Seth. Or even that he has something to prove because he's in the water polo team and Seth isn't. That just came to me, by the way. I just hate him. Ick.
Lil Aussie Alias Chick: There was a lot of 'OMG's' in that review. Alias? Soon? Really? Are you just saying that to be hopeful? My theory is it will take the Amazing Race's spot when it finishes (which I don't watch so have no idea when that will be). Maybe Desperate Housewives, but I doubt that because Alias hasn't been on the 8.30 timeslot for ages. Bastards. I want it back! I'm glad you liked the last chapter too.
Conaleigh Leonhart: It's funny you say that. My parents friend actually got cancer when she was pregnant and her and the baby are both still fine but that's not true in all cases. Oh, you have cousins from Australia? That's awesome. I'm an Aussie, which I think I've said. that's so cool. Thanks for taking the time to review.
kursk: Quite frankly, I don't think Ryan should feel guilty either. Zach only got what he deserved. But I think it's in Ryan's nature to feel guilty plus it made a better story, lol. And I wish I could promise you the birth would be fine.
caring is creepy: I'm glad you liked the way I wrote the last chapter. I actually thought people would hate it because it's confusing but I'm glad you liked it. Thanks.
Summary: "I don't look sick. I am sick."
Disclaimer: I do not own nor am I affiliated with The OC. Sigh. I do however own any characters or scenarios you don't recognize. Yay!
Chapter Sixteen: Wrong Dream
"Summer, I need you to stay calm," Dr. Galliano said in a soft voice.
"Where's Dr. Roberts?" Summer asked in a panic.
"I'm right here, Summer," he said, from a safe distance. "We talked about this, remember? I can't do the surgery for you. I'm not qualified."
She nodded quickly and swallowed. Seth ran a soothing hand over her damp forehead, and wiped a few wisps of wet, brown hair off her face. He smiled down at her, calmly, although he felt faint.
"How are you going, babe?" he asked her. He swallowed again and kept his eyes fixated on hers. "How do you feel?"
"Like I'm being cut open," she said, with a weak laugh. Seth squinched his eyes shut and swallowed again. "And having something torn out of me."
"Must you?" he asked, his voice hoarse. He blinked a few times and she stifled a laugh.
"Feeling sick, baby?" she asked, her voice sugary sweet. She winced momentarily as the knife sliced through her skin. It wasn't the pain, she felt nothing, it was the sound, the movement.
"I'm not a very big fan of blood," he choked out. Someone said something to the doctor and forgetting where he was, he looked up. "Oh, boy."
"Seth, close your eyes," Summer ordered, seeing the look on her husband's face. "If you throw up on me, I swear I will never forgive you for it. It's one thing to have a Junior Mint sewed into your body but to have anything else is unforgivable."
"You watch too much T.V.," Dr. Roberts laughed as he and Dr Galliano exchanged glances. "Neither of us has ever sewed a Junior Mint into someone's body. We tend to leave that to Seinfeld."
"You have a Dr named Seinfeld?" Seth asked, not thinking clearly. He saw everyone in the room roll their eyes or stifle laughter. Even Summer choked out a small giggle. "I knew that you were joking. I was too. You know. A joke… Ok, so maybe not. Sum, how are you feeling? Had you noticed what your doctor's name was? Galliano. Like the designer."
"I'd noticed," she said.
"Summer, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you and Mr. Cohen to stop talking now," Dr Galliano interrupted lightly. His voice and mannerisms were calm but Dr Roberts, who could not lie to them, was buggy and nervous.
"What's wrong?" Seth asked, his hand instinctively gripping Summer's.
"Ouch," she snapped at him. "That's going to bruise. And I think I'm supposed to be the one that breaks your hand."
"Sorry," he sighed. Seth had unfortunately and unwittingly inflicted many bruises on Summer's body from holding her too tight or accidentally kicking her while they sleep. She didn't understand how horrible it made him feel, knowing that he was inflicting so much pain on her. If he didn't need her next to him to sleep, to breathe, and if he knew she would ever agree to it, he would have offered to sleep in another room, another bed. Anything to escape having to look down at the bruises he had placed on her fragile body.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to do something unusual and put you under full anesthesia," Dr Galliano said. "This means that you'll be asleep during the rest of the procedure and unfortunately, your husband cannot stay. I promise you he will be allowed straight back in after the procedure is done to see your daughter."
"No," Summer said, choking up. This was the first lot of emotion she had shown the whole time. "No. I know the risks of that. You cant do it."
"I'm sorry, Summer," Dr. Galliano said, his voice full of sympathy. "I wish there was something else I could do."
"I'm sorry," Seth interrupted. He swallowed again. "But, umm, if you put her under full anesthesia, doesn't that mean she could slip into a coma from the drugs?"
"Anesthesia is basically like an induced coma," Galliano explained. "But yes, that's true. The patient can sometimes take too long to recover and can slip into a real coma."
"And if they slip into a coma, isn't it true that they can…" he paused and when he continued, his voice was raspy. It hurt him too talk. The lump in his throat cut into him and ached. "Not wake up. They can die."
"Yes, that's true," Dr Roberts said, taking over. "But that's very rare. I assure you both, it's the best decision. Summer could lose to much blood otherwise. Any precautions that Dr Galliano can take to assure that doesn't happen require Summer to be asleep."
"She's right here," Summer interrupted weakly. "Talk to me."
"Summer," Dr Galliano said, coming to her side. "If I don't do this, you will lose too much blood. By putting you to sleep, I will have more control over how much blood loss you suffer. When you're asleep, your heart slows down and that means that the blood slows down as well."
"We'll risk it," Summer cut in, glancing at Seth. "I want him to be a part of this."
"Let me put it in some different terms," Dr Roberts cut in after hearing Summer and Seth's exchange. "If we don't do this, we will lose both you and the baby. At least this way, we have a better chance of saving you."
"Do it," Seth said, quickly. He looked away from his wife and stared into the doctor's eyes. "If it means I get to keep my wife and my baby, do it."
"But Seth," Summer said, her eyes watering. "I want you to be here to see your daughter being born."
"It's ok," he said, holding her hand. He bent down over her and finding in uncomfortable, knelt on the floor so their faces were even. "I'll be here next time. I promise. When have our first son or out next daughter. When all of this is behind us. And I promise you, I will be straight back in here as soon as I can be. Summer, I'd rather us be apart now than forever. I'd rather be without you now than have you die. I'd rather…"
He stopped talking and let his eyes speak instead. He couldn't go any further. And she knew it.
"I love you," she whispered to him.
"I love you too," he whispered back. "And I'll be here when you wake up."
"Let's go, Seth," Dr Roberts said, patting him gently on his back.
Seth stood up and before he left, he brushed the tears away from Summer's eyes. He leant over and kissed her cheek, her nose, her forehead, her mouth.
"You're my final destination," he whispered. She nodded to him.
"Mine too."
"You're doing so well. Be a good girl."
"If something happens to me, be strong," she whispered to him. "For me and for our baby. Be strong."
"Summer," he said, simply but she shook her head in desperation.
"Promise me," she said, with as much force as she had left. "Promise me if something happens, you'll be storng."
"Promise me nothing will happen to you," he shot back. She smiled softly and ran her fingers through the dark curls of hair that framed his face. His face softened and although he was crying, he spoke to her. "I promise. If anything happens to you, I'll be strong."
"I'm sorry but I'm going ot have to aks you to leave now," Galliano said softly. "If you'd like to wiat with your family, I'll send someone to get you as soon as you can re-enter."
Seth nodded and walked towards the door silently. He turned around at the last minute he turned to her and smiled.
"Be brave," he mouthed.
"Don't go," she mouthed back. "Stay."
"Be strong," he mouthed back. "I'm right here."
"I love you," she whispered as he left the room and drowsiness overtook her. And when she opened her eyes, the world was white and then green, and suddenly, she was sitting on a blanket in a meadow, her feet on Seth's lap and a baby in her arms.
And that's what told her something wasn't right because if Summer was all in one piece, she would be dreaming that she was pushing her baby through Italy and Seth would be walking behind her carrying her purchases in his arms. But they would be happy. And they would be together.
"Seth, what's wrong?" Marissa asked as he entered the room. She stood up and walked over to him. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked like death warmed over. "Has Summer had the baby? Is everything okay?"
"I'm afraid there's been some complications," Dr Roberts interrupted gently. He took Marissa's shoulder and led her and Seth over to a spare couch. He explained the situation to the family, that it was necessary to put Summer under full anesthesia, and if necessary, she would be placed in an induced coma. Seth hadn't exactly got his facts right in the operating room but no one had awnted to correct him. "She was losing too much blood. It was the only way."
"What was she like, before you left her?" Ryan asked, his face pale and his eyes wide. "Was she talking? Laughing?"
"Both," he smiled. "She was joking that she'd like to get this over with because she needed her beauty sleep."
"Sounds like Summer," Sandy noted. Kirsten said nothing, simply looped her hand into Sandy's and pressed her body into him. Dr Roberts smiled at them all again.
"I promise we will do everything we can to make sure she is alright," he said, gravely.
"I thought you weren't allowed tohave anything to do with her," Seth said.
"Now that the cancer is involved, now that her blood is involved, I can be."
"Take care of her," Kirsten said, finding her voice.
"I will," he said.
The five lapsed into a silence which was only broken by Marissa laughing. Everyone stopped and looked at her but she couldn't stop. She was soft at first, a small giggle, a small laugh but soon her laughing turned hysterical. Someone walked past outside and stopped, chilled to the bones, at the sound she was making.
"Doenst anyone else find it ironic?" she asked, tears of laughter streaming down her face as she cackled. No one moved. They continued to stare at her in shock. Kirsten felt sick as she watched her daughter in-law cackle. She stood up slowly and made her way over to Marissa. Seth ahd scooted to the other side of the couch and was staring at her. Marissa looked up at Kirsten when she touched her arm. Her face fell and aprubtly, her manical laughter changed into sobbing. "This is so unfair."
"I know, sweetie, I know," Kirsten said, her own eyes filling with tears. "It isn't fair. None of this is fair."
She held Marissa tight and rocked her back and forth as she sobbed for her ebst friend.
"I just want her to be alright," Marissa cried. "I need her to be ok because if she's not, then I'm not. I cant be without her."
"Well you might just have to be," Seth snapped. He stood up and walked out of the room. Sandy and Ryan looked at each other and both stood up to follow him leaving Marissa to cry in Kirsten's arms.
"God, please don't let this happen," Kirsten whispered in prayer as her lips danced across Marissa's hair each time she spoke. "Please let her be ok. Let my family be ok. Please don't let her die."