DK nudged Walsh.
"Wake up, the doctor's coming out." DK says
Walsh sits up straight. He was sweating. It had been a dream. That was a relief to him. He looked around the room and found everyone sitting there. He dug in his pocket and pulled out the medal that Taylor always wore. Kim had given it to him in the ER; she had to take it off to treat Taylor's wounds. He held it tight in his fist.
He noticed that Bosco, Faith, Sullivan, and Davis were there as well. Alex Taylor was not just part of Squad 55, she was part of Camelot. Camelot meant the firefighters and cops that called the corner of King and Arthur their home.
The doctor looked around at everybody gathered in the room.
"Mrs. Taylor." He said softly, "I'm Dr. Jeffries, I operated on your daughter."
"How is she?" Beth Taylor asks
"Well, I prefer to talk to the family in private." Dr. Jeffries says
"Doctor, I understand that you have protocols to follow, but these people are my daughter's family as well. Whatever you have to say to me you can say to them. It just saves a lot of the trouble of having to explain to them." Beth explains
Dr. Jeffries nods as he begins to explain. "You're daughter was shot three times, once in the chest and twice in the abdomen. We were able to get the bleeding controlled and remove the bullet fragments. However, her spleen was pierced and so we had to remove it to keep the risk of infection down. None of the bullets hit her spinal cord or anything else life threatening. In a few weeks time, and after some therapy she'll be good as new." He smiles
It was a relief that everyone in the room needed. They needed to know that Taylor would be okay. They cheered and shared their relief with one another. Walsh got up and walked down the hall. He took the elevator back downstairs, made his way out through the ER and sat at a park bench near the entrance. It was well after 2 AM but he wasn't tired. There was no way that he could sleep right now. He pulled the medal out and held it in his hands. He admired it.
Taylor was in the SICU bed. She was still hooked up to a ventilator that clicked and gave her a breath. She was so fragile looking. The tubes and wires made her look vulnerable. Walsh had taken over for Beth Taylor, she was exhausted and he told her he would call if there was any change.
The nurse came in and checked over her chart. Doctor Jeffries did the same. Walsh looked up.
"I think it's safe to extubate her." Doctor Jeffries said
Walsh nodded as he watched. The doctor checked a couple more things and then left the room. Walsh held Taylor's hand.
"I thought I'd lost you." He whispered to her. "I'm not ready to give you up yet. I don't want to lose you."
He fell asleep with his head resting on her bed. Her hand was still in his.
Three Days Later
Walsh was in the room watching Taylor sleep. He had kept a constant watch on her over the last few days. He had truly been scared of losing her.
Taylor woke up as Walsh was sitting beside her.
"You're beautiful when you sleep." He smiled
She smiled back. She didn't feel very beautiful right now. She was in an ugly hospital gown with wires and tubes going every which way. She thought for a moment.
"You'd think I was beautiful even if I was dead." She joked
"No, then you'd just be dead." He cracked
She tried to laugh but it hurt too much, so she stopped. Walsh felt bad for making her laugh.
"I'm sorry." He said
"Don't worry about it. That's the first I've been able to laugh since this all happened." She replied
"I got something for you." He was proud of himself
Walsh produced a red stuffed bear; he held it next to his face and smiled.
"Okay, it's a stuffed bear." Taylor smiles
"Not just ANY stuffed bear." He said, "That is a Care Bear- it's Love-A-Lot Bear. Because I love you and I don't want to ever lose you."
Taylor watched him. She was kind of confused as he got out of his chair and knelt down on the floor. He put the bear in her one arm and took her hand (the one with her IV). He gently stroked her hand for a moment.
"We've been through a lot in the last few years. It's been hard, but we've gotten through them. I've enjoyed every moment of the time that I have had with you. I thought that I had lost you Alex. I don't ever want to feel that again. I love you more than anyone could possibly know. You are my hero and my best friend." He said as he looked into her eyes. "Alexandra Meaghan Taylor, will you marry me?"
Her blue eyes welled up with tears. She put her right hand over her mouth for a moment. When she lowered it there was a huge smile on her face.
"Yes." She said
He was thrilled and moved up to her bed. He sat beside her and hugged her the best he could. He had tears streaming down his face too, and a smile that went from ear to ear. Finally, he put the ring he had gotten for her on her hand. She admired it for a moment and then she kissed him.
"You have made me the happiest man in the world." He said
Beth Taylor walked into the room and caught the tale end of the moment. She looked at the two of them, both of them were smiling and the tears still evident.
"What's going on?" She asked
Neither of them said a word. Taylor simply held up her hand. Tears of joy welled up in Beth's eyes. She quickly went to them and hugged each of them.
"Your father would have been proud to be here for this." Beth said
"I know." Taylor said
Walsh smiled as he watched mother and daughter embrace again. He looked at his watch.
"Okay honey, I need to head to work. But I promise that I will be back her tomorrow for your therapy." Walsh kissed her lips
Taylor admired her ring.
"I love you." Walsh added with a smile
"I love you too." Taylor replied
Walsh walked up the stairs to the firehouse. Lombardo, DK, Jimmy, Kim, and Carlos were sitting in the kitchen. Walsh couldn't hide his smile.
"Okay, what's up with you?" Lombardo asked
"Can't I be happy about something?" Walsh asked
"No." DK stated plainly
"Okay, Billy, you're hiding something." Kim noticed
"I am not." He defended himself
"You do the same thing Jimmy does when he's hiding something." Kim added
Jimmy laughed, "You're not going to win this one brother."
Lt. Johnson, Doc, Grace, and Mac had made their way into the kitchen during this exchange. Walsh looked around and saw everyone there.
"Okay, okay." He put up his hands, "You win."
"Spill it." Mac said
"Well, I am going to get married." Walsh smiled
Everyone was in shock.
"Who did you find stupid enough to marry you?" DK teased
"You've been dating and haven't let any of us meet her?" Jimmy asked
Walsh laughed.
"What's so funny?" Carlos asked
"You all know her." Walsh smiled
Everyone was confused.
"Alex and I are getting married." Walsh admitted
Everyone got up and congratulated him. It was great that he had finally found someone who would treat him right. They all laughed about how blind they had been to it. Grace had only worked with them for a few shifts but she had noticed it.
Lt. Johnson broke up the party.
"Okay, now that we've gotten all the congratulations out of the way… I figure I can tell you the news." He said
Everyone looked at him.
"Promotions!" He smiled
"The results are back?" Kim asked
"Afraid so." Lt. Johnson tapped the paper in his hand.
"Well?" DK asked
"Lieutenants Parker and Zambrano for EMS." Lt. Johnson announced
"Congratulations." Jimmy hugged Kim and shook Doc's hand
"Doc's leaving the streets and heading downtown." Lt. Johnson smiled, "Leaving Lt. Zambrano here to supervise the medics."
"What about you Lieu?" Walsh asked
Lt. Johnson looked at him.
"Yeah what about you Lieu?" Lombardo asked
Lt. Johnson looked down and choked up for a moment.
"I passed the Captain's exam." He said
Everyone was excited about it.
"Will you get to stay here?" Jimmy asked
Lt. Johnson looked down.
"Lieu?" Walsh asked
"Unfortunately not." Lt. Johnson said
The squad sat in shock. For most of them he was the only Lieutenant they had ever had.
"Starting next week your Covering Lieutenant will be Jimmy. I've been reassigned to Engine 49." Lt. Johnson said as he swallowed hard.
Carlos was shocked.
"You're leaving?" Carlos asked Doc
Doc shook his head, "Afraid so."
"A lot of changes coming here to the house." Lt. Johnson said
Walsh frowned a little.
"Yeah, a lot of changes ahead." He said under his breath