Zach and Bianca seated themselves at a small, round table and were joined a few moments later by Erica and Joe Martin. Erica seated herself at the table, ignoring Zach and smiling at Bianca who asked, "Is Greenlee still with Kendall?"
"She'll sit with her until we're finished, then she's going back to Fusion to safeguard Kendall's company," Erica answered pointedly.
Zach silently observed their exchange until Joe extended his hand and asked him, "Did you get the envelope I left for you?"
"Yes. Thank you, Dr. Martin," Zach answered as he firmly grasped the older man's hand. He glanced at the women seated at the table and continued, "Before Kendall's doctors arrive I think this is a good time to discuss the schedule for staying with her." When he had gained both women's attention he said, "I believe that it will be easier on you both if I take the early morning hours, like I did last night. Bianca… you and your mother work out whatever schedule works best around Miranda's needs, and I'll relieve you at eleven o'clock."
Mother and daughter exchanged a glance before Bianca replied, "That's fine, Zach… Thank you. Fortunately Miranda has several aunts and uncles who are thrilled to spend time with her…" Bianca paused and had the good grace to blush as she realized the insult she had given to Zach, but continued without apology, "…which leaves me with as much time as I need to help Kendall in her recovery. After all, she was right here with me when I needed her the most."
Zach nodded his head but did not respond to Bianca's statement. His eyes had narrowed at her comment about Miranda's aunts and uncles, but he did not feel that it was the time or the place to point out that he deserved equal time to any other "uncle" that Bianca might designate. Hopefully, once Kendall recovered, he would have the opportunity to spend at least a few minutes with his niece before she returned to France.
Erica was not one to tolerate silence well and jumped in when Zach did not reply, "Of course, I'm not planning to leave the hospital until Kendall does… so you see, Zach… you're really not needed here. Bianca and I can handle everything and you can take care of Kendall's other business interests. I'm sure that would mean a great deal to her."
In spite of himself, Zach gave a tiny smile to Erica at her audacity, "That's alright, Erica. I do appreciate your concern on my behalf… but I've got everything taken care of. My people will keep the casinos running and Dr. Martin has very kindly arranged sleeping quarters for me in the doctors' lounge just down the hall. I'll be only a few moments away when Kendall needs me."
"But… but…" Erica sputtered. "You and my daughter Kendall are business partners and she won't take too kindly to your losing all of her money just to stay at the hospital. No… I believe that she would want you to take care of your businesses and leave her family to care for her more personal needs."
"But I am family Erica… I guess you'll just have to get used to having me around," Zach answered quietly with a shake of his head and a twinkle in his eyes. He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers while waiting for the physicians to arrive, but said no more.
When Dr. Donelson entered the room just a few minutes later accompanied by another physician, Zach rose and shook her hand and that of her colleague as she introduced Dr. Stallman. After everyone was seated at the table she began, "Mr. Slater, Mrs. Montgomery, Miss Montgomery… I'm sure that Dr. Martin has explained to you that Mrs. Slater is in a coma."
Zach nodded without response and the doctor continued, "Right now we will continue to hyperventilate her until the steroids have a chance to take over and reduce the swelling of her brain… most likely three or four days. After that we'll wean her off the vent until she's breathing on her own. Although I realize that the idea of a coma is frightening to you, it is allowing Kendall's body to heal."
"I was in a coma last year for several days… and it took a miracle to wake me up. How do we find a miracle to help my sister?" Bianca asked.
"Miss Montgomery… I'm familiar with your case… and it was a very different circumstance. Your sister suffered an epidural hemorrhage that required surgical intervention. As long as there are no complications from the contusion on her left temple, she has a good prognosis for recovery," Dr. Donelson replied.
"What does that mean? What contusion? And what do you consider a good prognosis?" Erica demanded.
"Your daughter has a 60 to 90 percent chance of recovery, although until she wakes up it will be difficult to tell if there are any residual effects from the epidural bleed. However, she also suffered a significant blow to her left temple… the bruise that you can see on her face… and we have to consider that there may be complications from a temporal injury as well," she replied candidly.
"What about her other injuries? Will they complicate her recovery?" Zach asked quietly.
At this point Dr. Stallman spoke, "All of her other injuries are responding to treatment. Her leg will remain in traction while she's in the ICU and we have her shoulder immobilized. The contusions to her liver and kidneys will not require surgical intervention."
"She had some broken ribs," Zach commented. "Is there any risk to her lungs while she's on the ventilator?"
"Not from the ribs," Dr. Stallman replied. "Right now we want to watch her carefully to ensure that she is tolerating the vent until we're ready to wean her from it."
"I see. Is there anything else we should know?" Zach responded.
"While Kendall is in ICU she will be receiving care from a number of different people. You will see physical therapists, occupational therapists, and respiratory therapists in addition to the doctors and nurses. While your presence is important to her recovery – you need to make sure that you follow instructions and stay out of their way," Joe Martin interjected. He arranged his face in his sternest expression before continuing, "And you need to leave your differences outside of this hospital. While you are here the only thing that matters is Kendall's recovery. You three are a team that will help her to wake up and get better – I expect you to work together for Kendall's sake."
Bianca nodded her head, "Yes, Dr. Joe… we'll do as you say… won't we, Mom?"
Erica responded quickly, "Of course, the only thing that matters is my daughter Kendall. Anyway… Zach said he'd be staying away until the night shift… I think I can manage to tolerate him for a few minutes each day."
"Erica…" Joe said sternly.
At the same time Bianca said, "Mom!"
Throughout the exchange, Zach remained calm and collected in his seat at the table. Once they were finished he turned toward Dr. Donelson, "Thank you for everything you've done for Kendall. If there is anything that we should be doing… please let us know."
"You're welcome, Mr. Slater. You keep talking to your wife, reminding her of her life and we'll continue do everything we can to assist her recovery," the physician replied. She rose and shook hands with Zach, Erica and then Bianca as did her colleague before they both left the room.
After another minute, Zach rose and stretched before commenting, "I'm going to rest for a little while. Who will I be relieving this evening?"
"Me. Mom should spend some time with Miranda… and she needs me more in the mornings," Bianca replied. "I'll see you at eleven."
Zach nodded in reply before leaving the room and heading straight toward the doctors' lounge and the first real sleep he'd been able to catch in nearly forty-eight hours. It had been a very long couple of days, and he was feeling weary to the bone… but he was not about to let anyone in the Kane-Montgomery clan even suspect that he suffered from so human a weakness as fatigue. However, not even his steadfast resolve could stop him from drifting quickly into a deep slumber once he had laid his head on the pillow of the cot in his temporary quarters.