The smell of bacon was filling the house, as Gage was busy cooking breakfast, hobbling through the kitchen on still unsteady feat. Sydney had been fast asleep when he had shot up in bed, wide awake after one of the few nightmares he still had. So he had decided to just make the most of it and start the day early, with a good hearty breakfast.
He had just finished with pouring some juice for him and Syd when a pain filled scream flowed from the stairs into the kitchen.
Two glasses shattered on the kitchen floor as Gage quickly grabbed his cane and made his way upstairs as fast as his healing body could take him. The stairs still proved to be a difficulty for him as he desperately grabbed on to the railing, every time his legs wanted to tumble out beneath him.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, he reached the final step, and only one door separated him from his goal. Pain filled groans seemed to keep coming from behind the closed door and Gage pushed himself to his limit, stumbling towards the door, desperation filling his entire being. Out of breath, and with fear flowing through his veins, he called out to her.
"Syd, I'm coming, I'm coming Syd", adding softly, "please be alright…"
He opened the door, but nothing could have prepared him for the sight which met his eyes.
She had curled up into a ball, soft whimpers emanating from her. Blood had stained the sheets all over, leaving ugly forms on the once white sheets.
Gage had stood there, frozen for what seemed like an eternity, but what was actually a few seconds. Grabbing the phone on his way over to her, he knelt besides her. And while one hand went to her head, stroking the sweaty strands behind her ears, the other hand dialled familiar numbers on the phone.
"Gage, the baby, I can't loose the baby. It hurts so much… I can't-" her voice died out as a sharp pain travelled through her lower back.
Putting away the phone Gage turned back to her, fear clearly visible in his eyes. "Shhh, it's going to be okay sweetie, everything will be fine. I just have to get you to the hospital, they are waiting for us…"
A confused look flew over Sydney's pain filled face, "Gage, you- you can't drive yet, what about the ambulance?"
Gage lowered his look, this was just their luck, "Syd, they can't send one, there was a huge accident downtown, and they need all of them there. But it will be fine, I can take you, you will be fine… We will be fine." he said, not only trying to convince her, but himself too.
Seeing the pain filled grimace on her face, Gage jumped into action, not wanting to waste another second. Bending over, he took her in his arms shrugging off the bloodied sheets as he made his way to the stairwell.
It took al Sydney's willpower not to scream at the sudden movements, but as soon as he had a good hold on her, she curled up again as much as possible and buried her face deep within his chest, still whimpering softly.
At the same time, Gage bit the inside of his cheek, willing his legs to carry them both to the stairs and further. Slowly he made his way down each and every step, ignoring the lingering pain in his back, holding his precious load tightly in his arms. When he reached the wooden floor, he was panting hard, while sweat slowly dripped down his back. But what scared him the most was the blood steadily dripping down his front. As he opened the door with one swift movement, he felt her body stiffening at the movement.
"I'm sorry Syd, we're almost there, I promise." he softly whispered, meanwhile opening the passengers door and putting her in slowly. When he was sure she was at least a little bit comfortable, he closed the door and limped over to the other side and got behind the wheel.
Although he hadn't driven since his assignment, he found his feet doing the job just fine. They reached the hospital in record time, and with screeching tires Gage stopped the car in front of the entrance where two nurses and a gurney were already waiting for them.
From that moment on everything happened so fast Gage couldn't keep up anymore. Sydney was now unconscious and was being wheeled inside so fast, Gage couldn't keep up with them. Nevertheless he followed them, using the adrenaline still pumping through his body, and only when a doctor stopped him cause he couldn't go any further, he stopped dead in his tracks. Suddenly all the adrenaline, which had kept him upright during the whole ordeal, left his body and he sagged down in one of the chairs standing there. Looking down at himself he saw the dried blood on his shirt and pants and suddenly the whole situation hit home. Fear for Sydney and the baby were consuming him. She was almost in her eighth month, what would happen if the baby was born now? Would she live? Would Syd be alright? All these questions were running thought his mind, over and over again, until they all blended together into a noise so loud, Gage had the urge to cover his ears with his hands. Putting his head in his hands he put all the thoughts to a stop by just cutting himself off. And so he waited, mind blank, preparing for what lay ahead.
5 Hours later…
Still sitting in the same place, Gage felt like he had been sitting there for days, but it had only been five hours until a doctor came to see him.
"Mr. Gage?" he asked.
Gage hadn't noticed the doctor until he said his name, and his head shot up, eyes pleading for good news.
"How is she? Is she alright?" The questions flowed from his mouth before he could stop himself. But after seeing the look on the doctors face, he almost regretted asking him.
"Please, follow me, we'll talk in my office," he said, while turning and walking to his office, expecting Gage to follow him. And so he did.
After arriving in the small office, Gage hesitantly took a seat.