Scary
"Hey, we got here as quickly as we could." Cassie said, first to arrive as she approached her sister who was sitting outside in the waiting room on Sofia's hospital wing.
The rounds of phone calls had been made whilst Sofia was getting her scans. She was now back in her room and sleeping again. On the phone, the family were all kinds of upset and shocked, and were all on their way to the hospital.
"Thank you." Thea nodded, standing up and hugging Cassie tightly whilst Theo stood behind.
"Where's Dominic?" Theo asked.
"He'd just gone for coffee for us." Thea said.
"So what's going on? Has she been for the scans?" Cassie asked.
"She'd gone for them earlier." Thea nodded, "The doctor hasn't been round since. She's back in her room sleeping. It's all she's been doing really."
"How are you holding up?" Theo asked her.
"I've been better." Thea said, "I'm not sure everyone will be allowed to go in and visit her. She's super exhausted."
"Well she's been through so much." Cassie sighed, "That kind of surgery is a lot for adults never mind a little kid." She shook her head as Thea nodded.
"The doctor thinks the damage to her optic nerve might be pretty bad. Which… can mean permanent vision loss." Thea said as Cassie looked across at her. It was hard knowing what to say. It was devastating.
"Is that just down to the way she was hit by car?" Theo asked.
"Yeah. Actually I think it happened when her head hit the ground. According to Lily's mom, the little girl she as staying with, the car hit her side on. It must have been the fallout that injured her." Thea said.
"Have the police been round?" Cassie asked.
"No, actually." Thea said, "So I'm assuming whoever hit her has been brought in. Either voluntarily or not. They'll probably be round to give us some kind of update."
"And how is she?" Cassie asked, "She must be so frightened." She placed her hand on her chest, not baring to think what her niece was feeling. How frightening it all must be for her.
"Well she's doing ok." Thea nodded, "But I think she's a little scared. She doesn't like not knowing who is in the room." She explained, "So I told Dominic that we should address ourselves when we go in. Make sure she's comfortable like that."
"Of course." Cassie nodded, her voice breaking a little as she swallowed the lump in her throat, "There's no way it could be a temporary thing?" She asked.
"Doesn't seem likely but… I guess it's the only hope we can hold onto right now." Thea nodded.
"Is there anything you need?" Theo asked her, "Where's James and Sam?"
"They're with Dominic's brother. He's being kept in the loop. I don't want Sam here just yet but I think… I think James will want to know what's happening." Thea said, "We're just trying to figure out what's the best way to handle it all."
"If you need anything from us…" Cassie took her sister's hand and squeezed it.
"Yeah I know." Thea nodded.
"Would I be allowed to see her?" Cassie asked, "Even if it's just me?"
"I think she might be sleeping but yeah, I guess before everyone else gets here." Thea nodded.
"I'll wait out here." Theo insisted, "You go." He encouraged Cassie, not wanting to bombard Sofia with too many people in her room, especially given the situation she was in with her loss of sight.
"Ok." Cassie nodded, following Thea towards Sofia's room.
"Oh, I think she's awake." Thea noticed through the window, noticing Sofia awake and playing with the ears on her bear.
"Gosh, her head." Cassie noticed through the window.
"Yeah she asked me if James cut her hair off." Thea smiled a little as Cassie also smiled.
"She would, wouldn't she?" Cassie smiled, following Thea into the room.
"Hey, baby. It's just mom." Thea said softly, "Aunt Cassie is with me. She's come to see how you're doing."
"Hi, sweetie." Cassie said, looking over at Sofia. It was evident just by looking at the way the nine year old was looking around different parts of the room, that she had no vision. It broke Cassie's heart.
"Hi." Sofia said quietly.
"Hey." Cassie smiled, "Oh, I love your pjs." Cassie noticed Minnie Mouse.
"They're Minnie." Sofia nodded. She only knew because Thea had told her, and she could somehow tell by the way they felt on her body that they were her favourite.
"I love them. You think they do them in my size?" Cassie asked as Sofia smiled, "Your mom has been telling me how brave you've been. You know I think you might be the bravest person I know." Cassie said, sitting down by the bed.
"I don't know about that." Sofia shook her head.
"I think you are." Cassie nodded, "I could never be this brave." She said. And she didn't feel as though she was bullshitting. The strength of this little girl to still function and conduct conversation with her family, even after waking up to no vision anymore was beyond comprehension.
"You're brave because you're a cop. Even though mom says cops are silly." Sofia said as Thea widened her eyes a little, turning to Cassie and smiling nervously.
"Oh, does she?" Cassie smiled to Thea.
"Just a little." Thea whispered.
"Well I'll let mom off the hook maybe just this once." Cassie nodded, "Is this your bear?" She asked, reaching out for the teddy bear to take a look, watching as Sofia placed her hand on top of hers, feeling around her wrist, touching the bracelet which Cassie always had on her wrist.
Thea watched, realising her daughter was double checking it was definitely her aunt.
"Don't worry, it's just me." Cassie assured her, realising what Sofia was doing by feeling around her wrist and bracelet, "I promise." Cassie said as Sofia nodded.
"Yeah, this is my bear." Sofia nodded, passing him to Cassie.
"I'm just going outside to see dad, ok?" Thea said, nodding to Cassie who nodded back.
"Ok." Sofia said, listening out as the door opened and closed, suspecting her mother was gone now.
Thea headed back to the waiting room where she found her parents as well as Jude and Sean had both arrived.
"Hey." Thea said tiredly, immediately getting a tight hug from her parents who looked the most anxious she'd ever seen them, pale and terrified.
"How is she doing?" Jude asked, "Dominic was just saying they took her for some scans earlier."
"Yeah, she went for some scans." Thea nodded, "But we haven't heard anything from the doctor since. She's back in her room. Cassie is with her right ow." She said, "I know you'll all want to go in and see her but… I'd rather everyone wasn't in the room with her at the same time. I don't think she'll like it very much." Thea said as Dominic nodded in agreement. They felt it was entirely their responsibility to make sure their daughter felt safe and comfortable during this frightening and uncertain time.
"Of course." AJ understood.
"Maybe two at a time." Thea said, "But she might be too tired anyway. Her surgery was big and she's been sleeping a lot." She explained.
"Have they said any more about her vision?" Jude asked.
"No." Thea shook her head, "If the scans show up how much damage there is to the optic nerve, we might get more indication." She nodded.
"Well we'll remain hopeful." Punk nodded firmly as Thea smiled, appreciating the support.
"Is there anything you guys need?" Jude asked.
"Yeah, can we get you guys anything?" Sean added, "Do you need someone to watch James and Sam?"
"No they're with Dominic's brother, actually." Thea nodded, "We're ok. We don't need anything." She said.
"How did it even happen?" AJ shook her head. She felt sick with worry and devastation. They all did.
"I never really got a chance to speak to Lily's mother. That's who she was staying with." Thea said, "I wasn't really in a good place to speak to her at the time." She said, "The Phil Brooks in me was very much alive and well." She translated as they all nodded, understanding the reference, including Punk.
"Understandable." Jude nodded.
"From what Sofia managed to tell us… they were outside on the front porch and she saw a cat across the road. She wanted to pet it." Thea nodded, "She ran over and… that's the last thing she can remember." She said.
"God." AJ sighed, shaking her head, "The poor thing." She placed her hand on her chest.
"I actually spoke with Scott not too long ago." Dominic said, "He's dropping James off. Apparently he was kicking up a fuss and wants to know what's going on." He said as Thea turned to him.
"I was waiting for that." Thea admitted.
"If she's too tired, we won't hang around out here." Punk said, "But we'll go to the coffee shop downstairs, in case you need us for anything at all." He nodded.
"Us too." Jude said.
"Yeah, we'll be here." Theo agreed.
"All of you don't have to stay." Thea smiled a little, "We appreciate it but… it's ok." She said, noticing the look on their faces telling her they were staying, no matter what she said.
They all headed down to the coffee shop in the hospital, not wishing to bombard Sofia all at once, especially when she was still so tired. Nevertheless, Thea and Dominic appreciated them being here.
Cassie had stayed with Sofia for a little while before saying goodbye and letting her rest.
"Where is everyone?" Cassie asked, approaching her sister once she'd left Sofia's room.
"They went down for coffee." Thea said, "I don't think everyone should be piling in to visit her. Not just now anyway. I do appreciate everyone being here, though." Thea nodded tiredly.
"You need to look after yourself too. Both of you." Cassie reminded her as Thea just nodded along by default, "We're all here for you. Please remember that."
"I know." Thea understood that, "James is coming along. I… I have no idea what to say to him."
"She'll be happy that he's here. Won't she?" Cassie nodded positively, "I know you say that they don't get along but… when it comes down to it…" She said as Thea nodded, knowing what she was meaning.
"I just don't want him to be upset." Thea said, "He's a strong kid but this is… this is a lot." She nodded.
"Do you want me to stay around? I could take him away if it's too much." Cassie nodded.
"No… No, it's ok. You go get a coffee." Thea nodded, "How was she doing in there?"
"She's doing amazing." Cassie said, surprised to say the least, "There will be no keeping her down, that's for sure." She nodded positively as Thea smiled, appreciating the encouraging words.
"I'll come and let you guys know if there's any word on the scans." Thea said as Cassie nodded.
"Ok." Cassie nodded, "You guys need me to bring you up anything?"
"No, we're good." Thea said, looking over at Dominic who was using the coffee machine, for the seventh time in the past few hours possibly.
"I can get him a proper coffee if he wants." Cassie said as Thea looked at Dominic.
"No, it's ok. He doesn't even drink coffee." Thea told her truthfully as Cassie nodded.
"Ok, well you know where we all are." Cassie said, wrapping her arms around Thea tightly, holding the hug for a minute before parting ways.
Thea watched as Cassie left the hospital wing, turning her attention to Dominic, making her way over to him at the coffee machine.
"Are you even drinking them?" Thea asked him curiously.
"A little. Then they go cold. I forget about them." Dominic told her, "You know, everyone doesn't have to be downstairs waiting around." He turned to her.
"I know but you know if I tell them to go they won't." Thea said, "Maybe even later on, my mom and dad could come see her. Depending on how she's feeling." She nodded.
"I just don't want everyone piling in one by one like she's some kind of… zoo animal." Dominic shook his head.
"I know but it's my family." Thea said, "She loves my parents. She'll be happy they're here." She nodded. She knew he was just being protective.
"Yeah." Dominic agreed, looking past Thea as he saw the elevator doors open, watching James crutch his way out of them and down the corridor towards them, "You taking this or am I?" He asked Thea quietly before James reached them.
"I think this might need a double effort." Thea admitted, looking on as James approached them.
"Hey." James said nervously, "I saw everyone downstairs." He told them, "Why are they all here?" He questioned. All he knew was that Sofia had an accident and had to go to the hospital. He had only assumed she'd fallen and needed stitches, maybe even a cast like him if she'd broken something.
"Hey." Thea smiled, "You wanna sit down for a second?" She asked him.
"Ok." James said suspiciously, taking a seat in the waiting room beside Thea whilst Dominic sat across, "How did she fall?" He asked, looking to and from his parents, starting to get nervous as he managed to see the look on their faces more clearly.
"She didn't fall." Thea shook her head, "She got hit by a car." She nodded as James raised his eyebrows.
"She's going to be ok, though." Dominic inserted, "She's awake right now and she's… she's doing good." He said, wanting to reassure his son as quickly as possible, before he worried.
"How'd she get hit by a car?" James shook his head.
"She… saw a cat." Thea nodded, "She ran out to pet it and got hit." She said, "She was in surgery. There was a few complications with her head. Swelling and stuff." She nodded, not wanting to give him the details he wouldn't understand. She turned to Dominic, looking for help with the next part.
"Here's the thing, buddy." Dominic sighed, "She's… she's having trouble with her vision." He nodded, "Because of how her head was hit, it's… it's caused her to lose her sight. Completely." He said as James looked at Dominic, horrified.
"What?" James shook his head.
"We don't know if she'll regain her sight. She's been for some scans so the doctor can take a better look." Thea said, "But it's important that-"
"She's blind?" James questioned as Dominic and Thea looked at him.
"For now." Dominic nodded.
"She just sees nothing?" James asked, not being able to comprehend such a thing.
"She can hear just fine and… she's doing good." Thea nodded positively, "You can go in and see her if you want to? We'll come with you." She said as James gulped. They could see he was nervous about it, and clearly very shocked, "It's still your sister, baby."
"But she won't see me?" James clarified.
"No." Thea said.
"I think she'd be happy to know you're here." Dominic said as Thea nodded in agreement, "But if you don't want to see her just now, if you want to wait, that's ok too."
"Whatever you want." Thea added as James looked at them both.
"No, I'll go and see her." James nodded bravely.
"Are you sure?" Thea asked him. She very much still wanted to protect her son and his feelings, regardless if he was old or brave enough to handle the situation at hand.
"Yeah." James nodded.
"Ok." Thea rubbed his shoulder softly, standing up and heading down to Sofia's room, "Some of her hair is cut and she's got some bandages on her head, ok." Thea let James know, in case he got startled.
"Ok." James said. He felt nerves in his stomach. Not the good type of nerves he got before his soccer games. Bad nerves. Scared nerves. He couldn't fathom how his little sister couldn't see a thing. But he wanted to see her. He wanted to speak to her.
Thea opened up the door, walking into the room where Sofia was sitting up in bed, "Hey, it's mom and dad." Thea let her know.
"And we got a visitor with us." Dominic added as James crutched into the room.
"James?" Sofia questioned, looking over in their direction.
"I thought she couldn't…" James paused.
"I can hear your crutches." Sofia said quietly as James nodded. She could tell it was her brother by hearing the crutches in the room.
"It's just us three." Thea told her.
"Hey." James said quietly, making his way over to the bed, "You know you got your hair cut?" He asked her immediately.
"I thought it was you." Sofia told him as James smiled a little.
"I'd do a better job than that." James shook his head, looking at her as she glanced past him, very obvious that she couldn't see him standing beside her. He wasn't sure what to feel or how to feel. The main feeling he had was anger. He wanted his little sister to be able to see him.
"Why is Sam not here?" Sofia asked.
"She's a baby." James said before their parents could answer with something more diplomatic.
"She'll come in eventually, baby." Thea nodded, taking a seat by the bed with Dominic whilst James continued to stand beside, looking closely at his sister.
"I'm not an amputee at least." Sofia told him, laying back against her pillows as James chuckled a little.
"Yeah, that's good." James nodded. Without his parents noticing, he closed his eyes over, trying to imagine what it felt like to not be able to see a thing. It scared him. And he was so sad that this was all his little sister could see.
He complained and whined about having two little sisters, for what felt like, every single day of his life, but with that came the unconditional love he had for both of them that he never let onto.
"Where are you?" Sofia asked, wondering where in the room her brother was. She could tell he was to her right side, but had no idea where abouts.
"I'm here." James said, reaching out and touching her hand.
"I thought you were around there." Sofia nodded triumphantly as James smiled.
"At least you don't have to wear your glasses." James realised, remembering what a fuss she had made about needing glasses.
"Oh, yeah." Sofia said quietly with a little smile.
Thea smiled as she watched James hold onto Sofia's hand, turning to Dominic who was also smiling. They didn't say anything to one another, but they both silently agreed with an exchanged look, that they had the strongest and most wonderful children.
