Hammersley returned to HMAS Cairns after finishing their patrol. They had been out for three weeks and Josh was anxious to see Nikki. Arriving at the wharf fifteen minutes before they were due in, Josh ran into Sally Blake toting little Chris on her hip while Chloe was bouncing around waiting for her daddy.
"Josh! How does it feel to be on this side of things?" Sally greeted him.
"Honestly, it feels great. I miss not seeing Nikki every day, and I miss the guys, but I love that we are together without having to sneak around like school kids."
"I can imagine how difficult that must have been with how much you love each other."
"Yeah, it really was. We almost got caught out a couple of times. I'm fairly sure that Mike and Kate knew or had an idea but chose to look the other way." He said, smiling. "Anyway, we kept our relationship off the boat. I think that helped."
Hammersley slid into her berth on the wharf and Josh watched the close-up team with nostalgia as they were talking. Another fifteen minutes and Nikki had started down the gangway. She saluted the ensign and then spotted Josh. Not expecting him to be there, she practically jogged the rest of the way. Dropping her seabag, she jumped into Josh's arms. Sally couldn't help but laugh.
Following a proper kiss, "Josh! How are you here? I thought that you had a dive excursion."
" I asked John and Scotty for the day off so I could be here when you came into port."
With a hug and another quick kiss, "this is the best surprise!"
While Nikki and Josh were greeting each other, Swain had made his way down the gangway onto the wharf and to his family. He gave Sally a quick hug and a kiss while Chloe ran and bounced, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Swain gave little Swain a kiss on the top of his head and scooped up Chloe to give her a spin. Then he set a giggling little girl on his shoulders for the walk to their car.
Family greetings complete, Sally called out to Josh and Nikki. "Hey, you two. How about coming over for dinner someday this week."
"That sounds great," Josh answered as he grabbed Nikki's seabag.
"Just give us a call," Nikki added.
"Ready to get out of here?" Josh asked her.
"You bet!"
Wrapping their arms around each other, they headed to the car park.
After tossing the bag on the backseat, he pulled her close for another kiss. " I miss you so much when you're away, Babe."
"I miss you too." and they climbed in. " Do we need to stop at the grocery?"
"Not unless there is something special that you want; otherwise, I shopped yesterday so we should be good."
"No, I don't need anything except maybe Ben & Jerry's," Nikki grinned.
"Already in the freezer, Luv. Well… good then, no stopping," said with a sly smile. I just want to get you home."
"Well then, Romeo, let's get going."
Putting the car in gear, Josh headed for the townhouse they now shared. When he left the Navy, they moved out of Nikki's one-bedroom and into an available two-bedroom two-bathroom. They had two beautiful balconies that overlooked the water, one-off of the living room and the other off their bedroom.
As soon as they were home, Josh grabbed her up in his arms and kissed her silly, all the while leading her to their bedroom.
Later he made them a dinner of baked white fish, baked potatoes, and salad. He set them up on the patio table.
"Josh, this looks terrific!"
"Why, thank you, Princess. I'm happy you approve."
"What do you say to a walk after the dishes?"
"That sounds good, then a movie and ice cream?"
"Perfect."
Nikki loved walking the beaches looking for shells. This evening she was hoping to find a special one for Lancelot's tank.
As the sun started to set, they sat in the sand, cuddling, kissing, and reveling in just being together. Once the sun had set, fingers laced, they made their way back to the car.
Nikki put the shell she had found in Lance's tank as she called out to Josh, "I'm going to shower and change. Want to find us a movie? Whatever you want."
"Okay, Babe."
When the movie finished, Nikki got up and put the ice cream container in the bin and their spoons in the sink. Josh was still sitting on the couch when she came back into the lounge. Going over to Josh, she climbed onto his lap and pulled him in for a long, deep kiss.
"Are you ready for bed, Mister Holiday?"
"More than," kissing and nuzzling her neck.
Early the next morning, they went for a run, enjoying the outdoors before becoming too hot. Returning from their run, they took a leisurely shower.
"Josh," Nikki said while getting dressed, "I'm going to make a run to the druggist for a few things. Do you need anything?"
"No, not really. Give me a minute, and I'll go with you."
"That's alright, I won't be long. Stay, relax. I'll pick up some scones for brekky."
"Okay."
" I'll just take your car if that's okay. You're parked behind mine."
"Nikki, you don't need to ask. Keys are on the side table."
"Thanks," giving him a quick kiss before leaving.
Josh put on a pair of board shorts, not bothering with a shirt. Grabbing a brew and his book, he went out to the balcony off the living room and got comfortable in one of the lounges.
Just getting settled in, he could hear Nikki back out of the driveway and head down the street. Then as he was picking up his book, he heard the squealing of tires and a horrific crash.
"NIKKI!" yelling and taking off running, not stopping for a shirt or shoes, he ran out of the townhouse and down the street.
Running towards the street corner. To his horror, Josh saw his car in the middle of the intersection with another car smashed into the driver's side, crushing in the door. His car was T-boned with Nikki trapped inside. Ignoring all of the glass and his bare feet, he ran straight to Nikki. Pulling open the passenger side door, he climbed inside. Nikki was unresponsive with a large gash on the right side of her head that was bleeding profusely. With tears running down his face, he reached over to feel for a pulse ( please, please, please ). He was able to feel a strong pulse straight away. Then he looked for something to press on her head wound and not finding anything.
"Nikki, Baby, please open your eyes. I'm here; I love you. We have a long way to go together, please stay with me," holding her hand and stroking her cheek.
The fire brigade and paramedics arrived in short order, and she started to come around. Moaning, "Josh, Josh, what's happened? Where are we? Oh, God, I hurt."
"Nikki, Luv, you've been in an accident. Looks like you hit your head pretty good. I can't tell about anything else. The paramedics just got here."
"Josh, stay with me, don't leave me."
"I'm not going anywhere, Luv, but I have to get out of the car so that they can look after you, get you out of the car and to hospital." Leaning close and kissing her on the cheek, "I'll be just outside."
Because the airbag deployed, the driver of the other car had only minor injuries and was already on the way to hospital.
After the other car was pulled away, it would take the jaws of life to pry open the driver's side door and enable them to get Nikki out of the car.
One of the paramedics had climbed into the car through the passenger's side, applied a neck brace, and then began their assessment of Nikki's condition.
"Pulse strong at 100, respirations 20, pupils a bit sluggish. She's awake and somewhat oriented. Besides the head wound, it looks like the right collarbone and shoulder with a humerus fracture. Could be internal injuries." He reported to his partner. "Alright, let's get her out of here."
The paramedics carefully lifted her out of the car and onto a backboard which was then secured to the gurney. As soon as she was on the gurney, Josh rushed to her and took her hand, letting her know that he was there.
"I want to ride with her," Josh told them.
"Are you family?"
"Fiance՛."
After hearing the exchange between Josh and the paramedic, Nikki moaned, " Please, Josh, stay with me."
"Alright," the paramedic turns to Josh, wanting to keep her calm, "get in, but if I tell you to move, you move."
"No problem," Josh assured him as he climbed into the back of the ambulance. They then took off with the siren wailing.
As soon as they arrived in the emergency department, Nikki was brought into one of the trauma rooms. The trauma team immediately started working on her.
"Sir," one of the nurses says to Josh, "I need you to come with me."
Hearing this, Nikki again calls out for him. Josh's eyes were wet with tears " I won't be far, Baby. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Josh looked a-fright, shirtless with Nikki's blood all over his chest, shoeless, his feet bleeding from the glass and his eyes red from crying.
"Sir," the nurse began, "We need to get some information so that she can be admitted properly. Is she family?"
"Fiance՛."
"My name is June; I'm one of the emergency nurses. Let's get you cleaned up, and your feet looked at, then we'll get to the other stuff."
Taking a deep breath, "alright."
" Your name, Sir?"
"I'm sorry, Josh Holiday."
June led him to one of the treatment rooms then called for an orderly to get Josh a scrub shirt and hospital shoes. She then got a basin of warm water and gave Josh a washcloth, soap, and a towel. Getting another basin of warm water, June started tending to his feet.
"Everything is superficial here; we'll need to make sure that there isn't any glass embedded in the skin. Then I'll dress and wrap them. I am going to have you soak them for a bit. While you're doing that, I'll get the admissions clerk."
"Please, how's Nikki?"
"I'll pop into the trauma room and get you an update."
"Thank you."
Going into the trauma room, June quickly accesses what's happening and then returns to Josh.
"She's doing okay, Mr Holiday. Stable. They're taking her to CT scan to evaluate her head injury and check her abdomen, which is tender and discoloured. You're aware of her fractures? Clavicle and humerus?"
"Yeah, the paramedics told me."
June finished cleaning his feet. Then she applied some ointment, gauze pads for padding and wrapped them with rolls of gauze followed by a light wrapping using an elastic bandage to hold it all together. Then she slipped on the hospital shoes for him.
"Okay, we're all set here. I'm going to get that clerk in here so we can get the paperwork done and you back to her. What's her name?"
"Nikki...Nicole Caetano."
" We need to get you registered as well for your treatment."
"Okay," Josh says without any emotion; he was completely drained.
"Oh, Mr Holiday…"
"Josh."
"Okay, we noticed military tags. Is she in the service?"
" Navy, she's a Lieutenant."
" Does she have a healthcare proxy?"
"I'm her proxy."
"Do you have the document?"
"It's home."
"Is there anyone that can get it for you, or is there anyone else listed as a proxy?"
" Her CO. We have to sign one giving the CO proxy should something happen while we're at sea."
"Can we get a copy from him?"
"Her, Lt. Commander Kate Flynn. If she's not available, then Commander Flynn is also a proxy. Call NAVCOM, here's the number…"
As they were talking, the registration clerk arrived. Josh gave her all of the information that she needed for them both. When they were finished, June came back.
"Mr Holiday...Josh, I can take you to her now, she's been asking for you, and oh… there is a boatload, no pun intended, of Navy people in the waiting area. Looks like the whole Navy," June said, chuckling.
Josh was relieved to be back with Nikki. As soon as he walked into the trauma room, she reached her left hand out to him. Grabbing hold of her hand, he gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. The nurses whispered about how sweet they were.
The trauma surgeon enters the room carrying Nikki's scans, snaps them up on the lightbox, and then moves over to Nikki's bedside.
"I'm Dr Beth McGrath, Ms Caetano's treating doctor. And you are?" she asks Josh.
"Josh Holiday, Nikki's fiance՛."
"Nikki, can we speak freely?"
"Yes," responding weakly.
"Okay, Nikki, you have a small bleed on your brain. It doesn't require surgery at this time, and it should resolve without surgery, but we will be monitoring you closely. If you do require surgery, it's a relatively straightforward procedure of draining the blood clot.
Now, your abdominal CT scan shows a small liver laceration, a tear. Once again, this should hopefully heal on its own without surgery; we will be watching this closely as well.
I've put in a referral to orthopedics for your fractures. Collar bones usually don't require anything more than immobilization; however, it looks like you will most likely need surgery on your arm.
We'll be moving you to the intensive care unit shortly; that's the best place for close monitoring. If you get through the next 2 days without any problems, I'll probably transfer you to a regular surgical bed.
I know that was a lot. Any questions?"
Josh answered, "No," while Nikki shook her head.
"Okay then, I'll see you in the morning."
Once Dr McGrath left the room, Josh leaned over Nikki, gave her a kiss, "Nikki, Luv, the crew is here in the waiting room. I'm going to go out and tell them how you're doing while they're getting you transferred. I promise that I will meet you in the ICU soon."
"Okay...please don't be too long."
" I won't, Baby."
"She's one lucky girl," one of the nurses whispered. "Ya, gorgeous and sweet, what a combo," the other one said.
The Hammersley crew, along with Mike and Kate, were in the waiting room waiting for word on Nikki's condition. Mike had delivered the Navy's proxy to the staff to place in her record.
Josh entered the waiting area, and everyone stood. Overwhelmed, with tears, Josh took a deep breath and thanked his Navy family for being there.
"Where else could we be," Charge said.
Mike and Kate went over to Josh, Kate giving him a hug and Mike giving a shoulder pat which started a new bout of tears as the stress overtook him.
" Uhh… thanks, guys."
Everyone goes quiet when Josh starts speaking. "Nikki was hit...T-boned... by some bloody bloke who ran a stoplight. There were witnesses to the accident. They said that she had just entered the intersection when this UTE ran the light and rammed into her on the driver's side."
She has a small brain contusion..."
"What's that mean?" Spider asked.
" A small bleed causing a blood clot, bruise, on her brain."
"Oh, that's bad, huh?"
"Let me finish, okay, Spider?"
"Yeah, sorry."
"For now, she doesn't need surgery; the doctor said it should resolve on its own. There is a small tear on her liver, and that doesn't need surgery at this time either. Her surgeon is hopeful that the liver will heal on its own too. Then there is the broken upper right arm and clavicle; her right shoulder is bruised but not broken. An orthopedic surgeon will be seeing her for these. Right now, she is being transferred to the intensive care unit so that she can be closely monitored over the next few days."
" My God, Josh!" Sally says as Swain pulls her close.
"Is she awake?" Bomber asks him.
"She was unconscious in the car for a short bit, but she was awake before they got her out. She's very emotional and really weak."
One by one, they go to him with a hug, a back pat, or a handshake.
Buffer goes up to him and pulls him in for a 'man hug' "How are you doing, Mate? You look like shit if you don't mind me saying."
Josh gave a slight chuckle, "I'm hanging in, better now that she is out of trauma and getting settled in the ICU."
The Hammersley crew has a reputation of being a tight-knit group, and even though Josh had left the Navy, he was still one of them.
"Josh," Swain says, " What happened to your feet?"
" I was sitting on the balcony and heard the accident… I just ran, didn't stop for a shirt or shoes. Didn't even think about it. I cut my feet on the auto glass when I ran to the car."
"Jeez, Josh. Are they alright?" Swain asks.
"They'll be okay, minor cuts."
" What happened to the bloke? Was he drinking?" Spider asked.
" I don't really know. They took him in an ambulance, but I don't think he was that bad; he had an airbag."
"Josh," Kate says, "Let us know when and we'll run you home so that you can get your proxy paperwork and get changed. Mike and I will wait here, just come and get us when you're ready."
Thinking for a moment, "alright, thanks. Now would probably be good. I just have to let Nikki know. She's feeling overwhelmed and insecure right now."
"That's not like her," Kate replies.
"No… No, it's not. I'll be right back."
"Take your time; we'll be here," Mike tells him.
" Thank you, Sir,"
" It's Mike; you're not in the Navy anymore." Mike chuckled.
" Old habits die hard, I guess."
"Josh, tell her we're all here for her," says Charge.
" I will, thank you."
It was the change of shift for the nurses when Josh arrived in the ICU, so he wasn't recognized by the new nurses on duty. One of the nurses stopped the strangely dressed man that was coming down the hallway and asked him why he was there. Josh was starting to explain himself when Dr McGrath came around the corner from the nurse's desk.
"Lori, this is Mr Josh Holiday, Lt. Caetano's partner. He is to be allowed full access, with no visiting hour restrictions. This is for the emotional benefit of the patient. I put a note in the record."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'll make sure that it is written on the nurse's cards as well and that it is mentioned during the shift report."
" Mr Holiday, follow me," Dr MacGrath said, "I'll take you to her room. They're just getting her settled; it shouldn't be more than a minute. If you could just wait here, someone will be out shortly to bring you in." Leaving Josh to watch through the window.
Ten minutes later, one of the nurses came out to get him. "Josh?"
"Yes."
"She's asking for you."
Nodding, he made his way into the room, "Thanks."
Going over to her, he leans over so she can see him. "Hey, Baby, I'm here."
"Josh… I hurt…"
" I know. Have you had some pain med?"
" Yeah, before they started moving me... around…"
" Just try and relax, let it work. Let them know when you need more, okay?"
Nikki starts to cry, " I'm ...sorry...sorry,"
"For what? What do you have to be sorry for?"
Trying not to full out sob as her chest hurts, "your car."
" Babe, it's just a car; we'll get another one. No worries. Right now, you need to get better. That's all that's important. I'm more upset that I didn't get my scones and coffee." he says, teasing.
Nikki's eyes started to close.
"The pain med must be starting to work."
"Hmmm…"
"Rest now, Luv, Mike and Kate are going to run me home so that I can get cleaned up and get a few things. Will that be okay?"
" Alright, has anyone called my parents?"
"Yeah, Mike did. They'll be here in the morning."
"Okay…"
Leaning over, he kissed her forehead, "I'll be as quick as I can. I love you, Baby."
" Love you…"
Stopping at the nurse's desk before leaving, " Ahh… Josh Holiday, I'm with Nikki Caetano"
Smiling, "What can I do for you?"
" I'm heading home to change and pick up a few things. I won't be long, Nikki knows that I'm going, but should she wake…"
" No worries, Mr Holiday. We'll reassure her."
" Thanks, and call me Josh."
Walking into the waiting room, Kate reaches out to him. " How's she doing?"
"She's in a fair amount of pain. She doesn't want to be alone."
" Well, that's understandable," Mike says. "Ready to go?"
" Yeah, thanks, Sir. I really appreciate this."
" It's Mike, and it's no bother."
Arriving home, Josh said goodbye to Mike and Kate and went inside. Walking into the bedroom, there were Nikki's whites on the chair, ready to go to the cleaners; seeing her uniform pushed his last nerve, and he sat on the bed and cried. After a few moments, he gathered himself together, found some plastic bags to keep his feet dry and went
to shower and shave.
Then Josh took a moment to call his parents. He's close with his parents, Diane and James, and his two sisters, Amelia and Stacy. Josh is the middle child at 35, his older sister, Amelia, 38 and, Stacy 30.
" Josh! How are you!?"
"Well, Mum, not so good."
Diane went into the lounge and waved at James to pay attention.
"Josh, Luv, hold up one second… Jim, it's Josh; I'm putting him on speaker. Okay, honey, you're on speaker with your Dad."
"I have to share some news with you, and it's going to come as a shock most likely."
"Josh, you're worrying me," Diane says.
"Go ahead, Josh," his Dad says.
"I told you that I've been seeing someone, well, it's more than seeing. I've asked her to marry me. We're engaged."
"Congrats Son!"
"But Josh, that's fantastic news; why are you upset?" Diane asks. "I wouldn't call it shocking, except I wasn't sure if I'd ever hear those words from you," she teases.
" Mum, there's more. Just about a month ago, I left the Navy."
"What? Why?" James asked.
"For a couple of reasons, the most important one was for Nikki… so that we could be together. We had been seeing each other against Navy regulations. We served on the same ship. Nikki is a Lieutenant in the Navy, a navigator. Actually, she was my divisional officer."
"Okay, son, wow, why are we just hearing all of this just now?" his dad asked.
"We've been trying to arrange a time when we could get to you for a visit and tell you all of this in person. Nikki is anxious to meet you."
"I see," replies Diane.
"Unfortunately, I'm not done. Nikki was in a horrible car wreck this morning. I only just got home from the hospital so that I could shower and change. I'll be heading straight back."
"Josh, that's awful! How is she?"
"She's in intensive care and fairly banged up. She should recover, but the next 48 hours will tell if she will need surgery or not."
"Oh my God, Josh!" Diane exclaims.
"Son, We're so sorry to hear this."
"How are you doing, Luv," Diane asks, knowing her sensitive son.
"Holding on, I have to be strong for Nikki," his voice cracking. "She's pretty fragile right now."
"Josh," his father says, "do you want us to come up?"
"No, I don't think so. I'll be spending all of my time at the hospital, and Nikki's parents will be here staying at our townhouse."
" 'Our ' townhouse? We sure have a lot of catching up to do."
"Yeah, I'm sorry."
" It's fine. We love you. Call if you need anything, and please keep us in the loop," Diane tells him.
" I promise I will."
Once he was dressed, he packed a small bag with an extra shirt, boxers and shave kit, tablet, and book. Putting on a pair of flip-flops because of his bandaged feet, he found Nikki's spare keys and went back to the hospital.
Nikki was still sleeping when he arrived back in the ICU. The nurses had a lounge chair brought in for him and put on Nikki's left side. Making himself as comfortable as possible, he fell asleep. Seeing him there, Nikki's night nurse covered him with a blanket. He slept for two hours until he woke up hearing Nikki whimpering.
"Nikki, Luv, what's wrong?" while moving to her bed.
"Hurts…"
Squeezing her hand, "I'll get someone for you," then he pressed the call button.
Josh asked for some pain med and ice chips. She wasn't allowed anything to eat or drink because of the potential for surgery. Once the pain med was given, Josh fed her a few ice chips. As medication took effect, she fell back to sleep.
Sitting back down, he put his head in his hands, (I can't believe how a day that starts out so beautiful can turn to such shit.)
" Mr Holiday, are you okay?" Nikki's nurse Janice asked.
Sitting up, "Yup… You know one minute your waiting for scones, and the next you're sitting by your love's bedside, seeing her broken."
Janice placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, "Life does dish out suck sometimes, but then it dishes out some really good stuff too. Can I get you a brew and biscuits?"
"That would be great, thanks."
"Be back in a jiff."
Five minutes later, Janice returned with Josh's coffee and some chocolate biscuits. She checked Nikki's vital signs and monitors and adjusted her IV drip. Then turning to Josh, "If you need anything, Mr Holiday, please let me know. Oh, I added an extra pillow to the closet if you want one."
" Thanks, Janice, and it's Josh."
" Right," and she left.
Josh sat back in the chair and remembered that Nikki's parents would be arriving…
(Tomorrow should be interesting, I don't think Nikki has told them about me yet.) Then he thought back to a conversation they had when they were still just dating… ( I grew up the youngest and a girl in a very traditional Italian family with 4 older brothers. Being the only girl and the youngest, well, you can imagine. My parents, especially my mother, practically suffocated me. Dating was near impossible. I was expected to graduate secondary school, get a liberal arts degree, marry and become a dutiful housewife and mother. They flipped when I told them that I had joined the Navy and had been accepted at ADFA. They wouldn't speak to me and wouldn't attend ADFA graduation. It's been a couple of years since I've seen them. We talk occasionally, but I haven't been home to Perth in quite some time. To them, I was rebellious and a disappointment.)
Josh's thoughts then moved forward to last month when he proposed, and they became engaged…( Nikki, my parents at least know about you, they know I have been seeing someone special, have you said anything to yours? When do you want to tell them?)
(... I know that I need to; I'm just dreading the whole scene... 'so, now you will be leaving the Navy...etc, etc.')
Now they're going to be here tomorrow without Nikki ever having had the conversation with them. This is going to be really uncomfortable, and I can't let them upset her.
Nikki woke with a start, "JOSH!" she yelled, frightened and crying. "Josh! I lost my ring!"
Jumping up and going over to her, "Sweetheart, no, you haven't," he tells her gently, "I have it, it's right here," tapping his chest where the tags were hanging. "They gave it to me along with your tags when you were in the ER."
" Can I see it?"
Taking them from around his neck, he passed the ring to her.
"Now, no more worries, okay. It's important that you relax and not stress out that brain of yours. Getting you well is the first priority. Let me worry for both of us," leaning over and giving her a soft kiss.
Josh spent the night in the lounge chair and woke with the hospital's morning routine activity. Getting out of the chair and stretching, he went to Nikki and kissed her good morning.
Nikki was more alert, " What time are my parents supposed to be getting here?" she asked slowly.
"Their flight gets in at 10:30. Mike is sending a Navy car for them. So… around 11:15 or so, I would guess."
"That's really good of Mike."
"He and Kate care a lot about you. Nikki, I'm going to go and get cleaned up and grab a breakfast tray. I'll be back quick, Baby."
" I know you will."
The staff allowed him access to the locker room so that he could shower and shave. He changed his shirt and returned his bag back to Nikki's room.
"I'm going to run and get a tray."
"Promise to be here." She was definitely feeling better.
While Josh was gone, the staff went in, got Nikki washed, helped with her hair, and changed the linens.
Returning with his tray, "Ahh, you look just like a girl that I used to know," he said with a grin. " How are you feeling?"
" Sore, my arm hurts, and my ribs."
"Yeah, well, you took quite a smash."
Josh sat in the lounge chair and used the over-bed table for his breakfast. Looking up at Nikki, "alright, tell me what's scrambling around in that head of yours?"
" My parents, I'm nervous. I should have at least told them that I was seeing someone. I just didn't want to hear it…. Josh… there are going to be some fireworks, and somehow the accident will be all your fault. I know them, especially my Mum."
"Okay, Luv, but you must stay calm; we don't want your brain bleed getting worse because your blood pressure goes up."
"I'll be okay; just stay with me, please."
"You know I will, but if you start to get upset, they will have to leave. Nikki, your well-being is the most important thing right now."
" Okay."
Nikki was napping, and Josh was sitting quietly working a crossword on his tablet when the Orthopedic Surgeon walked in. Nikki woke up.
"Oh, I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I'm Philip Lucas, orthopedics. Dr McGrath had requested a consult for your arm and shoulder." Turning to Josh and extending his hand, " Phil Lucas."
" Josh Holiday, Nikki's fiance՛."
" Pleased, well," turning to place her x-rays on the lightbox, "Good, Lt. Caetano, may I call you Nicole?"
"Nikki, please."
"I've reviewed the x-rays, and I'm afraid that your humerus fracture is going to require surgery. We'll need to fixate the bone with a plate and screws." Then he removed a sample plate from his pocket and showed it to them along with a couple of screws. This will stabilize the fracture and allow it to heal without a cast; just immobilize it with a sling. If it's good with you, I'll schedule the surgery as soon as Dr McGrath gives the okay. Probably in a couple of days. Questions?"
"Will I need a cast?"
"No, in fact, the post-surgery treatment for both your arm and clavicle is the same. A sling for a couple of weeks, then physical therapy."
"Alright."
" Good, I'll be right back with the surgical consent form for you to sign. Then we'll see you when we get the clearance to book the surgery. Nice meeting you both."
As Dr Lucas walked out, Janice came in to hang a new IV bag and check her vitals. Then asked if she needed anything before she left.
"Josh, come sit here, please," patting the side of the bed.
"I don't want to hurt you."
" You won't."
Josh sat sideways so that he could look at her. Her face was bruised, her right arm in a full splint and sutures at the hairline of the right side of her head. He said a silent prayer that she would be alright.
" I miss you."
" I'm right here, Baby."
" No, I miss being close to you, kiss me, and not a quick peck, a real kiss."
He leaned over and started kissing her from her forehead, down her cheek, and to her mouth, where he kissed her soft and slow, enjoying every minute.
As luck would have it, the Caetanos' arrived at that very moment. They stopped, stunned, just inside the doorway.
"Nicole Marie! What is the meaning of this!" her father demanded.
Josh broke off the kiss and slowly rose as not to hurt her and turned to her parents at the same time taking Nikki's hand.
"We fly here to be with our badly injured daughter only to find her snogging some guy in her hospital bed!" Sophia Caetano added.
"Ahh, Mum, Dad, This is Josh, not some random guy. Josh meet my parents, Sophia and Dom Caetano."
" Mr and Mrs Caetano," Josh said, moving away from the bed a little so that they could see her better.
"My God! Nikki!" Sophia Caetano exclaimed, seeing her splint, stitches, and bruised face
"It looks worse than it is," Nikki tried to downplay it.
"We spoke to your doctor, Nikki, don't be trying to make light of this. You're in the intensive care unit, for Christ's sake."
Nikki's father confronts Josh, "Were you driving? Not paying attention?"
"Dad! Please! I was alone!" Nikki was almost shouting. Josh squeezed her hand and gave her a warning look, " Nikki…"
Josh looked at her parents, " Mr and Mrs Caetano, please, I understand that you are upset, but she must remain calm."
"Why don't you just run and fetch us coffee, Josh, is it? While we talk with our daughter." Dom Caetano says to him.
He looks at Nikki; she shrugs her good shoulder, "It's fine, Josh, I'll be okay."
Leaning in to kiss her forehead, not letting their attitude get in the way of something he would typically do, "Alright, I'll be right back. Please... stay calm."
She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze, " Not going anywhere, and I will," she said with a slight smile.
As soon as he left the room, he went in search of Janice. "Josh, what's up? Do you need anything?" Sandy, who was at the desk asked him.
" I was looking for Janice."
"She's off the floor, is there something I can help you with?"
" Nikki's parents are here, and they are somewhat confrontational. I am worried that Nikki will get upset."
" I see; we'll keep an eye on her. In fact, I'll go in now and check her vitals, and I'll fuss around a bit."
"Thanks, they sent me to get them coffee." Sandy just lifted an eyebrow.
True to her word, Sandy kept interrupting them until Josh got back. He walked back into her room and placed the coffees on the bed table.
"Aren't you having any?" Sophia asked him.
"No."
Nikki reaches out her hand, and Josh moves in close to her to take it.
Taking a careful deep breath, "Josh is not some random guy; Josh and I are getting married."
Sophia Caetano's mouth drops open, speechless, as her father scowls.
"Explain how we are only now, in your hospital room, finding out that our only daughter is engaged!." Dom bellows, bringing Janice in to see if everything is alright.
" Is everything okay here, Nikki?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'll be right back to take your blood pressure," as she eyed Nikki's parents, having been given a heads up by Sandy as to what was going on.
"Mum, Dad, please. I wanted to go down to Perth and have you meet him rather than tell you over the phone, but then this happened. Before now we had to keep our relationship hushed because of our positions in the Navy. We met while serving on the same ship. Josh hadn't said anything to his parents either."
Softening a bit, " You're in the Navy too, son?"
" I recently resigned, Sir. My last rotation was particularly difficult. More importantly, I was tired of having to hide our relationship and how I feel about her. I wanted us to be together, in the open. I love your daughter. She is my everything."
"Mum, Dad, we were working out when we would be able to fly out so that we could tell you in person. I love Josh so very much."
Sharing a look, they both appear to soften. "Nikki, we're happy for you; it just took us by surprise."
Dom Caetano steps forward toward Josh and extends his hand, "Josh, pleased to meet you, hurt my daughter, and you'll be dealing with the wrath of an Italian Mum."
Chuckling, " No, worries there."
After about an hour, Nikki's parents say goodbye. " Mum, where are you staying?"
"We thought we would get a room at the Holiday."
"Why not stay at our place."
"Our place? Are you and Josh living together?" Sophia exclaims.
" Yes, Mum, 32 years old, remember? When Josh left the Navy, he lost his Navy housing. Rather than have him find another place, I asked him to move in with me. We moved into a two-bedroom & bath in the same building that I was in. There is plenty of room. No need for a hotel. Josh can run you home if you like."
"Is this okay with you, Josh?" Sophia asks.
"Of course. I'll get the car from the car park and meet you in front of the lobby."
"Good, we left our bags there at the reception desk."
Giving Nikki's forehead a kiss, her parents said goodbye and left to claim their bags and meet Josh.
Josh went over to Nikki and gave her a quick kiss. "I won't be long, Baby. I'll get them settled and be right back."
" I'll be here," she said with a smile that warmed Josh's heart. She was doing better.
"See that you are," Josh answered her.
Janice caught up with Nikki's parents as they were leaving, and she asked to talk to them in the conference room. Closing the door, she turned to them, " Mr and Mrs Caetano, I'm Janice, Nikki's primary nurse. You have a really sweet daughter."
" Thank you, is everything alright?" Dom asked.
"Everything is fine. I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but hear your conversation with Nikki regarding Josh. I want you to know that Josh is one of the finest men that I have ever met. That young man is utterly and wholly devoted to your daughter. He hasn't left her side since she was admitted. He sleeps here. Believe me, I have seen all types, and he is a keeper. All of us here, including Dr McGrath, have seen nothing but loving devotion, the likes of which we've not seen before. I don't know if you noticed his feet; he ran barefoot through cut glass to get to her at the accident site. When he arrived here with her in the ambulance, he was shirtless and covered in Nikki's blood from comforting her. Evidently, he was sitting outside and heard the accident and just went running, no shirt, no shoes.
" Your daughter is very close to him. Because she needs him here emotionally, Dr McGrath ordered that he be allowed to stay regardless of visiting hours. He is absolutely one of the good ones. Nikki couldn't do any better."
"Thank you, Janice. We are beginning to see that." Sophia said. "We didn't know anything about the accident scene."
"Nikki hadn't told us that she was seeing someone, let alone that it was serious. She took us by surprise." Dom added.
"Thank you for hearing me out. Your daughter is a very lucky woman."
Dom and Sophia thanked Janice again.
Josh pulled up to the hospital's front doors in Nikki's Subaru Impreza; fifteen minutes later, he was pulling into their garage. Grabbing the Caetano's bags, he led them into the townhouse, set down the bags, and gave them a quick tour.
"This is our spare bedroom; I'll just get your bags for you."
"Is this your room?" Sophia asked while Dom rolled his eyes."
" Ahh...no."
"Well, then where do you sleep?" Now Dom was chuckling at Josh's change of colour.
" Well, umm, Nikki and I share a room."
"Humpft."
"Your room has a joined bath and shower," Josh continued. "I just went shopping, so the kitchen is well stocked. Please make yourselves at home. I'll leave some takeaway menus on the table if you prefer."
" We'll be fine, Josh," Dom assured him.
" Alright then, I'll be heading back to the hospital."
"You'll call if anything comes up? Here's my number."
" Of course, Sir."
" It's Dom, Josh."
"Thank you, Dom."
With that, Josh left for the hospital. Arriving back in Nikki's room, he found her to be sleeping. Having grabbed a sandwich and lemonade in the cafe՛, he set it down and ate his dinner. After cleaning up, he got comfortable in the chair and promptly fell asleep.
Nikki woke around 8 pm,… " Josh, Josh…"
Waking to the sound of her calling him, "Baby, I'm here. What is it?"
"Josh, I don't feel right."
He noticed how pale she was and that her heart was beating faster on the monitor. "Nikki, I'm going to get your nurse." She nodded.
Rather than wait for the call button to be answered, he raced from the room and found Lori, Nikki's night nurse.
"Nikki, tell me what you're feeling," Lori said to her.
"Very weak, shaky, cold…"
Lori also noted the increase in her pulse and then took her blood pressure, low 85/60.
Pushing the intercom, she called the desk. "Yes?"
"Pam, call Dr McGrath to come to the ICU straight away. Tell her Lt Caetano's BP has dropped significantly, 85/60, pulse is up, 120."