Everyone was still waiting for news as it started approaching 2.00am.
The tiredness was starting to get to them all, Steve was asleep on one of the chairs, Paul was drinking a lot of coffee, Mandy kept nodding off trying to keep awake for Kayleigh and Kayleigh just stared into space. Jess was resting behind them.
"Mrs Redmond?" the Doctor finally approached and Paul also rushed over.
"How is he?" Kayleigh said shaking Mandy awake as she had her eyes closed.
"He's now out of surgery, but we need to monitor him closely. The next few hours will be critical."
"But why will they be? If he's out of surgery he should be ok now shouldn't he?"
"He has lost a lot of blood Mrs Redmond and the arteries that were damaged were worse than initially thought. But all being well over the next few hours then he should make a full recovery."
"Is he awake? Can I speak to him?"
"He's still unconscious but you are able to see him."
"Ok thank you."
Paul and Kayleigh followed the Dr who lead them to the critical unit. He showed them the room where John was laid.
Kayleigh went in first and covered her mouth as she cried. Paul put his arm round her holding back his own tears.
"Why is he hooked up to all this equipment?" Kayleigh asked the nurse who was in the room.
"Just to monitor him love, make sure he's responding well after the surgery" she answered as she left the room.
Kayleigh nodded that she understood and went and stood by Johns side and held his hand.
"Oh John, I hope you can hear me. We are so worried about you. Even 'It'...our bump...it's been giving me hell tonight" she laughed.
"Yeah and god knows what mums gonna say our John, she's here tomorrow...so you better be able to answer her questions" Paul smiled at Kayleigh.
Kayleigh looked down and stroked John's forehead and hair.
"Please John be ok. I love you so much" she kissed his forehead and sat down looking at him and holding his hand. Finally she seemed to relax just seeing him, being near him and being able to touch him.
Paul looked on and then said he'd leave them to it and update everyone.
Jess said that she would leave now she knew John was ok, but would like to come back so she can thank him, Paul agreed that would be fine. Steve also went back home as he hadn't changed and just wanted some time to get his thoughts together, Mandy said she would stay with Kayleigh.
Kayleigh sat staring at John, willing him to be ok.
"Me and Mandy watched Dirty Dancing whilst you were out. I need you to wake up so you can lecture me about the music being in the wrong era" she smiled.
"Oh John, why did this have to happen, I thought all our bad luck had ran out...we've been doing well since the wedding. Nothing remotely went wrong in Mauritius either...apart from I couldn't drink...I'm sorry I forced you to go out...if you wake up, I promise...I promise I will never force you to do anything you don't want to again...well apart from the odd nappy change and night duty" she giggled.
"'Come back my car share buddy, I won't give up on us...'" she sang quietly.
Kayleigh had been sitting with John for half an hour before she fell asleep on her arm that was holding Johns hand. It was the sense of peace she had just being with him that meant she could finally rest.
The nurse had witnessed this peaceful moment during her regular checks on John and she did her best not to disturb them.
As another half an hour went by, John moved his hand slightly, he looked around and saw Kayleigh sleeping.
"Kayleigh" he struggled to speak "Kayleigh" he gently nudged her.
Kayleigh stirred and then remembered where she was and sat up quick.
"John! Oh my god John! She kissed his forehead...let me get the nurse."
"Kayleigh, what's happening?" John asked very groggy.
"You've had an operation John. Do you remember anything about what happened?"
"Vaguely..." John started to get distressed "what are all these bloody tubes?" he tried to sit up.
"John, lay still, I'm going to get the Nurse" Kayleigh left John's side for a few moments and fetched the Nurse and gestured to Paul and Mandy who were nearby that John was awake.
"Hello John" the nurse said as she entered the room "how you feeling?"
"Not too good."
"Ok well I'm just going to check a few things and then I'll go and get the Dr."
As the nurse did the checks she had to do, Kayleigh held John's hand smiling down at him.
"No one else was hurt were they?" asked John panicked.
"No, just you...and I thought I was the accident prone one" she giggled.
John smiled at her. The Nurse left to get the Dr as Paul came through, Mandy waited outside as not to overcrowd John.
"Ah he wakes! How you doing brother?"
"I don't know really."
"He's a bit confused I think" added Kayleigh.
"No change there then" laughed Paul.
"Thanks Paul" John replied and then looked at Kayleigh "I'm so sorry Kayleigh."
"You don't need to apologise John, this isn't your fault" she said as she stroked his hair again and leant into be closer to his face as he wasn't speaking very loud.
"It is...it is my fault. You don't know everything, there's something I need to tell you...about tonight..."
"John, don't...I know everything, I know about Jess, I know what you tried to do...it's ok John."
"No, something happened...and you need to know I didn't...I didn't mean for it too..."
"John...it's ok...I know everything...I know about the kiss."
"You do?"
"Yes...please don't worry about that now."
"You don't hate me?"
"I could never hate you John...I love you."
"Good, I...love you too..." John started to lose consciousness again and machines started to beep.
"John!"
The Dr came through at that exact moment.
"Kayleigh come here" said Paul.
"What's happening to him? JOHN!"
"Please clear the room" the Dr said as more medical staff came rushing through.
"Come on Kayleigh, outside let them do their job" Paul said firmly as he tried to usher her out.
"I can't, I can't leave him...NO!" she screamed.
Paul managed to manhandle her out of the room.
"What's happening?" asked Mandy.
Kayleigh couldn't speak as she was crying so hard.
"The machines were beeping, he lost consciousness again" Paul explained trying to hold it together.
Mandy held Kayleigh up as Kayleigh crumbled.
Suddenly John was rushed out of the room and the Dr stopped to speak to Kayleigh.
"We need to get him back down to theatre. There still seems to be a lot of blood loss, we need to act fast."
"Oh god! Is this it? Is this the end? You said these hours were critical...and he's not better so it can only mean one thing..." cried Kayleigh.
"I can't say anything until we know where the issue is and what needs to be done. We will keep you up to date and do all we can for him. But I really think you need some rest" the Dr said concerned for her welfare.
"Rest! How can I rest when John might be in there dying!...argh..." Kayleigh held on to Mandy.
"Kayleigh what's up?"
"Frig a dig!"
"What Kayleigh? What is it?" Mandy asked panicked.
"I think my waters have broke."
"You're kidding me?!" asked Mandy.
"No...I wish I was...oooh."
"Hang on, I'll get someone to take you to maternity" the Dr went to seek assistance.
"No, no, no! It's not meant to be like this. John is meant to be with me! We had our plan!"
"You can't worry about that now love" stated Mandy.
Mandy and Paul looked at each other in panic and disbelief at the events that have just unfolded with John and Kayleigh.