A Family Matter CH 9
Lauren
Things seems to be moving in slow motion or too quickly, but either way we make it to the emergency room. The sirens are still going off on the ambulance when the wheel a still unconscious Bo, with me still holding her hand. She looks so small, frail, from the usual strong brighten woman that stole my heart.
"Dr. Lewis!" I don't look up, because I know once I do, they'll need to take Bo away. I'm not ready to let her go. "Lauren..." Dr. Dallas takes ahold of my wrist, and tears continue to stream down my face. "They need to prep her. Come on, I'll get you some scrubs too."
I reluctantly let my love go. I knew this day would come, we all did, but not like this. "I-I need a banana bag. I was drinking and and I need a clear head. Will you call the rest of the team? I know it's late and they-"
"I already did. Most of them are already here and going over the plan for Miss Dennis's surgery." She pats my back and guides me to the overview room, but doesn't lead me inside. "The EMT's called and said she had a seizure but is stable right now. We are getting fresh scans of the tumors and we will prep for surgery." My boss smiles at me and I nod trying to keep my emotions under control, at least on the outside. On the inside, I'm a mess.
"We have everything under control, Doctor. Go get sober and call your mother and whoever needs to be here. We've been planning this for months, let us take care of your girlfriend." Dr. Dallas soothes.
I can only nod dumbly and grip my cellphone. I'm thankful the hospital is quiet tonight. The hallways are clear, except for the few nurses doing their rounds. My lab is further away from Bo than I'd like, so I decide to use a vacant room to try and sober up. Sliding my phone open, my thumb presses my number one favorite and choke out a, "Mom?"
Bo
I don't remember having this many photos down the hallway. It's weird, all of the faces are blurred. What the he'll did I drink last night? Maybe I'm getting sick or something.
Entering the kitchen, I spot three shot glasses on the counter. Shaking my head, I place them in the sink. Chef life is burned into my soul; I hate leaving a mess in the kitchen. Even if I was drunk, I'd never do that... hmm...
Finishing wiping the counter, I grab a This feels so weird. My mind...it's so hazy. I must have drank too much last night. I look down and see a passed out Kenzi on the foot of my bed, a bottle of vodka still clutched in her hands. Same old Kenz.
God, my head hurts. Getting out of my lumpy bed, I'm glad to see I'm still clothed, though. Some drunken nights, I'm not so lucky. "Kenz, I'm gonna go make some breakfast. Get up."
Of course she just grumbles and curls around herself. I'm not even sure why she has her own room if she's always sleeping in my bed.
pan and put olive oil in it and start the stove. I'm glad I still have eggs and pull them out.
But strong hands on my hips, make me freeze...
Lauren
My mother was first to arrive. I felt awful when she ran towards me in her flannel pajamas and slippers, but I'm so happy to see her. She's always been my rock, ever since I was a little girl. Just another thing I'm thankful for since I've moved back to my hometown.
Soon, the rest of the gang followed. Tamsin being the only one sober, picked up Kenzi and Aife before coming down to the hospital.
I finally filled them all in, starting with what happened after we got home from the Taco Throwdown. They are scared too, fear and worry written clearly on their faces, but I continued. I went over how Bo's team will perform the surgery as soon as possible and how it will take around 12 hours.
"Have they started the procedure yet, love?" Vex asks and hands me another cup of coffee. I just shake my head no, but a knock on the open door has me turning.
Dr. Dallas is in scrubs but I know she won't be inside of the operating room. "Hello...everyone." She smiles awkwardly and motions for me to go outside.
I don't like the apprehensive look on her face, but I silently follow her outside. "What's wrong?"
Dr. Dallas hands me a small ziplock baggies with a smile. "I thought you'd want to hang on to this, since we had to remove all of her jewelry." I spot the sparkle from Bo's engagement ring. "Congratulations Lauren."
A small smile appears on my face for a moment before remembering why I'm out here. "Thank you. But this is t why I'm out here. So what's happening? Did something...?!"
"Nothing health wise. Bo is all prepared and we are ready to get going. But one of the nurses found a little...stipulation in the paperwork." She cringes at my confusion. Before I can ask, she opens up a file and points to a name. "Who is Patrick McCorgin?"
Furrowing my brows, I shake my head. "Bo's grandfather, but they kind of had a falling out over these passed months. What's this about?"
"I'm sorry Lauren, but Patrick is Bo's emergency contact. He needs to be here just in case anything unexpected happens. Which means-"
"He has the ultimate say as to what happens to Bo." I finish appalled.
Bo
"Hey hot stuff."
I turn and roll my eyes at my boyfriend. "Morning Dyson. Is that...?"
"Yup." He holds up the take out bags. "I ordered breakfast so you wouldn't have to cook." He beams and leans in for a kiss, but I turn my head so it's on my cheek.
Why doesn't he ever understand that I enjoy cooking? That I'd choose a homemade meal over any restaurant? He never listens. But instead I say, "Thanks."
This time he does kiss me and everything goes dark. It feels like I'm falling and as my hand try to grip for anything, it's useless. The dizzy feeling starts to fade again and when I open my eyes, I'm sitting at my table back when I live with my mom and dad.
"So honey? What do you think? Your dad is giving us permission." Dyson is gripping my hand so tight that I'm sure it'll bruise, but I make no move to yank it away. "So...?"
Jack and Aife are holding up a glass of champagne waiting for me to answer. They are all looking so expectant towards me. I do t even realize I'm saying yes, until they all start to congratulate us and our engagement.
Lauren
With my personal feelings aside, I made the call to Trick. This is for Bo and even though I hold much distaste for the man, he needs to be here. I didn't tell him much, I figured Kenzi could catch him up. She too, told everyone to go home and rest since the surgery would take so long. After a few grumbles, they all left, including herself.
Dr. Dallas led me to the operating room. Where the love of my life was sitting up and the anesthesiologist is making sure she's perfectly sedated. I say a quick hi to the man and he tries to look busy to give Bo and I some privacy.
They already shaved the side of her head where they were going to crack open. My poor baby looked so sad, her face scrunched up.
I know she's not in any pain, but I can't help but wonder what kind of nightmares she's going through. It's no secret how hard she's had it for a while now. I just hope somewhere deep down, she'll remember me and the great memories we shared.
"Hey you." I whisper take her hand in mine, my thumbs trying to sooth both of our nerves. "What a night, huh? You really scared me tonight baby. You're going to get through this without a hitch, then I'm going to marry you and treat you like a queen. My queen specifically." I try to joke but it sounds so pathetic coming choked out of my mouth. "I mean it, Bo. You are my everything."
I hear the door open and a few people step inside and I know it's time. "Ok baby. It's time for me to hide in the gallery until they take that stupid tumor out of your head. I'll be right here with you, Bo. I'm never leaving you. I-I love you Bo." I kiss her hand and try to compose myself, but without avail. I trust the team working on my fiancée. I just hate that it's happening to her.
Making it up to the balcony, I pray to God that she will be okay, as the head surgeon begins to open up Bo's skull.
Bo
"Oh darling, you look perfect!" My father beams as her offers me his elbow. He's wearing a black tux with a plain white vest. The music is playing the melody that signals my walk down the aisle.
With every step, a sinking feeling fills my stomach. A dread to what's waiting for me at the alter. My future. My husband. My family. Nothing feels right. Why aren't I happy? Why can't I feel the nervous excitement as I'm guided by my father.
"No." I stop, but the alter keeps moving towards me. "I don't want this!" I demand but everyone seems to ignore me. Looking out to the crowd, I see grandpa and mom, but the rest of the guests are blurred.
"Bo. It's time for you to say your line." Dyson is grinning, there is so much hope in his eyes. It'd be so easy sharing a life with him. He'd protect me, care for me... why can't I say yes to that?
"Dyson, I can't. This, this isn't real. It can't be." My voice is so small, a feeling that is forever present with him despite how much I want to be comfortable with him.
"You can, Bo. This can be real. We can be together forever... You just have to say the words." Dyson urges, but everything seems to shift behind him. Windows begin to crack and the walls start to shake. "I can be your happy ending. Accept your reality with me! I can be her. Just stay here and I'll be her!"
Her?
Her...
Her.
I know her. She feels familiar just thinking about her. Think Bo, think.
L-Lau, Lauren...
"Lauren!"
"Bo? Bo! Oh sweetheart, welcome back." Jane is hovering over me and waving someone over. It's then, I see Lauren practically pushing her mother out of the way. "Hey you." Ugh my voice is so raspy.
Lauren seems to understand my struggle and pours me some water. "Drink this first. Oh Bo, Jesus. I've missed those eyes." Before I know it I feel her soft lips against mine. "Don't ever do that to me again!" She cries and holds me tight.
"Wha-at?" I ask, but Jane silently shakes her head. She rubs her daughter's back and kisses my bandaged head. Ouch, my head is throbbing. "Lauren. Shh, baby. It's ok, I'm here."
"But you weren't. You left me, my love. I almost lost you." Lauren manages out before sobbing into my arms. That's when I noticed the trees outside of the window. The barely yellow and red leaves are gone and instead, they are bare.
"You were comatose for a month, Bo. A-And I didn't think you were ever going to wake up."
AN: I think I'm going to focus on this story for a while. It needs to be completed so my other stories will most likely be on hold for the moment. Anyways... Thanks for reading! I hope to hear what you thought of it! Thanks for reading!
Twitter: Thelabcoat13