Frankie burst through the double doors, closely followed by Brax she rushed straight to the main desk "Darcy Callahan" Frankie announced out of breath as she rested on the desk.
"There" Brax gasped trying to catch his breath. He pointed towards a hospital bed being pushed up the corridor.
"Darce" Frankie exclaimed as she rushed towards the doctor.
"I'm sorry you can't go in there" the doctor stopped Frankie as she looked Frankie saw it was Sid Walker, she briefly recalled the meeting she had with him in Angelo's regarding his daughter Sasha.
"Francine" Sid smiled weakly I'm sorry but we need to take Darcy into theatre.
"What? Why?" Frankie was in shock, she felt Brax's hand on her arm. He was now stood closely behind her.
"Darcy has some internal bleeding, but until we get her into theatre we don't know what is causing it" Sid smiled as he disappeared into the lift.
Frankie reluctantly nodded and took a step back "Hey, she'll be ok I promise" Brax quickly stepped in to hug Frankie. Frankie felt her body relax into his as he wrapped both arms tightly around her. She took deep breaths as she tried to restrain herself from crying.
Xxxx
It had been over an hour since Frankie watched Darcy disappear, her and Brax were now sat in the corridor waiting for any kind of news "I should have listened to her this morning" Frankie sighed causing Brax to frown "She was complaining of stomach ache, I just thought she was trying to wag school"
"Hey, none of this is your fault" Brax put his arm around Frankie's shoulders "No-one could have seen this coming especially not you" just as Frankie rested her head on Brax's shoulder she was relieved to see Sid coming towards them.
"Sid" Frankie stood quickly "How is she?"
"She's stable" Sid replied.
"What caused the bleeding?" Brax interrupted quickly.
"Darcy has suffered Accute Kidney Failure" Sid explained "Now although she is stable, there is a chance she may need a transplant"
Frankie put her hand to her mouth and fought her tears fiercely "So what happens now?"
"Darcy seems to be reacting well to treatment at the moment. And most people can survive with one kidney" Sid continued to explain "But I would advise as a precaution, that all your family members are tested as soon as possible. Ideally Darcy's mother or father would be the best option"
"But you just said she might be OK with one kidney" Brax said trying to get his head around the news.
"Yes, but Darcy's condition went downhill so quickly, I'm afraid until we have done more tests there is no saying whether or not it might happen again" Sid sighed.
"Ok I understand" Frankie nodded "Can I see her?"
"She is still having tests done at the moment but as soon as she is done I will call for you" Sid said finally before walking away.
Frankie could hardly speak, she just looked at Brax with tears in her eyes and let out a deep breath "Hey come here" Brax replied as he pulled her into another tight hug "You don't have to do this by yourself"
Xxxx
Romeo was sat in the lounge in the dark when Indi saw him "Are you ok?" she asked as she sat down beside him.
"Not really" Romeo replied as he quickly put the photo Frankie had given him back in his pocket "I spoke to Frankie again today, and she freaked out again when I mentioned the water"
"Really?" Indi sounded surprised "Did you ask her why?"
"Yeah I have tried calling her but she isn't picking up" Romeo replied.
"Send her a text" Indi suggested simply "Tell her you want to talk about what happened before"
Romeo thought for a second before picking up his phone Hi Frankie it's Romeo. I am really sorry about before. Can we talk? Please?...he hit the send button and sighed. All he could now was wait for her reply.
Xxxx
Frankie jumped at the beeping of her phone in her pocket "Who is it?" Brax wondered as he watched Frankie read the message.
"It's just Romeo" she replied as she put her phone down.
"Shouldn't you tell him what's happened" Brax suggested "You heard what Sid said before about a transplant. And he is family right?"
Frankie didn't reply "Come on you heard what Sid said maybe ringing round friends and family isn't such a bad idea"
"I guess you're right" Frankie sighed, she paused for a moment as she thought about something that had been at the back of her mind.
"There is no point you being tested" Brax interrupted Frankie's thoughts.
"What because I'm not her mother" she snapped.
"Nah...I meant because you only have one kidney remember" Brax smiled "You can't live with no kidneys"
"If she needed my only kidney I would happily give it to her" Frankie sighed.
"Yeah I know you would" Brax put his hand on Frankie's shoulder. He realised how hard this was for her, he could also tell she had something on her mind.
Frankie wasn't sure what to say next but she felt like she had to tell someone "Brax, about what Sid said earlier" Frankie started "Darcy's Dad"
Brax put his hand on Frankie's face "It's ok I already know" he replied softly.
"What?" Frankie wasn't expecting this to be his reply "How?"
"Tegan told me, she told me Heath was Darcy's Dad" Brax admitted to a stunned Frankie.
"Why didn't you tell me" Frankie yelled.
"The same reason you didn't tell anyone I'm guessing, Tegan made me promise not to" Brax explanation calmed Frankie slightly.
"How am I meant to explain this to him Brax?" Frankie exhaled "After all these years I have lied to him"
"Yeah, for good reason" Brax replied honestly "Frankie we both know Heath has never been father material. He is still a big kid himself"
"I know that, but he has never even been given a chance to prove himself" Frankie sighed "If I am honest that's not the main reason I didn't tell him"
"What do you mean?" Brax put his hand on Frankie's, causing her to jump a little.
Suddnely Sid came back into the writing area "Sid" Frankie exclaimed as she stood up quickly, Brax also got up as well.
"What's the story doc?" Brax asked quickly, it was obvious to Sid how much Darcy meant to both of them.
"I can't really tell you much at this point. But Darcy is stable and comfortable" Sid replied.
"Can I see her" Frankie interrupted.
"Yes of course" Sid smiled.
xxxx
Heath was surprised to hear his phone ringing on the side, he was even more surprised when he realized who it was "WHAT?" he snarled, heath knew there must have been a good reason for Brax ringing "What do you mean she's sick?"
Heath listened as Brax explained Darcy's situation "Is she going to be ok? how's Frankie?" Heath stuttered "Listen, I'm on my way now"
Heath grabbed his keys, put his phone in his pocket and closed the door behind him before climbing into his ute and rushing out of the drive way and down the street.
xxxxx
Frankie's eyes filled with tears as soon as she opened the door and saw Darcy laid in her bed "Oh god" she sniffed as she walked towards the bed and took Darcy's little hand in her own "Hey princess"
Darcy was still unconscious so she didn't answer "You gave me quite a scare sweetie" she sniffed fighting back the tears "Everyone's worried about you"
As the door opened Frankie smiled weakly when she saw Brax "I promised Tegan I would always protect her, but look at her Brax this isn't right" as she burst into tears, Brax rushed forwards and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey shhh" Brax whispered "None of this is your fault. You had no idea this was going to happen"
"I know but..." Frankie sniffed as she pulled away from Brax's grip a little.
"Now you listen to me Francine Holden, you have done everything you can for this kid. You have raised her to be a smart, kind, beautiful little girl and honestly I don't think Tegan could have asked for better"
Frankie moved back quickly when she realised how close her and Brax were now standing, Brax looked at the floor awkwardly before looking back at Frankie "Don't push me away"
"I can't do this again Brax, it's not the right time" Frankie said softly as she took hold of Brax's hand "I can't be what we were before, I haven't got the energy"
Brax kept hold of Frankie's hand while he used his other hand to move some hair from her face. Frankie took a step back when she heard some doors burst open. She was shocked to see Heath come through the next lot of doors into Darcy's room "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner, how is she" Heath gasped, he was obviously out of breath "Come here, are you ok?" he asked as he pulled Frankie into a tight hug and rested his head on her shoulder.
Brax didn't say anything to his brother, he knew when 3 was a crowd "I'm gonna grab some coffee" he said as he walked towards the door.
Frankie watched as Brax walked out of the room, she smiled and mouthed "Thank you" to him as he looked back, before walking out of the doors.
Merry Christmas, much love Nikki xxx