Chapter Seven

Nurse Page left. Jeannie was relieved to be alone at last with the love of her life. Her memories drifted back five years. She never would forget how still Steve had been after she was allowed to see him. He'd been shot in the heart by a Tannenger gang member, Barbara Ross. She sat with him each day until he had finally recovered. Steve was all that mattered to her. She even had made arrangements with the university. She would do some exams later and some she would fly in to take. Afterwards immediately she returned to San Francisco. In that same time they found each other. They finally admitted their mutual feelings and their wish to start a family together despite what Mike might think or say. Now Jeannie found herself faced with the same challenge. She prayed that Steve finally open his eyes. She wanted to see in his green eyes the twinkle she once fell in love with.

"We've just started our family, Lord. I want to give him more children; our life together has just begun. It looks like someone doesn't wish us happiness. I can't and won't live without him. Please help him make it through this, too. Bring him back to Mike and I and our little boy." Jeannie laid her head on the bed by Steve, crying. After a few minutes she raised her head. She moved where her lips were against Steve's ear. "I'm here, Steve, do you hear me? I'm here with you. Come back to me, I need you."

Jeannie kissed Steve lightly on his forehead as her tears continued flowing. She laid her head gently on his chest to hear his heartbeat. Touching the fingers of his right hand she felt his fingers move at her touch. Jeannie's brain was in turmoil. She was thinking maybe his coma wasn't as deep as they believed. Jeannie felt a little less worried and afraid. She kept lightly touching Steve, hoping it might get through to him. Half an hour later Nurse Page came back in to check Steve for the regular check. After she had written down the usual notations she took a moment to speak to Jeannie.

"You should try to go get some rest. Dr Armstrong and Dr Hartman both arranged you to be able to sleep in the doctor's lounge if you'd like. You look beyond exhausted."

"Thank you, Nurse Page. As good as the offer sounds, I want to stay with Steve. I don't know if I could ever be parted from him again."

"If you change your mind just let me know."

Jeannie nodded with a smile. Nurse Page left the two alone again. After another hour or two, Jeannie started to feel her tiredness overwhelming her. She fought it as she didn't want to give in. She had this still unspoken fear that if she let her guard down she would lose Steve. Wanting to be closer to her husband she moved onto the hospital bed where no machines were. As she rested her head onto his chest his heartbeat was very reassuring like a ticking clock. She lost the fight against staying awake.

Nurse Page came in and out of the room several times to check on Steve's condition. It seemed unbelievable but his vitals seemed even better with Jeannie right there by him. She couldn't help but comment on how sweet the couple looked sleeping together as, well as what good Jeannie was doing for Steve. A few took a quick peek in and made comments of what a beautiful couple, let's hope he does survive.

Mike called to check on Steve at almost ten that morning. When he found out Jeannie had fallen asleep finally by Steve's side, he just left a message. Nurse Page finally decided to try to waken Jeannie about ten thirty. Jeannie woke with a start as she felt a hand gently shook her.

"Steve?"

"No he's fine. It's Nurse Page. I thought you might want to get some breakfast and a shower. Steve's vitals have improved Mrs. Keller. Your dad called, too. and said your little boy sent both you and his dad a lot of kisses. He will be here in a while with your bag. After that he and Irene are going to take your little boy to the zoo."

"Thank you and you can call me Jeannie."

Jeannie was reluctant to leave Steve. It didn't feel like the right thing to do. Nurse Page escorted her to where she could have a shower. After introducing her to ones who needed to know she went back to her station. Jeannie couldn't lose the knot in her stomach as she showered. She tried to convince herself all would be okay until she returned.

As she was in the shower, though, Steve grew very restless. Nurse Page just had come in for a last check before her shift ended. She was distressed to find his vitals had dropped once again. He started thrashing and couldn't be controlled. She paged for help to restrain Steve afraid he would pull his tubes out. She also got a doctor there to check him because his vitals had dropped as much as they had. She heard Steve muttering and wasn't exactly sure what he tried to say. The closest she thought she could make out was 'Jeannie don't go away.'

"Eileen, would you run to the doctor's showers and get his wife? Her name is Jeannie."

Jeannie was just dried off and wrapped the towel around her. She had taken the robe Nurse Page had left for her and was about to put it on when she heard a strange voice call out to her. She hurried toward the sound feeling frightened by the tone.

"I'm Jeannie. What's wrong?"

"Nurse Page sent me to get you. I'm Nurse Eileen; your husband became quite unsettled. His vitals dropped dangerously low. He seemed to be calling for you. They restrained him because he was thrashing so much we were afraid he'd pull his tubes out."

Jeannie hurriedly tied the robe belt and rushed after the nurse back to Steve's room. She flew to Steve's bed like a thunderbolt. Leaning very close to him she kissed him lightly and murmured into his ear, "Honey, I'm here, don't get upset. You're my lifeline, Steve. I need you, please come back to me."

Jeannie started singing softly to Steve, one of their favorite songs, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." The ones in the room were amazed that, as she sang, Steve relaxed and his vitals stabilized. The restraints were removed from him. After Jeannie finished singing to him, she looked greatly upset. Nurse Page noticed Jeannie struggling to hold back her tears and embraced her compassionately.

"Let it out, Jeannie. You've had to deal with a lot. You and your love brought him back."

Jeannie cried as the kindly nurse held her. After she finally regained control of her emotions, Jeannie sank into the chair by Steve's bed. She felt worn out from the worry and fear not to mention lack of real rest. Just then, Jeannie saw Nurse Page staring and wondered what had her attention. Then Jeannie looked at herself and realized how she came dressed to fly back to Steve.

"Oh no, my clothes are still at the shower room. I was so frightened when I heard the nurse call me I just took off."

"Don't worry I'll retrieve your clothes and you dress in here. I'll be right back."

Nurse Page hurried to the shower room for Jeannie's clothes. After she took them to Jeannie, she stood outside the door so Jeannie could dress. Once she had finished Jeannie opened the door and handed Nurse Page her robe and the towel.

"Thank you so much. I can't believe I ran here dressed that way."

"You were upset it's natural to not think clearly right now. Listen, my shift's over, Nurse Eileen will be handling things until I return. Before I go though, I'm getting you some breakfast. You need to eat. Would you like hot cocoa or coffee to drink?"

"You don't have to do that, I'll be fine until Mike comes."

"No arguments. I'm not leaving until I've made sure you have something, so what would it be?"

"Hot cocoa please and thank you so much for everything."

"You're very welcome. I'll return very soon."

Jeannie sat holding Steve's hand and talked to him. Soon Nurse Page was back with what breakfast she could get. She informed Jeannie just leave the dishes on the table when she finished. After good byes, Nurse Page went off duty. Just as she finished breakfast, Mike came with her bag.

"Irene waited in the car with the baby. We thought if he saw you and Steve he might start fussing to stay. Is everything okay here, sweetheart?"

"It's as good as it can be, Mike."

Jeannie proceeded to tell Mike what had gone on. He couldn't hide the worry from his face as he looked at Steve. Mike hugged Jeannie close and tried to comfort her. After visiting with her a few more minutes, Mike left to get back before Steve and Jeannie's son got too fussy.