Best Friend
Pt 21 By Your Side
R-M
Please Enjoy this update ;)
"Mrs. Salvatore, I'm Dr. Josette Parker..."
"Oh my God, what's wrong? Did something happen to Damon? Please tell me, is he okay?" Just as the doctor began speaking, Bonnie didn't really hear anything she was being told. She heard the blur of sounds and her heart sunk in her chest. Bonnie was shaking more-so and her nerves were shot, when she heard them say the last thing she wanted to hear.
"...He's currently sedated, and resting, but-"
"But what? Is he going to be okay, what exactly happened? Please say something."
"Okay, Mrs. Salvatore, please calm down. I'm calling you, to notify you, that there's been an accident..."
Bonnie dropped the phone. She paused but tears fell down her cheeks in disbelief. As soon as her son began screaming in agony, from his feeling sick, she was snapped out of her thoughts. The phone was on the floor. Bonnie picked it up and she just heard.
"Hello... Hello... Mrs. Salvatore?"
"Yes, I'm here. What happened?" Bonnie asked calmly.
"There was a four-car collision."
"But how? What was the cause?"
"We don't have all the story, but driving under the influence was involved."
"My husband would never drive drunk, not to mention be inside of a car drunk when someone was driving."
"Your husband, along with his passengers, were injured, but all survived. He appears to be the designated driver. The other three gentlemen had alcohol in their bodies as well as the driver of another vehicle. He is stabilized currently. But we had to operate."
"This just doesn't make sense. I just spoke to him earlier today, everything was fine, he was going to bed." Bonnie didn't understand. She thought she was having a terrible nightmare.
"He was brought in around zero two-fifteen, which was about three hours ago."
"Oh, my God. Please tell me he's okay?"
"Ma'am, he's currently dealing with trauma and shock to the body, so he hasn't woken up. But he is stabilized. I can discuss more of his condition with you in person."
"Okay, I'm currently out of state. I'll be catching a flight as soon as I can. Where is he?"
"He's currently at Liberty Regional Medical Center, but as soon as he's awake, we can transfer him to WAC hospital on post."
"Okay, and your name again?"
"Dr. Josette Parker."
"Okay, Thank you Dr. Parker. I'm making arrangements to get there now." Bonnie hug up the phone in disbelief. It would be so near impossible to believe if it wasn't for her son crying his eyes out in pain. "Oh, baby boy. I'm so sorry. Mama is so sorry." She hugged him and bounced with him a little bit, and called Ginny, and told her what was going on, and asked her to help her flight arrangements for the soonest flight out of LA, while she tried to calm her son down.
Six hours later.
Six hours later Bonnie was on a plane. It took her n hours book a flight. An hour to pack clothes for both her and her son. Ginny was there at hour three to pick them off no take them to airport, and hour four they were checked into their flight, and they waited two hours to board the plane and head to Georgia.
Dylan was fussy. She took every precaution. Children's Benadryl, which she never used but was willing to if she had to. Extra diapers, wipes, infant acetaminophen drops, just in case. Every essential oil possible for Dylan. Praying the TWA would let her sneak them into the plane if they were all half ounce bottles. Maybe they'd sympathize with a mother, who had a sick and fussy infant. She also had Pediasure, and a neck pillow for herself, knowing she'd be holding him the entire four-hour flight. Then she sat on a prayer, that he'd sleep since he'd been awake most of the past twenty-four hours.
Wonder and worry showed in her face as she didn't sleep. The flight was grueling because for about an hour and a half, Dylan was fussy on a flight filled with business people. However, she luckily sat near an older couple. A gentle couple of people, who sympathized with her situation. At one point the older woman, spoke.
"Sweetie, feel free to lay his legs across our laps too. Use as much space as you need."
Bonnie, surprised by the gesture, frowned, "Oh, I can't impose. He's feverish, and sick, and I'm trying my hardest not to spread the germs."
"No. please, the little angel doesn't feel good. You wouldn't be imposing." The woman could see Bonnie stress and helped Bonnie get through the first hour and a half of fussiness. Bonnie wanted to pause life and snap her fingers and be by Damon's side, but as much as she needed to be near him, she needed to clear her head before seeing him. This flight, that was going by entirely too slow, was actually needed, so Bonnie could gather her strength, for Damon and Dylan. Again, she'd be having to be strong, but this time, there was nowhere she'd rather be. No distractions tearing her away from him.
In fact, her only need was to be where he was.
.x.
The landing plane, didn't even register to Bonnie. Neither did baggage claim. All she could think was she rented a car, and drove to the hospital, and now she was on her way to him. Following a nurse towards his room. She and her sick son were walking down the hallway. When she walked into the room, her face lit and broke at the same time. She was so happy to see him, but broken to see him connected to IV and heart monitor. He wore an arm cast and on the left and his left leg was also in a cast and elevated. His face was bruised and cut. He looked helpless. She held back every tear. Her son was in the stroller, phasing in and out of sleep. She strolled him next to his father's bed, hoping Damon could feel his presence.
"Mrs. Salvatore, Dr. Parker doesn't come in for a few hours. I can have another doctor come and relay her notes, or you can wait until she gets here and hear it straight from her."
Bonnie smiled gently and nodded her head. "I don't mind waiting for Dr. Parker. I just need to know if he's had progress?"
"Yes ma'am. Even though his heart rate is a little high still, he's breathing better. Luckily there was no severe trauma to his lungs or brain."
"But he still hasn't woken up. Is this normal?"
"Well, the body is dealing with the trauma still. It's allowing itself to adjust. It's working overtime. Once he's had some adequate rest, and enough medication, he should wake up. It'll be a few days."
Bonnie, nodded her head again. "Thank you." She walked to him and touched his hand. Gently. She knew she needed to keep from crying, so, she grabbed a chair and pulled it near him, faced it towards him, and rested her hand on top of his. She remained that way for an hour unmoving. Just watching him sleep. It wasn't until she heard Dylan waking up that she finally moved. He sat up with his blue-grey eyes and messy black hair. He rubbed his eyes wearily. She smiled.
"Hey baby boy." She reached into the stroller and grabbed him, wiping his nose with the sleeve of her sweater, unable to grab for tissues. He was still groggy from feeling sick. His little arms grabbed for hers and he bear hugged her when she grabbed him. He was upon an unfamiliar place. He held his mother tighter. His small faced cradled into her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin and her hair like his father did. The coconut smell was so Bonnie. So, mommy. It was her. Anyone who knew her, knew she loved using coconut shampoo and coconut oil in her hair, and associated the smell with her. The familiarity of her smell put him back to sleep.
All that sounded in the current moment of the hospital room was, the weaving breaths of her sick son, and the EKG machine.
If you didn't know better, you'd look at this woman like she was holding it all together. Her pale pink sweater, hanging off the shoulder slightly, with its widely-rounded neck. Her hair tossed on a ballerina bun, along with her ballerina flats. And an easy pair of slim fit, light denim, jeans. The green in her eyes looked hazel in the darkening light of the sunset outside of the window. She leaned into the uncomfortable chair, and put her legs up on the railing of the lower part of the bed. Holding hostage between her teeth, was her middle finger and her index finger of her right hand, as her left held her son.
She just waited and allowed time and space to escape her and got lost in her memories as her eyes slowly shut.
Almost three years ago.
Kol walked into the apartment to find his girlfriend crashed onto the couch. She had a book in her lap, and paperwork all over his table. Highlighters, and pencils, and cold coffee. This was the attempt to start her Graduate year without a hiccup. She'd already been working in her field through a school internship she was lucky enough to get hired on to, and now she was more determined than ever to further her education. She had no kids, she was divorced. She and Damon, were finally moved on from one another. She had Kol, he had his own love life. As long as she didn't see him with another woman she was fine. As long as she didn't have to look him in the eye, she was fine.
Besides, Kol, was the perfect boyfriend. He gave her keys to his place, and let her use them whenever she wanted. She didn't move in with him, because after Damon, she was enjoying her freedom, and being on her own. But she slept over some nights, and she went to his place between long class breaks to get sleep or when her roomie was entertaining.
Kol walked up behind the couch and bent over kissing her soft lips. She startled and looked at him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you, I just... you looked so cute."
"Oh gosh. I overslept. I was supposed to be headed to work."
"Princess, it's your off day. Remember, we are going to see that Kevin Hart movie." Bonnie was quickly overcome with a look of exhaustion and worry.
"Oh crap. That's right. Look at me, I haven't even gotten ready yet. I'm losing so much focus, Kol. I think I should probably take some time off of us for a while."
"Wait, wait... it's not a big deal, we don't have to do the movie tonight. We can just stay here."
"I know, Kol. But You've made plans with me the past three weeks, and I keep backing out because I'm so behind. I get so much more homework from these professors this year, and it's only two months into the semester." She felt so scatter-brained. Kol was amazing, he was great, and she didn't feel like she deserved him at this point. He was too good to her sometimes, and patient. He was too understanding and never disagreed with anything she said. He went along with her like the perfect boyfriend.
"It's okay. I don't care. We don't have to go out. We've been together for a while Bonnie. You know I've known you for a long time. I'm not expecting you to give me all of your time." He walked around the sofa, to sit next to her. Piling all of her papers in a stack and putting them open her text book to hold her place. "I'll be gone soon. Baseball is going to have me busy."
"Which is a perfect example of why we should probably focus on our futures." She sighed, looking at him grimly.
He looked to the ceiling and back at her face feeling like she was breakup with him. "Listen. No pressure. Let's just hang out okay. No titles, no promises. Just me and you and taking things back a step. I don't want to lose you."
"I don't want to lose you either. You're such a great guy. I swear I don't deserve you. I never have."
He moved her hair out of her face. "Stop. You deserve everything. And I hope that I'm in your future whether it's as your boyfriend or your friend. I don't want to lose you." He moved in to kiss her. She accepted his kiss, no his gesture at moving her backwards to lay on her back while he topped her body with his. "I don't want to stop kissing you. Can we be kissing friends?" He giggled, and she giggled too.
"You are an amazing kisser." She pulled him in and embraced his body while they kissed on his couch, giving her a break from her studies.
A couple weeks later...
Bonnie phone was ringing. "Hello, hey momma." She spoke while she was gathering her books to head to class from her place. "What? When? I thought she was improving momma. I thought grams was doing better." Her face tweaked into questionable concern. "Momma, the doctors said that she was looking good in remission... The other breast? It's impossible." Her eyes watered and tears streamed down her cheeks. "Momma, she's been fighting so much. How much can her body take? How much can she take? It's too much to do chemo again. It put her through hell." Bonnie walked in circles pulling her hair, trying not to let her mother hear her crying her eyes out. "Okay, momma. I'll, umm. I'll come home this weekend. I should be able to get someone to cover for me at work. No, it's okay momma. If she asked to see me than I'll be there. Okay. I'll see you in a few days momma. I love you too."
She hung up her phone and broke down. Her grandmother was one of her best friends. Especially when she and her mother went through it. Grams vouched for Bonnie and Damon, to Abby. Abby loved Damon, but felt as though he wasn't mature enough to handle a relationship after missing his daughter's funeral. But she was still close to the Salvatore boys, because she'd been taking care of them for years.
...
Bonnie sat with her grams at home Saturday while Abby took some time away for a few hours. Abby was exhausted. She'd been taking care of her sick mother for a couple of years now. It was wearing Abby down, mentally and emotionally. After dealing with her husband's death, and her granddaughters death, her mom being so sick was forcing Abby to withdrawal. From everyone, including Giuseppe. The only person she remotely let come around was Nik. He didn't expect much from her. He didn't need her attention like G did. And even though she loved G, their relationship was still hidden, but the biding of it was stressing her out on top of her mother's sickness. Nik came by and got Abby out tonight. Bonnie sat with Grams and just talked.
"Grams, I don't know what you mean. I'm not hiding anything." She looked at Sheila square.
"Chile, you can't fool me." Sheila laughed.
"Well, I surely can. You think I gave you Pepsi, but I gave you Diet Pepsi."
Sheila turned her face. "I knew it. I just didn't say anything."
"Sure grams."
"Child, you know Diet Pepsi is nasty as stale, dirt water. Anyways. I'm glad you came. Sorry if I interrupted your studies." Grams sat with her short-shaved hair, on the couch, and she was weaker. In the eyes. They were lowered and reddish.
"You could never interrupt me Grams. Ever, you hear me? You call me anytime."
"Come'ere what you doin?"
"Trying to braid my hair, but I ain't combed it out in days, so I'm tryna finger detangle, because it'll damn sure break a comb." Bonnie was spraying some mixture she concocted on her hair to wet and moisturize it.
"Damn shame. It ain't like you to let your hair just get outta control. What you stressin' 'bout?"
She wanted to scream that she didn't want to lose her grams. She hated being in LA in times like this. She wanted to hold grams and beg her to never leave her. But she couldn't. So, she lied. "I uh... I kind of broke up with Kol."
"What happened?"
"I'm too focused Grams. I can't give him the time he needs. He's the perfect boyfriend, and I just... I don't deserve him." She stooped below her grams as grams sat on the rocking chair, and leaned forwards to finger detangle her hair. She always let grams feel normal by allowing her to do everyday things, that everyone else didn't let her do since she'd gotten sick. Namely, Abby. "Ouch! Grams too rough." But in her own mind she blocked out Grams sickness for herself too.
"Chile, this hair of yours is too damn thick. Your momma is obsessed with you having long hair."
"I cut it before grams, and it grew back." Bonnie laughed. "I would cut it again, but I know it's near the holidays, and she'll have something to say. So, come January grams, I've decided to cut ten inches."
"Well, I better get a picture before your momma. So, I can gloat silently."
"Of course. You know Grams, hair don't make the woman. Long hair don't mean nothin' at all. Sure, it's lovely, but so is short hair. Or no hair." Bonnie said, knowing her grams had to shave all of hers off for chemo. She was sensitive to the idea of hair after her grandmother had lost hers.
"Anyhow, so... Kol Mikaelson huh? The perfect boyfriend. Who'd ever thunk it?" Grams laughed. "Dimitri said that boy wanted to get in your panties like a python on prey."
"Ewww. Grams!" Bonnie laughed.
"It's true Baby girl. Dimitri's words, not mine."
A disturbance into the house stopped them in their conversation and made Bonnie pause in her breathing. Her heart skipped, her breath hitched, she smiled subconsciously, like a school girl.
"And I stand by every word." Damon said walking into the house. He looked at Bonnie, and made her feel soft inside. Then he looked at Sheila. "Well if it ain't the two most beautiful women in my life. I'll be got damned I ain't seen a sight so damn beautiful in years." He walked to Sheila and leaned down hugging her like she was the one that got away. He had his own way of flirting with Sheila. He made Bonnie heart melt when he was with her grams.
"Dimitri, you delectable little devil." She reached her arms out for his embrace and he hugged her tight. Then he pulled up kissing her cheek. "You look handsome as ever."
"Well, I knew I'd see you two, I had to look my best."
Bonnie thought it was weird. How did he know she'd be in town? He was in Texas currently, stationed. "I'm happy you came. I really wanted to make sure I got to be in the same space with you both again."
"Grams, don't talk like that." Bonnie said. Damon looked at Bonnie strangely. He knew she avoided the idea of death, but it was her. It was what she did. What she'd always done.
"It's okay, baby. I just wanted one honest. I rarely get you two together anymore."
"This was a plan, grams?" Bonnie asked, Grams turned to Damon. "You knew, Doodle?"
"I knew you'd be here, but I was unaware of a plan. I'm just here because Grams called me." Bonnie gently rolled her eyes at the floor and grinned to herself.
"Of course, she did. Grams what's this about?"
"Well, umm, I know this is very uncomfortable to talk about, but I wanted to speak to you all about my Will and testament."
"No, Grams your fine. Everything is fine. Grams. Don't do this. Please don't condemn yourself." Bonnie pleaded.
"Baby, calm down, listen to me." Sheila smiled, and held back tears watching Bonnie shake. "I wrote you both into my Will." Grams turned finished detangling Bonnie's hair. Damon walked to Grams and Bonnie and pulled Grams hands off of Bonnie's hair gently.
"I got this Grams. Come on Bird, come sit by the couch so Grams can focus on what she's tryna say. I'll finish your hair." Bonnie slowly got up and sat on the floor in front of the couch between Damon's legs, on top of two couch pillows. He grabbed the wide-toothed comb and began combing through her hair, as Sheila spoke.
"So, your momma and I have had this discussion. I've given her things I've deemed important. She knows what they are. Personal records, and information, heirlooms, and things. I've also helped her finish paying off this house. I know my time here is borrowed. I'm a child of God and I feel him, callin' me home. My time is almost up, I'm here on borrowed time, we all are." She spoke softly. Bonnie was getting teary-eyed. "I love you two both very much. And I really think, you both ought to get it together. So much time wasted fighting or not listening. It really pains me to see it." Bonnie suddenly snapped.
"Ouch. Doodle, your pulling too hard."
"What, I barely did anything; ain't my fault you got a couple of kinks." He said.
Bonnie turned to him. "What?"
"Oh, come on now, Bird. You can't tell me your hair ain't got no kinks. Grams told me all about kinks, and how kinky your hair gets when you don't comb it a couple days. This ain't my first go 'round with your hair. I've been doin' this for years, baby girl." He snapped back.
She felt the comb in his hand. "No wonder. We were finger detanglin' not combin' Doodle!" She snapped again.
"Damn, Bird. Relax."
"Not with you yankin' my hair around."
"I know what I'm doin' when it comes to your hair. Don't be a brat." He scolded.
"Damon, Bonnie, listen to me, please!" Grams coughed out. "I don't have time for the fighting."
"Sorry, Grams." The both said.
"Anyways," she chuckled. "As I was sayin' years ago, I started saving. I was able to start a decent little stash. I was thinkin' that when I'm gone-"
"Damon!" Bonnie interrupted Grams and scolded him.
"Geez. What now?"
"Just stay away from my head." She got up and walked away angrily up the stairs.
"I promise Grams, I ain't did shit- I mean pardon my tongue, I ain't did nothin' to hurt her. I was bein' gentle as I could've been." He helplessly spoke.
"Naw. It's okay, Dimitri. I'll talk to you. She's angry... right now. She don't like me talkin' this way. She used that as an excuse to get away from the conversation."
"Sorry. I'll go get her."
"No. I'll tell you. You can always tell her one day. I have a safe deposit box..." Grams continued to talk as Bonnie walked upstairs. She didn't bother listening to what they spoke about.
...
She laid in her bed, with her bear Miss Cuddles, and gripped her in the dark room. It's been a while since she slept in here.
"Daddy," she spoke to the open room. "I'm tired of everything in my life disappearing. I'm tired of the fact that everything I hold onto, leaves me. I'm tired of it. Pretty soon, I'm gonna let it all go. One day, I'm just gonna make it all go away, and I'm not gonna ever look back. You should know, it's not that I'm losing my faith, I'm just losing my feeling." She squeezed Miss Cuddles tighter, and fell asleep.
Damon and Grams spoke for a few hours. They waited, but Bonnie never did go back downstairs. Eventually Grams excused herself to bed. She didn't show Damon out. She locked the front door, while he sat on the couch. She assumed, naturally, he'd probably stay the night. Since she was the only one who knew he and Bonnie were married. She headed to bed after hugging him.
A knock at Bonnie door, sounded, and when she didn't answer he walked inside of her room and locked the door behind him. He took his boots off, as per their routine from years ago. He walked to her bed, and crawled behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and cuddled her like she was still his. He held her for a while before she realized he was there. Then she put her arms on top of his, and they slept that way for a few hours. His face buried in the crook of her neck, smelling her coconut-scented hair, and her feet tucked between his legs as he lay behind her.
As the sun came up, Bonnie eyes fluttered open, to her surprise he was still holding her in her room. Usually he'd disappeared by now. But he slept, softly snoring. She thought about falling back to sleep. Just allowing him to hold her. She thought about it. It felt right. But they weren't together. He was seeing someone, she was just in a weird space with Kol. But, when he held her, she feared nothing. She relished a bit. Just feeling his arms around her reminded her of a time they were younger and they were sleeping in her bed. And the worst thing she had to deal with was homework and grades, apart from her father's absence, then death.
Now, she was in her mind, divorced, an almost-mother twice, College graduate, focusing on graduate school, working in her career, dealing with a dying grandmother, a mourning mother, an ex-husband/best friend, yet... feeling still alone in some ways. Happiness was always within reach, then suddenly taken from her.
Nothing made her feel more real than him. Nothing made her feel more human than the man who lay holding her.
She turned to him slowly, placing her arms on his face as he slept peacefully holding her. She reached for his lips and did what came naturally. She kissed him. She used her pain, and channeled it to what she felt for him, turning it to passion. She woke up his body and then his mind. Before his eyes opened, she was pledging her need for him. And he wouldn't deny her. She was his everything. No matter the time and space between them. She was his home, he'd always come back to her, like she'd always come back to him. God made them this way.
As they both slowly removed their clothes, Damon glanced at the ring on the necklace around Bonnie's neck. He still wore his on his finger. He held her hands inside of his own, as their naked bodies embraced, and he kissed her like he missed her. He hadn't seen her since the Fourth of July, it was now Fall and near Winter for the Holidays almost. Being away from her for months at a time drove him crazy, drove her crazy too. But she was really finding her way without him. Even if their ways always somehow brought them back together.
So, when he pushed himself into her, making her cry, he told her. "It'll always be me. You'll always come back, because this is where you belong." He thrusted and spoke. He pulled her out of her shell, and into his vortex. He made her feel emotional, yet alive. His body woke her up, and made her feel real. His words, made her feel needed. His touched made her feel special. "Kol... who is Kol?"
"Oh... stop it." She whispered, not wanting to wake Abby.
"You're mine. You always will be. Do you hear me?" His thrusts were forcing Kol not only out of her mind but her life.
"Damon, please."
"No say it." He looked into her eyes.
"I'm yours. I'll always be yours." He kissed her, she kissed him. They connected. His heavy breaths went into her body, and she breathed every part of him in. Having needed this connection to him after so many months since she'd seen him last. This was all they had of each other after they separated. They had sex every time they saw one another. No matter who was in their lives or who they were seeing. Hey we're always all that they wanted. His panting continued into her opened and moaning mouth. He looked into her face, and begged her pleas.
"Tell me what I wanna hear baby girl. Say it for me."
"Make me feel good big daddy." She nipped his lips. "I missed you so much." He made love to her. He made her feel... loved... real... and alive.
Before he left, out of the window, as a grown man, she hugged him. "Stop. We're adults." She laughed. "Come on, I'll walk you downstairs. My momma is asleep."
He giggled. "I sure hope so." Almost sounding afraid. They walked down, and Sheila was siting in her rocking chair, but she looked to be napping. Bonnie walked Damon to the lanai, of her porch. And wrapped her arms around his neck. He once again whispered in her ear. "One day baby girl, you're gone stop runnin' from me, and come on home. You're mine, and you always will be." He pulled away from her ear and looked in her green eyes, "I love you."
"I love you more." He kissed her softly, and left.
Today
After a cleared throat entered the room, Bonnie was awakened holding her son in one arm and her husband's hand in the other. She passed out, thinking about them. She forgot where she was for a minute, and looked a bit shocked when she saw a doctor staring at her.
"Hello, Mrs. Salvatore. I'm Dr. Parker. Nice to meet you." She smiled, shaking her hand.
"Oh Lord, I nearly forgot where I was. I'm sorry." She sat up and adjusted herself.
"It's quite alright. The nurses told me you'd been sleep about two hours. I didn't want to wake you. I just came to check his vitals."
"Doc, what's goin' on? What happened?" She asked, changing her son to the cradle position.
"Well I have good news and bad news. Before I give you either, I'll best explain what actually happened." She took a breath, "To my knowledge, your husband was driving a car involved in a collision. Apparently, it wasn't his car. The owner was intoxicated. So, I'm guessing your husband was the designated driver, as he had no alcohol in his system. The car that ran into him was a person driving while under the influence. Ironically. They swerved into his lane, causing him to slam on his breaks, to which another car ran into him from behind. That car turned his car sideways, causing another car to run into the left side of his vehicle. Three cars, hit his car. He must be an amazing driver, because the way he drove, allowed him to survive, three motor vehicle collisions. Now, the driver of the car which hit his left side, luckily, watched as it all happened so they slammed on their breaks, so the collision wasn't as bad of an impact as it could've been." Bonnie's hands went to her mouth and she was pained, knowing the trauma he suffered. She looked at him and her eyes shut tight, trying to keep the tears back. "It could've been far worse ma'am. He saved the lives of three soldiers tonight. And to my knowledge according to the police reports given, the way he handled that drunk driver, saved everyone's lives. No one died."
"Oh God." She covered her face. Her pain, and anger were so real. She wouldn't cry much, not in front of this stranger. But she looked at the man on the hospital bed, and imagined his terror.
"Mrs. Salvatore. Staff Sergeant Salvatore was brave and courageous tonight from what I've heard, and from what I've seen with the other accident victims."
Bonnie nodded her head and sat quietly.
"So, for the good and bad news. Good news, your husband suffered no internal organ damage. Everything is functioning properly. As for the bad news, he does have two broken ribs, a fractured femur, his patella was dislocated, and both his tibia and fibula were broken. His Humerus in his left arm had a slight fracture, which should heal much quicker than the leg. More good news, his tibia and fibula were clean breaks, meaning they will heal quicker. His femur fracture, may take time, as that is the largest bone in the body. And surprisingly fractures can take longer than a clean break to heal."
Bonnie shook her head, unsure of what to say. She knew the physical pain would heal, and luckily for her the doctor's words were comforting. It was the psychological aspect she worried for. "Dr. Parker. How long will he be in here?"
"Well, we thought we'd have to send him to the post hospital. But his vitals are okay. His rate is finally regulated. Three days we will monitor him. And he should be fine to go home. But he will be on bed rest for a few weeks, and he is not going to be able to drive for some time. I will be running a couple more brain scans today and tomorrow, just keep an eye on him. Any impact, is stress to the brain. Some affects don't show initially."
"Are you saying my husband can possibly have brain damage?"
"That's always a possibility. As a doctor, I have to tell you that. But from what I am seeing he is doing very well. We'll know more when he wakes up. He is very heavily sedated. We should see him conscious tomorrow sometime. His surgeries went well, his body didn't have any adverse reactions."
"I see." Bonnie looked at Damon. "His Commander has been notified?"
"Yes ma'am. You will be able to take him home."
"Say, Doc... I was wondering, the possibility of psychological affects, traumatizing affects... can this trigger him in any negative ways?"
"It can only trigger him, if he's suffered from a similar experience. And in that case, there are possibilities of long lasting psychological effects, such a PTSD. But, I would definitely tackle one thing at a time. You look like you have your hands full. I would definitely start looking into physical therapists too. His body dealt with a significant impact. Physical therapy will be not only essential in his healing, but necessary. I have names of some great doctors in the area. I'll get that for you before you head out."
"Okay, thank you Doctor."
"You're very welcome, and Mrs. Salvatore... I'll give you my personal number, should you have any questions at all." The friendly faced doctor smiled, and Bonnie nodded her head.
"Thank you." She sat, quietly and watched him sleep. "Physical therapist, huh?" She whispered to herself. She'd have to give up her day job, and make him her number one priority. She'd have to be there for him, around the clock. Can she do it? Could she revolve her life around him, in such a way again, as she did before? She would have to leave LA for a little while, and relocate, giving up her clients, and her and Dylan's life in LA. Both of them out of work, would mean they'd have to live on their savings. Downsize for Lord knows how long. Live on basic means, and pray for the best. She rubbed his hand, and closed her eyes. Suddenly her father popped into her mind.
"Oh Daddy, it's been a while, right? Since, last I spoke and you listened. Just scared is all. Wondering, what am I gone do? I'm, one person. I did it, I went out on my own. I finished school. I have my career. I have my son. And I worked hard on my own to get where I am. And now, I may have to give it up. I may have to let it go, and leave it behind. Not forever, but awhile. I don't know if I'm capable of this. Giving everything up again. Focusing everything on someone else. How can I just, do it again?"
Bonnie looked down at her son. Then she looked at his father's bruised and bloodied face, and the ring on his left hand. Before a tear drop could fall from her cheek, she rubbed the ring on the necklace around her neck. "Oh baby. What am I gonna do with you? I'll tell you what... I'm gonna have to figure it out, and figure it out soon, but there ain't no way in hell we are goin' back to California right now. I'm gone have to drop all my clients, so, I won't be making any kind of money, and stay here, and take care of you." The stress of it all hit her, until she saw his face, and remembered his pain. His trauma from War, and the quiet riot that happened inside of him every day. The thing she begged him to get help for and she knew she couldn't abandon him, nor could she hire someone to do what she knew she was so good at. Yes, she went to school, got her degree and worked in the field of physical therapy, and became very good at what she did. So, she wouldn't really be giving anything up. She'd be putting it all to good use, and who better than the man who claimed her heart all these years. Their separation, prepared her for the strength she was going to have use now more than ever. She pulled his hand up and rubbed his knuckles along her cheek. Slowly and oddly she pulled them to her lips and kissed them.
"Damon... don't worry baby. I'm gone take care of you. I promise. And I ain't goin' nowhere. Not this time, or ever again."
Excerpt Pt22:
His entire heart stopped. If she wasn't who she was, he may have fell in love with her in that moment. He'd never seen, or heard a more beautiful sight and sound than Little Bonnie Bennett, singing her entire soul at thirteen, just like LeAnn did. He wanted to grab her and slow dance with her, she was beautiful and everything in that moment he never knew he needed. A pure heart, a good soul, and a melodic tune from a precious face. She made him feel guilty for being a hot-tempered boy, because she was accepting of him, he felt ashamed to be in her presence.
Bonnie is preparing herself to do what she did years ago. Give up the life she chased, in order to help Damon and be there for him. Only this time, she already has the career and college dreams she worked hard for. This time, she is giving up the LIFE she thought she wanted, for the LOVE she always wanted. Her time alone, and on her own has hopefully strengthened her enough to deal with the harsh road ahead. She understands how hard it will be for them financially, probably even emotionally, mentally, and physically. But she believes this is the best choice, not just for Damon, but she and Dimitri as well. This time around Bonnie has the opportunity to build a life with this man she loves, if she can, first, get through helping him through this. Which will be hard. What a test this will be for their love.
Thank you for Reading!