Gillian gazed a little Sophie. Though Gillian had been released from the hospital the day before, she had not really spent any amount of time at home. Today was the day of Sophie's surgery and she wanted nothing more than her little girl to make it through safely. Cal came up behind Gillian and stroked Sophie's chest, "You ready love?"
Gillian turned around to face Cal and smiled sadly, "No, but I know it's what's best for her."
Dr. Jackson came into the NICU and came up behind the anxious couple, "Cal, Gillian are you guys ready?"
Cal and Gillian looked down at Sophie one more time and Cal nodded, "Yes, we're ready."
Dr. Jackson nodded, "Okay. One of you can go into the operating room with your daughter and stay until she falls asleep. You just need to put on all of the sterile clothing."
Cal nodded at Gillian and said, "You go love. I'll stay here."
Gillian smiled and said, "Thank you." She put on the gown, hat, gloves, and mask before following the doctors into the operating room. They laid Sophie on the operating table and Gillian rubbed her daughter's head since Sophie was fussing a little, "It's okay baby girl. Mommy's here."
The anesthesiologist came over and said, "Okay little one, now we're going to give you a special something to put you to sleep," she said as she put the mask on Sophie. Within moments, Sophie was fast asleep.
Dr. Jackson nodded towards Gillian and said, "You have to leave now Gillian."
Gillian nodded wiping away the tears in her eyes. Before she left the operating room, she turned back around and said, "Take care of my baby girl."
Dr. Jackson nodded and said, "We promise we will." Gillian left the OR and disposed of the surgeon outfit and found Cal in the waiting room.
"How did she handle it?" asked Cal handing Gillian some coffee.
Gillian gratefully took the coffee and said, "She was fussy but once they gave her the anesthesia a she was out like a light."
Cal nodded and went back to opening and closing his fist, one of his nervous habits. He took a deep breath, "Loker and Torres are coming later today. I also let Emily know what's going on with Sophie."
Gillian nodded and went back to staring straight ahead of her. A lot of thoughts were running through her mind. How was Sophie doing? Was everything going to be okay? What if something went wrong? How would this affect the rest of Sophie's life? She heard someone talking to her in the distance but she couldn't quite make it out.
"Gill?" asked Cal for the fourth time.
Gillian finally looked up and said, "Yes honey?"
"It's almost noon. Do you want to go to the cafeteria and get something to eat?" asked Cal.
"I'm not really hungry," Gillian admitted, "Besides what if the doctor comes with news about Sophie?"
"Love, you need to eat or you'll get sick. And the doctor and nurses have my cell and yours in case we're not here when they come," said Cal.
"Fine," said Gillian following her husband, though she was only going to eat to make Cal happy. After lunch and a brief walk, the pair made their way back to the waiting room and waited around a few more hours until Loker and Ria arrived at the hospital.
"How's everything going Gill?" asked Ria giving both Gillian and Cal brief embraces.
"The last time they called, everything was going very well," said Cal.
"Well that's good," said Loker, "I mean not the fact that Sophie has to have surgery but the fact that everything's okay so far."
"Yeah," chuckled Gillian. Even in the worst of times, Loker always knew how to lighten a sad situation.
"I'm going to take another walk love, make sure Loker and Torres are keeping the place running. Do you want to come?" asked Cal.
"No, I think I'll stay here thank you," said Gillian.
"Okay then. Love you," said Cal kissing her quickly.
"Love you too," said Gillian as Cal and Loker walked away chatting away about the happenings at the Lightman Group.
Ria sat down next to Gillian though didn't speak for quite some time. She didn't really know what to say because she didn't know what Gillian was going through right now. Ria knew how badly Gillian had wanted a baby and had been overjoyed when she had found out about the pregnancy. And now there was a possibility, no matter how small, Gillian losing this baby, another baby as well. Ria grabbed Gillian's hand and said, "I'm so sorry Gill. I really am."
Gillian looked over at Ria and Ria let go of her hand, "Thank you Ria. It really means a lot. I know those words are so cliché but they really do help sometimes."
Cal and Loker both returned and Cal sat down next to Gillian and kissed her on the temple. A few moments later Dr. Jackson appeared. Cal and Gillian both stood, hand in hand, upon his arrival. The doctor smiled and said, "The surgery went well. Your daughter is now in recovery but she should be moved back to the NICU within about half an hour."
"Can we see her?" asked Gillian. She wanted nothing more than to lay her eyes on Sophie once again.
"Of course," said Dr. Jackson guiding the couple upstairs to the recovery room. Cal and Gillian found Sophie and tears started to flow from both of their eyes though they were tears of relief since all of Sophie's monitors and vitals were steady.
Cal walked up beside Sophie and started stroking her head, "Hey there Pumpkin, how're you feeling?"
Gillian observed her husband talk baby talk to their daughter. Cal could be as intimidating as all get out, but he could also be a big softy in certain situations. Soon Sophie was moved back to the NICU where Dr. Jackson performed another checkup.
"How is she doing doctor?" asked Gillian worriedly.
"Well she seems to be doing well. The first twenty-four hours after surgery are the most critical. But as long as her vitals continue to remain stable and she continues to properly be it bottle or breast, you should be able to take her home in five to seven days."
Gillian breathed a sigh of relief and embraced the man in front of her, "Thank you so much Dr. Jackson."
"You're very welcome," he said. Just then Dr. Samuel appeared in the NICU.
"Good evening Adam, Cal, Gillian," she nodded at Dr. Jackson, Cal, and Gillian respectively and walked over to Sophie, "And how is our little patient doing."
"Doctor says she's doing well," said Cal.
"Well that's great to hear," said Dr. Samuel. She patted Gillian on the shoulder, "I know it won't be easy, but try to get some rest at home. You can always come down and see her 24/7."
"I know," said Gillian, "It's just so hard leaving her."
Cal came up to Gillian and said, "She's in good hands love. And Dr. Samuel's right, it would be a good idea to shower, eat, and get some sleep that way we can be here for Sophie bright and early."
Gillian nodded. She was starving and exhausted from the past several days. The couple kissed Gillian good night and headed home to relax though there wasn't much relaxing involved. Gillian sat down in the rocking chair in the nursery, knowing soon a tiny human would be taking up residence in it. The pale pink walls and the soothing rocking finally put Gillian into much needed sleep.