Chapter 12

The hours seemed to drag on forever, each one more agonising than the last. The double doors leading to the operating theatre opened, and three nurses wheeled a critical Aaron into intensive care.

The surgeon approached the four, Chas was the first one to speak

"How's he doing?"

"I have good news and bad news for you, Mrs. Livesy"

"Dingle."

"Sorry?"

"I'm divorced from Aaron's father, My surname is Dingle."

"Miss Dingle, I am pleased to tell you that the knife wound to Aaron's back has missed his kidneys, so there will be no need to place him on the transplant list, However, he did have a punctured lung, we've managed to repair that, and we had to remove his spleen. Unfortunately also, Aaron has a bad reaction to the medication we have placed him on, as standard procedure we've had to run some tests, there's a high chance the medication may have poisoned his bloodstream."

"But you can do something about that, right?" Liam asked

"Until we find the full extent of his allergy, and also what he is allergic to, We can't give Aaron any more pain relief."

"So if he wakes up before you know what you can give him to help, he's going to be in agony?"

The surgeon nodded his head, and Liam slumped back into the chair, tears welling up in his sapphire-blue eyes.

"What's his chances?" Cain asked, earning himself a glare from Chas.

"I can't really say."

"Yes, you can. You did this to us with Jackson. That's where I recognise you from, You operated on Jackson Walsh. Young lad, hit by a train. Ended off paralysed form the shoulders down. We had to beg you to tell us about his condition, please, don't make us do the same for Aaron. We have to know."

"Given Aaron's current condition, It's looking unlikely he'll make it through the night."

"No...Please, anything but that!" Laim sobbed "This cant happen to me again!"

"What can't happen to you again?" Cain asked

"Please, don't let him die" Liam cried, ignoring Cain's question

"We're doing our very best to make sure that doesnt happen."

"Can we see him?" Chas asked

"Yes, you can, but only one at a time please." The surgeon smiled and walked away

Chas nodded and looked at Liam "You go first."

"No, hang on a minute. What did you mean by this cant happen again, Liam?" Cain asked

"Cain please, That's irrelevant right now. My boy is hooked up to a life support machine yet again! If Liam wants to tell us, he will. Go on lad, get yourself in there." Chas smiled

"Chas, no. He's your son. You should be in there with him, not me. He's not gonna want me in there. This is my fault"

"And he's your boyfriend. This is not your fault Liam, How could it possibly be your fault? He'll want you in there over me any day. Go on lad, get in there and see if you can get the stubborn little bugger to wake up."

Liam nodded his head "Only if you go in after me. He'll want you in there Chas."

"I doubt it. I promise I'll go in after you though, ok?"

Liam nodded his head and walked towards Aaron's room

eeeeeeeee

Liam went cold as he entered Aaron's room. The man laying before him, his boyfriend, was barley recognisable. Tubes were attached to pretty much every part of his body, and his face was bruised and scratched. The beeps and the hissing from the ventilator and heart monitor were the only sounds that filled the room for quite some time, before Liam managed to find the courage to speak.

"Aaron? Aaron mate it's Liam. Please wake up. I'm sorry, I genuinely am. I promised you I'd take care of you, didn't I? This time last night Aaron I made that promise, and now look where you are. This is my fault, I'm so sorry. I know we haven't been together for that long, but I can't imagine losing you. I really, really like you. I need you Aaron. You have to fight this. I cant go through this again, Aaron." Liam sobbed, carefully stroking Aaron's hand, being cautious of the wires and tubes that surrounded him.

"Your mum's here, and Paddy. Cain too. They're all sitting outside. How about you wake up and say hello, eh? Or do I have to go and get your mum?"

Liam sighed as he didn't get a reaction from Aaron, he shook his head, amazed at his own stupidity. He sat back in the chair, and taking one last look at Aaron, the dam burst and the tears began to flow yet again. Getting annoyed with himself, he stood up and leaned over Aaron, pressing a kiss onto the younger man's forehead, tears splashing onto his grazed face.

"You've made me do this you know. I have to do it. I'm letting your mum come in. Don't say I didn't warn you." Liam whispered and left the room.

He walked over to Chas and smiled "He's refusing to wake up. I'm taking drastic action. In you go." Liam smiled, wiping his eyes and pointing to Aaron's door.

As Chas entered the room, Her knees almost gave way and she sobbed hysterically as she saw the sight infront of her. she sat in the chair next to his bed, wiping her eyes and regaining her composure. "Hey you. You like scaring me don't you? Seems like every year you're in here. You better not be making a habit of this. I swear you've spent more time here than the nurses! I wouldn't be surprised if they invited you to the staff xmas party! Come on Aaron, wake up, if not for me, then do it for Liam." Aaron's machine suddenly flatlined. Chas jumped in her seat and held onto Aaron's hand "Aaron? Oh my god...CAN SOMEONE HELP?" Chas yelled, her voice breaking. Doctors and nurses spilled into the room, Chas was ushered out, crying.

"He's gone into Cardiac Arrest. Someone get me the crash trolley!" The doctor yelled

"Don't let my boy die! Please don't let him die! I cant lose him! I can't!"

TBC