So here's another update for you guys. I'm glad it didn't take as long to post this one so I hope you guys enjoy. Thanks again for the reviews, love reading them as you all know and I'm just glad you guys like my story :D Disclaimer – I do not own Harvest Moon or any of its characters – enjoy :P
Chapter 42 – Chelsea's P.O.V
"I'll give Vaughn the liver transplant"
I froze in the spot, a shimmer of hope dancing on the horizon, teasing me. Turning to look back at Denny I read the seriousness set in his masculine features and broke out in tears of joy.
"Are you serious?" I asked, my heavy heart finally lifting. He nodded and I pulled him into a hug as I cried into his shoulder. I had no idea what the tears were about, maybe they were happy or still a little bit sad but I was determined to not show this side of me to Vaughn.
"We're going to have to see if you're compatible though" I mumbled, pulling away. I mean if Julia and Mirabelle weren't even compatible then what was the chance of Denny being? I would have given him mine at the drop of a hat but considering I was pregnant threw me out of the picture straight off. I stood up and motioned for Denny to follow me, the sooner we get this over with the sooner I could relax; but if it didn't work it would be too much of a setback and I don't know if I could cope or not. Denny caught up next to me and was following my heel like a puppy as we arrived back at Mirabelle's where I knew inside lay my sick, dying cowboy. I turned to Denny quickly and looked at him.
"Can you tell I've been crying?" I asked, looking him dead in the eye. Denny was always crap at lying so I guess that was why he was always honest. He squinted slightly and cocked his head before shaking his head.
"Nope" He mumbled, not moving his head from that position. I rolled my eyes and quickly rubbed my face to rid any signs of tears before placing my hand on the door and opening it. Trent was still sat on the chair next to his bed reading over some paperwork when me and Denny both walked in. I turned my attention to Vaughn who had a thin layer of sweat over his forehead and still had both his eyes closed. Trent looked up at me and then Denny before placing down his papers and leaning forward.
"Denny wants to test if he's compatible" I said, staring into his deep green eyes as his fluffy black hair dropped into his eyes. Pushing his hair back he looked back at Denny before standing up and walking over to us.
"Are you sure, this isn't something you can pull out of at a moment's notice" He said looking at him sternly with a serious expression. I looked at Denny in worry but he nodded, sure of his actions.
"I'm sure" He said, reinforcing his head motion. I smiled slightly before Trent nodded and walked back over to his papers.
"I've been reading over Vaughn's tests and we will need to check first if you're compatible, also if you have a healthy liver and if you're healthy enough to go under major surgery." Trent stated as he flicked through the papers again. Denny nodded, taking in every single word that came out of his mouth.
"Right, we will need to get you down to the hospital for a blood test" He then turned to me, "I thinks it's best if we take Vaughn with us so we can monitor him" He added. I nodded understandably but then frowned at looked back up at him.
"The ferry takes a couple hours though; doesn't he need all those thingy things?" I asked, motioning to the little machine next to him that was attached to the side of him with a long tube and the various needles set out on the sterilised mat next to him. Trent paused for a minute before nodding and pulling out his mobile. There were a few exchanged whispers and affirmative hums before he put the phone down and turning back to us.
"The emergency helicopter should be here in 10 minutes, we need to get him ready for the ride back" He turned to Vaughn and started packing away the needles in his little medic bag before flicking various buttons on the machine attached to Vaughn. I frowned before turning to Denny and mouthing the word 'helicopter?' He shrugged confused but stood out of Trent's way none the less when he rushed pass with his bag and placed inn next to me.
"You're going to have to take this Chelsea, is that okay?" He asked pointing to his bag; I nodded before pushing it out of his way. Then he looked around the room for something and frowned when he came back empty handed.
"What are you looking for?" I questioned looking at him. He turned to face me before frowning again.
"If we could already have Vaughn outside by the time the helicopter came then it would shave time of our arrival by a lot. I nodded and guessed he was looking for a wheelchair, then my eyes landed on his desk chair with wheels and a grin spread across my face.
"Would the chair work?" I asked, pointing to the comfy looking black chair with handles. Trent rushed over to it and smiled.
"It's going to have to do" He replied as he pulled it out before walking to Vaughn's side.
"Could you guys give me a hand?" He asked as he pulled out a handle to his machine before pushing it gently aside to leave room for Vaughn to get off. I rushed next to him and place my cool hand over Vaughn's forehead.
"Vaughn we need to take you to the hospital, can you walk?" Trent called. Under his eyelid there was a soft movement before they slowly opened and searched mine. I smiled at him before stroking his head softly.
"It's going to be fine Vaughn" I soothed as he managed to push himself up with the help of Trent and me as we guided him to the computer chair. He flopped down in it and gripped hold of my hand in his as he rested his head back onto the cushion and looked at me.
"I'm sorry Chels" He mumbled as he gently squeezed my hand. I shook my head at looked at him sternly.
"You, Mister, have nothing to be sorry about" I reply, my lips pulling up at the side as Vaughn lets out a weak chuckle. I giggle quietly as Trent takes hold of the machine and motions for Denny to push the back of it.
It would have been funny if it wasn't such an emergency; all of us running down the corridor, me holding Vaughn's hand, Trent juggling a heavy machine and Denny pushing Vaughn who sat awkwardly on a computer chair, the little wheels going round like Catherine wheels on bonfire night. I could reassure this by the looks from various people on the island. By now everyone had heard of Vaughn's illness but when you see all of us looking like this plus a computer chair, it was hard to stifle a laugh. I could hear the helicopter blades in the distance and looked up as it drew closer to us. We watched it as it dropped down in the middle of the west part of town and began running for it again; Vaughn sat safely in his chair. I think at this moment even Vaughn was chuckling about the situation, realising how stupid we all must look but to be honest I didn't care. The only real thing that mattered was getting Vaughn to that hospital. The paramedics soon came off the helicopter and ushered Vaughn into a stretcher where they tied him down safely before loading him into the back. When Vaughn was safely in the back, one of the paramedics climbed into the front with the driver while the other stayed in the back with Vaughn.
"You can climb on now" The driver said as the paramedic in the back pulled open the doors to allow us to climb in. The guys let me on first where I took my seat firmly next to Vaughn, then Denny and Trent rushed in and took the two seats next to me and the guy in green. When we were all inside the pilot started the engine again and the propellers began to swing themselves over head in big, loud motions. Just then Julia rushed over and stared at us all. I tried to shout to her but the noise from the propellers was too loud and she couldn't hear me so I began motioning to her with my hands. I placed my hands in the sign of a cross and then injected my arm while pointing to Denny. I had no idea if she understood because by the time I'd finished we were already zooming into the air.
Looking down our island actually looked pretty tiny compared to the vast blue ocean surrounding it. I watched as the waves below graciously lapped against each other, and a few dolphins frolicked about with each other. It seemed weird how things could be so serene when my life had become so hectic.
We arrived on the mainland in just under 15 minutes and were unloaded onto the hospital carpark. The paramedics pulled out Vaughn and extended his stretcher into one with wheels before rushing off with him towards the entrance. Me, Trent and Denny all followed as he was rushed into the first room on the red ward where they placed him on the bed and quickly reattached the beeping machine to his side. I watched as they tucked him up in bed and placed a red dot above his bed which indicated that he was on red alert. Denny stood next to me silently as both the paramedics left the room and left just me, Trent and Denny together in the room.
"We need to take that blood test straight away" Trent said as he motioned for Denny to follow him. For some reason all of a sudden I felt extremely tired but I guess that was just due to being pregnant and all the commotion that was going on. I took a seat on the chair next to Vaughn and watched both of the guys head to some other room in a different part of the hospital. I looked at Vaughn; he looked so weak and helpless, compared to my usual tough cowboy. I took hold of his hand and gently stroked the back with my thumb. Vaughn squeezed my hand in return and slowly opened his eyes to look at me. His eyes still shone purple but a weaker shade which made them appear more grey than amethyst.
"I guess it's the other way round now. You on the bed and me on the chair" I laughed weakly, not really feeling up to it but I wanted to put on a brave face for Vaughn. He chuckled slightly before his eyes searched mine hungrily.
"Chelsea, if it doesn't go right then I just wanted to let you know –"
"Don't. Everything's going to be fine Vaughn" I cut in, not allowing him to be a defeatist. He chuckled again before closing his eyes.
"That's the Chelsea I know" He smiled before falling to sleep. I sat and watched his heartbeat for a few minutes before the excitement of the day finally took over me and pulled me into a dreamless sleep.
"Chelsea? Chelsea wake up" A voice called as someone gently pushed my shoulder. I moaned and battered them off before turning onto my side. Then they nudged me again which made me finally open my eyes. Stood in front of me was Denny who held a piece of paper in his hands.
"Denny?" I asked, rubbing my eyes and yawing. I looked around the room and saw Vaughn lay asleep on the bed next to me. I stretched before sitting up properly and turning to look at Denny. He took a seat on the sofa next to me and leant forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"I got the blood test results back" He stated. Had I really been asleep that long? I guess I was more tired than I thought. I crossed my legs on the chair and realised that someone had draped a warm hospital blanket over me. Not really fussed who, I brought it up to my chin and embraced the warmth.
"How was it?" I asked, changing my gaze to the piece of paper in his hands. That piece of paper could change my entire life, I just prayed for the better.
"I'm a perfect match and have a healthy liver; we're going into theatre tonight"
So this was a very hectic chapter, a lot of things going on and shiz :P I hope you liked it and please tell me what you think :P As I mentioned before in the last chapter, Strange Attraction is coming to an end shortly, maybe only a couple more chapters left :( But I hope you keep reading anyway :) Still going out with a bang yet! So until next time – ciao x