Hello everyone and have a good sunday! Enjoy it!
This 16th chapter is the penultimate one before the epilogue (which is in pwo parts). Believe me, you won't be disapointed!
I want already to thank you all, at least to have read this story, and posted some reviews sometimes, it helped me to write the events (based on your reviews and those from the french version).
The action of the 15th first chapters lasted about four hours.
I hope you will appreciate the end of this story (not today). Personally I love it: I did the best end possible (I promise).
Time to read now! Have a good day :-)
Chapter 16 : Waiting together, as a family
The emergency door opened, revealing a stretcher with a man over, black gray hair with a C-collar around his neck, an oxygen mask on his face. He was totally unconscious.
"Thirty-four year old firefighter buried in the rubble. He has peritonitis due to impalement on a metal bar in his right flank. His left arm is broken, possible head trauma and smoke inhalation. Pulse at 130, BP at 8 over 6, body temperature at 102,6".
"Room 1! Call the OR and the surgeon, we will bring him in fifteen minutes max!"
Maggie rushed to the phone to call the surgeon while Benny Severide had risen and was rushed to the stretcher and two paramedics.
"Wait, this is my son! HE'S MY SON! Let me see him!"
Cindy couldn't catch him and had not the courage either. She couldn't tell him not to do that when she was going to do it when her husband would arrive. Natalie struggled with Benny in making him understand that he had to stay out of the room so she could treat his son properly. Oddly, when life or the future of his son was involved, he was crazy, but trusted the doctors. This was the paradox. But doctors, nurses and patients in the waiting room understood the situation: they all followed the rescue on TV, they all knew that his son was a hero. After five minutes the emergency door opened, revealing Hermann.
"Fifty-one year old firefighter came out of the rubble. He complained of severe chest pain. He also inhaled a lot of smoke, possible head trauma. Pulse at 124, BP stable at 9 over7".
The paramedics had affixed him an oxygen mask on his face and put a neck brace to make sure there were no complications during the trip. Cindy got up and rushed on the stretcher too, but said nothing. She knew the procedures, but it was still difficult for her to see her husband in this state and couldn't do anything, just let the doctors do their job. She ran her hands over her mouth and let the tears flow down her cheeks. Now that everything was back to normal, she allowed herself to cry. Almost immediately, she felt some gentle hands on her cheeks. Surprised, she turned her head to see a smiling Christie, with as much tears as Cindy.
"Everyone is okay now. Everyone will be okay".
"T-they... They went through hell. For nearly four hours. I don't even understand how they... They were able to hold on like this..."
"It's us".
Cindy opened her eyes, blocking them on Christie.
"What?"
"It's us. We helped them to hold on so they would see us again. Knowing that the firefighters would never let one of their own behind. They had confidence, hope", Christie reassured.
She came in front of her and hugged her. She was soon joined by everyone, Jenny first, then Antonio, and all the women of the firefighters and finally Danny. They were a big family, sticking together if one of them was hurt, if one of them wasn't going well. The door opened once again. Everyone turned and retreated to the waiting room to let the stretcher pass. Everyone but Antonio.
"Thirty-three year old firefighter, out of the rubble ten minutes ago. Deep laceration in her left leg, possible head trauma. She's pregnant for almost three months and inhaled a lot of smoke. Pulse at 118, BP at 12 over 6".
Antonio stood frozen, unable to move while watching his sister get into an examination room, an oxygen mask on her face and unconscious. Christie saw it immediately and made him sit down, worried about a faint.
"She's alive Antonio. The baby is too. I'm sure".
"My little sister risked her life to save the one she loves the most in the world while endangering her child..."
"This shows how much she wants to Matt. If Matt was dead in the rubble, she would probably never had the courage to raise their child, and couldn't have others with him. Down in the rubble, she was taking the risk of killing the child, but ensured that Matt could survive and have other children with him. This is where the dilemma and I hope they won't blame each other, whatever the outcome".
Honestly, Christie was very worried too. Gabby had inhaled a lot of smoke and suffered a big trauma. And she knew, being a mother, that it could lead to the loss of the baby if the body had received a lot of stress, which was the case. Both because of her burial in the rubble but also the physical condition of Matt. All this exceeded them by far. The door opened again, and this time there was no need to look at, they all knew that it was Jimmy, Danny's borther. This one turned and instinctively followed the stretcher.
"Twenty-two year old firefighter, came out of the rubble. Possible head and neck trauma, hematoma at his back, inhalation of smoke. He was between consciousness and unconsciousness in the ambulance. Pulse at 93, BP at 12 over 8".
Will was with him in the ambulance, directing the stretcher in the halls of the ER, and motioned to Danny to wait outside. All shocked, no one had really realized what was happening around them. A dozen of minutes later, the group was joined by firefighters. They were sweaty, still with their gear, mostly covered with dust. It was then a long period of intense waiting for everyone. They got up, they sat down again, they turned their thumbs, they bit their nails, they despaired. Until Will came back to the group.
"I would give you news of Jimmy Borelli?"
Chief Boden and Danny, Jimmy's borther stood up while the others straightened, watching Will emphatically.
"As I know you are a big family so I won't ask you to follow me and I'll give you the information here".
Will took a deep breath and continued.
"He regained consciousness a few minutes ago and he seems to go well. He received a violent shock in the back, causing a bruise and a sore neck, and he also has a mild concussion but as I said everything is fine. We sutured his brow and bandaged his wrist, treated the numerous cuts and minor injuries. We keep him for the night to see if all is well, and if that's the case, he may leave tomorrow morning".
The entire waiting room sighed in relief. It was one of the four good news that the firefighters and their relatives wanted to hear. Danny turned around, looking at all this new family that Jimmy had and everyone smiled slightly at him. He turned once again.
"I can see him?"
"Of course, he fell asleep and asked news of the other firefighters. We told him that they were going well and that he would see him soon to get him rest, otherwise he would have been able to get up and harass us".
"Typical of my brother", Danny said sarcastically, making laugh the firefighters.
Danny followed Will, who opened the door, but stopped him again before entering.
"I must warn you: he's quite confused and disoriented at the moment. And I think the situation in which he was doesn't help. Try to reassure him up when he wakes up".
"I can do that", he assured.
"A nurse will be here every half hour to take his vitals and wake up every two hours. standard protocol after a concussion".
Danny nodded and Will began to smile slightly. He tapped him on the shoulder as a support and let him in, closing the door behind him. His little brother Jimmy who he had always protected, deep asleep in a warm bed, a gauze in his right eyebrow, where there were stitches and one of his hands was bandaged effect. Danny ran his hand over his mouth, a little scared to see his little brother as vulnerable. It was the first time that Jimmy was injured to the point of going to the hospital, and also to stay in a hospital. He sat down beside the bed and looked at his brother sleep peacefully. For five minutes there had been no sound in the room except the monitor that beeped and the oxygen flowing into the cannula and gving him oxygen he needed after inhaling the smoke. And Jimmy began to wake up. He opened his eyes and saw his brother.
"Danny?"
"Hey...", he said quietly and calmly to his brother.
"The others..."
Then he remembered the conversation he had with Will, a little time before.
"They are okay, you can see them later. Meanwhile, you have to rest. Will you do that for me?"
Jimmy nodded and took the hand of his brother. He smiled and closed his eyes, falling asleep again.
For all the other firefighters and the families, it was still a long wait. They turned again and again their thumbs, they watched each other noiselessly and tried with the corner of the eye to watch television. It passed the news of the day, especially the rescue they had done. It was a long wait until Will interrupted a second time, and everyone wore again their attention on him.
"I come for Gabriela Dawson this time".
Everyone held their breath, for the same and only reason. Antonio rose, swallowing his saliva, fearing for his little sister.
"How's my sister? And, and the baby?"
"As a doctor said not a long time ago, an OB/GYN came earlier to check if all is well. Your sister is very tired and... And very stubborn! She won't sleep before having news of Casey".
"That's Gabby... She's always like that".
Will smiled from the corner of the mouth.
"She has a pretty deep cut on her left leg, she has many cuts and bruises and she also inhaled a dose of smoke that could be harmful. That is why we sought the advice of the OB/GYN".
"So? How is the baby?"
Will took a deep breath.
"The baby... The baby is fine, he is very strong even! His heart rate is a little slow and we'll monitor him closely, but otherwise everything is fine".
Another sigh of relief and took the waiting room.
"Him?"
"We don't know the gender yet, it's too soon".
Aantonio nodded.
"Baby Dawsey makes us go crazy, even before his birth!" Otis spoke.
After a contagious laugh, Antonio became serious.
"Can I see her?"
"I'm taking you in the room. But promise me to try to make her sleep, she needs it".
"Tell me how's Casey then. Because this is the only way to reassure her".
But Will paused and shook his head slightly from side to side. He had no news.
"I see. I will do my best".
Antonio then entered the room. He was immediately rocked by two distinct melodies he knew: the heartbeat of his sister, and another a little faster. The baby. Emotional, he passed his hand over his mouth while watching his little sister. She was awake and staring at him.
"Tell me you heard from Matt, Tonio, I'm begging you...", she said tearfully.
"He's still in surgery. We don't know more".
He approached Gabby and took her hand to caress it.
"But I'm sure he's fine".
Gabby cried harder.
"Hey, hey... what's up?"
"I... I-I put the life of our baby to save him and... And..."
"Hey, the baby is alive, Matt is alive. You did your work".
She opened her eyes, this time filled with anger.
"Did I?! Matt begged me to get out of the rubble to not endanger our child! Despite his own shape! And I didn't listen to him! He won't never forgive me!"
"But your child is alive, and you too, that's what counts the most for him right?"
Gabby stared at him, trying to understand how her brother could be so forgiving.
"I don't know..."
"We'll see that later. For now, get some rest okay? I am sure that when you'll wake up, there will be news of Matt", he finally said, kissing the forehead of her sister. "You want me to check? Perhaps they have news now".
She nodded, tears in her eyes and tired. She murmured a thank you to her brother as he left the room to ask for news.
The concern grew among people in the waiting room. By sympathy for firefighters from the firehouse 51 and their relatives, firefighters who helped the firehouse 51 and the excavation team in which Vlad was, had come to show their support. This didn't facilitate the work of the nursing staff but it was also good for them to see this.
"For how long they are in the OR?" Vlad began to ask, breaking the silent tension.
"For Casey, it's been two hours. For my husband and Severide, a little more than an hour", Cindy asked.
Meanwhile, Antonio and Danny came out of the rooms of Gabby and Jimmy. Danny was a bit tired of hearing his little brother asking news and wanted to have news during one of the numerous time of rest of Jimmy.
"Any news?" Danny asked.
"Gabby and baby Dawsey are fine. More fear than harm but the baby will be monitored to be really sure", Antonio stated.
"The other three we don't know. They are still in surgery", Boden continued.
But Will appeared almost at the same time. And this time, he stopped before joining the group, surprised that the firefighters he knew for a few hours were here.
"Woah..."
Boden got up, stood in front of Will and crossed his arms.
"Tell us you have good news..."
Dr. Halstead slightly shook his head out of his thoughts.
"Uh... Your last three men came out of the OR".
Smiling, firefighters shook hands and congratulated each other, as if they had made themselves the surgeries.
"I would like to talk to relatives of Christopher Hermann first?"
Cindy got up, stood beside Boden, her trembling left hand to her mouth and tears in her eyes ready to flow. He knew then that she was his wife.
"The operation went well. The chest pains were due to a hole in his spleen caused by his broken ribs. The surgeon repaired it without removing it and without any complications and he is now in the PACU. He has many cuts and bruises, like the other firefighters, and he also has a little trouble with his breathing because of smoke inhalation but that's superficial. When he wakes up, you can go see him".
Cindy exhaled in relief while closing her eyes. She had been so scared, but hadn't shown it before seeing her husband on TV. Boden took her in his arms and stroked her back gently and kindly.
"Now, Kelly Severide?"
Benny got up and went near Cindy.
"How is my son?"
"He's fine, considering the situation. The perforation of his abdominal cavity caused by the metal rod has led to peritonitis and a laceration of the intestine. It could have turned into sepsis because of the time spent in the rubble but everithing is under control. The surgeon repaired the intestine, cleaned the peritoneum and placed some drains. We also launched antibiotics to reduce the infection and his fever. He has two broken ribs, a broken left arm and a mild concussion but nothing more serious. For the moment he is in a hyperbaric chamber to reduce the CO2 levels in his blood, but also to help his body to fight infection and help the skin healing. There will be in there for about two hours, during which we will keep him sedated. Then we'll bring him to ICUU to monitor him".
"He... He'll stay how long? To hospital?"
"If all goes well, a week to avoid any complication, but also to see if his bowel resumes its normal functions".
"And to go back to work?"
Boden turned his head toward him, completely stunned to hear the father of Kelly hardly interested in his career than his health.
"If everything goes well, I mean, healing and rehabilitation for his broken arm, we can say about a month and a half for light duty, and two months to go back to full duty".
Boden continued to look Benny, shocked. He said nothing, because he didn't want a confrontation in such an important moment for everyone. Benny began to look at him. He understood almost immediately why Boden was watching him like that, but was quite surprised that he said nothing. He stayed silent too..
"I can go see my son?"
"Not until he is in ICU. I will come to take you there".
Will wanted to continue to call the relatives of Matt, but Christie took him by surprise. She got up, approaching chief Boden and looking at the doctor emphatically and tears streaming down her cheeks.
"And... And my brother?"
Will didn't need to talk to her, it was the logic of things.
"Well your brother is very lucky ma'm. His injuries could have been much worse. Before his surgery Dr. Rhodes did a double angioplasty, to avoid a rupture of the left common iliac artery, but also to avoid the closure of his abdominal aorta".
Christie nodded, Connor had already given her the information. But not the other firefighters. They knew nothing, and the fact of knowing that finally gave them chills in their back.
"He has broken ribs due to the explosion, the collapsing, but also the CPR administered to him, and a fracture of the femoral neck. It is a fracture with slight displacement, the orthopedist just set a screw and fixed his hip and his upper leg. He also has a fracture of his sacrum, this bone is a part of the basin located just below the lumbar vertebrae. This happens when you fall on the seat in a very violent way. It causes nerve compression, meaning water retention, temporary paralysis and severe pain. We consolidated it, locked the bone and we will monitor these fractures closely because complications can occur. He also has a moderate concussion and he inhaled a lot of smoke. We will keep him hooked to a ventilator due to the inflammation of his airways, and if all goes well, by tomorrow we will him place under oxygen with a high concentration nasal cannula. This will dilate his airway, hydrate the mucus and remove the dust that is still in his lungs. Otherwise he also has cuts and bruises on his body but nothing serious. He is lucky".
"And... Uh... His blood flow? In his right leg?"
"His neck femoral fracture had cut off blood circulation in his leg but after reducing the fracture, it recovered from its own. I don't think that this temporary interruption of flow will have an impact".
Christie placed her hand on her chest, closed her eyes and sighed, shaking. Cindy patted on her back by way of compassion and smiled when Christie opened her eyes to look at her.
"Doctor?" began a voice behind him.
All looked behind the doctor while Will turned to see who it was. Gabby was standing, supporting her weight with the IV pole. She had withdrawn the fetal monitor and hardly seemed to be on her feet.
"You shouldn't be here", Will said, walking over to her and ordered a nurse to bring a wheelchair.
"And I won't come back in the room until I have the answer to my question".
She challenged Will despite her condition, despite her fatigue. She was Gabby.
"And what is the question?"
"He complained of chest pains and his ears was bleeding..."
"Ah..."
Will looked at the chart he had in his hands for more information.
"The chest pain was due to smoke inhalation and dust still hot. For the bleeding ears, we checked and he has cuts inside, probably due to the explosion when debris flew everywhere. Some have come to his ears causing the cuts. If you think of a severe brain injury, he doesn't have one. We checked twice because of his previous head injury. No skull fracture or brain injury, just the brain a bit shaken".
"Okay, okay..."
Gabby was relieved, fear that the bleeding could come from a new brain injury.
"He will remain in ICU for several days to ensure there are no complications, but I have to warn you that his recovery will be long and painful. The sacrum is not easy to break, but when it is, it lasts a long time, pain is very present and rehabilitation takes time. He will remain at least six to eight weeks in bed or lying, and rehabilitation will take several months, which is more in his case. If he wants to work again as a firefighter and regain all his capacities, it will take at least four to five months. During his convalescence he will be under painkillers and muscle relaxants".
"I can go see him?" Christie asked.
"Visitors are not allowed in the PACU. I'm sorry", Will said.
"And patients?" Gabby asked.
She wanted so much to see Matt, both to see with her own eyes that he was fine and see the father of her child, their child. Will smiled, though seeing that she was playing on words to see Matt. He sighed.
"I shouldn't take you there, but being pregnant and... Not wanting to stress and risk losing your child, especially after the trauma you suffered, you have to see the father of this child. To ensure that everything is fine..."
Gabby took several long seconds before understanding what was doing Will and what that implied. He gave her the necessary arguments to go into the recovery room and see the man she loved.
"You quite understand", she finally confirmed.
The other said nothing, neither Antonio nor Boden stopped her. Because they knew they wouldn't succeed in reasoning her. She had seen what happened in the rubble, she had brought Matt back to life, she had nursed him as she could, had kept him alive until help came and had assured before his rescue, and kept alive the rest of the team after the second collapse. And this by putting her own life and the one of her child in between. She had been through hell, and no one was going to stop her. By respect. Because nobody could do what Gabby had done.
"Then I will take you there".
He took the wrists of the wheelchair and turned to the room where she was resting before going out.
"But before anything else, we reconnect this fetal monitor. It's very important, you know this better than anyone here".
They went into the room to put this fetal monitor in place to see the evolution of the situation with the baby. And came out a few minutes later to go up in the recovery room.
"I must warn you Gabby. He's not alone in the room, and the view might shock you at first".
She said nothing, leaving him finish his sentence and reflective.
"I saw him today in a moment I never thought I would live. Then I can handle it", she confirmed.
Will shook his head up and down, understanding Gabby. He saw what happened, but from the outside.
"Okay".
He opened the door, then inserting the wheelchair inside. In the room, all kind of sounds intermingled: heart monitors, breathing machines, other sounds that sometimes she didn't recognize. Dr. Halstead stopped her near a bed, Matt's one. As he warned her, there was a tube down his throat to help his breathing, an abdominal drain in place, his basin and his right leg was in a special cast. As he had expected, her heart turned, giving her nausea.
"Madre mia...", she whispered.
She took his hand gently, careful with the numerous wires and the IV.
"He's lucky, isn't he?"
"A lot. If the aneurysm had not been seen in time, the artery may be ruptured and he would have died because of the bleeding. He is very lucky. He should play the lottery when he comes out. There is a nice pool at the moment".
This made Gabby smile.
"He is not a player. He thinks, it may make him an addict and doesn't want to be one".
"Understandable".
No one spoke for several minutes, before Gabby took a quick glance around the room. Alongside Matt, Hermann was lying still and asleep. He would wake up gently.
"And Tony?"
"He left the recovery room a few minutes ago. A nurse went to get his wife to take her to him".
She nodded, while Hermann opened his eyes slowly. Will came to him with a smile.
"Welcome back".
Hermann stared at him and turned his gaze to the left, then the right, and turned his head when he saw Gabby on the other side of the bed right next to his. He then saw that it was Matt.
"H-he's okay?" He whispered and frowning while hearing his voice.
"He will be fine with time. You took him out just in time".
"And... And you? Dawson?"
"I'm better now that I'm next to Matt. And the baby's fine too".
"Thank God..."
Will laughed softly.
"And you don't even ask for you, if you're okay?"
"Apparently... I'm fine. Otherwise I wouldn't be here... Right?"
Hermann wasn't completely wrong. Gabby then began to jump, feeling a slight twinge in her hand.
"Matt is waking up".
Will turned and walked towards the bed. Without opening his eyes, Matt passed very slowly his hand over his mouth, or at least tried. When he felt he was connected to a respirator, he lowered his hand and laid it on the bed, and finally opened his eyes. He saw blurry, but it wasn't important for him. He wasn't in pain anymore, the noise of the respirators were coming in his ears like a bird song for him, neon lights gave him a headache and he was hot. For him, he was returned on this beach, but everything had changed.
"Matt? Casey? You are there?"
His eyes blocked on Will, and he nodded slightly.
"You're in the hospital, everything is fine now".
The hospital... Matt couldn't remember anything after his respiratory distress. It was a black hole. Will took his pen, grabbed the blankets covering his legs and passed the pen on the soles of his feet.
"You feel that?"
Matt closed his eyes for a moment, relieved. He could feel anything below his pelvis, and it was good. He nodded his head up and down, then passed his hand again on the tubes of the respirator.
"Ah. Your airways are swollen, that's why you couldn't breathe properly in the rubble. When the inflammation will go down, we will remove it".
Something had to tilt in his head. The rubble, the injuries, the air filled with smoke and dust. Gabby. He panicked, taking full situational awareness.
"Hey hey, calm down, everything is fine, everyone is fine. I promise".
Still very weak, Matt stopped struggling. And finally, he felt a hand in his hand. He turned his head and saw Gabby. Finally. She had tears in her eyes. Fighting his blurred vision, he noticed that she had a monitor on her stomach, she was in a wheelchair, dressed with a gown. It worried him. He let go of her hand, pointing the gown she was wearing. She looked at what he was pointing and took time to understand that he wanted to know why she was wearing a gown.
"Uh... After your rescue... The concrete slab collapsed".
Looking straight into his eyes, she saw the misunderstanding and the panic.
"Don't worry everything is fine. I'm fine, the baby is fine. I was so scared to lose you...", she finally admitted by taking his hand.
But Matt pushed it away and turned his head away, looking Hermann, then in a vacuum. Gabby realized something: Matt had asked him, begged him to get out of the rubble, but she didn't. And he wasn't going to forgive her in an instant.
"Matt...", she persisted, taking his hand again.
But once again, Matt rejected it. For Gabby, it was a big blow, but she said nothing.
"Doctor? I'm tired, I would return to my room and get some rest".
Will said nothing, even if he didn't understand why Matt rejected Gabby.
"Okay".
Hermann stared at Casey who had tears streaming down his cheeks, also observing from the corner of his eye Will taking Gabby out of the recovery room. By closing the door, Gabby finally allowed herself to cry as ever. The man she loved, the father of her child, had rejected her. Twice. He wouldn't forgive her. Not like this.