Amanda, Olivia, and Serafina entered the crowded waiting room and spotted the doctor. They walked over to him, hesitant about what he would say. Serafina held Amanda's hand for support.
"Are you with the Carisi family?" The doctor asked.
Serafina spoke up. "I'm Dominick's mother and this is his girlfriend, Amanda."
The surgeon nodded. "It was a difficult procedure, but we have successfully moved him to the ICU. We had to remove his spleen, repair a tear in his liver, and address the punctured and collapsed lungs. We were able to stop the bleeding in his brain, but due to the swelling, we had to induce a coma. He is currently on life support."
Gasps filled the room as the severity of Sonny's condition sunk in.
"What are his chances of a full recovery?" Dom Senior asked.
The surgeon sighed. "It's hard to determine at this point. The next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial. If he can make it through that critical period, we can evaluate his condition further. However, even in the best-case scenario, we don't anticipate a good quality of life for him."
"So, you're saying I may never have my son back?" Serafina's voice trembled.
The surgeon's eyes reflected sorrow and empathy.
"IF he does pull through, he will never be the same as he was before. I'm truly sorry."
Amanda wiped away her tears, her heart heavy with worry.
"Can we see him?" Amanda asked.
The surgeon nodded "Of course. Once he has been settled, a nurse will come and escort you."
The surgeon excused himself from the group.
"How can he just give up on Sonny like that?" Bella huffed.
"Let's face it, Bella. Surviving after being thrown through the windshield of an SUV is a long shot." Teresa offered a dose of reality. "The doctor is just being honest about Sonny's chances."
The news of Sonny being thrown the windshield was news to Amanda. She rushed over to find a trash can and threw up what little she had in her stomach.
Jessie approached Olivia, tears flowing from her eyes.
"Mommy is sick. Is she and Uncle Sonny going to die?" Jessie cried.
Olivia crouched down to Jessie's level and hugged the little girl.
"Your mommy is just worried about Uncle Sonny, sweetheart." Olivia tried to comfort them.
"But is Uncle Sonny going to die?" Jessie's voice trembled.
Olivia tried to soften her voice "I hope not, sweetie. We're all hoping for the best."
Serafina, Dom Senior, Bella, Teresa, and Amanda followed a nurse down the sterile hallway to Sonny's ICU room. The atmosphere was tense and filled with worry and fear.
"You guys can go on in. He is resting comfortably." The nurse said as she opened the door.
The group walked in, everyone except for Amanda. She stood in the doorway, her face filled with horror as she took in Sonny's condition. His right arm was in a sling, his head was wrapped with bandages, and he was connected to various tubes and wires. He was pale though he had bruising on his face. Serafina noticed Amanda in the doorway and called out to her.
"Amanda, you can come in," Serafina said.
She ushered Amanda into the room. Dom Sr. pulled up a chair for Amanda and placed it next to Sonny's bed.
"Girls, why don't we give your mother and Amanda some time alone with Dominick." Dom Sr. suggested.
Bella and Teresa reluctantly nodded and followed their father out of the room. Serafina gently rubbed Sonny's face, trying to comfort him.
"It's okay to touch him, sweetie. It lets him know you are here." Serafina said as she wiped away a tear from her eyes.
Amanda hesitated, her eyes filled with fear and sadness.
"I'm almost afraid I will hurt him more." Amanda cried.
"He isn't going to notice the pain," Serafina reassured her.
Amanda took Sonny's hand and started rubbing it gently, tears falling from her eyes.
A few moments later, Serafina broke the silence.
"When were you going to tell us?"
Amanda looked up, confused.
"What?"
"I had four kids. I know when someone is pregnant. How far along are you?"
Amanda hesitates. "Almost eight weeks."
Serafina's eyes widen "Does Dominick know?"
Amanda shook her head.
"I wasn't sure how to tell him. He's been so depressed since Gina's passing." Amanda explained.
Serafina sighed. "That girl. Messing plans up from the great beyond."
Amanda managed a sad smile.
"You know the day we were all supposed to have brunch together, Dominick was going to propose to you."
Amanda's head shot up.
"He what?"
Serafina nodded "He had told me he had met with Gina the night before to get the ring. He loves you Amanda, and I know he is going to love this baby too."
Amanda ducked her head. How could the man of her dreams, the father of her baby be in this predicament?
"If he even survives to find out." Amanda began to sob.
"I say you tell him now, while you have the chance."
Amanda nodded. She knew if she didn't tell him now, he may never know. She wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I am going to grab Jessie and Billie for you. I think the three of you need to spend some time with Dominick and help him heal." Serafina said.
Amanda weakly smiled. "I appreciate it."
Serafina walked out of the room, leaving Amanda alone with Sonny.
"Your mother is something else. She is refusing to give up on you." Amanda spoke softly.
Amanda gently rubbed Sonny's face. The cool skin beneath her fingers made her flinch. It almost felt like touching a corpse.
"Please don't leave me. I need you, and this baby needs its father. You are so good with the girls. I would love to see how you would be with your own baby." Amanda wiped the tears from her eyes. He had to be ok. She didn't want to accept the inevitable.