Chapter 10
I will need a few minutes to get rid of the image of Jason and Anna before moving forward. However, Willow and Drew are still the worst.
September 19-20
I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. Therefore, I may use incorrect terminology or instructions.
Elizabeth checks on her patients. She enters LuLu's room and finds Maxie painting Lu's nails. "Hey, Maxie, I need to check on LuLu. Can I have a few minutes? You don't need to leave." Maxie gives Elizabeth room to check LuLu's vitals. Elizabeth softly speaks, "LuLu, your incisions are healing, Lucky is recovering at your mom's and Kevins', and everyone is praying for your recovery." LuLu's fingers twitch, and the monitor's beeping gets louder. "Maxie, find a doctor, now!"
Elizabeth holds LuLu's hand, "LuLu, can you hear me? If you can hear me, please squeeze my hand." LuLu's fingers slowly grasp Elizabeth's hand. "LuLu, don't struggle with your breathing tube. We will remove it soon." Elizabeth yells, "Where is that goddam doctor?"
Dr. Park and Ashford rush into LuLu's room. Elizabeth moves to the side but stays near to assist. TJ says, "LuLu, I'm Dr. Ashford. Dr. Park and Elizabeth are going to remove your breathing tube. On the count of three, I want you to take a deep breath and blow it out. Okay? One…two…three." LuLu breathes out, and Elizabeth assists Andy with pulling out the tube. LuLu coughs several times. Her eyes tear at the pain. Elizabeth grabs a towel, wets it, and gently rubs LuLu's face.
Maxie stands at the door crying. She pulls out her phone. "Carly, LuLu's awake. The doctors and Elizabeth are with her now."
The chaos is heard in the hall, alerting Dante, who is with Danny and sitting with Sam. Dante says, "Danny, can you stay here? I'm going to check on LuLu." Dante runs to her room, and Maxie is crying in the doorway. "Oh my god, Maxie….is LuLu…"
Maxie turns and says, "LuLu is awake. She woke up!"
Dante pushes past Maxie and stops to watch Elizabeth remove the tubes as she wipes LuLu's face. Elizabeth whispers, "Good job, LuLu. Good Job. I'll call your mother and brother. They will be here soon." She nods to Dante, who switches places with Elizabeth and sits on the stool. Elizabeth leaves to give them privacy. She calls, "Laura, it's Elizabeth. LuLu is awake. Dante is with her, but she would want to see you and Lucky."
Summary: Dante catches LuLu up on the past four years. He recommends waiting until tomorrow to see Rocco as she will have many visitors today. LuLu asks about Charlotte, and Laura arrives with an answer: They are searching for Valentine, who is traveling with Charlotte. Lucky has a tearful reunion with his sister. Carly arrives to embrace her cousin.
Patrick Drake surprises Elizabeth at the hub. They hug, and she asks about Robin and the kids. He explains they couldn't get away, but Robin sends her love. Elizabeth ushers Patrick to Sam's room. She leaves to allow Patrick to examine his patient.
Patrick calls Sam's family to discuss her options. He explained he would perform a craniectomy to reduce the swelling in her brain. Alexis, Molly, Kristina, and Dante listen to Patrick's recommendations.
Patrick says, "The procedure is major brain surgery. I performed a similar surgery on Jason in 2012. I have a high success rate, and I'm confident this surgery will benefit Sam." The family asks questions and agrees to the surgery. Patrick explains he will schedule it for the morning.
Patrick leaves and looks for Elizabeth to learn she has left for the day. He decides to surprise her at her place. He leaves a message for Robin, promising to call her and the kids before he turns in for the night. Patrick knocks on the door and is surprised when Jason opens it. "Jason, hi. I was looking for Elizabeth. I heard you were back. Robin was relieved to know you were alive when Anna called her."
"The next time you talk with Robin, please give her my best."
Elizabeth walks up, drying her hands on a towel. "Patrick, what brings you by? Come inside."
Patrick looks in, and Danny and Jake are in the den watching Cameron's soccer game. "Sorry to interrupt. I didn't know Jason and Danny would be here."
Elizabeth and Jason walk Patrick to the backyard. Jason softly says, "Dante spends most of his time at GH between Sam and LuLu's room. Danny was at the Quartermaines or school. I was living above Bobbie's, and Elizabeth suggested that Danny stay here and be near his family. I wanted to spend time with my son, and Elizabeth offered Cameron's room once Aiden went to be with Lucky at Laura's."
"That makes sense. How is Danny?"
"He's worried about his mother but seems happier here than with the Quartermaines."
"That's good. Elizabeth, Can I speak with you about Sam?"
Elizabeth replies, "Umm, sure, but if it's about Sam, I want Jason to stay."
"Okay. I would like you to be on my surgical team tomorrow. You are the best scrub nurse I've had."
"Patrick, I'm honored, but I'm going to decline. I can provide a list of suitable scrub nurses for you."
"Why? You are the one to request me."
I have faith in your surgical skills, and you are Sam's best chance, but if something were to happen, I can't be responsible for that."
"Well, you wouldn't. I would be responsible, but I see your dilemma. Thank you for your time." Patrick follows them inside and notices Jason's hand on Elizabeth's elbow, guiding her."
Elizabeth says, "I will arrive early and set your OR up how you like it."
"Thank you, Elizabeth. Jason, Danny is lucky to have you back."
Jason and Elizabeth watch Patrick drive away in his rental. Jason kisses Elizabeth's neck before they return inside to watch the last of the game, in which Stanford wins.
The following morning:
Elizabeth arrives early to prepare the OR, adhering to Patrick's standards. She sets up the family room for Sam's loved ones. Elizabeth greets Patrick and introduces him to his OR staff. Sam's surgery starts.
Lucky picks up Rocco from the Quartermaines and brings him to GH to visit LuLu. Lucky and Carly meet while Rocco is with his mother. Carly promises Lucky she'll help if she can. Jason tries to take Sam's surgery off Danny's mind and tells him there is nothing they can do to help his mother by waiting at GH. Jason brings Danny to the MC pool and watches him swim. He tells Joss what is happening with Sam. Ric looks out of his hotel room and sees Jason with Danny. He thinks this is the perfect time for him to seek out Elizabeth.
Ric visits Elizabeth at GH and implores her to take a break and listen to his side. Elizabeth reluctantly agrees, if only to get him to leave her alone. She begins by asking him about Heather. She shows him the new numbers, and he asks her to testify on Heather's behalf.
"Ric, I am not an expert, and even if Heather signs a release, I'm uncomfortable testifying. My brother Steven is out of prison and working in Arizona. He told me he did not want to return if Heather was released. I want my brother back, and if Heather is set free, I'd have to travel to Sedona to see him. My loyalties lie with my brother. But that's not the reason you came to see me."
"No, it's not. You must be mistaken thinking you saw me when Sam was shot. I think Jason is a bad influence."
Elizabeth chooses her reply carefully. "Ric, you claim to have changed, yet your first instinct is to separate me from Jason. Jason and I share a child. He never tried to kill me. He didn't plant a bug on me. Even when we were at odds, we had an understanding. He defended me against Carly, Lucky, and others. With Sam in the hospital and Dante unable to be at the PH regularly, Danny and Jason are staying with Jake and me at my house. When Sam wakes up, they can discuss custody arrangements."
Ric panics, he thinks, "I wanted Sam out of the way. I wanted Jason's focus on Soony. He always protects Sonny, and now Elizabeth is protecting the son of a bitch who wants me dead."
Patrick exits the OR and finds the family. He asks Elizabeth to join him. Elizabeth glares at Ric and all but tells him to stay. Patrick tells the room, "Sam is out of surgery, and the next 24 to 48 hours is crucial. I relieved the pressure, and I'm confident she will wake up. I can't guarantee there will be no deficits. Her initial injury may have deprived her brain of oxygen for too long. Elizabeth will see to her care. She has recommended another nurse, Deanna, be on the second shift to monitor Sam. I will stay in PC for a few days and if Sam does not wake up, I will turn over Sam's care to Dr. Park."
Molly runs out and into Ric's arms. "Dad, Patrick thinks Sam's surgery is a success. She could wake up soon. Maybe she will tell us who shot her if she can remember."
Ric grimaces, "I want that to happen too, for you and your sister." He thinks, "I can't let Sam wake up."
Jason arrives with Danny. He takes him to Sam. Jason returns, "Ric, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for my daughter. Leave me alone, Jason."
-XXX-
September 22
Cameron returns to PC for Jake's goodbye and Audrey's birthday. He helps with the final preparations.