Chapter 8: Consequences sometimes have high Prices

Author: zeusfluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. I do own all originals. Date Started:10/13/24. Date Finished: 10/13/24. Enjoy!

Cora was still in the hospital. Jamie and Eddie were taking emergency family leave, and the kids were staying with Frank and Henry. Jamie was currently looking through Cora's chart and making mental notes as he did. He looked up from the third page as Eddie spoke.

"Why does she have a feeding tube bub? Why is it in her nose?"

Sighing, he explained the reasoning behind it.

"The tube was placed in her nose and goes down her throat and into her stomach because she's having difficulty swallowing. She's not able to chew food right now. Tube feeding isn't pleasant. She's being given liquid protein through the end of the tubing here with a large syringe."

Jamie pointed towards the end of the feeding tube that had a cover over it. He then continued his conversation with Eddie.

"She's not going to like anything strawberry after this. She's got a very bruised larynx. Judging by the bruises on Cora's neck, one of those girls if they'd squeezed any harder would've completely crushed it."

Eddie swallowed hard and ran a hand over Cora's forehead.

"Is there… Is there going to be any permanent damage from all this?"

Jamie got a pit in his stomach just listening to the words coming from Eddie's mouth.

"It's too soon to tell Ed. We're in a wait and see period right now."

Eddie squeezed Cora's hand again and she saw her open her eyes. Her eyes roamed the room for a minute and then they landed on Jamie. Then he spoke.

"Hey baby girl. Can you hear me?"

Cora blinked her eyes and nodded slightly. She winced and Jamie continued his conversation.

"Try not to move honey. Try and stay still."

Opening her mouth, Cora tried to speak.

"Hungry…"

Jamie ran a hand through her hair and Eddie squeezed her hand.

"I know your probably hungry honey."

Jamie shook her head at Cora.

"Try not to talk right now honey. Your larynx is very bruised, and your throat has some slight trauma to it. It'll take some time to heal."

Cora reached up and touched the tube that was in her nose. Jamie calmly explained what it was.

"I know that tube in your nose probably feels weird. You're having some trouble swallowing and you're not able to keep food in your stomach. You're not able to chew right now. So, the tube in your nose is so you can eat. It's going down your throat and into your stomach. I'll stay right here while you eat, ok?"

Cora got tears in her eyes. She didn't know what was going on. Eddie took the moment to speak up.

"We're not going anywhere sweetie. We're staying right here."

A nurse came into the room and smiled when she saw Cora.

"Hi Cora, I'm Colette. So good to see you awake. Would you like to eat something?"

Cora heard her stomach growl and tried to nod her head. Jamie looked Cora in the eye.

"Ok honey, let's put the bed up a little more so you're sitting up. There we go. This is probably going to feel a little weird because the liquid protein she's going to give you is going to travel up your nose and down your throat into your stomach. It might be a little uncomfortable. But I want you to keep swallowing, ok? If this gets really uncomfortable or it starts to hurt, squeeze my hand really tight, ok? Then we'll stop. Your mom and I aren't going anywhere."

Cora put on a brave face and looked over at Colette. Colette gave Cora a sincere smile.

"Ok sweetie. I'll go slow. Just keep swallowing."

Eddie squeezed Cora's right hand to keep encouraging her.

"You're doing great sweetie. Keep swallowing."

Jamie could see the tears in Cora's eyes. He knew that she was struggling. He watched the syringe with the strawberry flavored protein liquid. It was nearly empty when he turned his gaze to Cora. She had a panicked look in her eyes and a cough bubbled up. She squeezed his hand hard, and he put his free hand up and Colette stopped pushing the plunger on the syringe. Jamie did his best to comfort Cora.

"It's ok honey. We're done for now. Let's take a moment to catch your breath. Your muscles in your throat are weak right now. Your mom and I are right here. It's ok to be scared. But we won't leave you alone alright. We'll get through this."

Cora gave Jamie a hard to read expression. Jamie grabbed for a piece of gauze from the tray holding the empty can of protein shake and held it up to Cora's left nostril.

"I'm just going to hold this piece of gauze right here sweetie. Got a little bit of a nosebleed."

Eddie sighed and looked away. The damage those girls have done. Consequences sometimes have high prices. Cora didn't have to pay the price.

To Be Continued…

A/N: So, what'd you guys think? I had a hard time writing the last half of the chapter.