| CHAPTER 25 |
| Nick met Dillan's cab from the airport outside the hospital. He gave her a comforting hug as he pulled her out of the snowstorm and into the warm emergency room entrance. Without a sentence spoken, the two stood in the elevator knowing that silence is better for both of them. They stepped off and Nick put his arm around her to guide her to AJ's room. "Any new news," she finally asks as they walk down a long dark hallway. Nick shook his head in disappointment as he wiped a tear forming in his eye. No other patients were moving about the hospital being that it was almost 3 am. They finally enter the room. AJ, helpless on the bed with tubes coming out of every part of his body, Kevin and Brian sprawled across the bed on the other side of the room, Howie, reading a book under the dim light near the window, and AJ's mom sitting in what looked like an uncomfortable chair with her hands holding one of AJ's. Dillan stepped in the room quietly and gasped at the sight she had seen her fiance in. Nick passed her and put his hand on Denise's shoulder. She woke up with a jump. "Its okay. Dillan is here now." Brian and Kevin awoke with the sound of Nick's voice. Denise released AJ's hand and surrendered the chair to Dillan. "Here, sit, dear. You better rest from your flight." Dillan began to disagree but she forced her to sit. "I have to go get some coffee. Boys, lets go." The Boys got up and followed without protest leaving Dillan with AJ and the sound of his heart monitor. Dillan looked up at the man she loves and began to weep quietly. She stood up and sat on the bed next to his body. Looking at the unshaved face with tubes for him to breathe, she couldn't help but wonder what his mind was doing. "AJ," she whispered. "AJ please wake up. I don't want to be alone anymore." She took a deep breath and put her hands on his chest to feel him breathe. "I don't want to be without you. This life would never be the same without you so you have to get through this. You've promised me a lifetime Alex." She took his hand and began to twist his engagement ring. "You promised." She felt a little squeeze of his hand and she jumped. He opened his eyes slowly. He licked his lips and tried to speak. "If...if I make it. What am I saying?" He put his other hand on top of hers. "When I make it out of here...I'll make that promise." "Hey, you're awake," Kevin said as he re-entered the room. "Thought you'd never wake back up." "Thanks for your faith, Kev," AJ said in his whisper, obviously trying to speak normal. The others came back into the room and crowded around the bed. Denise pushed her way to AJ's side and took his hand. "Don't scare me like that, boy. I want you to get better." AJ chuckled and groaned at the pain. Everyone motioned to help him but he declined. "So," AJ said trying to gain his regular voice. "When can I leave?" Everyone looks at each other not wanting to tell him the bad news. "AJ, baby," Dillan started. "You have to wait for a donor." His eyes widened. "The docotor says the only way to keep you stabilized is to keep you in the hospital. They're going to move you to a better hospital tomorrow afternoon, but it might take a couple days to a couple weeks to a couple months to find a donor." "Tour's off?" "For a long while," Brian answered. "Until you are really recovered." AJ closed his eyes, and felt his family quietly leave the room. Dillan kissed him on the cheek as he wished he could take that kiss and fly away with it. All he wanted to do was hold Dillan close and tell her that he loved her. He could barely speak, how could he say those things and her take him seriously? Did she still love him after this had happened? Is she going to wait for him until this was over? His mind was going wild and the drugs were kicking in. Before he could think of another horrible thought he fell asleep not knowing if he'd wake up ever again. Chapter 26 Featured Stories Main Page |