Chapter 39

About two hours before Brian's scheduled surgery time, Dr. Thomas decided it was time for everyone to go and see Brian. It was decided that AJ and Howie would go first. They slowly walked in and looked at their brother laying in the bed. It was hard for them, but they knew that Brian was going to be going uphill from here.
 

"How you feeling man?" AJ asked, taking a seat in a chair next to the bed.
 

"I'm in a bit of pain, but I know after this surgery that things are going to get better," he replied.
 

Howie and AJ exchanged a very quick glance. Did Brian know that there was a chance that he might not make it through the surgery? Both did not want to diminish his hopes, so they left it at that.
 

"Well, we just wanna wish you good luck Rok. We'll be praying for you." Howie leaned over and gave him a hug.
 

"See you on the other side," AJ whispered as he also pulled Brian in for a quick hug.
 

They both walked into the waiting room letting the tears they had been holding back fall. Jackie and Krista both comforted them as Kevin got up to go visit his cousin.
 

"Kev!" Brian exclaimed. "Did my parents come yet?"

"Yeah. They arrived late last night. The only reason why they stopped by the hospital was to give consent for your surgery because we didn't know if you were going to be awake or not to decide for yourself. Your parents wanted you to rest last night. But they'll be in to visit shortly."

"I'm glad they're here. So you here to wish me luck too huh?"

 

"Yeah Bri. But you've been down the open heart surgery road before. This is nothing new. You've done it once, so you can do it again. I know that you'll be just fine."
 

"Thanks man," Brian said as they hugged. "It means a lot."

"I'll send in the next guest," Kevin smiled and was out the door.

 

Nick and Krista got up as soon as Kevin walked into the waiting room.

"Brian I just want to wish you good luck," Krista said. "But I'm gonna leave so Nick can have a minute with you."
 

"Thanks," Brian said and returned her hug.
 

As soon as she left, Nick blurted out," Frick, I love you like a brother; you can't leave me!"
 

"Nick! Calm down! I'm not going anywhere."
 

"You promise?"
 

"Yeah I do Frack. Everything will be just fine."
 

"I know it will be Bri, but everything is just so much harder right now," Nick confessed.

"It may be that way now, but it can only go up from here. Just remember that." 

 

Nick gave Brian a quick hug and left before Brian could see him cry.  He made his way back to the waiting room and sent in Angela. She put on her best face to show that she was being strong for him. She peeked around the corner to see Brian staring at the door, waiting for the next person to walk in.
 

"Come here Princess," he said softly as he patted the bed.

Angela almost ran to her boyfriend's side. She sat down next to him. And no sooner did she do that, did he sweep her into his arms. She leaned over and gently kissed him. "How do you feel?"

"I'm hurting, but I'm better now that you're here!" He put on a cheesy smile.
 

"You're a dork," she laughed as she snuggled down onto the bed.
 

"But I'm your dork. And this little one's too." He said as rubbed her tummy.
 

"Yes, you are and you're going to come out of that surgery good as new just for our little one."
 

"Well, you too Princess."

 "Brian, I really want you to think of the baby as you get ready for this more than me. Our little one needs you more than I do."
 

"Angela, don't talk like that," Brian begged

"Fine. I won't anymore. But please just think of our little one more."

Brian just studied her for a minute. "OK, I will. Do me favor and send my family in? I'm getting kinda sleepy."
 

"Alright." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss for good luck.  "I love you."

"I love you too."

With that, she left to get his family. "Jackie, he wants to see you guys now."
 

"Alright sweetie." Jackie gave her a hug and Harold squeezed her hand for reassurance. Harry just smiled weakly.  Brian heard the footsteps of his family approach the door. Harold was the first to walk through the door.

"Hello Brian," he said. "How are you feeling?"
 

"Hi Dad," Brian said returning the hug he received. "I'm in pain, but ready for this surgery."
 

"That's good to hear."
 

"Oh Babyduck," Jackie murmured as she kissed the top of her son's head. "Everything is going to be OK."
 

"I know Mom. I know."
 

"Bri, what's up?" Harry asked after a quick hug.
 

"You couldn't have asked a more obvious question Harry?" Brian laughed, but clutched his chest as soon as he did forgetting about the pain for a minute. "Remind me not to do that again."

 His family let out a small laugh. "Didn't mean to do that to you bro," Harry apologized.
 

"It's OK," Brian smiled. "I'm gonna make it through this and I know that. OK?" His family nodded at him, wanting so much to believe him.

"Dad can you just call everyone back in here for a minute? I just have one thing I want to share with everyone before I have to get prepped for surgery."
 

"Sure." Harold walked back out to the waiting room and motioned for everyone to follow him.
 

Everyone got themselves situated; Jackie and Harold in the chairs, Harry, AJ, Howie, Kevin around the bed, Nick and Krista were next to them all holding hands, and Angela sat on the bed beside Brian.

 

"Well, thank you to everyone for being here for the support. It means a lot to me. I just have one more thing to say before I go into surgery." He sat up and pulled something out from under his pillow. Everyone stared curiously at it until they figured out what it is.

"Angela Marie Connors, ever since we were kids, I knew you were the one for me. You make me feel whole and complete. Without you, there is no Brian Thomas Littrell. And now that we have our own little one growing inside you, there is only one more piece to this puzzle to make it complete and that's you. Will you marry me?"

 

He opened the ring box to reveal a simple, but beautiful engagement ring. It was 14k gold with a flawless diamond.

 

"Of course Brian. I love you," she cried. He slipped the ring onto her finger; a perfect fit. 

 

"I love you too Princess," he mumbled against her lips as they kissed passionately.

Cheers went heard throughout the room and shouts of congratulations were heard as well. But before anyone could ask questions about the baby or what was next in their futures, Dr. Thomas strolled in.

 

"Sorry to interrupt, but it's time for Brian to get prepped now."
 

Everyone gave their final good-byes and promised Brian that they wouldn't ask Angela anything until he got out. With that, everyone was back in the waiting room for a long, tedious, and nerve-wracking wait, and Brian was whisked off to the prep room.

***

Dr. Thomas was getting ready to make the first incision when the head nurse said," His BP is dropping fast!"

 

"He's stopped breathing," yelled another.

"Get me the crash cart stat!" Dr. Thomas yelled.