"He has a broken collar bone, at this stage they think, three possible fractured ribs. A large gash behind his left ear that they are currently glueing back together and he looks like he has been bashed by an iron bar, which is pretty much what happened. He has lost a fair bit of blood. The doctors have confirmed that they don't believe that he will have any lasting effects but they have sedated him and won't know more until he wakes, which they hope to be within the next couple of hours," Matthew doesn't drop his steel gaze from mine. He had also locked up all his emotions after his earlier meltdown on Caleb's shoulder so I am looking at a very professional and very annoyed Matthew.
"I also was stopped by the detective that was waiting for us in the emergency department, and Dominic Watson and his father along with his entire legal team have just walked into the downtown precinct. He has an airtight alibi, which we expected, and he is demanding a public apology," he finishes the last statement with an indignant laugh. "Thankfully the police pretty much laughed him down and he was arrested shortly after on charges that are not yet disclosed. So for the next little while you are safe, we get to catch our fucking breath and as soon as Hunter wakes we get to go take him some pretty balloons." He adds trying to diffuse the tension in the room.
My hand is on the button calling for a nurse in an instant and I don’t release the alarm until I have a nurse in my room.
"I want to go down to the emergency department now, please. I understand it may not be good timing, I know that you are busy and I am sorry for what I say next, but I really don't give a shit. Please help me get down there now," I offer as politely as I can, to the fresh faced nurse who tips her head to the side and cocks her eyebrows at me.
"All right sugar, let's get you going. I am sure these two strapping men can help us. I will grab you a wheelchair with an IV holder and some warm blankets," she offers without further ado, her thick Irish accent making understanding her a little difficult.
The look on my face must have surprised her.
"Well look Ms. Bellafonte, after what you do for our community, I think I can help you in your escape. I was just going on my tea break anyway. You'll be mighty fine in A & E if you pass out again or show any signs of not being well. And if you need to be there, you damn well need to be there," she spoke loudly over her shoulder as she left the room to track down a wheelchair.
I don't know what I am expecting when I first arrive in Hunter's room but seeing him on a respirator with way too many tubes running in and out of his body is not it. Instead of falling to pieces though, witnessing first hand Hunter's injuries seems to awaken something stronger inside of me.
I am all sorts of pissed off as my fingers trace over his bruised face. I brush his hair off of his unconscious face gently, my hand shaking in my barely contained anger. Thankfully Matthew and Caleb are speaking with the medical staff and talking in low tones behind me. I don't need any consoling, any talking down. I just need Hunter to wake up.
It will be entirely too easy to blame myself for the state of Hunter and myself, if I think about it, but we didn't ask for any of this. We hadn't done anything wrong and all it does is solidify my fortitude. I pull my wheelchair up right next to Hunter's bed and am lost to my thoughts as I hold his hand trying to think through our options. And there are a few. One thing I know though is I am done running. I am done hiding behind everyone. It really is time for me to grow up, shed the guilt I am carrying about this being about me.
I think I sat there in that chair holding Hunter's hand for nearly an hour. Long enough for my eyes to droop before Caleb slowly approached, his concern evident on his face.
"Take me up to my room please Caleb. I want security on his door and no visitors. Get him the best help he needs and Matthew needs to sit here with him and as soon as he stirs he has to tell him that I am safe," my words are soft, jumbled together because of how tired I am but he heard. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head, squeezing my shoulder.
"Give me two minutes Ginny," he replies and then leaves me to the quiet and the darkness inside Hunter's room.
Me being here when he wakes up is what I want, but I need to rest too. We need to be stronger and if we need to do that apart then so be it.
