Chapter 26

Judy’s face was a mess of tears and her nose was running. She dabbed at it with a tissue. “What’s going on? How’s Kyle?” she asked, her voice choked with emotion as she glanced at Kiera.

He cradled her face in his hands. “Sweetheart, I’ll fill you in later, but right now isn’t the time. Kyle’s in surgery and it’s not looking great.

“The nurse said it’ll be a few hours. Why don’t you sit down? Maybe you could take Kiera to freshen up. She’s having a rough time and could use a friend.”

Judy moved to sit, taking Kiera’s hand in hers. “Listen, my brother is tough and way too stubborn to quit. He’ll pull through.

“Let’s head to the restroom and get you cleaned up. You wouldn’t want him to see you like this, would you?

“I brought some of my clothes for you. We’re about the same size, so they should fit.”

“Okay,” Kiera agreed, following Judy into the nearest restroom.

She stripped off her blood-stained clothes and washed her hands and face before slipping into the jeans and top Judy had brought.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t know all the details yet, but I’m glad you’re okay,” Judy said, wrapping her in a comforting hug before they returned to the waiting room.

Kiera was relieved to see that Roy had brought them coffee.

Roy settled next to his wife. “Where’s Chrissy?”

“She’s at the neighbor’s. She’s staying the night there. I didn’t tell her about her uncle being in the hospital. I didn’t want her to worry.”

Kiera sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, her head bowed.

She was afraid to close her eyes, scared she’d see the horrifying scene replay. The look on Kyle’s face when he was shot would haunt her forever.

It was a blend of shock, pain, and sheer terror. “Why is it taking so long? It’s been over four hours.”

Neither Roy nor Judy had an answer. All they knew was that removing a bullet from a heart was a complex and delicate operation.

Five hours later, the doctor emerged, his top stained with blood. They all rose to their feet.

“How’s my brother?” Judy asked, struggling to keep her tears at bay.

“He made it through the surgery, but he’s not safe yet. All we can do now is wait and pray.

“I’m sorry, but I have to tell you, I’m not sure he’ll pull through. I’m so sorry. You can visit him once he’s moved to his room.”

“You don’t know him like I do. My brother is a fighter.” She turned to Kiera. “He’ll make it. You have to believe that.”

“I do,” Kiera said, wiping away her tears.

An hour later, they were led to his room. Kiera was the first to enter. She moved slowly towards the bed. His chest was bare except for the bandage covering the bullet wound.

Seeing all the wires and tubes attached to his body felt like a punch to the gut. His eyes were closed, his face pale, and his breathing shallow.

There’s nothing worse than seeing the one you love lying lifeless in a hospital bed, knowing they could take their last breath at any moment.

She moved to his side and took his hand, lifting it to her lips for a gentle kiss. “Kyle, I’m here, sweetheart. I love you. Please stay with me.”

The others stood on the opposite side of the bed. Judy brushed his hair from his forehead. “Hey, big brother. I love you,” she said, tears streaming down her face.

After a couple of hours, Roy went to get them drinks. He brought a chair for Kiera to sit by the bed.

He and Judy moved to the window, sitting down and watching Kiera as she held his hand and chatted to him about everyday things.

They all looked up as the doctor entered, carrying his chart.

“Hello, I’m Doctor Sands. I’m just going to check on him.” After examining Kyle, he smiled at them. “His vitals are stable. That’s a good sign.”

Kiera looked at the doctor, hope flickering in her eyes. “So, he’s going to be okay?”

“I have to be honest with you. He’s not safe yet. The first twenty-four to forty-eight hours are crucial. All you can do is wait, talk to him, and let him know you’re here.

“But it’s going to be a long wait. I suggest some of you go home and rest. We’ll call if there are any changes.”

She shook her head. “I’m not leaving him.”

A few hours later, Roy decided to take Judy home. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes. He tried to persuade Kiera to come with them, but when she refused, he brought her a blanket and pillow.

“Try to get some sleep at least.”

“I will,” she replied, propping the pillow behind her back and covering herself with the blanket. Nothing would make her leave Kyle’s side.

Once they were gone, she held his hand and talked to him. Eventually, she rested her head on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes.

She kept waking up to plant soft kisses on his lips and tell him how much she loved him.

Early the next day, Roy and Judy returned. They brought bagels, tea, and fresh fruit for Kiera. Judy knelt in front of her.

“Roy told me you think you might be pregnant, so I got you a pregnancy test. Do you want to take it now?”

At first, she didn’t want to. It would mean leaving his side, even if only for a few minutes.

But after thinking it over, she nodded. She took the box from Judy and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she returned to the room and to Kyle’s side.

“It’ll take five minutes for the results.”

Judy rose from her seat after five minutes. “It’s time. Are you going to check?”

“I can’t leave him. If you want to, you can check.”

Judy returned from the bathroom, a grin spread across her face. “It’s confirmed. You’re two and a half weeks pregnant.” She crossed the room and embraced her. “This is wonderful news. Aren’t you thrilled?”

“We didn’t plan this, but yes.” She placed a hand on her stomach. “I’m carrying Kyle’s baby, and I couldn’t be happier.”

She turned to him, her fingers gently brushing his cheek. “Did you hear that, sweetheart? We’re going to have a baby. I love you so much.”

Roy and Judy persuaded her to eat, reminding her she needed to stay healthy for the baby.

As Roy and Judy prepared to leave, he arranged for a cot to be brought into the room, promising to return later with food.

Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t convince her to leave with them.

For five days and nights, she stayed by his side, even though the doctors informed her he was in a coma.

They remained hopeful for his recovery, explaining that the coma was his body’s way of coping with the trauma.

Since he had survived the initial two days, they were confident he would wake up soon, encouraging everyone to keep talking to him.

She kept herself busy by reading to him, giving him sponge baths, and even eating the hospital food.

She had just finished shaving his face when Judy arrived. “It’s a good thing he’s unconscious. He’d never let anyone shave him,” she said, approaching the bed with a smile.

Kiera turned to her. “I’m sure Roy has told you how Kyle and I met. I hope you don’t think less of me.

“I want you to know that I love him. He’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever known.”

“I was shocked at first. That is, until Roy explained everything. No one should have to endure what you went through.

“I’m glad Kyle found you first, and I know you love him, just as I know he loves you.

“But that’s all in the past now. You’re pregnant, and I know he’ll be over the moon once he wakes up.”

She hugged Kiera, feeling a pang of sadness for all the young woman had been through.

When Roy arrived, she managed to convince Kiera to join her for a meal at a nearby restaurant.

But she only agreed if Roy stayed with Kyle and promised to call if there was any change.

She confessed to Judy that it felt good to step away from the hospital, but she was eager to return.

Later, when she was alone with Kyle, she began to change his bandage. She had insisted they teach her how, so she could do it once they were home.

Her heart ached at the sight of the scar, and she wished he would wake up.

“I wish you would open your eyes. I need you to come back to me.” For the first time in days, she allowed herself a small, mischievous smile.

She leaned over him, her lips close to his ear. “Maybe if I shaved you down there, you might wake up. That should do the trick.”

“Try it and I’ll spank you.”

She sat up, her mouth agape, as she looked at him. Tears welled in her eyes.

“Kyle, you’re awake.” She leaned back over him, showering his face with kisses before pressing her lips gently to his.

He placed his hand behind her head, returning her kiss.

“I need to tell the doctor you’re awake,” she said, reaching for the call button on his bed. “I knew you’d come back to me.”

They didn’t have time to say anything else before the nurse entered and began to check him over.

“I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake,” she said before leaving the room.

He smiled at her. His hand moved to her stomach, resting over her belly. “We’re having a baby.”

“You heard me tell you?”

“Yes. I can’t remember what happened, just that everything went dark, and there was so much pain. But I heard you tell me to fight for you both, that you were carrying my baby.”

Then he touched the side of her face with his hand.

“Thank God you’re okay. If anything had happened to you or our baby, I don’t know what I would have done. Where’s Joe?”

“We can talk about that later. Right now, you need to rest. I have to call Roy and Judy and let them know you’re back with us.”

His eyes grew heavy, and he blinked.

“Every time I felt myself slipping away into the darkness, I’d hear your voice, calling to me, bringing me back. I’m alive because of you and because you didn’t give up on me.

“I have you and our baby to live for.”

Just then, the doctor walked in. “Mr. Hicks, it’s about time you woke up. So, how are we feeling today?”

“I don’t know about you, Doctor, but I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

“Let me just examine you. Can you remember anything about what happened to you?” he asked as he checked his vital signs.

“Only that I was shot. Don’t know when.”

“Almost a week ago. Most of that time, you were in a coma. Things look promising, but the bullet did leave some scarring on your heart tissue.

“You’ll make a full recovery, but it will take time.”

“When can I leave?”

“Maybe in two weeks. Sooner if you take it easy and follow instructions. I have other patients to see but will check on you later. And, if I may say, you’re a lucky man to have such a devoted woman.

“This girl hasn’t left your side. She’s been taking care of you, changing your bandages, even giving you sponge baths.

“Not many partners would do that. Looks like she even shaved you. I’ll check in later.”

He turned to look at her. “You didn’t need to do all that. They have staff for it.”

“Did you really think I’d let some attractive young nurse wash you? Especially your private parts? Not a chance.

“I need to call your sister and update her,” she said, moving to the phone. She picked it up and started dialing.