Chapter 32
"A baby?" Brian kept asking Dee. "Did I hear that right? Heather is pregnant? Did you know about this Dee?" Brian kept asking.
"Brian, listen, if I had known about this, I would have told you, and also made Heather stay with me. It is all my fault. I should have just gone over that evening when she said she wasn't feeling good. It is all my fault…it is all my fault." Dee said over and over, her whole body trembling.
"It's not your fault Dee, no one knew that this would happen. Please don't blame yourself.' Brian told Dee.
"We just need to wait and see what happens. I just hope that Nick is okay." Dee said softly.
********
Nick stayed at my side through the whole night. He knew that my chances to live were slim, but he refused to give up. He held my hand and talked to me, knowing that I probably heard him. After a couple of hours, the nurses told Nick that he had to leave for a while so that they could do their check-up on me. Nick was worried about leaving. He didn't want me to wake up and have him be away. He would stay by my side until I was better, no matter how long that took.
The nurses insisted that Nick take a break and leave for about an hour. However, if there was any change in my condition, they would let him know right away. Nick reluctantly left, and found his way back to Brian and Dee. AJ, Kevin, and Howie had arrived and met everyone in the waiting room.
Howie was the first to say anything. "Nick, how is she?" he asked Nick solemnly.
"She is in critical condition, and is in a coma. It doesn't look very good…" he voice trailed off as the tears poured from his eyes. "I…I should have never left her alone. I should have insisted that she come on tour with us. This is all my fault. I knew she didn’t like being there alone. It's my fault, it's my fault, it's my fault…" he faded off as he walked away, in shock.
The others just watched him and let him be. They knew that he had to deal with this, and there was nothing that they could say to make it better.
AJ and Howie went to get coffee for everyone. Kevin held Dee in his arms trying to comfort her. Brian went off to be with Nick. He was afraid that Nick would do something rash in his state of mind. Everyone was in a total state of shock. No one was quite sure what to think. However, Brian and Dee had not told the others the surprise news.
After about half an hour's time, everyone returned and sat down to wait for the doctor. Nick looked like a train had hit him. No one had ever seen him like this. Brian had decided to call Nick's family and let them know about the situation. Although Nick had not formally introduced me to the family, they already knew a lot about me. Jane and Bob immediately drove to the hospital to wait for more news.
"I just don't know what I will do without her, you guys. She is the best thing that has ever come into my life. I can't live without her." Nick said, his voice wavering.
"Umm, Nick, have you told everyone about the other situation?" Brian asked his best friend.
"No, umm, I haven't. I mean, I don't truly understand and I am in just as much shock as you, Brian." Nick said softly.
"Excuse us for a moment y'all. I need to talk to Nick for just a second." Brian remarked, pulling Nick away from the group.
*** aside from the group. ***
"You need to tell them. They are all here to support you. Honest Nick, they will help you. I am here for you. And you must be strong for Heather. She needs you…and you have to be there for her and the baby." Brian said.
The others were sitting around, looking at each other. They weren't sure what Brian was talking about, except Dee.
"What other situation Dee?" Howie asked.
"Is there something that you all aren't telling us Dee?" AJ questioned.
Kevin broke in and said, "Look, we are all here for Heather. Whatever it is, we will do anything in our power to make it better."
Just then, Nick and Brian returned. Nick was scared, not knowing if I was going to survive, not knowing how to tell everyone about the baby, and also, if there was even going to be a baby.
"Umm, guys. I need to tell you about Heather. Not only is she in critical condition, and for who knows how long, but, she….she…" he tried to say, as the tears rolled down his face, "…she is pregnant."
"Oh my God Nick." the others said in unison.
Nick went on to explain that he didn't know about the baby. And although I had been critically injured, the baby, miraculously, had not been affected. Finally, the nurse showed up and told Nick that he could go and see me.
Nick bolted down the corridor to the ICU and the nurse escorted him to my bedside.
"Has her condition changed at all?" he asked nervously.
"No Mr. Carter, we are very sorry." the nurse answered.
Nick walked to my side, and looked at me through his swollen eyes. He couldn't even begin to imagine why anyone would hurt me. No one knew exactly how or what happened. The only one to know anything was me. He reached for my hand, and gently stroked it, hoping for some sort of response, but none was given.
Nick's heart was breaking at how bad I was. He wanted it to all go away and for me just to open my eyes and get up out of the bed. The nurse came over and told him that talking to me may help. Nick did as the nurses suggested.
"Heather, I know you can hear me. I want you to know that I am here and I won't leave you. No matter what it takes, you will get better. I just know it in my heart. Please, just squeeze my hand if you can hear me." he said, waiting for a response. None came. "Please Heather, I love you, please don't leave me. I need you…I can't live my life without you, please, just open your eyes. Please." Nick pleaded.
The heart monitor above me started to beep loudly. Then suddenly a continuous beep. Nurses came running over, pushing Nick aside. Nick started to panic…"Heather, Heather…Baby! Don't leave me!! Please!"
The nurses had to pull Nick away from me as the tried to revive me. They tried to do CPR, but no use. Finally, they used the crash cart on me.
"Charge to 300." the doctor said.
"Clear!" was yelled and everyone stood back. My body jumped as the shock ran through my body. Nothing.
"Try it again. Clear!"
Nothing.
"Come on Heather! Respond! Again! Clear!" the doctor yelled.
Finally after three agonizing attempts, the heart monitor gave off a steady heartbeat.
"Oh God, thank you." Nick yelled.
"Mr. Carter, please, just go to the waiting room til we get her stabilized." Dr. Hernandez said firmly.
"I want to be here with her. I am not leaving my fiancee!" Nick yelled back.
Brian and Howie were on their way down the hallway and heard Nick's commotion. They ran up to the door and a nurse met them. "Heather went into cardiac arrest. They got her back, but she is unstable. We need Mr. Carter to leave, so we can stabilize her." she told them.
Brian and Howie rushed in to get Nick. "Come on, man. Let them help her. Just please come with us." Brian said.
Nick reluctantly agreed, mostly out of exhaustion, and followed Howie
and Brian back to the waiting room.
Everyone looked at Nick and could sense his pain. Jane stood up and grabbed her son. She held him in her arms, trying to comfort him, yet knowing that nothing she did would make things easier. Dr. Hernandez finally came down the hallway to talk to everyone.
"Mr. Carter. Heather went into cardiac arrest because of the stress on her heart. The surgery removed the blood from around the heart, however, we couldn't tell exactly how much damage was done. She needs time and prayers to help her through this. You need to be strong for her. I will allow you to sit there with her, but I suggest that you only stay for short periods of time. Is that understood?" Dr. Hernandez demanded.
"Yes, yes sir. I understand." Nick said softly.
"Now, I do recommend that you all go home and get some rest. This is going to be long battle for Heather. I promise that if there are any changes, we will let you all know as soon as possible." the doctor finished.
Everyone agreed that they would all go back to Brian's house for the meantime. First, Brian and Dee would go to Nick's house and get him some clothes and a few things. Brian had Dee bring the stuff to Nick, and then went back to wait with the others.
******
Nick very quietly sat at my side, holding my hand, and gently stroking the hair out of my eyes. The monitors and the respirator gave off an eerie sound. Nick was so frightened, but knew he couldn't let it show. His face was full of sadness as he carefully touched the bandage that covered the right side of my face. He only thought of one thing,
"Who was the bastard that did this to you?"
He continued to hold my hand, when finally he felt a slight squeeze. Surprise filled his eyes as realized that I was beginning to respond. He squeezed my hand harder, hoping for me to do the same. Excitement raced over him as I quickly squeezed his hand in return. He jumped up and called for Dr. Hernandez.
After several minutes, Dr. Hernandez told Nick that my vital signs were starting to come around. Out of some miracle, my body was now responding to the treatments.
Nick was excited and felt that this was a good sign. He called
everyone at Brian's to tell them the good news.