Code Blue • Jackson Avery

Chapter Eighty Five

For days I struggled to stay conscious and when I was I was dreadful. I was in so much pain, my jaw was wired shut, my face was extremely swollen from the feel of it. I was in my own silent bubble. Everyone talked and yet I couldn't hear a thing. I just watched mouths move, life go on... without me.

Two weeks into my recovery and I was finally able to stay awake. The pain had subsided greatly and I was a lot more comfortable feeling with the swelling gone. I watched as everyone walked by and I began to break down. I tried to cry and scream but just soft sobs and tears streamed down my face.

Jackson walked in, caught off guard by my emotions. He quickly jumped into the bed with me, cradling my head against his body. His words slowly became audible.

"Just let it out" he whispered pushing my hair back. I stopped whimpering at the sound of his voice. Panicked, he stopped stroking my hair.

"Can you hear me?" He asked. I shook my head yes frantically. He talked all night, explaining everything that was going on.
———
Another dreaded two weeks had passed. My jaw was still wired shut but the pins had been taking out of my arm and ankle. This allowed Callie to put the casts on. Jackson had agreed to bring the kids on his day off.

"Now it's not the best shade but it's doing the job.  Remember stay seated and don't smile, the metal is kind of scary" Robbins said as she closed the makeup palette. I shook my head and moved the blanket over my shoulders.

The door opened and in walked Jackson with Gia and Jacob. I couldn't help but smile at seeing my kids. Gia in the last month had really grown up.

"Go see mommy" Jackson muttered to Gia letting go of her hand. She instantly coward back.

"I don't want to" she mumbled trying to hide behind Jackson's leg. Jacob, however, seemed to be unfazed and ran towards me. Robbins picked him up and placed him in my lap while I tried to get Gia to come over.

"Come on G, you've been asking when can you see mommy for like weeks now!" Jackson said. Gia once again cried out she didn't want to.

"Come on Gia" I tried to mutter. Gia began to back away and Jacob picking up on Gia being scared jump from my lap and ran towards Jackson.

Jackson apologized as he brought the kids out of the room. I immediately was overwhelmed with anxiety and panic making it hard for me to breath. Penny walked in to check on me when she noticed my attack.

"Bella just calm down" Penny said as she grabbed scissors. She began to undo my wires and my jaw loosened up.

As I began to steady my breathing Jackson came back in.

"Hey I'm sorry it didn't go as planned. I dropped the kids off- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Jackson yelled. Penny explained the situation.

"You will undo all of the progress"

"She couldn't breath. You can wire her back up tomorrow" Penny said defending her choice. Jackson examined my jaw before dismissing Penny.

Jackson let me have a minute to breath before rewiring it.

"Bella, you just need to relax. The kids will forget about this in a couple of weeks. You'll be home soon!" Jackson said helping me back into the bed. I sighed mentally.
———
I laid in bed waiting for Callie to come take the casts off. My wrist was properly healed and my ankle only needed an air cast for another week or two. Jackson had taken the brace off my teeth since my jaw was completely healed.

I laid in bed waiting when Amelia walked in. She looked like a hot mess. I had seen her since probably before the accident.

"Hey" she softly and awkwardly said as she walked in.

"Hi" I responded. She looked at me amazed.

"You got the" she said motioning to my mouth.

"Yeah. This morning. Jackson feels it's healed properly. How are you?"

"Okay, honestly it's been rough since I saw you that day in the room. I was such a coward... just like the day my dad died" Amelia muttered.

I was about to open my mouth when Bailey, Callie and Alex walked in.

"DeLuca tell me about the patient" Bailey asked. Instead of listening to DeLuca give the briefing I watched as Amelia scurried out of the room and down the hall.

"Good news Bella, you can go home today" Callie said smiling. I smiled back nervous to be home, see the kids, be out of the hospital in so many weeks.

Later that day I was riding home with Jackson.

"Your mother called a few times. Your grandmother, however called everyday" Jackson explained.

I smiled thinking about Jackson and my grandmother talking everyday. I always viewed her as my second mother, she was far more maternal than my real mother was.

"The kids are excited. Bailey said you can return in a few weeks after you go through hospital mandated therapy of course" Jackson continued.

I looked at the house as we pulled into the driveway.

The kids were standing on the porch with Catherine looking extremely excited.

I slowly walked up to them grabbing both of them in a hug.

"Glad to see you home" Catherine said helping me inside. I sat on the couch and immediately snuggled up with the kids reading a book. Jackson after saying goodbye to his mother joined in.

From the outside looking in we were the perfect family...