A Promise

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

It has been at least 5 hours until Marcus comes out from the OR. He had been devastated he wasn't able to do much. What he did, had put Neil in such a difficult position where he is in a coma indefinitely. He sees Claire waiting for him down the corridor. He shoots her a sad smile and mouthed "I'm sorry." He can't see her like this. She slowly slid on the floor, her head in her hands. He quickly walks up to her as he doesn't want her to be alone. Regardless of how many times they've denied they had something; everybody knew they had something going on. It wasn't just him. Even other members of staff notice the way Neil looks at her and the way Claire seem to be in awe every time Neil's done a successful procedure. Deep down in his heart, he knows Neil and Claire have longed for each other.

"I'm... I'm sorry Claire." Marcus says as she approaches her.

"I did all I could've done. We came across a complication during the procedure. As a result of the accident he had a few years ago, he suffered memory loss. The earthquake may have damaged his brain slightly. We called in Dr Glassman as we looked at his scans again, and he ruled out brain injury. It wasn't just his abdomen, Claire. He had a mild concussion to his head, and he was bleeding internally as well on his head. He suffered a stroke during the brain surgery to stop the bleeding and unfortunately." Marcus sighs before continuing. "He... he's in a coma." Claire looks up to him and cry her eyes out. "How... how long?" Claire asks. "Indefinite. I'm sorry." Marcus squeezes her shoulders and turns around.

Claire sat there sobbing. She knows she is needed in the ER, but she won't be much help if she goes in now. Her eyes swollen, in fact her whole body feels sore. She can't accept the fact that Neil is in a coma.

Morgan was looking for Claire and she couldn't find her, so she decided to go up to Neil's room. There she is. Standing there like a statue, not blinking. Frozen.

"Yeah. I figured you'd be here, Claire." Morgan comes closer and put her arm around Claire.

"How are you holding up?" Morgan asks. Claire turns around and hug Morgan tightly as she continues to sob.

Morgan gently caressed her back and say, "Everything will be okay, Claire. He'll wake up. I'll make sure he wakes up." This time, Morgan starts tearing up, "Hey boss. You gotta wake up. Please. We need you. No one would fight over the coffee machine in the mornings with me anymore if you don't wake up."

Claire pulls out from her embrace and sat down on the chair next to his bed. She's hesitating to hold his hand.

She slowly slides her hand in his and start to caress it gently. "Hey." Claire says softly. "I'm gonna need you to wake up, Neil. I... I miss you. I love you. I always have loved you. The hospital called your parents. I know you are not keen on them visiting you but... hm. I need you to wake up. I need you Neil. I need you."

"Right, I'm needed back in the ER. You stay here and get some rest. I'll cover for you." Morgan says.

Claire nods and Morgan walks away.

*****

It has been a week after the earthquake and Claire hadn't had a proper sleep. She has been curling up on the chair next to his bed as she doesn't want to leave him. Every night, she'll tell him stories of her day and her patients. She'll talk to him all the time.

Today isn't going to be a good day. It is the first time Neil had ever missed Gabi's birthday. Gabi doesn't know about Neil's current situation. His parents won't let them tell Gabi.

Neil's parents arrived last night. They came to the hospital to visit Neil the morning after.

"Mr and Mrs Melendez." Claire greets. "I'm Dr Browne."