One Day At a Time ✔️

Ch. 12 Challenging Day

Drift's P.O.V.
Another two days pass; Ratchet believes we're ready for the next step. It's scary, though; Ratchet will cover the trach with his gloved finger. I'm scared to see if Jamie is not ready for this step. I doubt she'll relax with Crosshairs, and I have to lie with her. I try not to panic when Ratchet tells me I'll be covering the trach.
"I wouldn't do this if she weren't ready," Ratchet tries to assure me. 
He tells me we'll take it slowly. Start with ten minutes, wait an hour before doing this again, and so on, but I can continue beyond ten minutes if I think Jamie is doing well.

Even Jamie is scared to do this but quickly relaxes.
I'm glad there's a marathon of one of her favorite shows. We can keep this going for a few hours if she does well.

Ratchet's P.O.V.
Jamie is doing well; I haven't told Crosshairs, and Drift Jamie can make sounds when the cuff is deflated. Talking takes time to get used to, but I also believe Janie's mental state plays a role in her not attempting to talk with the trach. I'm hoping they'll hear her laugh today. 

Jamie is distracted and continues to breathe independently, keeping her oxygen level at 97%. The marathon Drift put on lasts four hours. I watch as he gives Jamie a syringe with apple juice before tube feeding her. 
How long before she tries to pull everything out? She's already tried to pull the trach out twice.
Crosshairs left to make lunch for him and Drift, while Drift tries to convince Jamie to go to the cafeteria with him. I hate the first sound Drift hears from Jamie is crying, and I was hoping she'd laugh and make the two mechs smile.

Drift's P.O.V.
I hate how Jamie's first sound with a trach in is crying. Ratchet knew with the deflated cuff; that Jamie could make sounds, but she stays quiet. He was hoping Crosshairs and I would hear her laugh.
"It's ok; you know the others care about you."
It's hard to get Jamie to calm down. She's getting frustrated and tries to pull the trach out. I hold Jamie close, restraining her arms as she cries. Ratchet tries to tell Jamie she's recovering, but I don't think she's listening.

As if he knows what's been going on, Crosshairs walks into the medbay with our lunch. He puts the tray on the table to help Ratchet and me calm Jamie down. A few minutes pass before she stops crying. Crosshairs made sandwiches, knowing I'd be holding Jamie, and I could get a little tuna from the side of my sandwich and feed Jamie. Crosshairs, Ratchet, and I dread letting Jamie eat more than a small bite of food; knowing she'll be upset if she throws up, we will have to start doing that soon. 

Jamie is tired from crying, and I can get her to nap after inflating the cuff and putting her on oxygen while Crosshairs, Ratchet, and I talk about what to do next with Jamie's recovery. 
"She's been able to keep down the small amounts of food and drink we give her, I think she's ready," Crosshairs points out, "I know she might throw up, and that upsets her, but can we even avoid her throwing up?"
"Not likely, but it might not last long," Ratchet replies.
Ratchet insists Crosshairs and I go for a walk while Jamie naps, but I can't with her nightmares over the past couple of days. Crosshairs then suggests going to the lounge room since the room is close to the medbay.

Crosshairs' P.O.V.
I understand why Drift is afraid to leave Jamie alone, and it's been rough the past couple of nights with her nightmares. I can't even suggest we have one of the others watch Jamie, and I don't think she'd relax seeing anyone else with her.
"You want me to sit with her?" Sunstreaker asks.
"I don't know," Drift sighs.
"Umm... isn't she frightened to see doctors?" Sideswipe adds.
"You need to take time away from her more than me. I'll stay with her," I tell Drift before going to the medbay.
Both Sideswipe and Sunstreaker followed me, which Ratchet isn't pleased with but lets them stay. I tell them how Jamie's day has been so far, adding how we're still keeping her on oxygen when she sleeps for now.
I tell them they can leave, not wanting them to see her deal with a nightmare, but they refuse to leave. I tell Ratchet to let them stay.