Into The Unknown

Chapter 8

Ryan's POV

"Well the good news is, your wife is responding to the antibiotics" the doctors remark sounded like church bells ringing in my ear "And the swelling on her brain seems to be improving gradually"

"So what does that mean?" I ask nervously.

"It means we should hopefully be able to reduce her sedatives and gradually bring her out of her coma" my heart was pounding, but this time in a good way. It soon holted when I saw the look in his eyes.

"There's bad news isn't there?" I ask causing Stella and Frank to look at me.

"After a patient has suffered swelling to the brain or spinal cord, it's hard to establish any permanent damage that is caused until after the patient wakes up" The doctor sighed.

"What does that mean exactly?" Stella interrupted hopefully.

"It means that there is a chance your daughter could have brain damage or maybe even paralysed"

"But she will wake up?" I speak again hoping for a positive answer.

"We are hopeful Mr Tedder, but I can't give you any guarantees unfortunately. But what I will say is your wife is a fighter and through experience I would say that she has a very strong chance of pulling through" the doctor seemed hopeful which was promising, I just wished I could believe it was going to be ok.

X-x-x

"The majority of fans on both parts have been extremely supportive of Ryan, while he has stayed by his wife, Abigail Jenson-Tedder's, bedside. However some of OneRepublic's fans have been less supportive of Ryan, there is said to be uproar from some fans, at the decision to cancel some of their shows while Ryan stays with Abigail" The female voice came from the tv attached to the wall in the waiting room. I couldn't help but watch it, especially with it being directly opposite the door "Most of them are voicing their opinions over twitter one fan tweeted 'He should never have cancelled the shows, he's in a band it isn't just the Ryan Tedder Show' another has written 'Abigail is doing the same to OneRepublic as she did to BSB. She is so selfish' these mixed opinions have sparked an all out war between Abigail and Ryan's fans. The conflict has even spiked tweets from celebrities showing their support, Lauren Kitt, fiancee of Nick Carter has tweeted 'Abigail is in our thoughts. She is the mother of a beautiful little girl. Maybe you should spare her daughter a thought the next time to try to inject your venom' Meryl Streep has released this statement 'Abigail Jenson- Tedder is a truly amazing person who deserves our love and support, sometimes in this life you have to make a choice you're not happy with for the sake of your family. And in this case I think Ryan did the right thing' It has still not been confirmed how serious it is but we have been asked by Abigail's manager to give them all some privacy to deal with it" I could feel my head shaking in disbelief, I had no idea what possessed me but I found myself checking twitter.

My stomach churned and I felt sick as I read some of the horrendous comments. How could people be so cruel about someone they didn't even know? I get that people were angry that I cancelled shows, Abi is my wife surely they get that I will always put her first. As I read down I saw some tweets we were both mentioned in 'My prayers are with Ryan at this awful time, I want him to know not all his fans are horrible' I read them out loud 'How can people who call themselves fans be so cruel, Ryan must be going through hell, not to mention the rest of her family, have some respect' a little of my faith was restored as I read down the messages of support.

"What are you doing sweetheart?" Stella asked as she and Frank came back in the room, they went for a walk after the
doctor had told us the news. I could see Stella reading the tweets "Who are these vicious people? How can they say such cruel things at a time like this?" Stella closed the lid of my laptop and looked at me "Please don't do that to yourself honey" she looked at me and smiled.

"I honestly don't care" I stand up from the chair "We promised eachother that no matter what happens, nothing would ever be bigger than us, bigger than eachother. I don't give a shit what they say she will always come first to me"

"I know" Stella stood up and came and stood next to me "Listen you look exhausted, why don't you go home and get some rest. Me and Frank will stay here with Abigail"

"I'll rest when she wakes up" I reply sharply "I know you mean well Stella, but I can't leave her" Stella didn't say anything she just squeezed my arm and walked over to Frank who wrapped his arm around her. I know how hard this was on them both, it was tearing us all apart seeing Abi like this.

X-x-x

It was 3am when I jumped and woke myself up, I was sat on the chair near Abi's bed "Sorry I didn't mean to disturb you" a young nurse smiled "Are you on your own tonight?"

"What? Erm...yeah" I was still half asleep "Her parents went home to get some sleep and pick up some of Abi's things"

"I must be so hard on you all" the nurse smiled as she checked on Abi.

"How is she doing?" I ask "Is she doing ok, considering?"

"Mr Tedder your wife is a fighter" she smiled sweetly "She is doing really well"

"Thank you" I feel relief all through my body "Do you know when she will wake up?"

"Well the doctor has completely taken her off all the sedative now, so hopefully it should be within the next few hours or so" the nurse filled in Abi's chart "Can I get you anything? A tea or coffee?"

"No I'm fine thank you" I return my attention to Abi, taking her hand in mine. I wait for the nurse to leave the room before I continue "You have no idea how much I love you" I whisper "Hell I didn't even know until I almost lost you. I have no idea what will happen once you wake up, hopefully you will be ok. But I just wanted to let you know even if your not then nothing changes. I love you so much Abi Tedder and no challenge is to much for me to deal with as long as the outcome is me and you forever"

"I love you too" a frail voice replied. I couldn't believe it, I shot my head up and looked straight into her eyes "Hey baby" she gasped again.

"Oh my god" I managed before throwing my arms around her. I kissed every inch on her beautiful face "Don't you ever do that to me again" I frown, she smiles weakly at me "I'll get a nurse" I feel her hand grab mine "Not yet" she mouths silently.

I sit beside her on the bed and she looks up at me "What's wrong?" She has tears in her eyes as she looks at me "Baby what is it?"

"What happened?" she asked shakily.

"You had Meningitis" I reply and see the look of horror on her face "Abi what is it what's wrong?"

"Ryan" she sniffs as I put my hand on her cheek "I can't feel my legs..." her eyes are fixed on mine. I just continue to stare at her as tears roll down onto her cheeks "I can't feel them" she sobs.