One Day At a Time ✔️

Ch. 54 Capped Pt. 1

Drift's P.O.V.
Jamie is awake in time for dinner. Crosshairs and I decide to wait until tomorrow to tell Jamie about the next step to remove the trach. I know we have to do this, but it's terrifying.
"You want us to come with you three tomorrow?" Sunstreaker asks.
"I don't know..."
"Let them come," Crosshairs insists, "I think they'll be able to help keep her calm."
We see Sideswipe keeping Jamie busy and has her smiling.

I struggle to get to sleep. Even though I know we can resolve Jamie not tolerating being capped quickly. Watching her sleep while she's on oxygen doesn't help much. The thought of hearing her struggle to breathe is frightening.

Sitting out in the hallway isn't helping. I'm just avoiding waking up Crosshairs and Jamie - or so I thought as I feel Crosshairs take my hands before I realize he's sitting on his knees in front of me.
"I'm worried about you," he says, "I worry Jamie won't do well for the twenty-four hours, but she needs to do this. We should be able to help her."
Crosshairs hugs me before taking me back to our room and having me lay in bed by Jamie.

Crosshairs' P.O.V.
It's a long four hours until Drift is asleep. While it's already two in the morning, I'm not sure if I should sleep or not. We're going to have a problem if he has a nightmare.

I fell asleep, and Drift stayed asleep until nine. I hear water running and Jamie isn't in bed.
Drift must be hoping a bath will keep her relaxed. Maybe if we told her the plan already, but she doesn't know yet.
Ratchet: so how bad was last night?
Crosshairs: he couldn't sleep until two. He's up now with Jamie.
Ratchet: the terror twins are here trying to prepare to keep Jamie busy. Turning one of my inpatient rooms into a hotel room.
Now that's funny.

Everything went as Drift feared. Jamie was calm until Ratchet told her she needs to go through a period of being capped. The terror twins leave the room, but wait in the hallway. I know they hate how frightened Jamie is. She should know how this will go, including the quick fix. This isn't helping Drift. Ratchet tries to explain how prepared we are if she can't tolerate being capped. It takes a half-hour to calm her down.
"Good news is her oxygen level is 95%," Jolt points out, "I think you'll do fine, Jamie."
He moves her hand to show her the oximeter on her finger.
Jamie is still afraid but agrees to let Ratchet cap the trach. Sideswipe walks in as Ratchet prepares for the additional step of clearing the airway. Sideswipe shows her the games he brought and how Sunstreaker brought art supplies, even a canvas. I find something for Jamie to watch as Ratchet clears her airway and puts the cap on. It's noon when Ratchet puts the cap on.
The terror twins sit in the room with us.

Two hours pass and Jamie is falling asleep. Drift is going to be more of a wreck if she falls asleep. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about tonight.

Drift's P.O.V.
I watch Jamie get comfortable for a nap. While this is a good sign, she's not afraid of complications, this isn't helping me relax. Jamie looks at me as I check her oxygen level, it's 97%.
"Go ahead and sleep."
Jamie closes her eyes as I cover her.
"Her oxygen level will decrease a little," Jolt explains as he checks her level, "but still fine. Do we need to help you tonight?"
"No," I tell him.
Everyone figured I will not sleep tonight and disagreed with this. Jolt argues he and Ratchet are prepared to care for patients overnight. Though Jamie isn't critical, Jolt is staying overnight.

Jamie slept for two hours. Sideswipe gets her to play video games. This is going well, but it's only been four hours. I'm not leaving until she's asleep for the night. Even if I might not sleep.

Dinner is another reason I can't relax. Even while she's been doing fine. I don't leave, and Crosshairs thinks Janie will be fine eating one of her favorites other than soup.
"She's doing well. I know it's only been five hours, but I think the trach will be removed," Crosshairs smiles before hugging me.
Crosshairs wouldn't lie, but it's still scary.
I know I'm not helping if Jamie sees I'm scared we'll have a problem as she eats.
Crosshairs leaves to make dinner.

Crosshairs' P.O.V.
I don't blame him for being afraid. I think Janie will be fine, but I'm still afraid she cannot tolerate being capped.
Ratchet tells me I can tell everyone what's going on. Even though there's still nineteen hours to go, they'll like hearing what we're trying to achieve. The terror twins come with me.
The others know there's still a long road ahead, and Jamie could still show signs she's not ready for the trach to be removed.

Some Autobots and Lennox talk about planning a beach day, even if Jamie doesn't have the trach removed. I agree with their argument that Jamie needs to get out more, but. My concern is if Jamie will be ok being by the ocean even if we don't take her for a swim. I don't want to kill the mood by telling everyone Jamie is afraid to be in deep water.

As I walk into the medbay, I worry Jamie is going to be afraid to eat while capped.
Jamie smiles, seeing what I've made. I worry she's going to realize how worried Drift is.
I'm tempted to take the extreme route and force the use of sleep aid. It's more the concern about nightmares. I don't want him to avoid sleep either.

Jamie ate without a problem. Sunstreaker comes with some cookies. It's strange he's giving her small pieces.
"How strange he's cautious," Sideswipe whispers, "you ok? I know Drift is not looking forward to bedtime."
"I'm more worried about him, but I still worry she will not do well overnight."
"Should Sunstreaker and I stay in your room?"
"No, I can help him. I just hope he doesn't have an anxiety attack. I hate seeing him have those."
"I still can't get used to how he was always calm and now he's struggling mentally. Not like you acting ok is any better. Hopefully, he'll do better as Jamie recovers.