Everyone spends the night in the hospital.
Everyone is also exhausted beyond belief.
But Harry was found with minimal injuries and Emelia was still in surgery.
So everyone stays, huddled in the corner of the hospital waiting room.
Eddie, Buck, and May don't move a muscle. Frozen with fear as the room grows more crowded around them. May finally has the comfort of knowing her brother is safe. She gets to see him, hug him even but before she can let the relief cloud her mind, she remembers Emelia is fighting for her life on the operating table.
They wait all night for the doctor to come grab them. Everyone else has taken somewhat of a nap, picking an uncomfortable chair to hold up in. The other three can't.
The doctors came in close, mindful of the room filled with people who were looking for answers. He looks exhausted too. It makes sense considering he just spent so many hours in surgery.
Buck is the one with the most strength, using whatever energy he has left to lift Eddie and May from their seats.
"Mr. Diaz, Mr Buckley, I am going to be honest with the both of you," the Doctor assumes, it is not the first time they've been mistaken for a family. But it goes completely over their heads. "I'm going to be completely honest with you. We were able to repair the injuries your daughter sustained in the accident but due to the severity and quantity there are still complications."
"Complications?" May stutters, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. Buck places an arm on her shoulder.
"What kind of complications?"
The doctor brings out his chart, wincing at the length.
"Well she has a fracture in her skull, as well as a broken arm and clavicle. She has multiple broken ribs, a tear in her knee and thigh. All of which have been treated. We managed to get her internal bleeding under control and repair the rupture in her spleen with surgery. However Emelia was treated for tension pneumothorax and due to the severity of the injury and the lack of oxygen to her brain, Emelia is now in a coma."
May falls back into her seat. Eddie wipes the tears from his eyes. Buck just stares at the doctor.
Bobby is the brave one now, stepping closer.
"What are the chances she'll wake up?"
May can't stomach looking at the doctor.
"We can't say. But you can go in and see her, the nurses can bring you there." Eddie collapses into the seat next to her, eyes glazed over. May tries to look at him, tries to find that strength for Emelia but her heart beat slows.
She can't lose her. She can't imagine what life would look like without Emelia in her life.
May looks to Buck, who wraps his arms around her and brings her back to her feet.
No one knows how much time has passed before they finally make their way to Emelia's room. May stops the two men.
"I don't know if I can do this." May says, unsure if she can survive seeing Emelia so hurt. May loves that girl more than anything, her world turns for her, her heart beats for her.
What would she be without her?"
"You can." Eddie says, the first thing he said in hours. So she knows she can try to believe him, she knows that if she digs deep enough she can do this for Emelia.
She takes a couple deep breaths, setting her shoulders straight and talking the few small steps to her room.
Emelia lays in the hospital bed, her eyes taped shut. She looks so still. Wires are connected to her chest and wrist. She has IV's coming from both arms.
YOU ARE READING
The Family We Choose
FanficHoping to give his daughter a fresh start, Eddie moves to LA. With Texas in their rearview mirrors, their journey with the 118 shows them what family is all about.