I didn't choose her, my heart did

The complications

Keira's POV:

The next twenty-four hours felt like an endless nightmare. I sat in the waiting room, my fingers cramped around a cup of cold coffee, as my thoughts kept going back to Lucy. The doctor's words repeated themselves in my head: 'The next twenty-four hours will be crucial.'

George sat on the other side of the room, his gaze fixed tightly on the ground. It felt like the air between us was heavy and charged, but I had no energy to break through it. All I wanted was for Lucy to wake up again.

Ella came in a moment later with a bag full of food that I could not touch. She remained calm, as always, but even she could not hide the tension.

'Do you know anything yet?' she asked softly.

I shook my head. 'They haven't said anything more. She... she's still in critical condition.' My voice broke, and I clasped my hands in front of my face.

Ella put a hand on my shoulder. 'She is strong, Keira. Lucy doesn't give up easily. You know that.'

I wanted to believe her, but the fear in my heart made it almost impossible.

_

That night, we were allowed to see Lucy for a brief moment. The image of her, pale and vulnerable in that hospital bed, broke something inside me. Hoses and monitors surrounded her, and her breathing sounded mechanical through the ventilator. This was Lucy, my strong, fearless Lucy. How could this happen to her?

I gently took her hand. She felt cold, and my heart broke at the thought of her being so still. 'Lucy,' I whispered. 'You have to get through this. You have to fight, okay? For me. For us.'

George stood on the other side of the bed, his face hardened but with tears in his eyes. He said nothing, but his presence felt like an invisible wall.

The nurse signalled for us to leave. When I let go of her hand, I felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind in that room.

_

I had barely slept when I was woken by a nurse the next morning. 'Mrs Walsh?' she asked gently.

I jumped up. 'What is it? Is there any news?'

She nodded. 'Lucy has become more stable after the night. She's not out of danger yet, but there is improvement.'

My legs felt limp with relief. 'Can I see her?'

The nurse nodded, and I hurried to Lucy's room.

_

When I walked in, I saw that Lucy's eyes were half open. She seemed disoriented and tired, but she was awake. My heart leapt up, and I walked quickly over to her.

'Lucy,' I whispered, holding her hand gently.

She slowly turned her head towards me, her eyes finding mine. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

'It's okay,' I said quickly. 'You don't have to talk. I'm here. Everything will be fine.'

A small smile played on her lips, and I felt tears burning in my eyes. This was a sign. A sign that she was still fighting.

_

When George entered the room later, I felt the tension immediately return. Lucy looked at him with a slight frown, as if she wasn't sure why he was there.

'Lucy,' he began, his voice soft but hoarse. 'I'm sorry... for everything. I should have been here earlier.'

She was still looking at him, and I couldn't decipher what she was thinking. Maybe she was too exhausted to respond, or maybe she needed time to process his presence.

Feeling like an intruder in their moment, I stood up. 'I'll leave you alone for a while,' I said softly, walking towards the door.

_

Outside the room, I felt the emotions overwhelm me. I was glad Lucy was awake, but the sight of her condition was still heartbreaking. And then there was George, suddenly playing a part in a part of Lucy's life I had no access to.

Ella came up beside me and gave me an encouraging look. 'How's it going in there?' she asked.

'She's awake,' I said with a small smile. 'But it's still fragile. And George...' I stopped, not sure how to express my feelings.

Ella nodded. 'He's trying. But I understand it's hard for you.'

I nodded and sighed. 'I just want Lucy to get back to her old self. Everything beyond that doesn't matter to me.'

_

That afternoon, Lucy's condition suddenly deteriorated again. The monitors beeped, and doctors and nurses stormed into her room. George and I were pushed out, helpless as we watched the team working around her.

My heart was pounding in my throat, and I grabbed Ella's arm, searching for support. George stood against the wall, his face pale and his hands clenched into fists.

'What happens now?' I whispered, my voice trembling.

Ella looked at me, her face equally worried. 'We have to trust the doctors, Keira.'

The minutes felt like hours, until one of the doctors finally came out. His face was serious, but not hopeless.

'We were able to get the complications under control,' he said. 'But Lucy is still very weak. She will need extra monitoring for the next few days.'

I nodded slowly, grateful but still scared. This was a constant struggle, and I did not know how to deal with it.

_

As I sat beside Lucy's bed later that evening, I looked at her face. Despite everything, she exuded a calmness that soothed me.

I thought back to the first time I really noticed her, years ago on the field. Her presence, her confidence, her smile - everything about her had enchanted me. And now, here, in this hospital room, I felt that same deep connection.

I grabbed her hand and brought it to my face. 'Lucy,' I whispered. 'I love you. And I will stay here, no matter what happens.'

_

The doctor entered the room and caught my attention. 'Keira,' he said, 'we need to discuss something with you.'

My stomach cringed. 'What is going on now?'

The doctor hesitated for a moment before continuing. 'We ran some tests, and we found something we didn't expect...'

My breath stopped, and my heart pounded in my chest. What else could be wrong?

He looked straight at me. 'Lucy has an abnormality in her blood levels that we need to investigate. It could be nothing, but...'

'But what?' I asked, my voice shrill with fear.

The doctor sighed. 'It could also be a serious infection compromising her recovery.'

My whole world seemed to stand still. What did this mean for Lucy? And would she be strong enough to overcome this too?