Cameron x Nash Short Stories - cash -

Against All Odds Part Five

Beep beep beep beep.

There's something down my throat and it feels so uncomfortable, I reach up and begin to tug at whatever is there.

"He's trying to self-extubate!" A female voice calls out, my hands are pulled away and held down until they tie something around my wrists.

"Put in an order for the restraints. I'll let the family know he's waking up, we'll see how he can tolerate being awake while being intubated. Start a fentanyl drip to keep his pain under control and versed to keep him calm but I don't want him too sedated. We need to see if he takes breaths on his own. " a male voice says and he sounds close to me, I really want to take whatever is down my throat out and I tug at the restraints but they tied them very well.

My eyes feel heavy but I'm finally able to open them. There's a nurse standing next to me and she's hanging stuff and pressing buttons on a machine. The last thing I remember was getting shot and Nash freaking out.

I wonder if they safely evacuated the first family after I was shot.

I want to ask but I can't move or talk, I need to know if Nash is okay.

The beeping gets faster as I begin to worry that maybe Nash got hurt too.

All of a sudden I feel relaxed and calm, my eyes drift closed and I fall asleep.

I can feel a hand smoothing my hair gently and when I open my eyes I see my mother sitting at the edge of the bed looking at me with red eyes and tears trailing down her cheeks.

Her eyes widen when they meet mine and she places a hand over her mouth.

"You're awake! Oh god Cameron I'm so happy you're awake," she says and her voice trembles. I have so many questions I want to ask but I can't because of that stupid tube down my throat. It's so uncomfortable and I don't understand why they can't just take it out. I'm sure I can breath fine on my own.

She seems to understand my distress as she strokes my cheeks with her thumb.

"The bullet went through to your lung and it collapsed. They did emergency surgery to remove it and then they put a tube in it that drains any fluid and helps your lung expand. They said they were going to do a chest X-ray today to see how your lung is doing. They might be able to extubate you today if everything is okay," she explains and I'm able to nod a bit to indicate that I understand her.

She grabs my hand and I squeeze it, I'm happy that my mother is here. She's always been a calming presence in my life, nothing seems as bad when she's around and comforts me.

"Sierra went to the hotel to shower, she should be back soon. We've been taking turns staying with you at night." My mother explains and tears sting my eyes because they're here to support me. They're missing work and flew across the country to be here with me. I'm so lucky to have amazing relationships with my mother and sister.

My mother leans down and kisses my cheek gently. She wipes the tears from her eyes and I want to know how the president is okay, if Nash is okay.

My mother is quiet for a few minutes and I wish I had a pen and pad to ask my questions. Hopefully they take tube out and I can ask what I desperately want to know.

"They caught the asshole who attempted to assassinate the president. It was some nut who had lost his home and blamed it on the president's new policies. Supposedly he was a normal man but he lost his mind when he became homeless and then lost his job. The president and his family are fine, they've come to visit you a few times and they plan to give you a medal for your service," she explains and I feel relief that they're all okay.