New Lives (A Nathan Gardner Story)

Chapter 11 - The Hospital

Sydney walked out of the radiology lab, a pained expression on her face. Nathan shot up from his seat and looked at her over the top of his glasses. "Sydney…" He went to her, immediately sliding an arm around her waist. "Are you all right?" She nodded, but he could tell she wasn't telling the truth. "Honey, are you sure you want to do these both in the same day?"

"I'm not spreading out the torture." She was hoarse and fighting tears.

"Should you be walking?"

She nodded again, vigorously this time. "Helps the cramping." She turned her head to face him. "Tubes are clear."

A faint smile crossed his lips. "That's good news."

She shrugged. "Just means something else is wrong."

He stroked her hair as they walked, understanding her pessimism. "That's why we're here, baby."

Nathan somehow managed to lift her spirits in the hour that followed. He found a way to make a game of the various instruments in her pre-op room and she laughed, grateful to have him by her side. The older nurse that was tending to Sydney before her next procedure instantly adored him; she kept urging her to "marry this one."

When she saw her doctor for the second time that day, she instructed him that Nathan was to be privy to everything that happened and all results. She always had a hard time after procedures and would rather someone with a clear head be told any important information. It was then that Nathan learned just how terrified she was of being "put under." She knew, rationally, that everything would be fine, but she always feared not waking up. It wasn't until he kissed the tears away from her cheeks that he felt his chest tighten and his heart ache. He was scared for her…he had been telling her for days that everything would be fine and now he was just as frightened as Sydney. He wiped at his own eyes as she was wheeled down the hallway, already half asleep from the medication administered before the anesthesia.

Nathan's stomach knotted as he made his way to the waiting room. He found a corner seat on one of the couches and tried to watch the news on the television hanging on the opposite wall, but knew that wasn't going to work to occupy his mind.

"Thought maybe you wouldn't want to sit here alone." Susan stood in front of him, two cups of coffee in her hands.

He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Susie Q…" She smiled and sat next to him, handing him a cup. "Thank you, sweetheart." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "How did you get here?"

"Charlie…you're not mad, right? I know you guys said it wasn't a big deal and everything, but…"

"No, honey, I'm not mad, I'm grateful." He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to relax. "I know she's going to be fine, it's the outcome I'm worrying about." He took a sip of his coffee, then looked at his daughter again. "Is he in the parking lot or the gift shop?" Susan blushed. "He can be here, you know."

Susan sent Charlie a text and he walked into the waiting room a few minutes later. They spent their time chatting and playing games on Charlie's tablet, but Nathan's eyes kept going to the board listing the patients' progress…Sydney wasn't moving. He shot up from his seat and went to the small station by the door.

"Sydney Turner," he said to the woman sitting at the desk. "Is there any way to find out what's going on? It's supposed to be a simple procedure and she hasn't moved on the board in over a half hour." Though he tried to hide it, she heard panic in his voice.

"Let me make a phone call for you, sir." She dialed an extension and Nathan began to pace in front of her. She gave the person on the other end Sydney's information, said a few "I understands" and then asked Nathan to have a seat. "Someone will be in shortly." Nathan's heart dropped. He went back to Susan and Charlie, noticeably pale.