Paragon

Chapter 28

"Mrs. Reid."

The doctor is standing before me, his teal scrubs splattered with blood. I stand in a hurry, gasping in shock. "Oh my god, is he alive? Are you his doctor?"

The man takes off the white, flimsy cap he had on. "I'm Doctor Yaris. Mrs. Reid, your husband suffered a substantial amount of blood loss and with such a trauma and the lack of oxygen to his brain... We had to make the decision to induce him into a coma to halt any swelling to the brain."

"A coma?"

"Yes, drug-induced coma. We intend to keep him in it long enough to insure there is no damage to the brain, although we can't really be sure until he comes out of it."

I smile through the tears, grabbing his arm. "But he's alive? He's stable?"

"Yes, we got the bleeding to stop and thankfully, he didn't have internal clotting. As I said though, he suffered a lot of blood loss, not to mention, loss of oxygen. When you medically induce a coma, it's- well, in this case... it was the last resort to ensure we kept him alive- kept his brain from swelling further."

"When will he be taken out of the coma?"

"As of right now, we will wean him off the drugs in two to three days, considering how his vitals look."

"Ca-can I see him now?" I whisper, swallowing.

He nods. "Yes. I'll take you back. We can also get you something else to wear so you can get cleaned up."

"Thank you. Thank you so much, doctor."

He smiles softly. "Of course. Let's head on back."

"Okay."

He directs me to the bathrooms, holding out a pair of scrubs he got from a bin. "Here, put these on. Try to wash yourself as best you can. We want the room as sanitary as possible."

I head inside and walk to the sink, gaping when I see my face. A swollen, puffy mess for sure, but I've got blood dried across my face. I look mad. I look-

Grabbing soap, I begin washing my body fiercely, trying to get the blood off. Much of it has dried and harder to get out but I manage. After pulling my hair back into a ponytail and getting into the clean scrubs, I fold the paramedics shirt and walk out to the doctor, who's now speaking to a nurse.

"That was fast."

"I'm used to fast dress changes."

"Yes, I'm sure you are," he murmurs, chuckling as we continue to walk forward. "You reacted well to the situation... applying pressure to the wound. The medic informed us."

"... I tried. He still lost so much blood."

He nods but doesn't say anything else. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. He stops before a cream colored door, turning to me.

"He's in here. I have a surgery I have to get to but I will be back to check on him. If you need anything, Darla is right down the hall."

"I don't know how to thank you, doctor... You saved my husband."

"It's my job, ma'am."

I clutch the shirt in my hands tightly. "One of the paramedics gave this to me to wear. Do you know how I can get this to him?"

"We can get it to him."

"It's got blood..."

"We'll have it washed," he replies with a warm smile. I return one with just as much warmth and hand it over to him. "I'll see you in a couple hours."

My hand grasps the metal knob and I push open the door, holding my breath. He's attached to machines, his beautiful, paled mouth covered by the clear barrier, his only way to receive oxygen. I close the door gently behind me and walk to his side, grabbing his hand tightly, sighing when I feel warm heat.

He's alive. He's breathing.

"Stellan. Stellan, I'm here."

...

The door opens a couple hours later. I expect it to be the doctor but instead, it's Olivia, behind her, is Eric. I stand up in a rush, seeing red. "GET HIM OUT!"

"Iris," he begs, shaking his head in shock at my venom.

"Where the fuck were you?! Are you working with them too?"

"I would never! Iris, I've been in a police station- I was bailed out an hour ago by my wife."

"What? Why?"

"You were being watched! The house was being watched by two men. And they weren't in cars this time. They were trying to get into the gate. I fucking attacked them. Next thing I knew I was being arrested. It was absolute bullshit- a goddamn set up."

"Do you think anyone else got in?"

"I doubt it. Unless they knew your code."

My stomach falls to the floor. "... Viktor knew it."

"I'll go now and check the house. Is there anything regarding the case there?"

Thank god I burnt that CD. Thank god. "No. Stellan doesn't bring anything home like that."

"Okay... I truly am sorry I wasn't there, Iris. I love Stellan, I would never want him to be harmed." I don't answer and he looks down, pressing his lips together. "I called Pat. He's flying back as we speak."

"Alright."

I wish I could believe them. Both of them. Olivia is holding a bag of clothes, clearly trying to help. But, after what's happened, I don't know if I'll ever trust any of them again.

I just need Stellan.

As Eric leaves, Olivia turns and sets down the bag onto the table. "Iris, you need to sit and rest. Eat... this stress can't be good for the baby. I brought a Chicken Caesar for you."

"How can I eat right now?" I whisper with feeling, touching Stellan's hair softly. His face is so calm.

"Stellan would want you to stay healthy, no matter what. You know that," Olivia replies sternly. I don't fight her on that, I know he would. Drifting my fingers over his cheek softly, I stare at him, unable to look away.

"He's going to be okay, Iris. He's strong- he's gotten through so much."

"What if he has brain damage? What if he doesn't remember me?"

"Stellan? Forget you?" She laughs. "That man loves you more than life itself. He wouldn't have fought so hard to stay alive just to forget his reason for living, alright?"

I nod, smiling softly at his face. "He has to see his baby. He has to."

"He will. He'll stand by you while you're screaming your head off in labor, telling him how much you hate him for getting you pregnant."

I can't help it. I laugh tearfully. "I would never."

"Yeah, I don't think you would either... Come eat."

Giving up on stubbornness, too tired for it, I leave my place by his bed and walk to the table.

A/N: Who misses Stellan? I do.

Hope you're liking the story so far! <3