If It's What You Want A Harry Styles Fanfiction || h. s.

Chapter 17

When they arrived at the hospital, Harry went up for a couple of minutes to say hello to Ashley's aunt.

"Good morning, Mrs. Russo," he said taking one of her hands in both of his. "How are you?"

"Better than Raymond, I suppose."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I don't think so. You've been so good to take care of Ashley. Thank you."

"It's my pleasure," he said smiling. "I'll see you at 1:00 with lunch," he reminded Ashley before leaving.

"Do you have something you want to share?" asked Margarite.

"No, he's just a really nice guy, I guess."

"He stayed last night," she said more than asked.

"Aunt Margarite, please."

"Darling, I was young once. I am not judging."

"It's not what you think."

"Really, he is quite the hottie."

"Aunt Margarite! Nothing like that happened. I'm not even sure how I feel about him."

A call from one of the nurses ended the conversation. "The doctor is with Raymond. We can go back now."

"What can I expect?" asked Ashley nervously.

"He looks fairly good. It'll be fine."

Margarite went to the far side of the hospital bed leaving room for Ashley to get close to her uncle. "Good morning," he said weakly.

"Good morning, Uncle Raymond. I'm so happy to see you."

"It's good to see you too. How's my second best girl?" he asked with a smile.

Ashley was on the verge of tears. Her uncle was obviously very weak and more tired than he wanted she or her aunt to know.

"I'd like to discuss what I see happening over the next several days," interrupted the doctor who had been speaking with one of the ICU nurses. "Raymond has given me permission to speak openly with you both. His recovery is going to take some time. I want to take the most conservative route in his treatment, but he may require another surgery. I see him staying here another night or so until his blood pressure cooperates more fully. He'll probably stay with us several days while we monitor his blood chemistries, continue with medications and oxygen."

"I don't understand. This doesn't sound like a very reassuring report," said Ashley.

"Believe me, it is given his condition. Twenty-five percent of men suffering a second heart attack do not survive. Considering that the attack came so quickly after the first, he is a very fortunate man."

"Why did this second attack occur? Didn't you detect a problem during evaluation after the first?" pressed Ashley.

"There was far more build up in that artery than we initially detected . . ."

"You mean you misjudged," cut in Ashley.

"Not at all. We do not have a perfect science here."

"Obviously."

"Ashley Jane!" said her aunt.

"I'm sorry. I need a minute," she said stepping out of her uncle's room and away from the nurse's station.

"Please forgive her," she could hear her aunt say. "We are all very close. This is especially difficult for her."

"Of course," said the doctor.