Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Ambulances Or How I Can Look After Myself

Hi everyone, quite a short chapter, but I thought short is better than nothing. :) I am super excited to write more chapters so I might even write some more later today. I hope you are all doing well. All the love, Summer xxx

The ambulance came within the next few minutes which felt like hours. I quickly explained to them what had happened because my mum seemed to be in shock. One of the paramedics took her into the living room to talk to her while the other two tried to figure out what was wrong with my dad. "How long has he been unconscious for?" asked one of the paramedics and looked up from my dad's arm where he was securing a blood pressure monitor. I shrugged, unable to give a specific time. "I think at least twenty minutes or so?" He nodded and gave me a reassuring smile. "We will take him to the next big trauma centre at the Norwich University Hospital which is quite far from here, but it's the best one in the area." I only nodded and watched them set up an IV at my dad's hand.

Suddenly, he started moving and his eyelashes fluttered. "Richard?" one of the paramedics asked. I was shaking while I watched my dad open his eyes, looking around with confusion. "Richard, can you hear me? I am Tom, one of the paramedics. You collapsed in your kitchen about forty-five minutes ago." He tried to calm my dad down. My dad opened his mouth, but no words came out of his mouth. "Richard, you are probably a bit confused about what happened to you and that's perfectly normal, okay? Are you in any pain right now?" Tom asked him and my dad opened his mouth again. "No." he croaked out and looked around the kitchen. 

He visibly relaxed as soon as his eyes fell on me. "Claire." I rushed forward and shot Tom a questioning look who moved a bit to the side to let me kneel down next to my dad. "Dad, everything will be okay, alright? I am here and mum's in the living room." My dad nodded and reached for my hand which I instantly took and gave it a light squeeze. "Okay, Richard, we will now move you onto the stretcher to take you into the ambulance and then we'll bring you to the hospital to get you checked out, okay?" My dad nodded and squeezed my hand a bit tighter, before he had to let go.

My mum drove with my dad at the back of the ambulance and I was left alone in our house, trying to figure out how to get to the hospital the fastest. Walking back upstairs to grab my purse, I saw my phone lying on my bed next to my computer where I had skyped Louis not even an hour ago. I picked up my phone which showed several missed calls and a couple of texts from Louis. Trying to hold my phone between my ear and shoulder I rushed through my room to pick up some things I might need at the hospital. Louis picked up after two rings. "Claire, what happened? Is everyone okay?" he rushed out, panic evident in his voice. "I'm fine, it's my dad. He collapsed in the kitchen without any obvious reasons and was unconscious for at least half an hour. They are now on the way to the hospital in the ambulance." I told him, leaving my room and walking down the stairs to pack up some things of my dad's.

"Is he going to be okay?" I quickly packed some clothes and bathroom essentials into a small bag. "I hope so. I mean it's the day before Christmas, I really want him to be home for that. Especially since this could be his last Christmas." My voice broke at the end of the sentence and I momentarily closed my eyes, trying to hold back the tears. "I am so sorry, Claire. Is there anything I could do? Should I come over?" he asked me and I immediately protested. "Louis, it's your birthday! And it's Christmas tomorrow! Please, don't come. There isn't really anything you can do and I'll be fine on my own. I have to support my mum and my dad anyway." I rushed out and I heard him sigh on the other end of the line.

"But who will look after you?" I gulped. There was a short silence before I replied. "I can take care of myself. I'll be fine." I didn't sound very convincing and I was sure that Louis knew I wasn't entirely telling the truth."I don't believe you, but I respect your decision, love, so I won't get into the car right now, as much as I want to. But please call me if you need me, okay? And drive carefully!"

I zipped up the bag and readjusted the phone with my other hand. "Will do, thanks, Lou. You're the best. Enjoy your birthday, okay?" I heard him chuckle. "I know I am amazing, but please don't hesitate to call me, love." I hummed in response and after a final check on the house, I unlocked the car and threw my bags onto the passenger's seat. "Thank you for your support, Lou. I'll talk to you later, bye!" There was a shuffle before he replied. "Love you, bye!" My heart skipped a beat when he said the l-word, but I tried to ignore it and instead tried to figure out how my parents' car was working. A few minutes later I was on my way to Norwich as well, the comforting sound of 'Home' playing quietly in the background.