Three Girls From The Valley

And Nothing's Gonna Wake Me Now

The Haim family are at Valley memorial Hospital anxiously awaiting an update from the Doctor, Alana's head is resting on her mother's lap, she has cried herself to sleep, Moti Haim has not stopped pacing the waiting room since their arrival. Este still in shock is sitting beside her mother rocking back and forward on the chair. Donna Haim reaches over and places a calming hand on Este's knee to get her to stop rocking, they have been sitting there for half the night still waiting to hear news about Danielle.

Chase walks into the waiting room carrying coffees for everyone,

"Mrs. Haim I thought you all might like a hot drink," He tells her as he hands her a coffee,

"Thank you Chase that was very thoughtful of you," Donna says,

"Este," Chase says holding out the cup of coffee, but Este just shakes her head, Chase lowers the cup, "I'm really sorry Este I...I should've stayed outside with Dani, I shouldn't have left her alone," He says quietly,

Este snaps her head up to look at him, "What? Oh my god Chase this isn't your fault, fuck we packed up our gear the same as we do every other night, no this is the fault of the fucking asshole that hit Danielle, if I ever catch him I'm gonna..." Este chokes back a sob, "Why would anyone want to hurt Danielle of all people, I...I don't get it."

Donna put her arm around her eldest daughter's shoulders "Shush everything's going to be okay honey."

It is almost three o'clock in the morning when a Doctor finally enters the waiting room,

"I'm looking for Danielle Hame's family," He calls out,

"It's Haim,"Motti says, "And yes we are her parents," 

"Oh sorry Mr. Haim, I'm Doctor Schneeweiss the attending neuro registrar and I've been asked to assess Danielle," 

"Yes, yes please is my daughter going to be okay?" Motti asks, a worried look on his tired face,

"Our investigations have found Danielle has sustained two separate injuries as a result of the blow to the back of her head. She has suffered a basilar skull fracture which is at the base of her skull and there is bruising and swelling present. The force of the blow has also caused her brain to move forward and hit the front of her skull and she has what is called a cerebral contusion to her frontal lobe. I've had to insert a catheter into her skull to monitor the intracranial pressure. She is currently in a coma as a result of her injuries and on a ventilator to support her breathing" Dr. Schneeweiss informs the family,

"Okay but what does this all mean Doctor? Is Danielle going to be okay?" Donna asks, "Please tell us if our daughter is going to be okay please."

"I'm sorry I can't give you a complete answer as yet, head injuries take time to assess, Danielle is in a critical condition, the main concern right now is the swelling on her brain, if it continues then Danielle will require further surgery to release the pressure, she is being admitted to the ICU ward where they will continue to monitor her blood pressure, I'm sorry that's all I can really tell you right now. A nurse will come down once Danielle has been admitted and will take you up to see her." Dr. Schneeweiss tells them before leaving the room. 

Alana has started crying again and Donna hugs her tightly, Este leans her head on her father's shoulder as he puts his arm around her, they all walk back over the the chairs and sit down, everyone is too shocked to speak.

Finally after what felt like forever a nurse came to take them up to the ICU,

"Hi my name's Becky and I'm one of the nurses looking after Danielle," She tells them, "I'll take you up to see her now if you like."

"Ah I guess this is my cue to leave," Chase says,

"No Chase you're family you can come up with us," Este tells him,

"No I think you all need to be together, just if you could please keep me updated with how Dani is doing Este I'd really appreciate it and I'll come by tomorrow okay." Chase says,

Este and Alana hug Chase before everyone says good bye to him, they then follow Becky to the elevators, once everyone is in the elevator Becky starts talking to them,

"Have you been to ICU before?" She asks

"No." Donna replies,

"Okay so I'll explain how it works, you'll need to press the button outside the ward doors and speak to reception before they will let you in, when you go inside you will notice each patient is allocated their own nurse per shift and are in individual rooms around the ward, you will also notice Danielle is surrounded by several machines that are monitoring her vital signs," She makes eye contact with Alana, "Danielle is unconscious but she may still be able to hear you so it's good to talk to her like you normally would."

The doors of the elevator open and Becky motions for everyone to follow her out into the corridor,

"Normally we only allow two visitors at a time but tonight you all can come in to see Danielle together, she does have a tube helping her breath which can be a little confronting the first time you see it and the bruising around her eyes has already started to come out," Becky tells them,

"Bruising around her eyes what do you mean? The Doctor said she was hit on the back of the head." Este says,

"Yes that's correct Danielle did receive a blow to the back of her head but this caused her brain to hit the front of her skull and bleeding to occur which is why bruising has started to come out around her eyes," Becky explains to Este,

"So what, you're saying Danielle can't breathe on her own and has got two black eyes?" Este asks,

"Yes that would be the simplest explanation," Becky says, "Okay are you ready to go in?"

Alana grabs hold of Este's hand squeezing it tightly, Donna noticing the look of fear on her youngest daughter's face puts a comforting arm around her shoulders,

"If you don't want to go in right now honey we can stay out here and let your Father and Este go in first," Donna gently says, Alana looks up at her Mother the tears escaping her eyes,

"N...No I want t...to see Yelly,' Alana sobs, Donna hugs her tightly and the family quietly follow Becky down to Danielle's room. 

Just wanted to give you all a big thank you for reading my story and for also voting and leaving comments, this chapter is a shorter chapter i know but I wanted to post a quick update for you all. Not sure when the next update will be as I need to finish updating my other stories sorry but I'll try and not take too long for you. Again thank you for reading and please continue to vote and leave comments I really appreciate it :)