The Clinch

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

The hospital hallway is a blitz of activity with all of our family, extended family and friends all milling about in worry. Everybody's fretting over the state of Reagan's health, and it hurts to hear a couple of them worrying about worst case scenarios.

Pushing them all aside, I numbly stride to my parents side and nearly collapse into Kaleb's open arms as he tucks me tightly to his chest and squeezes the living shit out of me. "H-How-How is he?" I stutter, my eyes meeting my father's as moisture pools in the corners of his eyes. He seems to be tightly reigning in his distraught, and I feel like taking my father into my arms and commending him for his strong display.

He's the pole that supports this family. If dad were to crumble, we'd all fall too. Thank god he isn't crying yet. It means there's still hope.

My father nervously wets his lip and puts a steadying hand on my shoulder as I step towards him. "He's got the best care Darryl, they'll fix him. I just know it." Jesus, dad, I hope you're right, I really fucking do.

I don't have a chance to tell him how much I prey he's right, because suddenly a doctor pushes down the corridor and claps his hands to get everybody's attention. "I'm sorry folks. I know you're all concerned about the welfare of the patient, but it's an immediate family policy here. Anybody who's not immediate family has to clear out!"

About half of the crowd, consisting of distant cousins and friends, start to shuffle towards the door.

"Immediate family only." The doctor reiterates, obviously surprised by the sheer magnitude of our family. Hell, I almost chuckle- if Reagan were here he would have laughed at the doctor's shocked face.

To much protest, the crowd slowly depart and it's left to just my parents, Kaleb, Gabriel and I. I'm not letting Gabriel go, I refuse to. Right now I need him to be my backbone and to keep me standing. That arm he's got about my waist has a purpose you know.

Mum passed off AJ, Ray and Sid to my Aunt Flora and sent them home. It was half ten at night, way past their bed times and my mother promised to phone home the second we hear anything. Which I hope is soon.

Walking towards us the doctor's face looks grim and serious "we're just prepping for surgery, it'll be a five hour procedure. We'll be doing the best we can." Then he lifts his eyes from my parents and meets Gabriel's, his eyes widening in recognition. "Dr Lancaster, you're not scheduled to work today."

Gabriel gives a small nod and detaches from me before taking the doctor aside and getting into a discussion with him about something that seems quite intense. After a couple of seconds the docor halts a passing nurse and loots her cart for a set of scrubs before quickly thrusting them at Gabriel's chest and giving him what appears to be a set of firm instructions.

With a quick nod, Gabriel shirks into his scrubs whilst jogging towards us. "They want me to assist."

My face turns horrified. What if something bad happens, what if Gabriel can't save Reagan? I don't know how I'd be able to live with that thought. With the thought that my lover watched my brother dying.

I gulp heavily and tearily shake my head in disagreement. "No. Gabriel, don't."

He takes me by the shoulders and locks eyes with me, his deep and assuring as he gives me a weak smile. "I have to. I can help him Darryl. This is what I do. I know what's going on, this is my specialism! He's in safe hands, I've had years of experience and practice; I've worked with the best neurologists. We'll get him through this, princess."

When I make to protest, my father comes up behind me and claps Gabriel on the back. "You go do what you can to save my boy, I'll sort out Darryl. Thank you son."

And with that Gabriel is dodging down the hall for the theatre room. When he bounces out of sight, I turn into my father's chest and release a guttural cry. "I h-hope he can help him. I really do." I need Reagan. Reagan's so close to the top; he can't just give in now. The heavyweight belt was so close to his hands. It was so in reach - is, I correct myself - it is still in reach. He just needs to pull through surgery and all will be fine.

-------------------------------------------

Four hours, fifty seven minutes later and I haven't moved a muscle from the plastic bucket hospital chair. My mind has been whirring with thoughts that shouldn't be thought but need to be just in case, and we're all sat here bursting with nervous energy. And hope. There's so much hope here.

I keep thinking about how tired Gabriel must be. It's three in the morning and he's been on his feet since seven yesterday morning with a day full of activity. Is it safe for him to work in the state he's in? Is it proffesional? He is, after all, a good friend of my brother's. Are doctors allowed to take personal cases?

My answer comes as the doctor from earlier pushes through the door and comes to a jarring stop in front of us. Everybody rears from their seats with abated breathe, and only once the doctor confirms "surgery was a success" does everybody breathe a gasp of relief.

With a relieved laugh, I jolt from my space and push out of the door, eager to find Gabriel and thank him for what he's done.

I don't have to go far, because not ten steps away I collide with Gabriel who's just exiting theatre, and I leap up into his arms. "Thank you. Thank you!" I repeat joyfully, raining kisses down over his face. "I shouldn't have doubted you, I just... I just didn't want to think what would happen between us if things went wrong. I didn't want to think about how guilty you'd feel if Reagan hadn't..."

I can't even get the words out. I don't even need to consider that anymore, because our Reagan is strong and he pulled through. He's a tough and stubborn bastard I'd give him that.

"It's okay. I just... Thank god. It was a little hands on at first, he was losing a lot of blood at the beginning because the knock had nicked some important blood vessels. He's gonna have titanium screws and plates in his head for the rest of his life, but that's about it. He should recover as normal. He'll probably be a little out of it for a while as well, they'll have him on some strong pain meds." Gabriel explains, rocking me soothingly back and forth in his hold whilst smoothing my hair backwards.

Chuckling, laughing in relief, I sigh and slide myself back to my feet. "I love you so much, Mr Brain Doctor."

Behind us, my mother quickly takes over hugging duties and burrows her face into Gabriel's chest as she lets out grateful tears of joy. "Thank you, Gabriel, for saving my son. Anytime you need something, we're in your debt."

We all chuckle at her hysterics and watch as Gabriel hugs her back just as firmly.

"Anything for family." He replies with a wink and a small, nervous smile. And in that breathe of him calling us his family, my insides literally roil with happiness. We're his family. I. Us. And we're more than proud to have him as one of us.

 (A/N) Song Suggestion: SOHN- Artifice