A Day in My Life

Ours

DYLAN POV:

The antiseptic clean smell was overpowering, but the bustle of doctors and nurses was surprisingly quiet. Talen looked down to avoid seeing any needles, and Nick and him started talking. Blake had his head in his hands but every so often looked up, as if he was talking to someone. Maybe he was. Eric and Emma sat by me and tried to distract and amuse me, to no avail. It was the thought that counted.

Empty chairs littered the waiting room and in a corner we sat.

We sat. 

We sat.

And we sat. 

The surgery was being prepared less than a hallway away from us and we could do nothing, hear nothing, and couldn't even help.

When her surgery was beginning, Chris came and sat with us.

As did Aubrey.

Then Taylor.

When an hour passed, we were joined by her friends Reilly, Penelope, and Samantha as well.

A little after the hour, Derek, Mason, James her coach, Kyle, and even Luke came. Derek brought an excessively large bear, and smiled at me hopefully. He showed me the front, it read "Baby Girl" in pink. He and I both broke small smiles when we caught eyes and I let out a shaky, breathy laugh. She would absolutely hate it. 

After two hours had gone by, her soccer team, and friends of Nick, Talen, Blake and I had arrived. 

Chris's dad followed them, with Henry and Bella who said hi to me and dropped off gifts and stuffed animals. I knew the little brat would love them... if she'd just wake up. 

The waiting room was filled for her. And how could it not be? Perfect girl she was.

After the longest hours of my life, an incessant sound like the squeaking of gurney wheels shot down the hall and in the direction of her room. Everyone had left, save for the four of us, and Chris. We had mountains of gifts and cards and blankets and teddy bears, even balloons. That we might have to carry home, as a cruel reminder. The door to her room slammed shut, and this time we were positive.

Blake and I shot looks at each other, and then stood. 

The doctor that had been operating walked out to talk to us, and pulled off his gloves.

DAKOTA POV:

I remember... it hurt. My head hurt. And then the whirring of a siren was all that I heard. Someone with a deep voice was whispering stuff to me, but I couldn't quite make it out....

~ ~ ~

Sweet words and soft hands, and a white light above me that shone brighter than the sun...

~ ~ ~ 

And at last I see the light... the song was playing and described exactly what was happening, how fitting....

~ ~ ~ 

Hushed voices and whispers I couldn't make out. Tears on me. My boys. My man. All mine. 

~ ~ ~

Beep. Beep. Beep. 

My eyes fluttered open but I saw the same painful bright white that I hadn't stopped seeing. "Hello?" I called out, to nobody in particular. Silence and the constant beeping was my only answer.

"Is anyone there?" I whispered, scared.

I tried to move but I felt trapped in place. 

I knew what my boys would want me to do. And so I fought. 

Nobody came. 

"Someone help me." I said, so tired. I'm just so tired.

CHRIS POV:

The doctor came out and Blake and Dylan stood immediately. I rose with them and walked over, I was family after all. Talen and Nick scurried to stand behind us as well.

Blake shot me a questioning look but Dylan shook his head at him, so they let me stay. 

The doctor pulled off his gloves and tucked them in to his sterile white coat pocket, before saying "The surgery has been complete. We'll let her rest for a couple minutes and will know within the hour if she will come back, or remain in the state she is in." 

We all nodded, and followed after Blake, who shook his hand. 

"Thank you Doctor, for all that you've done." he said and we all murmured our agreement. Talen gave him a high five. 

"It's my job." he nodded, with a smile. "I wish you all the best, and let the nurse or receptionist know if you need to speak with me further. You may go in and wait with her whenever you would like."

We all nodded, and circled up. Team huddle. 

Blake said "This is it you guys. This is what we have been waiting for. Bigger than your school plays, your guys football games, your soccer matches..." he nodded at Nick, Dylan and I, and Talen in succession. 

"Before we go in there, we need to clear things up." he said, turning to Dylan. "This was not your fault. It was nobodies fault."

Dylan shook his head and I felt a pang of guilt. My best friend was suffering, and I had only made it worse. I stretched out an arm to wrap around him and said "Dyl... it really isn't. Whether she's awake or still.. dreaming, it was not your fault. It was wrong of me to accuse and blame you like that." 

Dylan shrugged and then with a reluctant smile said "I don't think I can ever be mad at you again. How on Earth did you get the funds to pay for the whole thing??" 

I smiled and mysteriously said "I have my ways."

The other guys jaws dropped open and they started to question and cheer but I said "Guys! It was a gift from.. my dad. Okay? More important stuff to deal with right now."

They all hugged me in tighter and I smiled.

 Nick looked up to Blake. "What if she isn't any better?"

Blake swallowed and said "She will be. Because she has the most supportive and loving family that is waiting here for her. And I know that even if she isn't, Mom and Dad will be watching over her for us."

He pulled in the youngest two and squeezed them, and then Talen said "I can't take it anymore. Let's go see Kota!!!" 

That little nickname that meant so little to us and was used so flippantly in the past somehow gave us the motivation to push on right now. We would get our Dakota back. 

As we walked down the hall, I shoved Dylan jokingly a couple inches and said "She's my baby too, you know."

He smirked a Hastings smirk, and with a classic roll of his eyes said "She's all of ours."