Do you trust me?

twenty

Zach POV

She has been in the operating theatre for 2 hours now.

"Please baby. Please be safe."

I sat on the chair with her blood on my clothes and hands.

John, who came to the hospital to stay with me, put his hands on my shoulder.

John: Be strong Zach. We have to have faith that she'll make it. She is a strong woman.

"Its all my fault. She took the bullet for me."

John: You couldnt have stopped it either. No one saw it coming.

"I could have pushed her away. I could have..."

I started crying in my hands.

"I cant lose her John. Not again."

"Warren!"

Gary, Mr Sanders and Angela rushed to where we were siting.

Gary: Warren! What happened to Ella?

"She... she was... shot."

Angela: Oh my baby.

Angela starting crying on George's shoulder.

Gary: How Warren?! How did it happen?

"She.. she took the bullet.. for me. The bullet was.. was meant for me. She pushed me and it hit.. her instead."

Gary punched me and yelled.

Gary: Because of you! My sister could die because of you! Ive told you to keep her safe! You promised to keep her safe.

John was holding him back while I let him vent his anger at me. It was my fault.

George: Gary! Thats enough!

Gary yanked himself away from John and slumped himself onto the chair.

George: Warren. I dont know what happened but thank you for bringing her here immediately. I believe this was a terrible accident.

I cried once more hearing him say that.

We were all awaiting news from the doctors. Each time the door opened, it was for another patient.

Doctor: Family of Gabriella Sanders?

Zach: Im her boyfriend. These are her family.

Gary: You stay away from her! Doctor, Im her brother.

The doctor looked confused but continued.

Doctor: We managed to remove the bullet from her chest cavity but it punctured one of her arteries which made her lose a lot of blood. We put her in an induced coma to reduce the swelling as well as prevent any stress on her body which can result in a cardiac arrest. We need to do a blood transfusion immediately.

Gary: Take my blood. However much you need.

Doctor: She is an O+ which means she can only receive an O+ blood type.

Gary's face fell.

Zach: Ill do it. Im an O+.

Gary looked at me.

Doctor: Ok we will get you prep up immediately. Come with me.

I followed him for a prep test before the blood donation.

I stayed in the recovery room for a little while until Gary came in.

Gary: Thank you Warren. For saving her.

"Ill do anything for her Gary."

Gary: Im sorry for hitting you.

"I understand. You care for her. I dont forgive myself either."

Gary: Dont be so hard on yourself. It was an accident.

John came into the room.

John: The doctor wants to speak to you both.

We both made our way quickly.

Doctor: Good news. Her body is responding well but we still have to keep her in coma until the artery heal and the swelling subsides. For now, I can only allow minimal visitors.

Zach: Thank you Doctor.

When the doctor left, I told Gary to bring his father to see her first. Im afraid to see her. To see her state which Ive put her in.

Both Gary and his father stepped out a while later.

George was crying and Angela came over to hug him.

Gary: Im going to bring my father back. You can see her.

I shook my head.

"I cant. Im afraid to see her."

Gary: You should. She would love to have you by her side.

With that, they left me and John standing there.

John: Go ahead Zach. Go see her.

I took the step into her room and saw tubes coming out of her. She had the ECG connected to her as well as the oxygen tube.

My heart breaks at the sight and I broke down crying beside her. I held her hand and wept on the bed.

"Im sorry Elle. Im so sorry."

--

She was in a coma for 4 days already. The doctor said the swelling has subsided but the pressure on the arteries needs to be monitored still.

I went home only to change and shower and come back here to stay by her side. Gary had told the doctors to let me stay since he had to look after his father.

I started humming the tunes to backstreet boys to her. The songs of our first date. I talked to her. Told her how much I love her.

Come day 7, as I was reading a book to her, the doctor came in.

Doctor: Good morning. We have good news. Her response to the tests have been wonderful and we will take her off the medicine for coma. She might or might not wake up so soon but give her time.

"Thank you doc."

She was still asleep when Gary, George and Angela visited. They were happy to hear the good news.

I was holding her hands drifting to sleep on the side of the bed when I felt her move.

I jolted up and true enough, her fingers move.

"Elle? Baby?"

Her eyes fluttered slightly.

"Zach?"