Code Blue • Jackson Avery

Chapter Sixty Nine

Cristina had asked me to consult on a patient. As I reviewed the scans I could tell he was paralyzed from the neck down.

"I can't do much but fuse the spine so he can sit" I explained. Cristina bit her finger nails.

"Can you explain it to the patient's wife? She's in the room now waiting. I have another patient to consult" Cristina said.

I nodded my head yes and made my way to the patient's room.

"I'm Dr. Shepherd, Dr.Yang had asked me to consult on his spine injuries. After reviewing the scans C3 and C4 are in bad shape" I explained.

"I'm a nurse. So you are saying he's paralyzed? Will he able to breathe on his own?" She asked as she became choked up.

"No, he's not breathing on his own. He's heavily sedated right now so we won't know the full extent until he wakes up" I explained. I could feel for her in this moment. If this was Jackson on the table I wouldn't be able to handle myself.

"Can you wake him up. I'll know if we ask him he'll want the tube taken out" she sorrowfully said.

"You understand that your husband just went through major heart surgery and is dependent on that tube to keep him alive"

"Yes, if I know my husband like I think I do then he'll want the tube removed" she said. I sighed at her request but went ahead and started to wean him off of the sedative.

The patient began to stir and after making him aware of his state and choices he choose to remove the tube. I went ahead and removed it before exiting the room.

Once I exited I stood by the elevator watching people continue on with their day. Behind me Jackson and some IT guy we're moving a mobile desk when Jackson's hand gets crushed against the wall.

I go to help him but he demands he's okay going to take care of it himself.

I blink a few times to stunned at his anger towards me. I walk to the elevator and enter. I rub my eyes which are heavy after a 16 hours shift.

I look up to find I'm home and the house is an absolute mess.

"Jackson?" I called out. I find him in the kitchen with his hand bandage up.

"Bella not now. I told you I'm doing the 15th surgery I'm not going to argue again" he yelled banging his good hand on the table.

A cry can be heard from upstairs and I assumed it was Gia who he had woken up.

"I'm sorry" he muttered still unapologetic sounding.

"It's whatever" I said rushing up to the room. When I opened the door Gia looked to be about 10. She had freckles across the bridge of her nose that faded out towards her cheeks.

"Mom is dad here yet?" She asked. I frowned at her comment when the door bell went off. Gia grabbed her backpack and rushed down the stairs.

Opening the front door revealed Jackson who looked unlike himself.

"I'll have her back after your shift on Sunday like we agreed?" He said waiting for my response.

"Uh yeah. Where are you taking her?" I asked confused. He rolled his eyes at my comment.

"Bella I'm not doing this in front of her again. She'll be fine at my apartment and I promise I won't have my girlfriend over when Gia is around. You know you're eventually going to have to give me split custody. My lawyer said now that I have a good paying job and I finally paid off all my debt from my hand surgeries I can fight for split custody" he said raising his hand. His hand has multiple scars all over and looks like the nerves never fully healed.