What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 71

I landed in Michigan at 1am. I got plenty of sleep on the plane, so when I left the airport and got in one of the waiting cabs, I told them to take me to the hospital instead of my house. An hour and a half later and I was at the hospital. I gave the cab driver his money and quickly walked inside. I went straight to the front desk and asked where I could find Dr. Jackson. The guy told me to take the elevator to the fifth floor, and to ask the nurses at the desk to page her. I did as I was instructed and soon was inside a spacious office with a kind looking woman. When I think of doctors, I imagine them looking hard and cruel, tainted by all the things they have seen. But Dr. Jackson had soft facial features and a soothing voice that made you trust her. "Miss Smith--" "Please, call me Aria." I interrupted. "Aria," she corrected. "As I said before, your brother was badly injured. He has two broken ribs, his right arm is also broken, and he has a fractured collar bone. However, I am most worried about his cranial injuries. The broken bones will heal over time, but the bleeding in his brain is another story. I'm afraid I will have to operate." She said. I took a deep breath before replying. "How will the surgery help?" I asked. "Well basically, I'm gonna go in and try to find where the bleeding is coming from and then try to stop it. It's a low risk surgery and if everything goes well, then I'm optimistic about his recovery. But the sooner I operate the better, so I need you to read over these, sign them, and then bring them back to me as soon as you're done." She said and handed me a packet of papers. I quickly skimmed the pages and became overwhelmed with everything I couldn't help the tears that formed in my eyes. "Aria." Dr. Jackson said softly as she placed her hand on mine. "He will be ok. But only if he gets the surgery. Most of the stuff in there is worst case scenario." She gave me a soft smile and I nodded my head, as if telling myself I can do this. I wiped my eyes and went out into the hallway to fill out the papers. I teared up a few times throughout the process, especially when it asked if, in case of death, they could donate Cadens organs, blood, skin, etc. I checked the box next to organs and blood, but there was no way I was letting them take his skin. I don't care if it is for burn victims, it's his skin for Christ's sake. Eventually, I finished the paperwork and took it back to Dr. Jackson's office. "Aria, I'm not supposed to make promises, but I promise he's going to be ok." She assured me. I nodded my head and watched as she left the office to go prepare Caden for surgery. I took a deep breath and went to the hallway to wait. About 35 minutes went by before my phone went off.

James: Good morning babe.

I smiled at the text and quickly replied.

Me: Good morning xx

James: How's Caden?

Me: I haven't seen him yet. The doctors just took him in for brain surgery.

James: Oh my god. Let me know as soon as you hear something. We're all worried about him.

Me: I will. The doctor said he'll be ok after the surgery, but we'll see.

James: Are you ok?

Me: I'm hanging in there. I just can't wait until I can see him.

James: Everything will be ok babe. Caden will wake up soon and then you'll be back in time to perform next week ♡

Me: I hope so. But if he doesn't wake up by Sunday then I'm staying. I have to be here when he wakes up.

James: We'll cross that barrier if it comes. Right now we just need to pray that the surgery goes ok and they can help him.

Me: James I'm scared..

The longer I sat there, the more nervous I became. My thoughts started running wild and I was freaking myself out.

James: I know, but you need to be strong for Caden. He needs you right now. Take a deep breath and just look at the facts.