by HL Nighbor
As I start to panic, the room door swings open and Bas enters glancing down at his phone. I open my mouth and squeak out a barely audible, “Bas.”
His eyes fly up to meet mine and he rushes over to my bedside, motions frantic. “It’s about time you opened those pretty brown eyes. You had us all worried, baby.”
“Mac?” I ask through a sore, scratchy throat. “Where’s Mac?”
Bas lifts a cup from the side table and tells me to take little sips. Before he can answer my question, a nurse enters my room, takes my vitals and then leaves again to call the doctor.
“Mac will be alright, Savannah. You will be, too.” Bas reassures me. “Let’s wait until the doctor comes. He’ll be able to answer your questions better than I can.”
A few moments later, the doctor enters the room with a big smile on his face. “It’s great to see you awake, Savannah. I’m Dr. Abbott and have been overseeing you since you were brought in. I’m going to do a quick exam but I don’t want you to talk. Blink once for yes and twice for no. Do you understand?”
I blink once.
He continues with questions as he does his examination. “Do you remember the fire?”
One blink.
“Do you remember going into the bathroom with your daughter?”
One blink.
“Do you remember the fire department arriving on the scene?”
Two blinks.
After he examines my eyes, ears, nose, and throat, he continues. “Before I get into all the details, I need to tell you that you did everything correctly and your actions probably saved your lives. By wetting your clothes and tying the clothes to your faces, you helped minimize the damage. And by laying in the tub with your body covering your daughter’s, you took the brunt of the damage. All the things considered, the damage was minimal. Do you understand everything so far?”
I blink once.
“Okay. I want you to know your daughter’s fine and is in the pediatric unit. I’ve talked to her pediatrician and she will be down shortly to talk to you. We are also trying to get her moved in with you when you transfer units. Does that sound okay?”
One blink.
Before the doctor can say anything else, Bas interrupts. “Austin and Finn have stayed with Mac while I stay down here with you but I do check on her from time to time and she is doing great. Brittany, Jenna, and the other guys stop by all the time to see her, as well.”
The confusion must be clear on my face and the doctor chimes in. “Your daughter has been allowed visitors but due to your condition, only your fiancé has been allowed in to see you.”
At this comment, I glance at Bas with eyebrows raised, and he shrugs with no apology.
“Let’s get to the nitty-gritty,” Dr. Abbott says moving on. “You are currently in the intensive care unit. You were brought in five days ago with severe smoke inhalation. We placed you into a medically induced coma and put in a breathing tube to let your body recover from the trauma. We brought you out of the coma two days ago and have been waiting for you to wake up since. I want you to limit talking for the next couple days to allow your esophagus and lungs to continue to heal. Are you with me so far?”
I respond with a single blink.
“Great. You did also experience some second degree burns to your lower legs. You will not need any skin grafts but will probably experience scarring. The burns did little damage to anything other than the skin. You can consult with a plastic surgeon once the burns heal if the scarring bothers you. You were very lucky, young lady. Now that you’re awake, we’ll move you from the intensive care unit and into the general unit. This will remove the visitation restrictions. We should have you moved soon and get you reunited with your daughter. Sound good?”
I nod my head and the doctor writes a few notes in my chart before he leaves.
The nurse from earlier reappears with a fresh cup of ice water and chicken broth for me to sip on. When she changes the dressings and tends to my burns, I cry at seeing the damage for the first time. Bas grabs my hand and squeezes it tightly, providing me comfort. Burns and blisters cover the entire surface of my legs from the knees down. I try to remember things could be worse and in the grand scheme of things, the burns remain insignificant.
After the dressing change, she removes my catheter and escorts me into the bathroom to give me a pseudo bath which consists of primarily a washcloth and soap. However, she does wash my hair for me with actual shampoo and conditioner. She tells me bathing will be a challenge since my dressings need to remain dry. I may need help for a while. With a thorough brushing of my hair and my teeth, I resemble a human again. I change into a pair of shorts, tank top, and panties, skipping a bra since one wasn’t provided by whoever gathered these clothes.
When she brings me back to my bed, Bas sits patiently waiting for me. He gives me a small smile and leans over to give me a quick kiss on the cheek as he whispers, “Feeling better, baby?”
I nod in response and tug his arm and pat the side of the bed signaling to him to climb up next to me.
Once he settles in, I snuggle close and try to hide my yawn. Not missing a thing, Bas pulls me in closer. “Close your eyes and rest. You had a lot of excitement in the last couple of hours and your body’s still healing. I’ll still be here when you wake up.”
With those words, I close my eyes and sleep.
The next time I wake up, Mac’s pediatrician greets me with a relieving report. She informs me Mac also suffers from severe smoke inhalation but didn’t put her into a medically induced coma as they did me because she’s responding beautifully to treatment. She has no burns since I laid on top of her to shield her little body. Despite asking for her Mama, she’s happy and spoiled rotten by her constant visitors and the nurses.
Bas refuses to leave my side since I woke up. He texts everyone with updates as different staff come in and out of my room to evaluate me. The first time he leaves my side happens when they move me to the general unit. He leaves for all of five minutes and when he returns, he brings plenty of company back with him. My room barely fits all the members of my entourage and the extra bed the staff wheeled in for Mac.
While cramped, I will never complain being surrounded by those who love me.
Brittany plows her way through the group and wraps me in a fierce hug and says, “You scared the shit out of me. I thought you would never wake up and we lost you. You can’t do that to me ever again. Do you understand me? Never again or I will kill you myself. Got it?”
When she releases me, her cheeks glisten with tears under the harsh fluorescent hospital lighting. I open my mouth to respond but she shakes her head and thrusts a notebook in my hand. “You’re not allowed to talk. Write if you need to say something.”
“I’m sorry, Brit. Never again.” I write with my own tears streaming down my cheeks. “I was so scared when I couldn’t get out of my apartment. Terrified.”
With one last squeeze, she steps away to allow my other visitors access to me – Jackson, Cooper, Beck, and Chris. It’s an emotional reunion as everyone expresses similar feelings as Brittany. When I ask about Austin and Finn, Brittany tells me they will be down when the staff relocates Mac to my room. They didn’t want to leave her alone. My world won’t be complete until Mac’s here with all of us.
When Jenna finally arrives from leaving work after receiving Bas’s text message that she could finally visit, I get more info on what happened.
“The fire started in the garage. An electrical short at the front of the garage sparked and caught some shop rags on fire. When the fire reached the gas cans, they ignited and the fire spread quickly. With all the flammable material in the garage, it was a miracle there wasn’t an explosion,” she informs me as she recalls the information shared with her by the owners who happen to be close friends of hers. “I’m really sorry, Savannah, but everything’s lost. Nothing’s salvageable.”
Before I can dwell on the recent news I lost everything I own, Austin walks in with Mac in his arms, fo
llowed by Finn. For the first time since I woke up, a genuine smile spreads across my face at the sight of my little angel.
Mac catches sight of me in the hospital bed and gets excited. She claps and laughs in between squeals and yelling, “Mama.”
Austin brings her right to me and as he bends down to place my little angel in my arms, he gives me a kiss on the cheek and whispers, “It’s good to have you back with us, Savannah. I love you and I hate the idea I almost lost the chance to tell you. I can’t imagine a life without you and Mac in it.”
Austin walks away before I can attempt to respond and Finn takes his place. “Hey, pretty girl. It’s nice to see you awake. I sure missed you. Things change when you get out of this hospital. Be aware. I’m not wasting any more time.” He kisses my forehead and then walks away to join the rest of the crew.
With Mac safe and secure in my arms and surrounded by everyone important to me, I take a deep breath and vow to live life to its fullest with no regret and no fears. Thankful I didn’t die or lose Mac in the fire, I stand strong in the fact I will be grabbing the bull by the horns and claiming what’s mine. Finn’s right, everything changes when I leave.
No more waiting. No more hesitating.
One by one my visitors leave with Jackson and Cooper heading out first. Shortly after, Chris and Beck follow. With one more hug, Jenna heads home for the night as well. When Mac falls asleep, Brittany leaves with the promise to be back in the morning. Left with only Mac and my men, I let out a contented sigh. This will be my life once I claim it.
Bas takes Mac from my arms and crawls into the other bed to get some sleep. He says he’s missed her these last five days and wants some princess snuggles. He got snuggles with me earlier when I napped and I know he needs this moment as greatly as I did. He almost lost her, too.
Austin and Finn both climb into bed squishing me in between their two massive bodies, but I don’t mind. I close my eyes and fall into a deep sleep and dream of my amazing future.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Two days. I stay in the hospital for another two miserable days before I can be released. Mac got to leave yesterday morning and while she needed to get back to some semblance of normal, jealousy reared its ugly head. I wanted out when she did but the chips fell a different way.
Due to my burns, the healing process went slightly slower for me.
My doctor refused to release me until I could talk and eat with minimal discomfort and wanted any abrasions in my throat healed to the point they wouldn’t reopen while eating. My burns would take a while to heal and still unknown as to whether I will need any physical therapy. As my legs heal, the extent of the nerve and muscle damage will become clearer. I’ll be released with prescriptions for antibiotics, special ointment, and painkillers, as well as multiple scheduled follow-up appointments.
Mac went to stay with Jenna after she left the hospital and all three guys insisted on staying with me, especially with my little angel’s health being stable. They couldn’t stand the idea of me sitting in this hospital room alone waiting and wondering. I assume I will be joining Mac at Jenna’s until I find a new place and rebuild my life.
Shortly after lunch, Dr. Abbott comes into my room and smiles toward Austin and I snuggled in the bed. Finn and Bas left a couple hours ago to run a few errands and will return in time to take me, I assume, to Jenna’s house.
The doctors and nurses don’t even bat an eye when they find myself or Mac snuggled with a different one of the guys. Actually, one of the nurses while helping me clean up mentioned how she wished three gorgeous men would dote over her as she fanned her face.
“Are you ready to get out of here, Savannah?” Dr. Abbott reviews my chart notes. “The notes from the nurses indicate you can eat and talk with minimal issues and can move around pretty well. Do you have someone who can help you with bathing and dressing changes?”
Before I can respond, Austin nods. “No worries, Doc. We got her covered. We were all shown how to change her dressings and informed of her restrictions.”
“I assumed but I’m still required to ask,” Dr. Abbott says with a chuckle. “I will go get your discharge papers started and you should be able to break out of the joint in about an hour.”
As the doctor leaves, I turn toward Austin. “Geez. Let a woman speak for herself.”
He kisses my forehead and pulls me closer. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Austin, I no longer have a home, clothes or anything. We lost everything. Don’t get me wrong. I know things could be worse and I’m thankful to head out of here.” I try to hold back my emotions. “I try not to dwell on it but it’s scary to start over.”
“Don’t stress, Savannah. Everything will work out how it’s meant to.” Austin holds me tighter. “You’ll be okay. Mac will be okay.”
~
The next hour flies by in a blur of forms, prescriptions, and discharge instructions. When the nurse shows up in my room with a wheelchair, I release a giddy squeal, more than ready to get out of here. She wheels me to the elevator and then down the hall, through the lobby and out the front door. I take a moment to relish in the sun and the breeze, thankful I get to experience this another day.
When I catch the sight of Bas and Finn standing by the car, a huge smile overtakes my face and tears come to my eyes. I love them and I’m ready to tell them.
They return my smile and with a Vanna White worthy display, Finn motions to the car and says, “Your chariot awaits, pretty girl.”
An uncharacteristic, super girly giggle escapes my lips. “Let’s blow this joint, boys.”
Bas lifts me from the wheelchair with ease, despite the protest I can walk. He places me in the front passenger seat and reaches over to buckle my seatbelt. As his face passes mine, he takes the opportunity to steal a quick kiss before he shuts my door.
Austin and Finn climb into the back while Bas pulls himself into the driver’s seat. He turns the key in the ignition and then reaches to hold my hand resting on the center console.
“We’re going to make a quick stop at our house, if that’s okay with you,” Bas tells me as he pulls onto the main road in front of the hospital from the patient loading area.
“Sounds good to me.” I smile, still riding the high from my release. “I don’t care where we go, as long as I don’t have to go back to the hospital any time soon.”
I don’t tell Bas this, but I want to check out their place. This will be my first time visiting their home. I know they live in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. While I’ve never asked for more details, I know the houses in this neighborhood happen to be quite nice. The houses sit on lots larger than you would expect for an urban neighborhood, but still maintain the traditional city neighborhood ambiance, unlike Jenna’s house in the Magnolia neighborhood, which sits on a little over an acre and retains privacy despite being in the city.
When we finally pull up to their house, I find myself speechless. I stare at the two story, colonial style home on a corner lot. The property provides the illusion of privacy with tall box hedges and trees blocking the view of the neighboring homes. Being at the top of the hill, the home provides beautiful views of the bay, city, mountains, and the Puget Sound. The blue-gray shingle siding contrasts nicely with the white trim and cedar shake roof.
As I step out of the parked car, Finn holds my hand and asks eagerly, “Would you like a tour of the place? I hope you like it as much as we do.”
“Yes, please,” I answer excitedly. “This place is gorgeous from the outside. I can’t wait to see the inside.”
Still holding my hand, Finn walks in me the front door into a large great room. The interior of the house possesses a warm, rustic feel with hardwood flooring throughout and wooden beamed ceilings. The living room holds plush, oversized chocolate-brown leather couches and chairs, a large flat screen television mounted over a gas fireplace, and tables made from reclaimed wood. The dining room displays a large, rustic dining table and chairs and the kitchen, with the plet
hora of cabinets, stainless appliances, and granite countertops, would be any cook’s dream.
“Wow! This is amazing.” In awe, I continue to take in my surroundings.
“What we really want you to see is upstairs,” Bas states as he walks up the staircase to the left of the main entry.
I follow Bas while Austin and Finn trail in the rear. Bas continues to lead me to the end of the hall to a set of double doors. As he opens them, he reveals a gorgeous master suite decorated similarly to my old apartment. On closer inspection, I find framed pictures on the bedside tables and dresser of Mac, myself and the guys.
“What is this? How did you get these pictures?” I ask no one in particular, confused.
“Welcome home, Savannah,” Austin answers enthusiastically. “Brittany and Jenna helped put this together for you over the last week while you were in the hospital.”
“How?” Bemused, I still fail to grasp the situation.
“They went shopping for new clothes, toiletries, and what not. The dresser and closet are full of everything you could ever need and then some. The two of them took care of everything in this room for you,” Finn hesitantly replies like he anticipates an objection.
“You’re going to be staying here. We all told you things would change when you left the hospital. We aren’t waiting for you to make up your mind anymore. We’re making the decision for you.” Bas leaves no room for argument, daring me to put up a fight.
“Okay,” I whisper. In the hospital, I made the decision to take the leap, but they don’t know that yet. I’m done fighting it any longer. “Okay,” I say again, a little louder this time.
“Really? No discussion or argument?” Bas asks skeptically.
