Chapter Twenty-Two - Ryurik
Emily’s nervous about the operation for Laura, and no amount of reassurance or redirecting her at breakfast is enough to settle her nerves. “Do we have everything, Ryurik? Mom likes to read interior decorating magazines. I want to get her a fresh batch, just to keep her… you know, entertained once she comes out of the operation.” Emily’s dressed casually, but even dressed down she gets my heart to beat faster than ever. Her baby bump is growing, and every time I look at her, I can’t help but care for her more. If ever I wanted a woman to marry, she’s the best woman to be carrying an Utkin.
“I remember. Relax a little,” I coax warmly. “Viktor sent her a care package for when she’s out of surgery, so she’ll be able to recover in comfort. She’s got access to the best doctor’s in the country.”
Finishing my coffee, Emily sucks in a deep breath. “I’m sorry for worrying.” She holds a protective hand to her stomach, making me want to do the same. “I’m restless, but my mom’s life feels like it’s on the line. She’s all I’ve got,” Emily stresses, her hands wobbly as she picks up her juice, finishing the last of it.
Looking up, I pause. She still doesn’t know how much I care about her. I’m not making her feel safe enough. “No. She’s not. You’ve got me. Your husband. And you’re part of my extended family. You’re not alone.” Emily’s face falls as she nods her head.
“Sorry. Old habit. I’m used to having to handle everything by myself. And this isn’t exactly a normal situation.”
“Good point. But you won’t have to do anything alone anymore.” Checking my watch, I let go of her. “We can head to the hospital now if you want.”
She nods her head profusely, a smile appearing on her worried face. “I think that would probably ease my nerves.”
“Okay. Done.” I text the driver to come over. He lives on the property in one of the guesthouses, and it won’t take him but a couple of minutes to arrive.
I watch as Emily ties her hair up in a ponytail. Would she be here if it weren’t for Laura? Doubt creeps in, because deep down I’ve got a feeling she wouldn’t have taken me up on my agreement so fast if it weren’t for the woman she so dearly loves.
I wouldn’t have killed her ever if she tried to fight me on the verbal agreement. No. I wasn’t a brute in that way. That was more my cousin Dimitri’s strong suit. I worm my way into the psyche of others, chipping away, until I get what I want.
But if I had to take custody of my son or daughter, I would have. That in and of itself would be its own type of special death, especially as a mother. I would have worn her down eventually… but it’s better in the end that she willingly surrendered to me.
A pang of guilt nags at me when I see the empathy and loyalty she has for Laura. I manipulated Emily to my advantage, and I’m a lucky man to have her, but things are changing between us. We’re growing into each other day by day, learning more every step of the way. And all I know is the more time I spend with Emily, the more fascinated I am with her.
Without thinking she tries to stand up, her brain moving before her body, hitting her leg against the side of the kitchen table. “ Shit! Charlie Horse. Oh gawd.”
In a quick movement, I rush over to her, my heart skipping a beat. “What do you need?” I ask roughly as she rubs the top of her thigh.
“Ugh. I’m just—a mess. I want to get to the hospital,” she groans as I step over to the refrigerator, but Olga’s already holding an ice pack in her hand, shooing me right back to Emily. She must have seen what happened. I nod silently in thanks, slapping the pack onto Emily’s leg over her jeans with a light smirk.
She’s bent over, holding her leg, and I want to kiss the top of her head in comfort, but don’t. I don’t know why, but it’s not a normal action for me, so I leave it alone, making sure the ice pack’s on her leg. “We need to get you there in one piece. Okay?”
She giggles, and I chuckle with her, the tension breaking for a second. “Okay. My bad. Promise I won’t bump into anything else.”
“Okay. Good. Let’s go. You can keep the ice pack on your leg in the car.” We head out the door, making good time to the hospital, but not without Emily texting Laura to check in.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, all the nurses and doctors are coming around in droves, she’s telling me, to prepare her for the operation. Wow. I can’t believe this is happening.” Emily slides her hands back and forth on her knees and I say nothing.
I don’t have the words to make her feel better, so I don’t try, but I’ve grown attached to Laura in my own way. She saved a young girl a long time ago, who’s now my wife and bearer of my child. I want to honor that.
Instead, I grab the bags as we head into the hospital, and the medical receptionist slows us down, running us through a series of irritating questions before directing us to the waiting room where Laura will be wheeled out.
“Down the hall to Level G, and the unit will be on the left. She’s in Ward 10. If you get lost, there’s a nurse’s station available to direct you.”
In the elevator, I watch Emily’s legs shake. “Thank you.”
Holding her steady I whisper quietly in her ear, “She’s going to be fine. Laura’s not going anywhere. Have faith,” I tell her, giving her a winning smile and shoving my hands in my pocket instead of putting an arm around her as we wait patiently. I want to, and the bricks of guilt are slowly stacking up inside of me. I take one hand out, placing a hand on her back as Emily stares at me intently.
“Thank you for helping her.” The creeping guilt returns. I’d backed Emily into a corner. She virtually had no choice but to take up my offer if she wanted to save Laura. Yes, she might have gotten the money elsewhere, but God knows how hard it would have been for her.
“No problem,” I tell her quietly as we wait, the hours ticking by while we eat snacks and chat about the nursery for the baby and other things.
A man comes out a few hours later in green scrubs, a line of sweat over his brow. “Hi. Mr. and Mrs. Utkin?”
Standing, I pull Emily up next to me, hugging her shoulders working to read the man’s face. “Yes, that’s us. What’s happening in there?”
“Ah, my name’s Dr. Winchester. We’ve spoken several times, Ryurik.”
Reserving my smile, I hold his gaze meaning business. Of course you know me, Doctor. I paid you a special bonus to be here and to save Laura.
“Yes, we have. Tell us what’s going on.”
Emily stares at the doctor, her eyes full of worry, but also full of fear. “Yes, please. Tell us.”
The doctor winces before delivering the news. “There’s been a complication in the surgery, and we’re working on it. Laura’s liver has been significantly damaged over the years, and as such it’s caused many of her surrounding organs to malfunction.”
Exasperated, I challenge the doctor. “How come this wasn’t picked up earlier?” I snap, but Laura’s liver failing isn’t something I can do anything about truthfully. It’s better left to the experts without our interference.
“Trust me, the team is working overtime,” Dr. Winchester reinforces as tears stream down Emily’s face. “I want you both to prepare yourselves if she doesn’t pull through.”
“ What? Make it through?” Emily repeats, closing her eyes, but shaking her head, looking at me. I’ve failed. This was supposed to be a straightforward transplant and currently it’s turning into a big nightmare.
“I’m sorry we don’t have more answers for you, but we’re working on it,” Dr. Winchester advises. “I didn’t want you sitting out here another three hours without knowing what’s going on.”
“Please, do all you can,” Emily begs as I rub her back wanting to take her angst away, but I can’t.
“Yes. Doctor. Do all you can,” I add, echoing Emily’s sentiments.
“Oh, we will. Keep both of you posted. I’ve got to head back in, okay?” He’s not cold and, considering the circumstances, he handled the situation with as much care as he possibly could.
“Okay, thank you, Doctor,” Emily replies in a blubbering mess, her body shaking. We’re one of the few people in the waiting room, and I can’t stand next to Emily letting her break down. She puts her face in her hands, crying her heart out as I hug her into my body, hurting as much as she does. The sorrow is almost too much for me. Hugging her, I rub her back, letting her cry into my chest until the tears run out.
“Hey, I’m here. It’s going to be okay. I’ve got your back.” I keep talking to her, letting her hold on to me, the tears soaking through my shirt, but I don’t care. I just want her to feel better. We stand in the middle of the hospital waiting room, rocking back and forth, and I give her as much warmth as I can of myself.
It feels good to care for Emily, and it’s a feeling I want to keep going.
“They can’t let her die, Ryurik. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“She’s not going to die. She’s going to come out the other side and be great,” I tell her cheerfully. “Come on. Let’s get out of this waiting room and get something to eat.”
Holding out my hand, she takes it, and we walk down the corridor in search of food. “I don’t think I can eat anything.”
“Just a little something. For you and the baby. Come on. We’ve both been here for five hours and eaten nothing. You need some fresh air.”
“Thank you.” Emily smiles, holding my hand, but I don’t feel worthy of the thank you. I’m the one who should be saying it to her. We grab sandwiches, drink and eat, heading out to the courtyard for a quick breather and return.
The hours tick over as Emily, and I sit together in the waiting room, and I answer emails on my phone. All of them seem insignificant, so I tell Viktor to hold all my calls unless it’s an emergency. Emily falls asleep on my shoulder, and I’m glad she’s resting.
It’s a few hours later before the doctor comes out, and this time, he’s all smiles as he pulls back his mask. “Hey, guys.” The exhaustion plays on his face as I tap Emily’s shoulder, waking her up. “Good, you got some rest.” The doctor puts his thumbs-up with a grin, and Emily’s sleepiness wears off.
“Good news?” she asks, holding on to my arm.
“Good news. Laura’s condition is stable, and she’s out of danger.”
Emily sighs and I feel lighter. “Oh my God. Thank you so much. Thank you for saving her,” she gushes.
“Well, this is the first step of recovery. There’s many more, but she’s good.”
“That’s all we need to hear, Doc.” I nod my head and Emily thanks the doctor profusely as we hug tightly.