Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Felicity
It’s another hour before Giacomo calls to tell us that they found Levi and Tristan. They’re both being taken to the nearest hospital. And that Levi is in worse shape than Tristan from what they can see.
We all get into the cars and head to the hospital.
Leighton and Lynton make sure I’m sitting between them and that’s comforting to me.
The ride to the hospital is quiet, no one is joking around like we always do.
Even in the sad or stressful times, we always have someone joking around to help the tension.
But today? No one’s smiling. We’re all worried that we could lose part of our family and that’s not something I’d wish on anyone.
I still feel the pain when I think of my parents.
At least my parents were together when it happened, I think it would’ve been worse if they’d been alone.
I take a deep breath while I wait for everyone to get out of the cars. Leighton and Lynton grab my hands and we head into the Emergency entrance. My stomach is in knots because I don’t know what to expect. I’m still praying that Levi and Tristan are okay. I can deal with injuries. We can together.
“We’re the family of Levi Anderson and Tristan Langford,” Celestino says.
The look on the nurse’s face almost makes me laugh.
All the men in our family and our extended family are—large.
Growing up I always thought my brothers were giants at six feet tall.
Then I met our new family. They’re true giants, I think the smallest of them is six foot three.
So I understand the looks they get from people.
“Figlio, we’re in here,” Giacomo says as he comes over to us.
“Tell me that at least some of the guys you’re with are single,” the nurse whispers to me as she chuckles.
I smile at her. “Some are.”
We follow Giacomo to a waiting area, Salvatore is waiting for us.
“What do we know?” Leighton blurts out.
“They’re both in surgery. Tristan has a few broken ribs, broken leg and some internal bleeding.
Levi…he didn’t realize he was injured. He was moving around a lot and trying to help other people.
He had a piece of metal in his side. They’re worried about the damage from him moving around.
They both went back about five minutes ago.
We’re in for a long night,” Salvatore tells everyone.
“Did you tell them that Tristan has no family except us?” Lynton asks.
“I did. I also called their base so that we can have their papers sent here. They gave you medical proxy, right?”
“Yes. Lynton is primary and I’m secondary for Tristan. And it’s the opposite for Levi,” Leighton tells him.
“Okay, that’s good. They’re faxing over the paperwork now. I’m going to go and get it.”
“I’ll go with you,” Lynton says to him.
I sit down and stare at my feet.
“My brother’s a fighter and I know he doesn’t want to leave you,” Leighton says to me.
I look at her. “I love him and I haven’t been able to tell him yet. I need him to know.”
“He knows, and you’ll be able to tell him,” she says as she hugs me.
I hope she’s right and he knows how much I love him. I’m never going to put off saying things to him anymore. This has shown me that you never know what could happen.
Three hours later, we see a doctor coming through the doors. We’ve been calling them the ‘forbidden doors.’ Doctors and nurses come out, but we don’t see anyone going in.
“Tristan Langford’s family?” the doctor asks.
We all stand up.
“I’m Doctor Craymer, Tristan’s doing well.
He had four fractured ribs that will heal in a few months.
He also had a collapsed lung because of the fractured ribs.
He’s in recovery right now and then we’ll move him to the ICU for a day or two.
Then, to his own room. Because of the crash, we want to monitor him closely. ”
“Thank you, do you know anything about Levi Anderson? They were brought in together,” Celestino says.
“He was taken by Doctor Kim, he’s in very good hands. I’ll go and check on his surgery and get back to you.”
“Thank you again. Do we have to wait for Tristan to be taken to the ICU before we can see him?” Leighton asks.
“I can take one of you back now if you’d like.”
“Lyn, you should go. Tell him we all love him,” Leighton says to her.
“Okay. If you hear anything about Levi, I need to know ASAP.”
“Of course.” Leighton squints at her.
After Lynton’s gone, Leighton turns to her husband, Valentino. “Did she really think I wouldn’t immediately tell her?”
Valentino chuckles and kisses his wife. I can’t wait to be able to hold Levi like that.
After another four hours, we finally see another doctor coming out of the forbidden doors.
“Levi Anderson’s family?” he asks.
Again, we all stand up.
“Levi is doing well. We’re going to watch him closely for the next few days.
He had two fractured ribs, a punctured lung and a ruptured spleen.
The metal from the seat pierced his spleen and we had to remove it.
He’s in recovery now. Then he’ll be moved to the ICU.
The plan is to move him to his own room in a few days.
Maybe sooner if he’s doing better. I can take one of you to see him right now.
When he’s in the ICU, there’s a limit of four visitors at a time. ”
“You should go,” I say to Leighton.
“No, you. He needs you, I love my brother, but you’re his person. As soon as he’s moved, Lynton and I will come and join you.”
“Are you sure?” I sniffle.
“Yes. Tell him we love him and we need him to get better.”
I’m so scared as I follow the doctor to see Levi.
“Levi has a breathing tube in, we’ll take it out when we get him to the ICU. If any of you have questions, let the nurse know and they’ll come and find me.”
“Will you be his doctor until he gets discharged?” I ask.
“Yes, I’ll be here, and when I do leave, Doctor Craymer will be here. We’ve decided to split the shifts for Levi and Tristan. We were told that they’re both Marines on leave?”
I nod. “Yes, they’re both stationed in Japan.”
“They’re brave men. I know it’s scary, but we’re going to do everything we can to get them both back on their feet. You’ll have to be patient with them.”
“Thank you so much,” I say as I finally see Levi.