Chapter Eleven #3
Donnie squeezed his eyes shut. Weeks? Was he supposed to lie here and just wait?
“There is a little more good news. You are stable enough to be transported. You can return home.”
Donnie nodded, not trusting his voice to speak.
“Thank you, doctor,” Dex said.
“Mr. Donaldson. I will speak with Westside and transfer our records, so they can take over your care.”
“You’re going home, buddy. Just like you wanted,” Steve said as the doctor left.
“Steve, give us a minute,” Dex said.
The bed dipped as Dex sat on the edge.
“You’re going to get through this, Donnie.” His team leader’s voice was firm.
Donnie clenched his fists, desperately trying not to let the emotion spill over.
“I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t...” He trailed off, not wanting to voice his fear.
“Listen to the doctor. Be patient. The team are going to be right by your side whether you like it or not.” He felt a hand squeeze his shoulder. “Whatever you need. Got it?”
“Yeah. I know. I shouldn’t have said that before. You’re right. They have to be stopped.”
“Forget it. You got every right to be angry.”
“It pisses me off that they seem to be able to evade us. We’re meant to be the best, but I’m the one lying here while they’re still breathing,” he admitted.
“I understand that, and don’t think we don’t all feel the same. We will get them, Donnie.”
Donnie sighed, leaning back against the pillow. “I’m sorry I won’t be there to see it happen.”
“You don’t know that. We don't know when we’re going back yet. Nyx are still in country and monitoring the situation. So how about we focus on getting you to Westside?”
“Copy that,” Donnie said, relieved that he would be back in Coronado soon.
***
WHEN DONNIE ARRIVED at Westside, Sophie had been waiting for him and had called in Dr. Swanson, a specialist who reiterated what Donnie had been told in Germany. They could not give him a definitive answer about his sight. It was a waiting game with no timeline.
Finally, the team had left to go home, see their families, and get much needed sleep. Although he had wanted them gone, it was damn quiet without them. He could call his folks, knowing they would get on a plane immediately. The thought of them worrying and panicking was enough to stop him.
Loneliness overwhelmed him. It wasn’t an emotion he was used to.
He loved his team and when they weren’t working, they hung out a lot.
Suddenly he was facing the reality he had nothing else in his life.
He had his parents, but it wasn't the same as having a family of his own. What if he didn’t get his sight back?
Had he missed his chance at love? Marriage?
Children? He was twenty-nine and had thought he had plenty of time to fall in love and settle down.
Now what? Was he destined to be a lonely old blind man, spending his time reminiscing over the good old days in the Navy?
God damn, he couldn’t do this. He had to get his sight back. There was so much he wanted to do. To see. Charlie.
Thinking about their time together was the only thing that calmed him. He should call her. Tell her he was back like he’d promised. Had she seen Simon? Had he tried to get her back? Was Mackie’s guy still keeping watch? If that bastard had touched her, he was going to be getting a visit.
Yeah, right. And how would you find him when you can’t see?
Hearing footsteps, he turned his head.
“Hi, Donnie.” Sophie’s gentle voice reached him. “I’m going off shift, just wanted to check in before I leave.”
“I’m good, Sophie.”
“Liar.” She called him out. Of course she would. She was used to dealing with alpha males who never wanted to show weakness.
“Donnie, I’m not going to pretend I know what you’re feeling because I don’t. I can tell you that I’ve seen other patients with similar injuries who have made a full recovery. It is possible.”
“Thanks.” Good for them. Didn’t mean it was going to happen to him.
“The last scan showed further reduction of the inflammation. You should be able to go home soon.”
“But?” he pushed in the silence.
“You can’t go home alone. You’re going to need...”
“Help,” he finished. An elite special forces soldier was going to need help. Shopping, preparing food, getting dressed. Getting around his own home. Jesus. This was his worst nightmare coming true.
“Not just help. You need to be monitored in case the inflammation increases. I’m sure the team would—”
“No!” he snapped a little more harshly than he intended. “Sorry.”
“It’s OK. You can come stay with me and Ryan, if you like. Think about it and let me know. You don’t need to decide now.”
Donnie closed his eyes to stop the tears that threatened.
“Do you need anything before I go?”
He shook his head. “No. Thanks, Sophie. Good night.”
She squeezed his arm. “We’re here for you. All of us. Good night.”
He listened to her leave and swallowed the lump in his throat. This was real. It was happening. He was going to have to adapt to not being able to see. Overcome and adapt. He lived by that. For the first time, he wasn't sure he was going to be able to.