Chapter 41
The ER was a flurry of activity when she finally arrived at work. Quickly checking the schedule as well as the board Gia sighed softly thankful that she would not be working with Kamar. His behavior from the night before still weighing heavy on her mind Gia wondered what exactly was wrong with him. The reasons behind him waiting at the cottage door not making any sense Gia still could not understand where his sudden anger towards Nikolas came from. All that mattered to her was that he was wrong and seeing him so soon after it happened would not have been good in her opinion. Quickly going to the doctor’s lounge Gia placed her things in her locker ready to face whatever was to come at her. Smiling as Dr. Lewis came into the lounge they entered into an easy conversation.
Gia- [smiling] Hey Lewis…
Lewis- What up Campbell?
Gia- [smiling] Not a thing…
Lewis- That’s good…
Gia- Yeah… it looks crazy out there…
Lewis- It is… we’re shorthanded until more people come in so…
Gia- Shorthanded? Who didn’t come in?
Lewis- About two or three nurses… they’re sending some down from pediatrics… and apparently your girl…
Gia- My girl?
Lewis- Dr. Oliver call in…
Gia- [shocked] Oliver’s not here?
Lewis- [shaking his head] No…
Gia- Who did they call to cover her shift?
Lewis- They were trying to get in touch with Maxwell but he’s not available so for now I have no idea…
Gia- [slowly closing her locker praying they did not get in touch with Kamar] Well… we’re going to be without Oliver’s charming personality today huh?
Lewis- [laughing] If you say so…
Gia- [smiling] So you see it too?
Lewis- [nodding] Unfortunately…
Gia- [clipping on her id] Well I’ll see you out there…
Lewis- [as he poured another cup of coffee] Cool…
Gia- [smiling as she left the lounge] Cool…
Immersing herself in the action of the emergency room time seemingly flew by and before long Gia was dead tired on her feet. Finally given a brief reprieve Gia slowly walked towards the lounge hoping to gather herself during the lull. Suddenly as she opened the door Lewis came running around the corner grabbing her by the arm pulling her in his direction.
Lewis- [grabbing her arm] Come on Campbell… I’m gonna need your help on this one…
Gia- What’s up?
Lewis- Apparent mugging… victim has multiple cuts and lacerations across face and chest. Possible stab wound as well as possible blunt force trauma to skull. He was found in pool of own blood and is unresponsive to touch and light.
Gia- Where was he found? How long before he arrives?
Lewis- [as they quickly walked to doors] The ETA is less than two minutes…
Gia- Where did this happen?
Lewis- Cortland Street… the PCPD will be here as well possibly to question us.
Gia- Why?
Lewis- From what I’m told this is not the first victim… maybe they are trying to see if these cases tie together… [shrugging] I don’t know… all I know is to expect to answer some questions later.
Gia- [nodding] Ok… do you have a name? Maybe if we can address him by his name…
Lewis- Believe wallet was taken…
Gia- Damn… [as the EMS arrived] where are we going with this one?
Lewis- Exam room three is open…
Gia- Ok…
Lewis- [as EMTs rolled in the stretcher] What do we have here?
As the EMTs explained all what they did and had the patient on Gia quickly made her way to the patient working to stop and assess the bleeding on his chest. Still not looking at the patient Gia fired off questions to the EMT hoping to find out the name.
Gia- Still no name?
EMT- No… only distinctive markings is a tattoo on upper left chest…
Gia- Of what?
EMT- Heart with G and K inside…
As Gia finally looked into the patient’s face she suddenly stopped staring down into Gerald’s face.
Gia- [softly] Oh my God…
Lewis- Campbell?
Gia- [stopping] I… I…
Lewis- Campbell… [as they wheeled him into the room] let’s go!
With unsteady hands Gia feverishly worked on Gerald hoping that her angry words to him were not the last words she ever said to him. Regardless to the things that occurred between them to have him gone from her life forever was something she did not want to face. Numbing herself to the feelings and emotions that coursed through her Gia dutifully assisted Lewis in caring for Gerald. Once stable with every possible tube attached to him Gia quickly left the exam room collapsing in a hard plastic chair that sat outside the door. Burying her face in her hands Gia released the tears she long held back.
Lewis- Campbell what… [watching as she slowly shook her head] if you need to talk later…
Gia- [softly as she continued to look down] Ok…
Having heard of another possible mugging Taggert quickly made his way the ER hoping to talk to the latest victim. Once learning of his doctors, Taggert went in search of Gia wanting to speak with her before he approached her patient. Seeing her softly crying outside of the patient’s room Taggert slowly walked to her wondering what had affected her so badly.
Taggert- [softly] Gia…
Gia- [slowly looking up at Taggert with a tear stained face] Marcus…
Taggert- [quickly kneeling in front her] Baby… what’s wrong?
Gia- [softly] I know what I said but I can’t lose him…
Taggert- Gia what are you talking about?
Gia- I still… I still love him…
Taggert- Gia…
Gia- It’s… it’s Gerald…
Taggert- What? What did you he do to you?
Gia- Nothing… he came… he came… [looking down quickly wiping at her tears] oh God please help him…
Taggert- [softly] I can’t help if I don’t know…
Gia- I had to work on him and…
Taggert- [grabbing her around the shoulders] Gia… you have to tell me what you’re talking about…
Gia- [softly] Gerald…
Before she could finish her statement Dr. Lewis came around the corner happening upon the scene between Gia and Taggert.
Lewis- Detective Taggert…
Taggert- [standing] Lieutenant…
Lewis- I’m sorry…
Taggert- [shaking his head] Doesn’t matter… what’s going on here? Is the patient up for questioning?
Lewis- No… at this time he is unable to speak… he is still unconscience and as of now I can’t tell you when or if he will come out of this state.
Taggert- Well do you at least have a name on him so I can contact the family?
Lewis- No… he had no identification on him when he was brought in. So for now he is labeled as John Doe.
Taggert- So you have no clue as to who he could be?
Lewis- No… he has a tattoo on his upper left chest…
Taggert- [quickly writing down all information given] Of what?
Lewis- A heart with the initials G and K… [at Taggert’s nod] Dr. Campbell could have told you all of this…
Taggert- [looking over at Gia] Can I talk to you over her for a second?
Lewis- Yeah… [walking to the side with Taggert] how can I help you?
Taggert- What’s wrong with her?
Lewis- I have no idea… she reacted badly when the patient came in. And she seemed pretty much out of it while we were treating him…
Taggert- Thanks… [quickly going back to Gia] Gia sweetie… you have to talk to me ok… you have to tell me…
Gia- [softly as she intently stared at Taggert] It’s Gerald…
Taggert- What about Gerald? Has he called you?
Gia- [shaking her head] No…
Taggert- Gia… I don’t understand… I can’t understand if you don’t…
Slowly standing Gia took Taggert’s hand leading him into the room. As he attempted to question her still Gia shook her head bringing him to Gerald’s bedside making him look down on him.
Taggert- [softly] Oh my God…
Gia- [whispering as she gently touched Gerald’s hand] I don’t want him to die…
Taggert- [softly] He won’t…
Gia- I didn’t know what to do when they brought him in here…
Taggert- Gia…
Gia- [softly] All the things I said to him… what if I never get the chance to take them back? What if I…
Taggert- You’ll get the chance… Gerald will pull this through this…
Gia- [softly] Who did this to him?
Taggert- I don’t know… [wrapping his arm around her] but I’ll find out…
Gia- [softly as she softly began to cry] I wanted to call him…
Taggert- G…
Gia- [softly] I should have called him…
Not saying another word Gia stood beside Gerald tightly holding his hand praying that in time she would talk to him again and tell him that she still loved him. That despite everything that went on he still had an important part in her life as well as a huge piece of her heart. Going with Gerald as they moved him into a private room Gia forgot all about the problems and issues swirling around her and her life as she sat quietly by his bedside vowing to be with him when he again opened his eyes.
Chapter 42
As the minutes and hours slowly stretched into days Gia remained at Gerald’s bedside hoping for a sign that he would recover. His attacker having done significant damage to him the hours that followed all were critical. Taggert still having nothing on his attack came to see both him and Gia whenever he could. Florence seeing the strain on her daughter stopped by Gerald’s room hoping to distract Gia even for a few moments.
Flo- [softly] Hey baby…
Gia- [softly smiling as she turned towards her mother] Hey momma…
Flo- Is he doing any better?
Gia- He’s getting stronger everyday… and I know he’s going to wake up at any second to tell me that he’s ok…
Flo- I know baby…
Gia- Yeah… he’s going to be ok… just watch…
Flo- Why don’t you come down to the cafeteria with me…
Gia- I can’t…
Flo- Gia…
Gia- What if he wakes up and I’m not here? I have to stay and…
Flo- If the slightest thing happens they know to call you…
Gia- Momma…
Flo- Baby… you can’t continue to wear yourself out like this…
Gia- But…
Flo- He wouldn’t want to see you sitting by his bedside…
Gia- [softly as she looked down] Someone has to…
Flo- Baby please…
Gia- I don’t want him to think that I don’t care…
Flo- He won’t…
Gia- Mom you know as much as I how important it is to have someone you loves you by your bedside praying and pulling you through your recovery…
Flo- Do you still love him Gia?
Gia- [softly] Yes… and when I saw him come in here on that stretcher the first thing that went through my head was all the terrible things I said to him…
Flo- What about the terrible things he said to you?
Gia- He didn’t mean them…
Flo- [softly] Gia…
Gia- Momma I don’t want to think about it ok… all I want to think about is him getting better and me being able to tell him that I still and will always love him.
Flo- He knows that honey…
Gia- I know… but I still want to be able to say it to his face and see and know that he believes it.
Walking slowly past his room Kyan heard as Gia continued to speak of her love for Gerald. And how despite everything that was said and done she still wanted him a part of her life. Holding back the sudden anger that rushed to her Kyan did all she could to keep from rushing into the hospital room demanding Gia away from her father. For all of her life it seemed as if she was playing second fiddle to Gia as far as her father’s love and loyalties was concerned. Before they ever had a chance to be a family Gerald left her mother moving on to Florence to care for her and her children as his own. While he was there for each of Gia’s accomplishments and successes Kyan often found herself alone. And even after her mother’s death Gerald still did not come to offer support or encouragement instead being more concerned about the events in Gia’s life. Though he paid child support without fail it mattered little to Kyan. She would have happily given up all to have spent even one day with him where he was only concerned and content to spend time with her. Before learning of Gia and Gerald’s other family Kyan often spend many lonely nights wondering if it was something she had done to drive her father away. Though only fifteen when her mother passed Kyan stole away one day from her aunt’s home where she lived to see what Gerald had that would make it so easy to turn his back on her and her mother. Secluded from their view Kyan watched with a quickly hardening heart as Gerald, Florence, Gia, and Marcus all made their way to Sunday church service. The picture of the happy family Kyan continued to watch as they left the church service and then went out spending the day together. Laughs and hugs flowing freely from one another Kyan wiped steadily at her tears having overheard Gerald call Gia “Babygirl” and the little nicknames that only came with time spent together. Finally breaking away Kyan returned to her aunt, who despite her elongated absence was not concerned, vowing to one day take all that Gia had and claim it as her own. And to be this close and again possibly lose him to Gia’s “love” was not something Kyan could face. The sound of Gia and Florence again speaking pulling her out of her thoughts Kyan moved to the side assuring that they could not see her and listened intently to what they were saying.
Gia- Momma I don’t think…
Flo- Gia… you can’t stay in here hours on end without getting any rest…
Gia- I am resting…
Flo- Gia… I know the thought of going home is out of the question… but at least take a quick walk with me…
Gia- But if he wakes up and I’m not here…
Flo- Then it will be a welcome surprise when you return…
Gia- Momma…
Flo- [gently taking her head] Come on baby…
Gia- We aren’t… we can’t be gone long…
Flo- We won’t be… [leading her out the door] come on…
Kyan- [softly] Hey daddy…
Gerald- [softly] I knew my baby would come and save me…
Kyan- [nodding] Yeah… I’m here daddy and I won’t let anything happen to you…
Gerald- [nodding as he slowly closed his eyes] I knew Gia would save me…
Kyan- [softly] Gia?
Gerald- [softly] She told me she still loves me…
Kyan- [whispering as tears slowly ran down her face] But I love you too daddy… I have always loved you…
Gerald- I know… and Gia loves me too…
Kyan- I…
Gerald- [whispering] My two beautiful daughters…
Kyan- [softly] Daddy…
Gerald- My beautiful girls will finally get to see and know each other…
Kyan- Yeah daddy…
Gerald- [softly his voice tapering off] I’m the luckiest man alive…
Kyan- I’m lucky too…
Gerald- [opening his eyes looking intently at Kyan] You?
Kyan- Yeah cause you came back to me…
Gerald- [smiling] I ain’t never leaving you babygirl… you and Gia stuck with your daddy…
Kyan- [softly squeezing his hand] Good…
Gerald- [squeezing her hand] Good…
Kyan- Go back to sleep daddy…
Gerald- I don’t feel like sleeping…
Kyan- You need your rest…
Gerald- [softly] Babygirl…
Kyan- I’ll be right back…
Gerald- Don’t leave me…
Kyan- I’m just going to get your doctor so he can come in here and check on you…
Gerald- I got so much to tell you about…
Kyan- [nodding] I’ll be right back…
At his slight nod Kyan quickly left Gerald’s hospital room slumping slightly against the wall as her tears and emotions finally bubbled over. Despite everything the first thought of Gerald’s was Gia. His love for her and the love she proclaimed to have for him. Even with Kyan constantly by his bedside the moments Gia stepped away still she was his only thought. In the dark of the night with only the humming from his machines to quick her company Kyan spoke nonstop of her love for Gerald and still his only thought was Gia. Wiping at her fallen tears Kyan straightened herself going quickly to find Gerald’s doctor. Coming behind his as he entered Gerald’s room Kyan quickly stopped as Gia and Gerald shared a tender reunion.
Gerald- [softly] Baby I’m so sorry…
Gia- [softly as she wiped at his tears] It’s ok daddy…
Gerald- But…
Gia- No buts… you’re back now and I’m not letting you go…
Gerald- I knew you would take care of me…
Gia- [softly smiling] Forever and forever…
Gerald- [smiling remembering their promise to each other] Forever and forever…
Dr. Hanan- I see my patient is up…
Gia- [softly holding Gerald’s hand] Yeah…
Dr. Hanan- I’m glad… we need to take some vitals and…
Gia- [moving away] I understand…
Slipping quickly out of the doorway as her tears returned to anger Kyan again vowed to do whatever she had to do to remove Gia from her and Gerald’s life for good.