"No, it's just a bit of the post baby blues. I'm okay, and Ariel is amazing, the best three-month-old baby in the world. It's just that something like this happens and my hormone ridden brain goes a little haywire," Cassie said.
"I understand, Cass. If George has to be here a few days, you need to bring Ariel in to visit him. You know that seeing her will heal him faster than any medicine this hospital can provide."
"That's a great idea. I'll talk to Max about it. I don't like being away from her very long anyway. She's still so tiny, plus I'm nursing. I just didn't want to bring her down here in the middle of the night, especially with not knowing anything," Cassie explained.
"That was smart. She can't be in the emergency room, anyway. Wait until he's moved to a private room."
"How much longer are you on shift?"
"I have a few hours to go. I can come with you to check on Joseph, though."
"Good," Cassie said as she took Kinsey's arm and started leading her toward the room.
"Nurse Stellar, a word."
Kinsey turned to see the young doctor again. It really was going to be a long night.
"I'll be there in a minute, Cass. Go ahead."
"I think I should stay with you, Kins. That doctor seems unstable," Cassie whispered.
Kinsey knew it was the stress of the situation, but she suddenly had to fight off a burst of laughter wanting to escape. The look on the doctor's face, all red with small bubbles of spit in the corner of his far too thin lips, combined with the uncertain look Cassie was sending his way was too much.
Kinsey turned to reassure her friend that she was okay, when alarms started ringing. Any thoughts of laughter were immediately cut off.
"Someone help!"
Kinsey and the doctor ended their standoff and faced the room. Kinsey immediately responded.
"Code Blue!" Kinsey yelled as she rushed into the room.
Her fear had just become realized. Joseph had tried to stand up, stubborn man that he was, and instantly collapsed into Lucas's arms.
The nurses rushed forward as they took his vitals.
"His eyes aren't responding."
"Blood pressure's rapidly dropping."
"We're losing his pulse."
"Start CPR, Now!"
"He's not breathing."
"Start compression."
Words. Rapidly fired. A jumble of words, one sentence rushing over the top of the next. Kinsey knew his family was terrified, knew they would only catch pieces, the worst pieces, in the conversation. It almost sounds like a different language to someone not working in the medical industry, but it translated effortlessly to Kinsey's ears. She knew those words, knew them in her sleep. She moved on autopilot, just as the team around her did the same. They weren't only trained, but trained well. They'd make sure he survived.
"I've got a good radial pulse."
"We've got an airway established."
"Blood pressure's still too low."
"Get a CT scan, stat, and call Neuro." The doctor didn't even look at her as he yelled his command to be overheard in the chaotic room.
"Yes, Doctor," a nurse replied as she rushed out.
Just then the Neuro Surgeon, who Kinsey had called for earlier, stepped into the room. The doctor she'd been fighting with sent a glare her way. She knew their argument was far from over. He wasn't happy about her being right. She didn't care about his ego. She would've much rather been wrong. However, it looked like her insight might save Joseph's life. That was all that mattered to her.
The staff quickly prepared Joseph for transport, and then rushed him out the door. Kinsey walked from the room, down the hall, and then slipped inside a broom closet. She sank down the wall and gripped her head in her hands. It was never easy dealing with a patient you cared about. She knew there were no guarantee's when a surgeon cut into a patient's brain. She was scared for this family she'd come to know and respect.
"Why the hell can't I get any answers!" Austin roared at the receptionist.
"I'm sorry, sir. If you'll please just have a seat, the doctor should be out shortly." The woman had nerves of steel. He wanted to jump across the desk and strangle her, which was new for him. Normally, he never had an ill thought about a woman – ever.
"Come on, Austin. You're not going to get anywhere terrorizing the staff," Max said as he wrapped his arm around his brother and tugged him away from the desk.
"Why can't anyone give us information? It's been hours. Dad's still in surgery and Uncle Joseph's currently getting his head sliced open. You'd think they'd tell us something at this point."
"I know. But you have to remain calm. Bree's falling apart and she needs us to be confident. We have to have faith in the doctors here. Besides, you know how strong our father and uncle are. They will pull through this."