Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 158 Where Are You Now

I don't know how long we all gathered there in the middle of the hall, but it seemed like forever. I can't hear what Dr. Giovanni is saying to Nate, but a nurse joins them, and she nods, taking orders from the doctor. She rushes away, and the next thing you know, more doctors, nurses, and interns follow her back. Nate walks away while they crowd the neurologist. I watch Nate slowly head towards us, dragging his hands down his face.

"What'd they say?" Jonah bolts upright from the bench and puts a hand on Nate's shoulder. But Nate doesn't react. It's like he doesn't even seem to hear him. He walks past everyone, then crashes into me, his body shaking, his sobs raw and unguarded. I throw my arms around his neck and bury my face into his neck.

The next hour is another blur. One by one, we are allowed to take turns to see James for just a few minutes. Julia doesn't leave his side or let go of his hand, and no one asks her to. Then that group of doctors, nurses, and interns approaches us.

"We are going to bring Mr. Gallo downstairs to run some tests. A CT scan, MRI, and bloodwork." 

We all nod, but the group of staff stop at the door, all observing Julia. She's not gonna let go of James's hand.

"Give me a minute with her first." Jeremy squeezes by them and goes into the room. Paul immediately stiffens up and attempts to follow, still somewhat in bodyguard mode, but Nate pulls him back and shakes his head.

We're not sure what Jeremy is saying to Julia, but he squats down to her level and she listens. I can feel Paul standing right behind me, watching Donovan's every move, and become rigid again when Jeremy pushes Julia's hair away from her face. Whatever he is saying is working, though. Julia nods her head in agreement, and Jeremy carefully removes her hand away from James. He turns toward the door where we are gathered and gestures for the nurses to go in.

The staff works quickly, and within minutes, the bed is rolled out of the room. The second James is gone, Julia starts going into shock and begins to shake uncontrollably. I turn away, needing to sit back down on the bench, and Lindsay follows me. Gwen also joins us.

"I'm sure he'll be ok. You know James- he's strong." Lindsay tries to comfort us both, but I can see it in her sad eyes. James is not ok, and she doesn't believe one fucking word she just said.

*****

Paul and Evan have their work cut out for them. Hospital security guards mesh in with Nate's personal bodyguard team, and I silently watch Paul go to work. Taking charge, telling people where to go, what halls to block off, what entrances and exits to stand at, like he knows the layout of the hospital like the back of his hand.

Nate sits down next to me now and leans into me a little, looking exhausted and heartbroken.

"They will set up that Presidential Suite for James. We can all go up there and wait for them to transport him back." His British accent was so thick I almost couldn't understand what he said. This is how he gets when he shows raw, unfiltered self.

"Ok." My word barely comes out. I'm used to me being the one to step up and take charge, but I can't seem to snap out of it this time. It's James. God, hasn't he been through enough?!

**** 

More time passes. Some of us stay out in the hallway and wait or pace, while the rest of us stand around in James' room waiting for either him to come back or the suite to open. Julia's a mess for good reason this time. I stand in the corner against the wall with  Lindsay and Jennie while Jeremy tries to calm Julia down. A nurse has come into the room to put some supplies in the drawers and gives us all a look of sympathy.

"No. I'm not taking shit. No Ativan. No nothing. I need to be here, alert and aware for James." I hear Julia say to Jeremy. "He's gonna wake up. I need to be here."