I Need You

Part 63 - I'm Only Sleeping

**John

                    I'd never admit it to the others, but I was scared out of my fucking mind. Nothing like this had ever happened to my Wils, at least when I was around, and the thought of losin' her made me ill. If she died, I'd die too. The fact that my unborn nephew (I was SURE it was a boy) was also in danger made it that much worse.

                  "John, I never meant it to sound like I didn't care. You know how much I love Sunshine. I'd never want anything to happen to 'er!"

                  "I know that, but put yerself in George's place, Paul. Just for a tic. He has NO idea as to what's going on with Willy OR the baby. She's bleedin' and weak, and all you seem to give a shit about is the bloody tour."

"I don't, though! Just, please, let me go see Jeannie."

"It's not up to me, now is it? You'll have to ask Georgie."

"Ah hell, John, he'll tell me to go fuck myself! After our row, there's no way he'll let me in to see 'er."

"I'm sorry, son, you'll just have to fuck yerself then. When it comes to Wils, George's word is law."

"Can't ye talk to him for me? Y'know, one mate to another?"

"Paul, I'd sooner shit in my hands and clap than ask George a favor for you, 'specially right now. Just wait till things calm down."

"But what if.. if things go south, and I couldn't see 'er.."

"DON'T talk about my baby sister like that! She's gonna be fine, Paul!"

"John, mate.. I want 'er to make it, too. AND the baby. But you have to accept the fact that there's a possibility that she won't.."

"Why the fuck would ye say somethin' like that?!"

"I'm sorry John, I'm just bein' realistic."

"YOU be realistic, and fuck all the way off. Willy and the baby are gonna be fine because I bleedin' said so!"

I stomped off, tears clouding my eyes, leaving Paul alone with my words of anger and pain. He really hurt me this time.

          **George

The hallway was dark, though Mal still kept his lonely vigil right outside the door. He was still groggy and had a bandage wrapped round his head, but he came inside long enough to place daffodils at Jeannie's bedside, with tears in his eyes. He truly adored her.
I was chilled to the bone, and not just because the room was bleeding baltic.
Her eyes were closed, skin still as ghostly white as calla lily petals, her breathing shallow.   I knew getting all worked up wouldn't help her or Junior, and it certainly wouldn't help me, so I tried to remain as calm as possible whilst looking round the room. I got a lump in my throat looking at all the machines.
               I caught myself, nearly breaking down several times before the doctor walked in. I stood up straight away, looking him in the face, wanting nothing but answers.

               "Mr. Harrison, nice to meet you. I'm sorry it's under such circumstances."

               "Not to be rude, but I've no time for niceties. What news can you give me? What do we know as of right now?"

                 "Very well. I quite understand.  The blade missed her vital organs, but your wife has lost quite a bit of blood. We've managed to stop the flow for now, but we'll have to keep her overnight for observation."

"Will she be alright?"
"That's up to her. The next 24 hours are critical."

                 "And the baby?"