The next hour was a complete blur for Lauren. It seemed like one moment she was outside talking to Normani and the next she was sitting in the emergency room. After Ally had come outside, they had rushed back inside the house to see most of the party guests gathering around in a circle. In the middle of the circle lay Camila sprawled out on the floor. Lauren was at her side immediately, Sinu was next to her, and her parents were holding her screaming daughters while Alejandro was on the phone calling 911. Sinu explained to Lauren that Camila had been talking one moment and was on the floor the next, in the midst of having a seizure. The paramedics arrived shortly after and rushed Camila to the nearest hospital. Lauren, Alejandro, Sinu, Sofi, Clara, Mike, Dinah, Ally and Normani all followed in a few cars. Needless to say the party was over, Taylor, Vero and Chris stayed at the house to watch the children.
"She's been in there for a while," Lauren said as she looked up to the clock for the millionth time.
"I know, I just wish someone would tell us what is going on," Sinu said as she squeezed her daughter in law's hands.
"She's going to be ok, Camila is so strong," Clara told Lauren, she was on the other side of her daughter, rubbing her back, attempting to comfort her.
"Mrs. Cabello," a doctor in blue scrubs walked into the waiting room.
"Yes," Lauren stood up as fast as she could for being nine months pregnant, as did everyone else.
"I'm Dr. Cole," the older man replied. "I was one of the attendings on call this evening when your wife was brought in."
"How's my wife? What's wrong with her?" Lauren quickly asked, all she wanted was to know that Camila was going to be ok.
"I'm afraid that Mrs. Cabello is suffering from a ruptured brain aneurysm," Dr. Cole stated as everyone gasped. Alejandro immediately wrapped his wife in his arms.
All alone, Lauren felt her knees buckle beneath her as her mother helped her back into her chair, fearing that she couldn't stand on her own.
"Are you alright Mrs. Cabello?" Dr. Cole asked, noticing just how pregnant she was, it looked like she could deliver any day now.
"A brain aneurysm?" Lauren questioned, trying desperately to fight back her tears. "I don't...I don't understand, she's so young and so healthy."
"Sometimes these things just happen," Dr. Cole replied as he patted her shoulder.
The nerve of this ass, Lauren thought, she controlled herself from slapping his smug little face. "Is she going to be ok?"
"We're prepping her for surgery right now," Dr. Cole explained. "Dr. Cohen will be performing the procedure, he's one of the top five neurosurgeons in the country, and your wife will be in great hands. I'm going to have a nurse take you to the surgery waiting room where Dr. Cohen will speak to you briefly about Mrs. Cabello's surgery."
"Thank you Dr. Cole," Alejandro said as he held Sinu closely, Lauren was unable to speak, still shocked from the news that Camila had a brain aneurysm.
The group of family and close friend was speechless at the news. How could someone as young and healthy as Camila have a brain aneurysm. It just didn't make any sense to them. Shortly after Dr. Cole's departure, a nurse took the very sad group up to the surgical waiting room. They were quickly briefed by the neurosurgeon, Dr. Cohen, before he rushed off to surgery. They all had unanswered questions but the doctor told them that every minute counted and he couldn't waste more time than necessary.
"Look at her," Ally said sadly as she watched her best friend stare blankly out the window. "She's been like that for over an hour now."
"I know," Normani replied. "Maybe you should talk to her."
"You think?" Ally asked, she had seen Lauren turn away hers and Camila's parents.
"Go on," Normani placed a gentle kiss on her girlfriend's forehead. "She needs you."
Ally nodded before slowly and cautiously walking over to join Lauren in the corner of the room. "Lo," Ally gently placed a hand on Lauren's slightly turned shoulder.
Lauren jumped as she felt the slight touch; she turned to see Ally standing in front of her.
"Can I sit?" Ally asked but Lauren turned back to the window staring mindlessly at the tiny snowflakes that had begun to fall. "Well, I'm going to sit anyway. I just called the house; Taylor said that the girls finally fell asleep in your room. Emmi was a little easier to put down, but Anahí was very upset."
Lauren nodded, as she felt a tear roll down her cheek, the thought of the girls missing their Mama so much was enough to break her heart. "Thanks."
"I told Taylor I'd call her with more updates, too," Ally explained. "How are you doing? I know it's a stupid question but..."
Lauren forced a smile as she looked at her friend. "At least you're honest."
"I try," Ally said as she took Lauren's hands in hers. "Can I get you anything sweetie? Dinah and your dad went down to the cafeteria to get coffee and tea for everyone. How about some food? Do you want anything to eat?"
"I want Camz," Lauren whispered, her lips trembling.
"Oh Laur," Ally said as she hugged her friend close to her, her own heart breaking.
"I can barely breathe, I want her so badly," Lauren whimpered as she settled her chin on Ally's shoulder.
"You have her," Ally replied.
"What if she doesn't come back to me?" Lauren asked, her heart practically pounded through her chest as the horrible thoughts came to her mind. How would she be able to survive this life without her?
"Hey, we are not even going to begin to go there sweetie," Ally said. "Camila is the strongest person I know, she's not going anywhere. She's a fighter and I know she'll fight her damn hardest for you and for her kids."
"You heard Dr. Cohen though," Lauren sat up, looking terrified as she recounted what the neurosurgeon had said a few short hours ago. "The first twenty four hours are critical and even up to seven days there's still a chance of rebleeding. And the risk of the drain causing a serious infection is about 75% and the long term..."
Ally stopped her. "I know, I heard. Sweetie, this isn't healthy. Why are you rehashing all of this?"
"Because I don't know...know what else to do," Lauren whispered, as she ran a hand over her tired face.
"Lauren," Ally said as she took Lauren's hand off her face. "Look at me."
"What?" Lauren breathed in.
"It's ok to cry," Ally stated as she looked into her best friend's sad and tired eyes, barely able to stand the pain.
"Ally," Lauren cried out as the first tear rolled down. "If I cry, I...I...I don't know if I'll be able to stop."
"Then you don't have to," Ally said. "I'm right here, Mani is right here, Dinah is right here, your family is here. We're all here for you; you don't always have to be the strong one."
Lauren nodded quickly, feeling reassured, as the tears began to pour and she lost her voice, crying into her best friend's shoulder.
"Let it out sweetie," Ally said as she tried to soothe her friend, gently rubbing Lauren's back. "She's going to be ok," Ally mouthed to Clara and Sinu as they watched Lauren's body tremble with each sob. The two older women grew worried at first and were ready to go their daughter (and daughter in law) but Ally's reassurance soothed their worry.
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She survived the eight hour surgery. She survived....survived...she was alive, it was all Lauren could think. She tore her mind away from that fact that it was still going to be touch and go for the next day or so, she could no longer think of the terrifying risks and horrible long term effects that Camila could possibly endure. She couldn't think about them because they would drive her back into that deep dark place that she fought so hard to free herself from. She was alive and at this moment that was all that mattered. Thank God, Lauren thought as she stood outside the ICU; she thanked God for bringing Camila back to her. They had just moved her into a private ICU room after an hour in recovery; she was dying to see her, to touch her, to kiss her, to see for herself that her Camz was still whole.
"Go on sweetie," Sinu, Alejandro and Sofi stood behind her, ushering her into the ICU.
"Are you sure?" Lauren turned to her in-laws and saw the heartfelt sincerity in their faces.
Sofi nodded as she squeezed her shoulder gently, "We know she'd want to see her girl first."
Lauren nodded, "I won't be long."
"Oh sweetie, don't worry, you take all the time you need," Sinu said as she gave her daughter in law a hug. "Tell her we love her."
"I will," Lauren replied as she nodded, trying not to cry.
"And we love you too," Sinu cried, unable to hide her tears.
"I know," Lauren let out, a barely audible whisper as the two women stood in their embrace.
"Mrs. Cabello," a nurse called from the doorway.
Lauren wiped her face after pulling away from Sinu. "Yes."
"I'm Rose, I can take you to your wife's room now," Rose smiled.
"Ok, thank you," Lauren said as she began to follow Rose through a set of double doors.
"Bye," Sinu held onto her husband as Lauren disappeared.
"When are you due?" Rose asked Lauren as they rounded a corner.
"Two weeks," Lauren replied, she hadn't even thought about the baby since she had been at the hospital.
"Here we are," Rose stopped in front of a glass wall, curtains blocking the view of the room. "First you need to wash your hands and put on a mask, your wife is very prone to infections right now."
Lauren nodded as she turned to the sink that she had just passed on her right. After she finished, Rose led her into Camila's room. Her heart dropped to her stomach and she had to grip down on the chair that stood in front of her. The sight of her wife laying there, practically lifeless with a bandage wrapped around her head and connected to the many, many tubes and machines was almost too much for Lauren to take.
"Are you alright dear?" Rose asked concerned.
Lauren nodded, although Rose seemed like a nice woman, she desperately wanted her to leave so she could be alone with Camila.
"I'll just be at the nurses' station if you need anything," Rose stated from the doorway. "Don't hesitate if you need anything."
"Thank you," Lauren replied as she heard her leave the room. "Camz," Lauren cried as she settled herself in the chair, scooting as close to her bed as she could. "Oh baby," She gently caressed her arm and gently kissed her lips, taking her all in. "You have no idea how much you scared me," Lauren reached out and grabbed Camila's hand, never wanting to let it go. "I love you so much," Lauren choked out as she laid her head on the bed, against her side, still holding onto her hand for dear life.
"Don't cry pretty girl, don't cry," Camila's faint voice filled the air.
"Oh!" Lauren exclaimed as she sat up, to see Camila's eyes slowly opening, a smile attempting to form on her lips. "Camz! You're awake."
"I'm awake," her tired voice replied, it was so hard to talk but she would do anything for her.
"I was so afraid," Lauren whispered as her hands gently caressed Camila's face. "I can't believe you're real, you had us all so worried."
"So...sorry," Camila huffed, she had to close her eyes for a second; the pain in her head was so intense.
"Don't be sorry," Lauren replied, as she kissed her cheek. "All that matters is that you're ok," as soon as the words left her mouth, she knew something was not right. Camila was gasping for air and had trouble opening her eyes.
"La...Lauren," Camila finally opened her eyes once more; she smiled as she looked up at her loving wife. "From the first moment that I saw you Lo, I knew."
"Camz," Lauren sobbed. She knew too.
"I knew that no one could make me happier than you, it took us a while but...but," Camila settled her eyes on hers. "I love you so much."
"I love you," Lauren said, her words slow and trembling, but with her whole heart and soul she meant it, she had never meant it more.
"I know," Camila smiled again as her breathing became shallow.
"Camz," Lauren leaned down, "You hold on," she cried. "Let me get your nurse baby."
"Tell the girls I lo..."
"No!" Lauren screamed, she was not going to let this happen, not after all she'd been through. She couldn't believe she had been brought here just to lose Camila. It was not going to end this way, it couldn't. "You're going to tell them yourself!"
"And our son, he's going..," Camila paused, trying to catch her breath.
"Please don't leave me," Lauren sobbed uncontrollably as she threw herself on top of her, not caring if she was causing her any discomfort. The thought of being alone was too much to bear.
"I love...," Lauren closed her eyes as she heard her soft voice in her ear.
"No!" She cried when she heard the loud beeping of the machines. "Camila!" She sat up instantly, shaking her, as if that would bring her back. "No! No! No! Help me!" Lauren cried looking behind her for the nurses and doctors who needed to save her wife. She looked back at Camila and it was almost like she was sleeping peacefully.
"Mrs. Cabello!" she heard her name being called. "Mrs. Cabello!" There it was again. She had suddenly been grabbed as doctors and nurses worked frantically on her wife.
"Nooo!" Lauren screamed as the doctor shook his head solemnly to one of the nurses. "You fix her now!"
"Time of death..," the doctor began.
"Camz!" Her last words echoed in the small room before a nurse escorted her out of the room.
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....