A line? What the hell were they talking about? And where the hell was she? Who were these people?
“Maggie, you are in the emergency room of the Pine Ridge Medical Center. You collapsed at the reception. We’re going to take care of you, sweetheart.” Michael’s voice was soothing, but his words terrified her. A hospital? No! She started fighting again.
“Maggie. Calm down. I’ve got you, baby.”
“No!” She forced a scream, it came out more like a rasping shriek. With everything she had she tried to sit up, to turn, to do something. She had to get out, had to get out now. Panic gripped her heart and it was hard to breathe.
Strong hands pressed down on her shoulders, her arms, her legs. “Maggie! Maggie, stop. It’s okay.”
*
He tried to keep his voice even, but it was difficult. She was panicking, terrified, and it was ripping him apart inside.
“Doctor?!”
“Use the restraints. I want her out, now.”
For one horrible moment, Maggie seemed to look right at him, but it quickly became apparent she could not see him. “Michael, no, please, don’t do this...” She started sobbing hysterically.
The others looked to him for direction, hesitant to do anything that might land them in a lawsuit. Providing emergency care in a life or death situation was one thing, but she appeared to be out of the woods and there was no doubt she did not want this. Rendering care to an adult against his or her wishes was against policy, no matter how much they might want to help. Unfortunately healthcare had become more about litigation than doing what was best for the patient.
Cold, icy fear continued to claw at his chest. Michael had seen his share of blood, but the trickles from Maggie’s nose, eye, and ear terrified him more than any other. He had held her tightly in his arms as Jake rushed them to the hospital. At first she was disoriented, but at least she seemed to recognize him on some level. Then she’d been totally unresponsive, limp in his arms. Now she was coming out of it, struggling and terrified.
He cursed himself repeatedly. He had known something was wrong. He had ignored his instincts, afraid of alienating her. Now he prayed fervently that it was not too late, because he would do anything to ensure that she was okay, even if it meant she hated him.
There was no question, though, as far as Michael was concerned. He had no choice whatsoever, not anymore. His inaction might have already cost Maggie her sight, and with or without her permission, he was going to make damn sure she didn’t lose anything else.
“Get out, all of you,” he ordered, his voice brooking no argument. He saw the relief, the uncertainty in their eyes, but they did as he said. All except one nurse, who had worked with Michael on a number of occasions. Michael acknowledged her with a brief but grateful nod.
“Jake,” Michael barked. “Get over here and secure her.” Maggie felt instant, rolling pressure, then she was completely unable to move. “Nancy, call Radiology and tell them we’re on our way up. Full head series, stat.”
Maggie was reduced to whimpers, little cries that broke Michael’s heart. “Sweetheart, sshhh, I’m going to make you sleep now, sweetheart. I promise, I won’t leave you.” There was the sharp prick of a needle in her arm, then Maggie knew no more.
––––––––
“You saved her life,” Lexi said quietly.
Michael didn’t respond. He checked the monitors for the hundredth time. Adjusted the I.V. lines. Tucked the blankets in a little more snugly around her.
“You didn’t have a choice, Michael. She’ll understand that.”
Michael smoothed the hair back from Maggie’s head, wondering how much longer he’d have the privilege of doing so. How much longer would he be able to hold her hand, whisper soothing words into her ear? How long before she told him to get out of her life and never come back?
He thought about it, and knew that he’d make the same decision every time. Yes, she’d hate him. But maybe someday she’d find it in her heart to forgive him. He could live with that. If he had chosen to respect her wishes, he’d be making funeral arrangements.
The neurosurgeon had been very explicit. Had the smaller of the two hematomas not burst first, Maggie wouldn’t have had a chance. At least this way they’d found the second, and had been able to take care of it before it came to that. The specialist had not failed to point out, however, that had she come in earlier, they would have been able to prevent both.
Michael hoped Lexi was right, but his gut told him otherwise.
––––––––
“There is no improvement, Michael,” the neurosurgeon said, clicking off his silver penlight and slipping it back into his front pocket.
Maggie didn’t flinch. She was as still as marble, no expression on her face, yet Michael felt her disappointment keenly, as if his heart was linked directly to hers.