A Brand New Twist, Chapter 20
by Luvin_Evian

Chapter 20


“Get him into cubicle one!” Eve instructed the EMTs as they pushed Julian through the swinging doors of Harmony Hospital and toward the open work area straight ahead.  “We need a portable chest film and--”

A wheelchair bound man in a white coat and burgundy scrubs blocked her entrance into the cubicle.  “Thank you, ma’am, but I can handle it from here.”

Eve didn’t have time to show him her outrage as the man breezed into the room pulling the curtain closed behind him. What the hell? Who was he calling ‘Ma’am’?  Her mouth still agape, she was about to storm in behind him when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Eve?”

She turned at the sound of the familiar voice.  Sheridan’s teary-eyes met hers.  “How is Julian?  Luis said it looked bad.”

The sting from tears Eve managed to keep dammed on the ride to the hospital burned her eyes.  She nodded.   “Yes, it’s bad.”

“Oh, Eve.”  Sheridan brought her into a comforting embrace.  

“I can’t lose him,” she said through her sobs.  “I just can’t.”  Eve pulled out of the hug and turned to the cubicle.  She used her sticky, bloodstained hands to brush away her tears.   “I should be with him.  I need to be in there with him.”

Sheridan took her arm before she could get away. “ Eve, wait.  I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think it’s best you stay out here with me.  You’re too upset.”  Sheridan pressed her hand to Eve’s cheek.  “You don’t look well.  Do you need anything?  I really think you should get out of these clothes.”

Eve shook her head.  She’d been battling waves of nausea all morning, but her stomach’s flirtation with morning sickness couldn’t compare to what Julian faced. “I have to know what’s going on.”  She sniffled.  Sheridan, there was so much blood.”

“I can tell,” she said, eyeing the blood-covered sleepwear.

“I wanted to stop it, I did, but I was afraid.   His breathing and the bullet and—he was so weak.  But I did the best I could for him.  I really did.”

“I know.  I’m sure you did.” Sheridan paused for a moment and took Eve’s hands in hers.  “Luis said some things, but I didn’t understand until now.  You really love Julian, don’t you?”

“Yes.  I love him with all my heart.  We love each other.”  The warmth of refreshed tears filled her eyes.  “I need him.  He has to be okay.  He just has to be okay.” 

Eve shifted her blurry gaze to the crinkled light blue curtain.   She didn’t belong on this side of that curtain.  This waiting and not knowing was too hard.  The mingled scent of alcohol and antiseptic hung in the air like thick London fog.   This smell never bothered her in her daily activities at the hospital before, but now it literally strangled her, and it did nothing for her weak stomach.  How did her patients’ families ever handle this?

 “I have to go in there.”

Sheridan curled her arm around Eve’s and guided her to the row of chairs in the waiting area.  “No, you need to sit down.”  They both sat.  “I’m sure someone will be out to tell us something soon.”

“Someone is right.  There’s this pushy guy with him now,” Eve said, her eyes still fixed on the cubicle as her slipper-covered right foot tapped nervously against the floor.

“Pushy guy?” Sheridan repeated.

“Yes, some guy in a wheelchair.”

“That’s right, you’ve been away.   That guy is Dr. Harmon.  Matt Harmon.  He’s really nice.  He and his wife joined the staff a little over a month ago.  Martin had sniffles and new mom that I am, I worried and brought him in.  His wife, Ellen, is the new Chief of Emergency Services.  She was really understanding of my plight.   They have three children.  The youngest is a few months older than Martin.  They’ve actually had a play date.  Well, as much of a play date as two baby boys can have.”

Eve knew Sheridan was prattling on to keep her mind occupied.  She appreciated it, but it wasn’t working.  She managed a tight smile before turning her attention back to the cubicle. “I’m glad you like him and his wife, but I still think he’s pushy.”  She pointed at the cubicle.  “I really should be in there.”

She leapt from the chair and promptly fell back.

Sheridan’s eyes widened with alarm.  “Eve, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”  She read the doubt in Sheridan’s eyes.  Eve didn’t want to worry her more, but now was not the time to share the news of her upcoming arrival.   “Really.  I just stood up too fast.”

Bracing herself, Eve stood again, and managed to stay upright.   She offered a little smile.  “See? I’m fine.” 

Sheridan was about to say something when a nurse raced out the partitioned space.  Eve approached her.  “What’s going on? How is Julian?”

The nurse grabbed a clipboard and made her way back to the cubicle. Eve caught the woman by the shoulder and turned her around.  Sheer will prevented Eve from shaking the information out of the pretty brunette.  “Talk to me! Are those surgical consent forms?”

“Dr. Russell, I need to get back in there.  Dr. Harmon will be right with you.” Shrugging from Eve’s grip, the nurse fled behind the confines of the curtained wall.

Sheridan pulled Eve back to the waiting area.  “You really need to calm down,” she said.  “I don’t buy that you stood up too fast line for a second.  You’re not going to do Julian or yourself much good if you work yourself into a state.”

Eve released a long breath and nodded. Sheridan was right.   She had to try to stay calm for the sake of the baby.  Julian’s baby.   She sat back in the chair.   Sheridan kept a soothing arm around her shoulders.   Perhaps it was Sheridan’s relationship to Julian, but her presence provided Eve with a welcoming feeling of comfort.  

“Thank you, Sheridan.  I really appreciate you being here with me.”

“Oh, you’re welcome.  Julian’s my brother, and I can see how much you love him.  I have a lot of questions, Eve, but I won’t pry.  Now is not the time for that.  You know, Julian and I aren’t as close as I would like, but I do love him, too.”  Her free hand gave Eve’s a light squeeze.  “This is where I need to be.”

Eve said nothing more as her thoughts drifted to the secret Julian shared with her the previous evening.  How Alistair assigned him the task of killing his sister.   That vile man defined the term monster.   Julian hated himself for cracking under Alistair’s intense pressure.  For attempting to take the life of his sister on two separate occasions.  She knew Julian wanted to make amends with Sheridan, maybe in light of this horrible tragedy they could become the siblings they always wanted to be.   That is if Julian didn’t…

The sound of the curtain being pulled brought an end to Eve’s wandering thoughts.  She and Sheridan approached Dr. Harmon as he made his way over.

Eve’s heart pounded in her chest.  Matt’s unreadable dark eyes and stony expression did little to ease her fears.  If anything, it scared her even more.  Did she look like that when she spoke to the waiting family members?   “How is Julian?” she asked. 

“Dr. Russell, I presume?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard lots of wonderful things.   It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Matt said, extending his hand.

Eve shook his hand. “I wish it was under more ideal circumstances.”

“I’m sure.  One of the nurses tells me you’re quite anxious to hear some news on Mr. Crane.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Are you a relative?”

Eve shot the man a hard look.  Anger burned her cheeks. This Dr. Harmon might be a nice guy, he seemed to have some likable qualities, but he managed to push every one of her buttons, and it didn’t help she felt like she was about to heave her guts out.  Before she could ask him why it mattered, Sheridan stepped forward.  “Eve is a very close family friend, Matt.  How is my brother?”

“His condition is extremely tenuous.”  He looked up at Eve.  “I must applaud you, Dr. Russell, on your handling of the situation.   The bleeding was severe, but had you made any attempts to apply pressure to the wound, Mr. Crane most likely would not be alive right now.”

“So the bullet…” Eve began.

“It cracked a rib, and caused bruising to his left lung, but my main concern is that it’s lodged perilously close to his heart.  Had any pressure been applied to that wound, well…”

Eve expelled a long breath.  She was all too aware of what would have happened.  Her head felt like it was in a blender set on the highest speed.   She steadied her legs.

“We’ve stabilized him for the moment, and controlled the bleeding, but he needs to get into surgery immediately.   Time is of the essence.  Sheridan, you are his next of kin, correct?”

“He has children, but they are away.  And our father is…who knows where Father is.  Yes, I guess that would be me,” Sheridan answered.

Matt extended the clipboard that rested on his lap.  “You’ll need to sign off for the surgery.”

Eve intercepted the clipboard. “This is very delicate operation,” she said.

“Yes, it is.”

“And you’ll be performing the surgery?”

“Yes, that is correct as well.”  Matt pulled up closer to Eve and met her gaze.  “Dr. Russell, you don’t need to be concerned.  My specialty is cardiology.  I have performed this operation before, and regardless of what you might think, I am quite capable of handling my surgical duties.”

Was this man putting words in her mouth?   “Dr. Harmon, the fact you’re in a wheelchair is of no consequence to me.  I really couldn’t care less, and I resent your implication of such.  I’m just worried about Julian, and would like to know all the facts before he’s wheeled into surgery.”

Matt cleared his throat and combed his fingers through his dark graying hair.  “I’m sorry.  I’ve just encountered more than my share of concern from family and close personal friends on my abilities, or lack there of,” he explained.

Sheridan held up a finger.  “Excuse us for one second, Matt.” 

“Sure.”

They stepped a few feet away.  “Eve, what do you think I should do?  I’ll do whatever you think is best.   This is your call.   However, I should tell you I trust Matt.  His record from the hospital in Port Charles is exemplary.   We’re lucky to have him.  He’ll take good care of Julian.   I don’t doubt that.”

“Neither do I.  Dr. Harmon seems both competent and confident, overly such, but this surgery is so dangerous.   I’m just afraid.” 

“I know, but we have to do this for Julian.  It’s going to be okay, we have to believe that. We’ll support each other through this.”

Eve nodded and extended the clipboard. “Okay.  Sign the papers.”

Sheridan scribbled her name to the forms and handed them to Matt.  “Take care of my brother.”

“I will do all in my power,” Matt promised.

“You’ll do more than that!” Eve added, swiping at her free flowing tears.

Moments later, orderlies pushed Julian from the cubicle and towards surgery.   Eve approached the gurney.  He was still unconscious and looked so pale.  She pressed a kiss to his forehead and took his hand in hers.  “I’ll be waiting here, Julian.  Be strong, and please come back to me.”  She brushed a soft kiss to his lips.  “I love you.”

Eve’s tear-filled eyes stayed on the swinging doors leading to the operating room long after the gurney was out of sight.   Sheridan approached and draped her arm around Eve’s shoulder. 

“Come on, Eve.  Let’s go sit down and maybe get you something to eat.”

Those words were the last Eve heard as darkness descended and the floor rose to meet her.


Chapter 21
Chapter 19
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