Steve found himself standing in a beautiful rose garden. He was amazed at the variety of colors laid out in around him. He touched a pink rose bud remembering how much him parents loved their rose garden. A small lopsided grin graced his face at the warm memory.

Looking up, the light shining down on him was bright but oddly it didn’t seem to come from a single source such as the sun. Steve also noticed there was no radiant heat or humidity which also seemed strange to him.

He began following the well-worn path through the garden. His leisurely steps halted suddenly at the sight before him. She stood, with her back to him, humming her favorite tune as she tended to the robust bush.

His vision became blurry with unshed tears and he swallowed hard to remove the lump that settled there. He took a few quick steps and called to her. “Mom?”

She turned and gave him a huge smile before throwing her loving arms around her son. “Oh Steve, it’s really you.”

“It’s me.” He replied in a whisper, taking in her familiar scent. She released him and touched his cheek. He saw her eyes glow with the strong feelings she had for him. Their emotional reunion was interrupted when Jim arrived with a tray of lemonade. After placing it on a small table he too hugged his son. “I didn’t expect to see you for a long time son.” He commented in a serious tone. Steve have his trademark grin on his face realizing his parents looked exactly like they did when he saw them the day before they died.

“It’s good to see you both.”

Helen eyed her son closely before bluntly stating, “Steven, you aren’t supposed to be here.”

“Then why am I here?” He asked curiously.

Jim hazarded a guess, “Maybe to rid yourself of the guilt that is eating you up inside.”

Steve immediately broke eye contact to stare at the ground and remained silent. Both Helen and Jim could feel the immense weight of responsibility pulling him down. With concern in her eyes she informed him, “Steve what happened to us was not your fault. It was an accident.”

Steve looked at her knowingly, “Mom your house blew up because someone from my past wanted revenge on me, how can you call that an accident?”

Jim explained, “What you mother is trying to say is the gas leak WAS an accident. It really was our time son. It had nothing to do with the explosion. They were two separate things.” Steve stared at him, his brow furled in disbelief. Jim softened his tone, “Steve, even if the house didn’t blow up we would still be here. Do you understand?”

“So this is heaven?”

“You might call it that.” Helen replied. “Steve please let go of the guilt. Like Jim said it was our time. We were lucky to have gone together. We didn’t suffer.” Steve let the tears fall down his cheeks without embarrassment. “We are happy here. There’s no need to worry about us, really.”

Steve thought for a moment. Should he stay? Could he stay? How could he ever say goodbye to two people he loved his whole life?

Helen sensed his indecision, “No Steven you can’t.”

“Can’t what?” He asked.

“You can’t stay here. It’s not your time. You have a wonderful wife and family who need you, especially now.”

Steve eyebrow rose in confusion and concern, “Why not?”

“Please Steve you must go back to them. Kayce needs your love and your strength right now. We’ll see you soon enough.”

Steve hesitated, his heart breaking. His mother’s words reached him, “You know I know what’s best for you. Go be with you family.” She initiated the goodbyes by hugging him tight. “Goodbye for now. I love you.”

Jim joined her and the three embraced for several moments that, for Steve, seemed all too short. “I love you too son.” Jim whispered.

“I love you both very much.” Steve swallowed hard and choked out the rest, “I’ll miss you.” He held them as tight as he could, reluctant to break the physical connection.

Realizing his mother was right and he had to be with his family he broke off the emotional send off, turned and walked back the way he came unable to look back at his departed loved ones.

In the dimly lit room Kayce awoke from the low creaking of the door and the harsh light that fell upon her from the bright hallway. Rudy walked to Steve’s side as Kayce sat up, rubbed her face and joined him on the opposite side.

“What time is it?” She asked.

“Just after seven. I have to be in surgery at eight but I wanted to check Steve myself before I went.”

“How is he?” She inquired as she looked closely at her husband’s face, the bruises were lighter in color and his left eye was not as swollen. Rudy efficiently check his pulse and blood pressure, then checked his pupils.

“Now that I got a good look I’m happy to say there was no damage to his bionic eye. His vital signs are still a little low but at least they fall into the normal range.”

Rudy flipped open the chart on the bedside table and read Dr. Marchetti’s notes. Kayce noticed something strange, “Rudy look.” She pointed to Steve’s face. His lashes still held tears and there were wet tracks from the outer corners of his eyes, down his temples to the pillow. “Rudy is it me or does it look like he was crying?”

Rudy eyed his patient closely and quietly agreed it was possible. He looked back at the written words. “Dr. Marchetti noted at his last check, which occurred thirty minutes ago, Steve’s blood pressure and pulse were slightly higher then he expected.”

“Could he have been dreaming, a nightmare maybe?”

“There’s no telling what his mind is doing while he’s unresponsive. There not enough research on those drugs. I guess we can ask him when he wakes up.”

“Do you think he’ll be waking up soon?” She asked hopefully.

“Probably later this afternoon or tonight.”

“Good, I have to run to Sara’s house to shower and change then we are taking Kyle out for breakfast.”

“That’s good, I’m sure Kyle will be glad to see you and it will do you some good to get a break.” She gave him a warm smile before saying goodbye.

Kayce left the hospital to have breakfast with her son and her friend who was still caring for him. Over the meal Sara admitted that the last few days with Kyle were the most enjoyable she has had in a long time. Kayce thanked her for graciously caring for Kyle until things settled down. The single young woman assured her it was no trouble at all.

Kyle was excited to see his mother. He wanted to tell her everything he and Sara had been doing in her absence. Kayce was happy to see her son’s face so full of joy as he listed off every activity without stopping to take a breath. When they finished the meal Sara was taking Kyle to the children’s museum. Kyle was so anxious to get there he practically dragged Sara from the restaurant after kissing his mother goodbye. ‘Well at least Kyle is in good hands,’ she thought watching them pull away from the parking lot.

She met Oscar in Steve’s room while Dr. Marchetti gave an update on his condition. He expected Steve to wake up soon and for that Oscar and Kayce were grateful.

Meanwhile Jaime’s arm was back to functioning normally. Rudy informed her that she could be discharge that afternoon barring any complications and after two weeks she could safely be tuned down again. She smiled at him from her bed and thanked him for his efforts.

As Rudy exited her room Michael entered and she gave him a big smile that melted his heart. “Well I hear Rudy is springing you today?”

“Hopefully.”

“And I hear in two weeks we will be seeing you again to tune you back down.”

“Actually I was sitting here thinking maybe I’ll stay tuned up. You know go back and work for Oscar.”

“That’s a big decision. Are you sure you’ve thought it through?”

“Yes but I have two weeks to change my mind. I’m sure I’ll be thinking of it often in the next fourteen days.” She took a deep breath and inquired, “How’s Steve?”

“Doing as well as could be expected. The dialysis left him very weak. We are hoping he wakes up soon. Kayce is with him now.”

“That’s good.” Michael was fighting the urge to ask if there was something going on between the three but held his tongue. That was a personal matter which he shouldn’t get involved in. “Well, you get a little rest and I’ll join you for lunch, how’s that?”

“That sounds fun.” She replied and dropped her head into her pillow.

As promised Jaime was released after lunch and went to stay at a hotel. Rudy made her promise to stay close by in case complications arose. Because of Steve he wouldn’t be able to fly to California to treat her. Jaime didn’t mind she wanted to be close to Steve until he was better. She was glad it was summer and she didn’t have to call for a teaching substitute for her class.

After seeing Jaime off Rudy returned to Steve’s bedside. Immediately he could see Kayce needed a break. She was looking pale and tired. “Kayce how about you and I go get some coffee and maybe a bite to eat?”

She gave him a weak smile and replied, “Okay Rudy you’ve been trying to get me away from this bed for 2 hours. You win. I’ll even buy.” She winked as she slid her arm through his.

Rudy grinned and held the door for her as she exited the unconscious patient’s hospital room. He made sure to tell the nurse to page them if Steve began to rouse. Their walk to the cafeteria was silent, both wondering when Steve would regain awareness. Kayce was tense wondering if Steve would still want to remain married when he recovered. She still couldn’t believe it was Jaime he had been calling for during his fevered state. ‘What happened between them?’ She wondered.

Sitting across from the distracted woman sipping her coffee Rudy could feel there was much more to Steve’s situation then she was letting on. Kayce was too quiet, too distracted.

“Kayce is there something you want to talk about?” Her eyes darted to the kind physician before falling upon the table where she gently set her coffee cup.

She let out a heavy sigh, “I wish I could Rudy but unfortunately even I don’t know what’s going on.”

He eyed her with a furled brow, “Maybe if you just got some of it off your chest you’d feel better. You know I’m a very good listener.”

The sandy-haired woman folded her arms across her stomach, which was churning with tension, and looked into the distance as if her future could be seen there. “I’m not sure where things are between Steve and me. My intuition is telling me he has strong feelings for Jaime.”

Rudy was shocked and sat forward wondering if he had heard her correctly. “Kayce you must be mistaken. Steve adores you, he and Jaime had something once but it’s been over for a long time.”

She looked at him with tears in her eyes, “I wish I could believe that. I really do but…” She just nodded her head and took a deep breath unable to continue. Rudy watched her in silence for a few minutes wondering what had happened to give Kayce such thoughts. She cleared her throat and stated plainly, “It doesn’t matter right now.” She gave him a weak smile as she went on, “The important thing is for Steve to get better then everything can be brought out in the open and we can move on from there.”

The doctor placed a comforting hand on the young woman’s forearm, “Kayce I’m sure you are mistaken. Trust me.”

“Thanks Rudy.” She stood up and hesitated with her hands leaning on the table, feeling dizzy.

“Are you okay Kayce?”

“Yeah Rudy I’m fine just a little lightheaded. I think I’ll go sit with Steve for awhile, maybe he’ll wake up soon.” He watched his friend leave the dining area and his heart sank. Steve couldn’t have feelings for anyone other then Kayce he would bet his life on it.

Deciding to catch up on his charting Dr. Wells stood at the nurse’s desk and filled in some information in Steve’s chart. A nurse informed him that she was going to check Steve’s vital sign so he could have some time to finish his task. Rudy smiled at Jean and thanked her before she disappeared into the room. No sooner had the door shut that she was leaning out the door shouting for Rudy.

“Dr. Wells come quickly!”

He dropped his pen on the chart and ran into Steve’s room. Instantly his eyes fell upon Kayce’s motionless body side-lying on the floor next to the bed. After taking a second to comprehend the unexpected situation he moved to kneel next to her. Gingerly rolling her onto her back he tried unsuccessfully to rouse her. After checking her pupils and feeling the rapid pulse and the clammy skin he ordered the nurse to bring a gurney. His original thought was she just fainted but Rudy immediately saw all the classic signs of shock.

When the orderly arrived with the gurney the two men lifted the light weight woman onto it and Rudy noticed the bleeding. “Contact Dr. Coughlin immediately and tell him we need him here stat!”

They moved her to an examination room where the staff began treating her. Her pulse was racing, her blood pressure dangerously low. Rudy started an IV and the nurses got her undressed. The doctor’s heart was also racing as he went about his work hoping the baby would survive.

Within a half hour Dr. Coughlin, Kayce’s obstetrician, came bounding into the room. “What happened?” He asked Rudy.

“She collapsed and was already bleeding. She was in shock. We just got her stabilized.”

Without even removing his suit coat Coughlin quickly donned a pair of gloves and did a quick pelvic exam. Rudy watched his facial expression from Kayce’s head, it was easy to read. “We need to get her into surgery and try to stop the hemorrhaging. We don’t have much time.”

“The baby?” Rudy asked as Dr. Coughlin removed his bloody glove and washed his hands at the sink.

“I don’t think we can stop the miscarriage.” Drying his hands he saw his colleague’s face and added, “I’ll do my best Rudy, you know that but I can’t promise anything. Right now I’m more concerned with keeping Kayce from bleeding to death.” With a heavy heart Rudy helped the staff transport the unresponsive patient to the operatory where the obstetrician was already getting scrubbed up. Dr. Wells quickly walked the stairs to the observatory above the sterile room where Kayce was being prepped.

Leaning forward in the vinyl chair with his elbows on the windowsill Rudy rested his chin on his clasped hands. His view overlooked the surgeon working to save the life of his friend while a feeling of helplessness enveloped him. Within the first thirty minutes Rudy bowed his head and blinked back the tears as the tiny, still baby was delivered. The sadness overwhelmed him that Kayce and Steve would never see their baby. He then sent a prayer upwards that Steve would not lose his wife too. The rest of the surgery felt like it lasted all day but in fact only two hours had passed. Seeing the medical team was stopping the anesthesia and moving the unconscious patient to the waiting gurney Rudy let out a long exhale, relief flooding his body.

Rubbing his tired eyes to increase his alertness his reprieve was short lived. The ominous sound of a flat lined EKG immediately got his attention, causing his head to snap up. Dr. Coughlin and his team began CPR on their patient. With the tracheal tube still in place the nurse added a firm plastic bag to it, pushing air into Kayce’s still lungs with her hands.

Dr. Coughlin glanced up to see Dr. Wells’ reaction to the event unfolding but the observatory was already empty. Rudy ran down the stairs as fast as his feet would take him. He burst through the operatory doors knowing a sterile field was no longer needed, the actual surgery was completed. He arrived, breathing heavily, at Kayce’s side.

The obstetrician looked up while counting his manual compression on Kayce’s bare chest. He and Rudy’s made eye contact, both frantic at the turn of events. Rudy waited for the nurse to signal the defibrillator was fully charged. Taking a paddle in each hand he called everyone clear and placed the paddles. The electric shock brought the patient’s lax body off the gurney a few inches with its force. The flat line continued and so did the CPR. The defibrillator charged again, the paddles positioned, the shock delivered. Rudy’s heart began to thump hard against his ribs, the monitor displaying no response.

“Go again!” Coughlin ordered as he kept her heart pumping with his hands on her sternum. Rudy looked at him for a second before the beeping of the machine told him it was ready for use. Rudy said a quick prayer, called ‘clear’ and shocked her again. The monitor registered a very slow, unsteady rhythm that gradually increased to a steady heartbeat. The team got her upper body covered quickly and placed her on supplemental oxygen before moving her out of the room.

Both doctors stood silent in the empty operatory, knowing how close they came to losing someone they cared about. “Good job.” Rudy commended the tall man.

“You too,” He replied as they headed out into the outer room.

“Well?” Rudy inquired.

“She lost a tremendous amount of blood. We gave her 12 units so far and she will probably need more. If she didn’t collapse here at the hospital I don’t think she would have survived.” He looked closely at the anxious man before him and explained the situation further, “Rudy, she slipped into a coma from the blood loss. It will be touch and go for awhile.”

“What caused the miscarriage?”

“The placenta tore away from the uterine wall. It was nothing she did. The same could have happened if she was on bed rest. We’ll need to make sure she understands that and doesn’t think it was her fault. Where’s her husband?”

Wells frowned, “Unfortunately he’s a patient here.” Seeing Coughlin’s inquisitive stare he just added, “Work related injury. What about future pregnancies?”

“What I did in there should not interfere with any future pregnancies. Of course she will have to be closely monitored next time.”

Rudy thanked his colleague as he escorted him to the nurse’s desk. Dr. Coughlin would be transferring his patient’s care to Rudy since her condition no longer required the services of an obstetrician but wanted to complete a follow-up examination in two days. Rudy assured him he would keep him updated on her condition.

...Continued