She looks at the other EMT, who shakes his head.
What the hell does that mean?
“He’s going to be all right, isn’t he? Please tell me he’s okay?” I beg.
She puts her hand on my shoulder. “We have to get him to the hospital. He’s had a heavy knock to the head. We won’t know the extent of the injury until he’s been evaluated by the ER doctor,” she instructs.
This is all too much. I start to sob into my hands. I can’t lose Aiden, not now, not after everything we’ve been through.
Mike walks in and watches as the EMTs strap Aiden onto a stretcher. “My God, what happened?” he asks.
“Niall,” I mumble quietly.
“Where are you taking Aiden?” Mike asks.
“St. Richmond’s Hospital.”
“We’ll meet you there.” He grabs my robe off the chair and helps me into it. “Are you all right, Miss Taylor?” I nod my head even though every inch of me is smarting with pain. “Let’s get you to the hospital,” Mike advises. With his arm firmly holding me upright, he helps me to the car.
I’m numb as we drive to the hospital in silence. I stare into nothingness. I feel like I could crack at any moment. I’m beyond worried and terrified that I might lose Aiden.
Finally, we make our way inside the emergency room.
A triage nurse walks toward us. “You look like you’ve had a rough morning.”
I feel like saying, ‘no shit,’ but I don’t. Instead, I say nothing.
“We’re here for Aiden O’Connell, a patient who arrived by ambulance,” Mike informs the nurse.
She nods. “Yes, he’s been assessed by the doctors and is going in for X-rays. I’m sorry I can’t tell you any more right now. Are you family?”
“Yes, I’m his fiancé and this is his father,” I lie, making sure Mike can go with me to see Aiden.
Mike looks at me with furrowed brows. I nod ever so slightly so he goes along with me, and he exhales. “Yes, that’s r-right.” His voice cracks.
“Okay, I’ll let you know when you’re able to go in. Do you need to be seen for those cuts?”
I shake my head.
“Yes, she does,” Mike states with sternness to his voice.
“Okay, take a seat in the waiting room, please. I’ll have a nurse check you when one is available.”
“Thank you,” Mike replies.
It feels like hours since we arrived. They haven’t told me anything, which only heightens my concern for Aiden, and my patience is starting to wear thin. “Why won’t they tell us anything, Mike?”
“No news is good news. Just let them take care of him. They’ll let us know when we can go in.”
Huffing in frustration, I get up and limp around the waiting room. My tears have since dried, and my emotions have turned to that of anger and frustration.
I just want to see Aiden.
Finally, a nurse steps over. “Are you here for Aiden O’Connell?”
“Yes, we both are.” I look back at Mike, who s
tands and walks over to us.