Chapter Six
Ryan was startled out of a sound sleep. He had heard a noise, but he wasn’t sure what it was. He started to close his eyes when he heard the phone ringing.
Who is calling me? Ryan rubbed his eyes and glanced at the clock. It was two-thirty in the morning. He groped around the nightstand for the phone.
“Hello?” He muttered. He was still half asleep.
“Ryan, it’s Hayley.”
“Hayley?” Ryan repeated. He went to check the clock again. It was definitely two-thrity. “It’s two-thirty,” he told her.
“I know, Ryan.. I’m sorry I woke you up, but -”
Ryan cut her off. “What’s wrong?” His brain had kicked in and he realized Hayley wouldn’t be calling him at two-thirty in the morning unless something was very wrong. “Is it Gillian? Is she okay? What happened?”
“Ryan, calm down. Gillian is fine - physically anyway. It’s Eugiena,” Hayley said.
The sense of relief that had washed over Ryan when he knew Gillian was okay, faded immediately.
“What happened?”
“She collapsed. Edmund thinks it might have been a heart attack. We’re at Pine Valley Hospital,” Hayley said. “Ryan could you-”
Ryan was already scrambling out of bed to get dressed.
“I’ll be right there,” he told Hayley.
Mateo walked over to Hayley as she hung up the phone. “Did you get in touch with Ryan?”
Hayley nodded. “He’s on his way. Any news?” she asked.
Mateo shook his head. “Joe called the cardiologist in. He’s on his way,” he said.
“She has to be okay, Mateo,” Hayley said firmly. She had come to really like Eugenia. She as never going to forget the night they had spent in jail together.
Hayley glanced around the corridor. Edmund and Dimitri were huddled together, looking worried. Gillian was pressed against the window of her grandmother’s room. Tears were streaming down her face, but she didn’t seem to notice.
“Poor Gillian. She hasn’t said a word since Eugenia collapsed,” Hayley whispered to Mateo.
Mateo nodded. “She’s a fighter. She’ll be okay.” He put his arms around Hayley and pulled her close.
Hayley rested her head against his shoulder. She said a silent prayer for Eugenia.
David Hayward came rushing through the doors and hurried over to Joe Martin.
“What’s the status of the patient?” he asked.
As Joe began to fill David in, Gillian noticed him for the first time. She let out a small cry and angrily rushed over to him.
“You are not going anywhere near her!” Gillian cried.
David ignored her protest. “Let me see her chart,” he told Joe.
“No!” Gillian cried again. She pushed her way between the two men and turned to Joe. “You cannot let this awful man anywhere near my grandmother!”
David was getting visibly annoyed. “Look Mrs. Lavery, I don’t have time for you right now. There is a patient who needs me.”
“Gillian, let Dr. Hayward do his job,” Dimitri said. He tried to pull Gillian away.
“Get away from me, Dimitri!” Gillian cried. She turned to David. “You’re not going in there!” she shouted.
“Gillian!” Dimitri reached for his cousin again.
“Gillian, stop it!” Hayley said. She reached for Gillian’s arm. “He can help Eugenia,” she said.
“He doesn’t help anyone but himself. I want another doctor!” Gillian cried.
“Gillian, Dr. Hayward is one of the best cardiologists in the country. He can help your grandmother,” Joe assured her. Even his patience was beginning to wear thin.
“He’s the devil!” Gillian screamed. She started towards David again, but Ryan grabbed her from behind.
“Whoa. Calm down, Princess.” Ryan wrapped his arms tightly around his wife.
“Ryan!” Gillian cried. Her energy faded away, and she leaned into her husband.
Ryan turned to David. “Don’t mess this one up,” he warned icily.
David shook his head. “I have a patient that needs me.” He went into Eugenia’s room.
Ryan took Gillian to the other side of the room and turned her around to face him.
“Are you all right?” he asked. He wiped the tears off her face.
Gillian shook her head. “It was awful, Ryan. Grandmama and I were talking and the next thing I knew she was lying on the floor.” She began to cry at the memory.
“It’s going to be okay,” Ryan reassured her. He pulled her into his arms.
Gillian rested her head against Ryan’s heart. She felt safe in his strong arms.
“How did you find out?” she asked.
“Hayley called. I got over here as soon as I could,” Ryan explained.
“I should have called you,” Gillian muttered. “I know how much Grandmama means to you.”
“It’s okay, you were focusing on Eugenia like you should be.” Ryan kissed her forehead softly. “What are the doctors saying?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Gillian admitted. She hadn’t been paying attention to the medical terms that everyone had been throwing around.
“She’s going to be okay, Gillian,” Ryan said. “Hayward may be scum, but he’s a good doctor.”
Gillian nodded weakly. “When you say it, I believe it,” she said.
Ryan hugged her again. “Come on. Let’s go see if Edmund and Dimitri know what the prognosis is,” he said.
“Okay,” Gillian agreed.
Ryan kept his arm around Gillian as they walked over to Dimitri and Edmund.
“Any news?” Ryan asked.
Edmund shook his head. “The doctor is still in there. Joe thinks she suffered a mild heart attack,” he explained.
“Dimitri, will she be all right?” Gillian asked quietly.
“Of course she will. She’s an Andrassy. You know how tough they make us,” Dimitri said.
Gillian managed a small smile. “I know,” she said.
Mateo and Hayley came over to join them. “Hayley and I are going to make a coffee run. Can we bring you some?” he asked.
“I could use a cup of coffee. I think I’ll go with you,” Edmund offered.
“I have some overseas calls to make,” Dimitri said. He turned to Gillian. “Are you going to be okay here?” he asked.
Gillian nodded. “I have Ryan,” she said.
“Do you guys want some coffee?” Hayley asked.
“No thanks,” Ryan replied. Gillian just shook her head.
Everyone left, and Ryan led Gillian to a chair.
“Tonight was so perfect, Ryan,” Gillian said. “Grandmama was so happy for us. Why did this have to happen?”
“Baby, she’s going to be fine.” Ryan reached out and stroked Gillian’s hair.
“I love you, Ryan,” Gillian said.
“I love you too.” Ryan kissed her softly.
“Mrs. Lavery.”
Gillian reluctantly pulled away from Ryan to look at the nurse standing in front of them.
“Yes?”
“Dr. Hayward asked me to come out here and give you a report on your grandmother,” the nurse explained.
“How is she?” Ryan asked. He and Gillian stood up anxiously.
“She suffered a mild heart attack. Dr. Hayward needs to go in and make sure that her arteries are not blocked,” the nurse explained.
“How long will that take?” Ryan asked.
“Several hours. You’re welcome to go home and get some sleep if you would like,” the nurse said.
“I’m staying right here,” Gillian said firmly.
“Thank you,” Ryan told the nurse. She nodded and walked away.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go home?” Ryan asked.
Gillian shook her head. “I’m okay. I need to be here for her,” she said.
“Okay.” Ryan sat down and pulled Gillian into his arms. “We’ll wait it out together,” he said.
Gillian leaned against Ryan. “Thank you for staying with me,” she said.
Ryan kissed her. “There isn’t anywhere I would rather be than with you,” he replied.
To Be Continued....
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