Chapter
39
About two hours before Brian's scheduled surgery time, Dr.
Thomas decided it was time for everyone to go and see Brian. It was decided
that AJ and Howie would go first. They slowly walked in and looked at their
brother laying in the bed. It was hard for them, but they knew that Brian was
going to be going uphill from here.
"How you feeling man?" AJ
asked, taking a seat in a chair next to the bed.
"I'm in a bit of pain, but I know
after this surgery that things are going to get better," he replied.
Howie and AJ exchanged a very quick
glance. Did Brian know that there was a chance that he might not make it
through the surgery? Both did not want to diminish his hopes, so they left it
at that.
"Well, we just wanna wish you
good luck Rok. We'll be praying for you." Howie leaned over and gave him a
hug.
"See you on the other side,"
AJ whispered as he also pulled Brian in for a quick hug.
They both walked into the waiting room
letting the tears they had been holding back fall. Jackie and Krista both
comforted them as Kevin got up to go visit his cousin.
"Kev!" Brian exclaimed.
"Did my parents come yet?"
"Yeah. They arrived late last
night. The only reason why they stopped by the hospital was to give consent for
your surgery because we didn't know if you were going to be awake or not to
decide for yourself. Your parents wanted you to rest last night. But they'll be
in to visit shortly."
"I'm glad they're here. So you
here to wish me luck too huh?"
"Yeah Bri. But you've been down
the open heart surgery road before. This is nothing new. You've done it once,
so you can do it again. I know that you'll be just fine."
"Thanks man," Brian said as
they hugged. "It means a lot."
"I'll send in the next
guest," Kevin smiled and was out the door.
Nick and Krista got up as soon as
Kevin walked into the waiting room.
"Brian I just want to wish you
good luck," Krista said. "But I'm gonna leave so Nick can have a
minute with you."
"Thanks," Brian said and
returned her hug.
As soon as she left, Nick blurted
out," Frick, I love you like a brother; you can't leave me!"
"Nick! Calm down! I'm not going
anywhere."
"You promise?"
"Yeah I do Frack. Everything will
be just fine."
"I know it will be Bri, but
everything is just so much harder right now," Nick confessed.
"It may be that way now, but it
can only go up from here. Just remember that."
Nick gave Brian a quick hug and left
before Brian could see him cry. He made
his way back to the waiting room and sent in Angela. She put on her best face
to show that she was being strong for him. She peeked around the corner to see
Brian staring at the door, waiting for the next person to walk in.
"Come here Princess," he
said softly as he patted the bed.
Angela almost ran to her boyfriend's
side. She sat down next to him. And no sooner did she do that, did he sweep her
into his arms. She leaned over and gently kissed him. "How do you
feel?"
"I'm hurting, but I'm better now
that you're here!" He put on a cheesy smile.
"You're a dork," she laughed
as she snuggled down onto the bed.
"But I'm your dork. And this
little one's too." He said as rubbed her tummy.
"Yes, you are and you're going to
come out of that surgery good as new just for our little one."
"Well, you too Princess."
"Brian, I really want you to think of the
baby as you get ready for this more than me. Our little one needs you more than
I do."
"Angela, don't talk like
that," Brian begged
"Fine. I won't anymore. But
please just think of our little one more."
Brian just studied her for a minute.
"OK, I will. Do me favor and send my family in? I'm getting kinda
sleepy."
"Alright." She leaned over
and gave him a quick kiss for good luck.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
With that, she left to get his family.
"Jackie, he wants to see you guys now."
"Alright sweetie." Jackie
gave her a hug and Harold squeezed her hand for reassurance. Harry just smiled
weakly. Brian heard the footsteps of his
family approach the door. Harold was the first to walk through the door.
"Hello Brian," he said.
"How are you feeling?"
"Hi Dad," Brian said
returning the hug he received. "I'm in pain, but ready for this
surgery."
"That's good to hear."
"Oh Babyduck," Jackie
murmured as she kissed the top of her son's head. "Everything is going to
be OK."
"I know Mom. I know."
"Bri, what's up?" Harry
asked after a quick hug.
"You couldn't have asked a more
obvious question Harry?" Brian laughed, but clutched his chest as soon as
he did forgetting about the pain for a minute. "Remind me not to do that
again."
His family let out a small laugh. "Didn't
mean to do that to you bro," Harry apologized.
"It's OK," Brian smiled.
"I'm gonna make it through this and I know that. OK?" His family
nodded at him, wanting so much to believe him.
"Dad can you just call everyone
back in here for a minute? I just have one thing I want to share with everyone
before I have to get prepped for surgery."
"Sure." Harold walked back
out to the waiting room and motioned for everyone to follow him.
Everyone got themselves situated;
Jackie and Harold in the chairs, Harry, AJ, Howie, Kevin around the bed, Nick
and Krista were next to them all holding hands, and Angela sat on the bed
beside Brian.
"Well, thank you to everyone for
being here for the support. It means a lot to me. I just have one more thing to
say before I go into surgery." He sat up and pulled something out from
under his pillow. Everyone stared curiously at it until they figured out what
it is.
"Angela Marie Connors, ever since
we were kids, I knew you were the one for me. You make me feel whole and
complete. Without you, there is no Brian Thomas Littrell. And now that we have
our own little one growing inside you, there is only one more piece to this
puzzle to make it complete and that's you. Will you marry me?"
He opened the ring box to reveal a
simple, but beautiful engagement ring. It was 14k gold with a flawless diamond.
"Of course Brian. I love
you," she cried. He slipped the ring onto her finger; a perfect fit.
"I love you too Princess,"
he mumbled against her lips as they kissed passionately.
Cheers went heard throughout the room
and shouts of congratulations were heard as well. But before anyone could ask
questions about the baby or what was next in their futures, Dr. Thomas strolled
in.
"Sorry to interrupt, but it's
time for Brian to get prepped now."
Everyone gave their final good-byes
and promised Brian that they wouldn't ask Angela anything until he got out.
With that, everyone was back in the waiting room for a long, tedious, and
nerve-wracking wait, and Brian was whisked off to the prep room.
***
Dr. Thomas was getting ready to make
the first incision when the head nurse said," His BP is dropping
fast!"
"He's stopped breathing,"
yelled another.
"Get me the crash cart
stat!" Dr. Thomas yelled.
***
