Chapter Ninety-two Estera Roberts’ POV (Present Time)

We all stood aside and allowed the nurses to bag Antony Dallas, and wheeled Mary Antoinette, and Anastasia Dallas to the intensive care unit. Mary Antoinette had all her brand new organs now, Anastasia Dallas was missing ovaries, and had newly reconstructed ureters, but she will live -– albeit with a few complications.
We were not able to save Antony and we did try but his collapsed lungs had trapped air in his chest and the time it took to get help for him was way too long that even a chest tube could not help him anymore. The continued air leak led to tension pneumothorax and compromised the flow of blood from the periphery back to the right atrium, decreasing cardiac output, and causing diminished myocardial perfusion, worsening inotropic response, and degeneration to ventricular fibrillation (VF). A situation when a disorganized heart signal causes the lower heart chambers (ventricles) to twitch abnormally and as a result, the heart doesn't pump blood to the rest of the body, resulting in sudden death. The paramedics' Cole sent to get him were able to get him to stay alive long enough for us to harvest his organs for his daughter. Cole had already made that call before I got on the scene and it was the most logical one if I might add. Anastasia Dallas had a better chance of survival and it would not be logical to let her and her husband die. Although the two women were not in the clear yet, we knew we had done our very best for them. Whatever happens from here on was out of our hands. Cole had to leave once he was certain I had all I needed to join in on another operation. The guy works like a machine and I worry he might break down one day.
To say I was exhausted was an understatement. I long for a bath, kisses and hugs from my boys and a long comforting cuddle from my husband. But I knew there was no way I could leave the hospital tonight. I had to wait to make certain my patients survive the night at least. At times like this, Ameera and Ashley help me to babysit the boys. But now that Evan was here and Cole said he had plans to pick them up, I hurried to my office to see if he brought them here or had decided to take them home. And all the while, the thought that I would finally have justice for my parents rested at the back of my mind, making me feel somewhat settled in my spirit. I knew I would have to inform my parents’ lawyers and call my aunt Sophia to let her know so she could come over. I haven’t told her about the boys and all that had been happening and I felt guilty about it, hoping she would understand I wasn’t just ready. I let out a sigh.
Pushing the door to my office open, I saw the room was dimly lit. The only light illuminating the room came from the table lamp by the lone two-seater sofa to the side wall. And on the electric, adjustable patient examination bed on the other side of the room was Evan, and the twins. I could see that one of his sleeves was cut off and his upper arm to his left shoulder was bandaged and yet he held the twins to his chest in a protective hold with his good arm and the three were asleep.
I walked in and shut the door as quietly as I could muster. Resting my back on the door, I watched Evan with our boys sleeping. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
I locked the door behind me, wanting to go to them but decided to take a shower first. Padding to the adjoining bathroom, I went in and took off my scrubs and had a quick shower, scrubbing my skin raw. Afterwards, I dried my body and picked one of my casuals I hung in a small closet in the corner to wear. The short fitted gown reached down above my knees. I decided it would do. If I got paged I could easily change back to a new pair of scrubs. I left the bathroom and smiled at the three, glad I hadn’t woken them. With soft bunny slippers covering my feet, I padded to the side of the bed, peering down at them, my eyes settled on Evan’s face and I gingerly ran my fingers through his hair, admiring his beautiful features. Silently noted his hair was fuller and longer now and his jaw was matted with hair. My heart soared and beat a tad faster at the knowledge that this was real and we had indeed found our way back to each other. That I would get to wake up every morning now, knowing he was there with me and our boys and nothing would take him away from us ever again. I swallowed and my eyes blurred with tears as I shifted my gaze to the twins. I brush the hair on Ro’s face backwards, tucking the wavy curls behind his small ear and did the same to Adrian. My joy was full. These three right here were my entire world. When my eyes returned to Evan’s face, a blue pair of eyes watched me with such intensity that made me draw closer to him to cup his strong jaw.
“Hey, baby,” I whispered, “how are you feeling?”
“Sore, but I’m good. You look tired,” he said in his deepest, deliciously husky tone that I had missed so very much. A small smile stretched my lips.
“I’m pleased to hear you are okay. As for the ache, I can give you a shot if it’s okay … ” I said.
“Foster already prescribed painkillers—” he sighed. “It’s over there on your desk.”
“Let’s see—” I said as I went to check the prescription pill containers, noting he was prescribed antibiotics, tranquillizers, and a strong painkiller. “When did you take the last dose ?”
“Um … six to eight hours ago?” I went back to him to put my hand over his forehead noting his temperature was slightly high. He peered into my eyes which got me enthralled for a moment. The side of his lips quirked.
“Baby?” he rasped.
“Yes … oh … I um think I will give you a shot. Just to get your temperature down, this one time,” I said and went back to my desk to prepare the shot and then came back to administer it through his arm muscle.
“Thanks—” he said, giving me a slow intense gaze. I smiled at him and left to dispose of the used needles.
“You know, I was dreaming of a cuddle, but as I can see your hands are pretty much full … ” I said, coming back to stand by his side. He smiled.
“I always have room for one more, love,” he said. I couldn’t help it. I leaned over to press a kiss on his lips. He looked so handsome and sexy and I just wanted to drown in the beautiful depth of those intense eyes.
“I am so glad you are okay, my love,” I whispered. “Cole told me what happened—”