Page 35 of Beneath the Surface

Another paramedic moved quickly, administering an epinephrine injection while firefighters did their best to clear the wasps from Isobel’s body. Her breathing was shallow, her non-stung skin an eerie shade of blue, and her lips swollen from the countless stings.

“We need to move—now!” one of the paramedics yelled as they lifted Isobel onto a stretcher.

The ambulance raced through the quiet night, sirens blaring as the paramedics worked to keep Isobel alive. Jackson, also a paramedic, was tense as he sat in the back of the ambulance. He made a call he didn’t want to make—to his fiancée about her sister. She would call the family.

As the ride continued, he monitored Isobel closely. “She’s crashing. Get the intubation kit ready. We need to secure her airway.” Things grew direr when her airway was too swollen for an attempt in the field.

At the hospital,the ER became a flurry of activity. Dr. Tristan Blackwell, Sophie’s fiancé and head of the ER, took charge as soon as the patient was wheeled in. His face was set in determination as he barked orders. “We need another IV line, antihistamines, and corticosteroids, stat. Prepare for intubation.” As he checked her airway, he realized it was Isobel. Soon the treatment room was filled with her family.

The medical team moved swiftly. Sophie, her eyes red from crying, watched in terror as her sister fought for her life. “Please, let her be okay. Please,” she whispered, gripping the counter for support.

Olivia stood beside her, trying to be the voice of reason. “She’s in good hands, Soph. Tristan knows what he’s doing.”

Minutes dragged on like hours. Despite their efforts, Isobel’s breathing worsened. Tristan exchanged a grim look with his team. “Get me the fiber optic scope. I need to intubate. Now.”Skilled from years of practice, Tristan carefully inserted the tube, holding his breath until it was in place.

“We’re in. Get her on the ventilator.”

An hour later,Isobel’s family gathered in the ICU waiting room, their faces etched with worry. Ruth stood slightly apart from the group, her arms crossed as she stared at the floor. Finally, she spoke up. “Did anyone call Brad?”

Molly looked confused. “Can’t it wait to a more reasonable hour? I don’t want to bother him.”

Ruth chewed her lip, glancing at Olivia before continuing, “They had dinner tonight.”

Olivia raised an eyebrow, already pulling out her phone. “I’ll call him. He’s been interested in her forever—he just hasn’t admitted it.”

The phone rang a few times before Brad answered, his voice groggy with sleep. “Hello? Liv? What’s wrong?”

“Brad, it’s about Izzy. She was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets and went into anaphylactic shock. She’s in the ICU at Waverly County,” Olivia struggled to keep her voice steady.

There was a pause. Then Brad’s voice came back, sharp and alert. “I’m on my way.”

Forty minutes later,Brad burst into the ICU waiting room, his face pale and anxious. “Where is she? What happened?”

“She’s in the unit. They had to intubate her; she was stung by a swarm of yellow jackets,” Sophie explained softly.

“In her apartment? I need to see her,” Brad said, his voice tight with emotion.

After her immediate family took brief turns visiting her, Olivia led him to Isobel’s room. As they reached the door, Brad paused, looking at her with gratitude. “Thank you for calling me.”

Olivia smiled gently. “You’re family, Brad. Now, let’s make sure she gets through this.”

Brad stepped into the room, his breath catching as he saw Isobel lying in the hospital bed, her face swollen, a tube helping her breathe. He moved to her side, taking her hand in his. His heart pounded with fear and something deeper—something that had been building for years.

“I’m here, Belle,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m right here.”

Fourteen

The family gathered, waiting for the next visiting hours. Jackson, still in uniform, stood with them, explaining the situation. “We responded to an open line. She apparently called 9-1-1 before she collapsed. We had to take the door. Her apartment was filled with yellow jackets. She was stung everywhere. They were swarming her, and, on entry, they swarmed us. The police stayed behind to secure the door and try to find out where those wasps came from.”

Brad moved to a corner of the room. As he sat down, their conversations replayed in his head. Seeing her so ill, he realized his feelings for her ran deep. Did he wait too long? Would she want to explore a relationship with him? Why didn’t he say something?

Hours passed. Finally, Tristan emerged, entering the waiting room with the intensivist. Their expressions were serious but hopeful. “Isobel is stable. She was stung over one hundred times and had a severe allergic reaction. Once the swelling of her airway goes down, we hope to pull the tube. She’ll need to stay a few days for observation. We will know more by this afternoon.”

Relief washed over the family. Olivia clung tightly to Jackson, burying her face in his chest as she let out a shakybreath. Molly and her fiancé, Ethan, embraced, while Charlotte stood quietly, her hand clasped in Alex’s. With her free hand, Charlotte reached out to Ruth, who stood frozen. Sophie, red-eyed and exhausted, wrapped her arms around Tristan, whispering a thank you.

Brad approached Tristan next, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you… thank you for saving her."

Tristan placed a firm, reassuring hand on Brad's shoulder. His voice was steady. "Thank me when she goes home."

---