Page 113 of Loving the Legend
After the doctor and nurse leave, Ishan returns to holding Adam’s hand, and I step into the hallway to talk to Sid.
“Thanks for taking the lead. Ishan and I were…” My voice trails off.
“We’re partners, baby—you don’t have to thank me. I feel bad that I’m not there with you. I’ll ask for a leave or pull out—”
“Nah…no way. I’ll see you in a few weeks when you get home.”
He’s already done enough, and competing in the Olympics is important to him. I just need a night of rest, then I should be able to pull it together. “Focus on practice. Just hit me up when you can.”
“Of course. That goes without saying. When’s the last time you slept or ate?” He asks.
I haven’t slept since in his arms. Feels like forever ago.
“Miami. Isn’t it like after one in the morning for you?”
“I got worried when you didn’t respond to my earlier messages. I checked in with Nat to make sure y’all landed safely, and she told me about Adam.”
“She’s good in emergencies. She agreed to fly me out here without any hesitation.”
“She’s the best. Plus, everyone on my staff knows to give you whatever you need. The plane is yours whenever.”
I'm not sure I’ll ever get used to his thorough generosity.
“I missed half of what the doctor said,” I admit.
“That’s okay. I caught most of it. I’ll send all of the information when we get off. Sounds like the surgery was less intense than the traditional method.”
That’s information I should have paid attention to. “How so?”
“It didn’t require Adam’s heart to be stopped, and instead of cutting down the middle of his chest, they made an incision between his ribs. His recovery time will be faster.”
I shake my head. I completely missed all of that.
I tip my head back and close my eyes. “Baby…I love you.”
The thought of going through this without him feels impossible.
“I love you too. I’d do anything for you. I’ll try to help in ways I think would be useful, but don’t hesitate to tell me what you need.” His deep voice relaxes some of the knots of tension in my shoulders. “What do you need right now?”
Your arms…for Adam to wake up…for him to remember me...for his heart to function normally.
“I’ll tell you when I know. I’m gonna head back inside,” I reply.
“Call or text and let me know when he wakes up?”
“Yeah…definitely.”
“What’s the name of the hospital?”
“Saint Mary’s. ICU department.”
“Okay. I’ll research the top cardiology rehab programs in New Jersey to find the best one for him.”
“I can do it tomorrow. Get some rest. I’ll feel bad if you’re distracted from training.”
“Not helping would be distracting for me.”
He’s helped plenty already.
