More Than A Memory

Chapter 6

It had been a night from hell, a long night from hell. Ben and Josh got to the hospital just after midnight, once they were there for a few minutes the seen Kyle, the paramedic that Ella was working with that evening, who also was the guy she was dating. When Kyle seen Ben he broke down crying, he told Ben how sorry he was for not being able to protect Ella. They men had knocked him out cold, then the procedded to beat the crap out of Ella, just so they could take any drugs Ella and Kyle had on them in the rig. Which wasn't very much. You were not able to carry large amounts of drugs.

Josh and Ben then went in to find Ella, to see how badly hurt she was. Nothing would of prepared them for the state she was in when they walked into the ICU. Ella was beatting so badly to the face and head, they couldn't even tell it was her. She was hooked up to a ventalotor to help her breath. Her head was swealing from taken blows to the head.

"Jesus." Josh said sitting down beside her bed reaching out to touch her hand but he pulled back afriad that he would hurt her.

"You can touch her." the nurse said to him smiling a little.

Josh reached out again and took her small hand in his. It was so lifeless. "How could someone do this to her?" he asked. He felt Ben's hand on his shoulder. Tears filled his eyes, he couldn't hold them back. His body trembled for a few seconds then he regained his composure. "Oh god Ben." Josh said looking at th love of his life. At that moment he had forgotten about the girl that was back at Ella's apartment watching his children. The only woman in his heart was the battered and broken one in front of him.

He watched Ben leave his side and go and talk to the doctor that just came in the room. It looked serious. Ben came back over and sat beside Josh. He looked at his best friend lying there in front of him.

"What did he say?"

"They are taking her into surgery, they have to relieve pressure in her head. There is fluid in her head. She has a collapsed lung, several broken ribs. She has some internal bleeding that they are also going to try to stop once the get her into the OR."

"Is she going to be okay?"Josh asked looking at Ben, his eyes were swollen and puffy.

"The doctor said the next 24 hours will tell. Head injuries are un predictable."

"She has to be okay. For the boys sake and mine. I don't want to live this life without her in it." Josh said as nurses came to the bedside and started to get her ready for surgery. Josh stepped back to let them do their job.

It wasn't long and they were taken Ella out for surgery. Josh watched them take her away from him. He felt like he was going to collapse.

"You should call Lauren and check on the boys." Ben said. "I am going to get us coffee."

Josh nodded his head as he pulled out his phone. He dialed Laurens cell number, she answered it right away.

"Darling how is she?" he voice was filled with worry.

"It isn't good." Josh said weakly. "She looks terrible."

"Josh I am so sorry.....i know how much you care about her." Lauren said softly. "I wish I was there to hold you."

"How are the boys?" he asked

"They are sleeping." she said smiling.

"Don't tell them anything. Make an excuse. I will tell them once I come back. They just took her into surgery."

"You should come back Darling. There is nothing you can do there."

"I am not leaving her." he said softly. He left her once, not on his own will but he did walk out of her life with out a fight. He should of fought for her. She would of been his wife and none of this would of happened. He remembed back to their wedding day, how beautiful she looked in her dress, even though she was pissed and upset with him. She was beautiful. He closed his eyes, remembering the few days leading up to their wedding day.....it was magicial. The best time of his life. "If you need me for anything, just call Lauren." he said using her first name.