Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 35

Not long after Camila had woken, a tall greyhaired doctor in a welltailored suit, who Lauren recognised as her girlfriends' neurologist, arrived to review her after having been called by the nurse in charge of her care and informed of the recent change in her condition. He requested that Lauren waited outside whilst he performed his assessment, however, as she made a move to obey, Lauren felt Camila's hand tighten around her own firmly.; her grip strong and determined; her one open eye wide with fear as she silently pleaded with her girlfriend to stay. Lauren glanced up at the doctor inquiringly and she noticed how his eyes fell on their entwined hands, obviously understanding Camila's distress and granting permission for her to remain where she were for the time being. After he'd completed his evaluation, the doctor informed the nurse that Camila was stable enough to be extubated and turned to his patient, explain the process to Camila

carefully, ensuring that she understood what would be happening by including every small detail in his description. At this time, he also shared with Camila that it could sometimes be quite distressing for family to watch and that perhaps it would be best for Lauren to wait outside whilst he did it. Camila had looked at Lauren hesitantly, the internal dilemma clear in the deep chocolate of her eye and the expression on her face. Finally, Camila, having made up her mind, relaxed her hold on Lauren's hand and she'd nodded in understanding, leaning down to kiss her girlfriend on the forehead briefly before disappearing outside to a seated waiting area. Whilst there, Lauren pulled out her phone to text Ally and Normani, informing them that Camila had woken up and so far seemed to doing well. Next she called Dinah, who fell in to a stunned silence for a full five minutes before she eventually found the words to respond. She hurriedly told Lauren that she would be down to the hospital as soon as her parents were back from the mall and demanded that she gave Camila a big hug and kiss from her until then, to which Lauren agreed. Uncertain whether the hospital would call Camila's parents, she'd also dialled their number, Sinu picking up immediately after the first ring. Lauren explained what had happened and Sinu thanked her for the call, informing the youngster that they'd be contacted a few minutes ago and would be in once they'd dropped Sofi off with her grandma. After a further ten minutes, the doctor emerged from the room with a warm smile on his face and he

beckoned Lauren back in, explaining to her that as far as he could tell, Camila seemed to be doing well. He told her that Camila appeared to have no new neurological deficits as a result of the prolonged seizure but did warn Lauren that Camila's speech seemed to have deteriorated markedly since her admission, whether because of fatigue or the epilepsy activity he couldn't be sure. Lauren returned to Camila's bedside eagerly, her neurologist leaving to see another patient as she took up residence in the seat which she had become extremely familiar with over the last few days. She picked up Camila's left hand once more, her fingers brushing lightly across the scar on her girlfriends' forearm reflexively and leant her elbows on the bed, closing the distance between the two of them. Camila was now sat up slightly, both eyes closed, an oxygen mask covering her mouth and nose. Her eyelids flickered open at Lauren's touch, the right one remaining relatively closed due to swelling, the left opening fully as Camila rotated her head to look at the brunette sat beside her bed. Lauren smiled at her girlfriend, kissing the back of her small hand lightly and causing the corner of Camila's mouth to lift slightly in response. "Hey," Lauren said. Her voice was soft and she was uncertain whether Camila would be able to respond after hearing what her neurologist had said regarding her speech. She noticed that her girlfriend looked tired, despite having been

unconscious for the best part of almost five days. Camila's eyelids appeared heavy and the white of her eyes looked dull in comparison to their normal brightness. "Hey," Camila replied, her voice hoarse and if possible, raspier than normal. Lauren couldn't decide if this was a result of disuse or a result of the intubation but it had the effect of making Camila sound both sexy and ill at the same time. Camila's eyes fluttered closed for a brief instant before opening again and meeting the bright green of Lauren's once more. "I've been so worried about you," Lauren told her simply, unsure how much Camila knew and the best way to proceed with the conversation. "Ss...sss...ssso...ssoo," Camila tried to apologise, but Lauren reached a hand up to brush the dark locks of hair just above her brow comfortingly, sensing her girlfriends' growing frustration at not being able to speak. "It's ok," Lauren reassured her as Camila reached her right hand up to pull the oxygen mask down away from her mouth so that it rested over the front of her neck. "I know," Lauren told her. "I know you're sorry." "Sss...ssss...ss..." Camila tried again but to no avail. "Camz, you don't need to apologise," Lauren told her, stroking Camila's temple with her the thumb of her right hand, her left still holding on to Camila's matching limb. "It's not your fault. These things happen. I'm just glad that you're getting better now." "Hhh....hhhoo...hhhhoooo..." Camila began but once again, she could not speak. "How long?" Lauren asked automatically. She was now so used to guessing her girlfriends' thoughts when her