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He wasn't sure what he expected, but there was no answer, there was only growing pain. He punched the self-medication button, and it wasn’t long before sleep took him.
Chapter Five
"I wish he'd have let us spend more time with him before the surgery," Russell said as he stood looking from the window of the surgical waiting room.
"You know how difficult this is for him, Russ," Naomie, who stood beside him, commented as she squeezed his arm. "If he needs to do it without us holding his hand every moment, so be it. We'll be here when he needs us."
"Which brings us to a topic we've been avoiding," he turned to face her.
"What topic is that?"
"How long you're going to be here."
Naomie took his hand and led him across the room. A small table in the far corner was flanked on either side by a chair. The table was so small that occupants of the chairs on either side would be forced to take care not to bump legs.
"I'll get started as soon as Riggs is out of surgery. I've been reviewing the original design and the algorithms, and I think I can complete the design in a week. I think I'll get with the people in the lab at MIT and see if we can do it. It will require extensive testing, but if I can get a couple of the prototypes up and running, we can start testing while Riggs waits for his second surgery. I don't have to be here for that, so at most, I think my part will be done in two weeks or so. I can work on the algorithms from home."
"Are you going to keep the suite to stay in?"
"I don't know. It is nice to be close to Riggs, and he'll be in Mass General for a while. Georgie invited me to stay with her, but I didn't want to get in her way. She's engaged, and I haven't met her fiancé, but he seems a bit possessive and jealous of her giving others attention."
"Then keep the suite. I'd volunteer to stay with you but I think I'd go stir-crazy after a few days."
"I'm sure you would," she took his hand. "Once you're comfortable that Riggs is stable and on the mend, you should go home. I promise to work as fast as possible, both so I can get home to you and ensure the IMES is ready when it's time for Riggs' implant."
"Have you ever stopped to think how many times you've come to the rescue of my family?"
"No."
"Well, it seems to be a pattern."
"Well, let's hope this is the last time there's a need. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to settle in at home and focus on planning our wedding."
"Amen to that."
"I'm so grateful you changed your mind about us. About getting married."
"How could I not? I waited my whole life for you. You don't think I'd let you get away?"
"I hope not," she leaned in, and he met her halfway. "I love you, Russ. More than I ever imagined I could love another person. You're it for me."
"Same here, gorgeous."
"Naomie?"
Naomie and Russell looked up at the sound of the voice. Georgie crossed the room to them. "The surgery went without a hitch, and they'll be taking Riggs to recovery soon."
"When can we see him?" Russell asked.
"It will be a few hours, but Dr. Thomason will be in soon to speak with you."
"Thank you, Dr. Williams," Russell stood and offered his hand.
"It's Georgie, and I haven't done anything. Yet. But you can bet your boots I'm going to."
"That's what I like to hear," Russell said. "And I know you've explained this before, but would you mind reviewing the surgery information with me again?"
"I'd be happy to." Georgie pulled a chair over in front of where Russell and Naomie sat. "Okay, today's surgery was an amputation. Riggs was fortunate. He kept his knee and all but about 4 inches of his shin.