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case. I’ve talked to her. That’s why I’m back.”
    “I’m sorry Jack. We just can’t sign off on this.”
    “Then start my release papers,” Jack said firmly. He turned to look out the window.
    “Jack with your injuries I highly advise you to not leave. Please have the surgery,” Jonathan quickly responded when he saw Jack turn his head as if he were done with the conversation.
    Jack didn’t respond.
    “Think about Paxton. If you’re really doing this for her, you wouldn’t pressure her back into the O.R. You wouldn’t risk your life because how will she deal with that? The fact she caused you to lose quality of life or your entire existence because she couldn’t bear walking into the hospital where she lost everything. She obviously didn’t cope well after Ella left but after losing you, she lost herself Jack. She just lost it. Pushing her is not the answer. That’s not being fair to her, Jack. Think about it.”
    Jack glared at the window. He didn’t want to push Paxton to the edge, he didn’t know where she would land next time. He gritted his teeth knowing that what Jonathan said had truth behind it. He just wanted the girl he fell in love with back.
    “Why are you trying to reason with me? You know Paxton is the best surgeon in this damn town,” Jack refuted. He wasn’t ready to give up on her.
    “You know Paxton would go to the end of the Earth for you, but Jack you know this will push her too far. She is obviously not ready to face anything if she is shutting herself away from everyone. If anything happened to you while you are on her table, where would that lead her to next?” Jonathan stared at him. He knew Jack would have to consider the possibilities of what could happen if something went wrong. Jack fell silent for a while. Jonathan saw that he may be getting through to him.
    “You’re right,” Jack sighed heavily, “Paxton would slip further away if anything happened to me. Just get a surgeon to do the damn surgery.”
    Jack knew he lost this battle. He knew that Paxton would never recover if something happened in there or a decision had to be made if they discovered something else. He knew that wouldn’t be fair to her but he just wanted to show her that she can still be the amazing person she once was.
    “I’ll let them know.” Jonathan started heading out but paused at the door. “You’re doing the right thing.”
    Jonathan left the room. Jack was starting to feel nauseous, probably from the bleeding that Jonathan reminded him of. He was in more pain than he thought. He sat there and thought about his injuries.  He closed his eyes wishing the pain away but he knew that wouldn’t work.  He gave in and pressed the button for the nurse.
    The nurse came bustling in. “Yes?”
    “I’ve decided to do the surgery. Please let Paxton know. Also take my parents off the list. I want only Paxton on there.”
    “Sure thing. I’ll be back to get you prepped in a few moments,” she said as she quickly left the room.
    Jack leaned his head back. Jonathan’s conversation played in his head. He could see that his friend was looking out for the both of them but Jack still wanted to get Paxton back into the O.R. She needed to get back in there. Jack just wanted everything the way it used to be. He wanted his wife back.
     

FIVE
     
    Paxton entered the hospital with a sense of nostalgia. She remembered walking the halls over and over between surgeries checking on things, dealing with emergencies and making rounds. She missed the busy feel. This was her home away from home. People stared at her as she walked in and there were some familiar faces just watching her. The only thing they knew was she was locked up in a mental facility. She decided that they all had their suspicions about her, most of the faces she saw were there to see the fallout of her last surgery.
    As she walked down the hallway people stepped out of her way. The stares continued. She walked up to the receptionist