Bad Management

“What you thinking so hard about?” Michael’s soft voice rang out in the eerily silent clinical room. We’d come back to the hospital for my test results that I had done months ago. I had blood tests, brain scans and so much more and finally all the results were in. We were sat in the doctor’s office waiting for him to come in and tell us what he’d found. It was your typical white wall, clean and boring office; medical posters scattered around the walls and the only touch of personal items was the stethoscope that every doctor holds dear resting on his desk. I could feel my knee jerking but I couldn’t, and, didn’t want to stop it too lost in thought to even care. Michael was holding my hand and I was gripping on to his with both of mine for dear life.
“I’m thinking about us. The last month.” I looked over at him, eyes glassy from the tears ready to spill at any minute, voice cracking from the fear that was caught in my throat. I’m pretty sure he could hear my heart beating rapidly it was that loud, or, maybe it was because the office was that quiet.
“It’s only the start.” He whispered looking over me trying to muster his best reassuring smile. I smiled slightly at him thinking it would ease both of our nerves.

(One month previous)
“Marry me?” Michael asked as we sat waiting for my name to be called for my brain scan.
“You’ve already asked that remember?” I laughed slightly holding my left hand up for him to see the ring.
“No I mean… marry me.” He looked over at me running his hands over his face and taking a deep breath. “Can I be honest with you?” He waited for me to nod and his nerves to calm before he explained. “I’m terrified what this scan is going to show. The doctor said it would be a month at least before we got the results that’s more than enough time for you to marry me. I know you never wanted the big wedding thing, and, I don’t care as long as you become George Clifford. We could get married in an abandoned warehouse for all I care, I just want you to be mine before those results come in.” He whispered gripping my hand in between his tightly. “I feel so terrible for thinking so negatively, but, I just can’t shake the feeling I had last time we were in this situation.” He finished not looking up at me as I used my free hand to pick his chin up.
“Let’s do it.” I whispered as he stared at me, shock filling his face when my words registered in his brain. “But, it has to be Vegas.” I whispered smiling as he just nodded pulling me closer to him and pecking my lips softly just as my name got called in.

It had been two days since we had decided we were to get married in Vegas and we’d told nobody our plans. Just told the guys that we were going to Vegas for a weekend and they could come if they wanted. Of course they all said yes and we told them we’d fly in and meet them at the hotel bar. That was only strictly true, we were going to have someone meet them at the hotel bar, luckily they were all to curious to question whether the or not it was a kidnap mission when the driver approached them asking if they knew us. They pulled up and all got out as I stood at the chapel entrance waiting for them. “George what’s going on?” It was Mikey who asked as I smiled.
“Well we decided we wanted to get married as a spur of the moment and knew one of you would try and talk us out of it so we’ve booked it and all you have to do is sit down and be our witnesses.” I smiled at their open mouthed faces.
“You’re getting married?” Sophia shouted at me as I smiled and nodded.
“Calum, Luke and Ashton you guys go in he wants you there as best man.” I shrugged as they slowly made their way past us.
“Sophia, Molly will you be my bridesmaids.” I smiled picking up two bunches of flowers and holding them out as they nodded. “Gerard will you do the honour of giving me away?” I asked him biting my lip as he just hugged me with his response. We finally had got everyone up to speed on what was happening and it was time for them doors to open and for me to finally see Michael after 24 hours. That’s right we stuck to the rules; not seeing each other for 24 hours (him being in one room and me in another), I was wearing something old my cameo necklace I always wore, something new came in the form of my simple fitted white dress, something borrowed was one of his bracelets he always wore and my something blue was the streak I rushed to have put in my hair this morning.
“You sure about this?” Gerard asked as we stood just to the side of the doors so Sophia and Molly could walk in front.
“Hundred percent.” I looked up at him smiling as we made our way down the aisle where a freshly died blue haired guy was waiting for me. I finally reached him, surprising it took longer than I thought given the aisle was short, and he turned to look down at me smiling when he saw the blue streak. “Something blue.” I whispered as he looked up to his hair smiling.

The ceremony was short and simple with our own vows being said instead of the generic non-fitting ones. He still included the ‘in sickness and in health’ bit which I thought was sweet. We told everyone we was going back to the casino to celebrate and of course everyone was up for it. We spent the rest of the night gambling away and enjoying ourselves to the point where none of us was ready for waking up the next afternoon. We stayed in Vegas for another day not wanting to move away from the bliss until we decided we had to come back to England for the test results. We still hadn’t told everybody about what was going on, as far as they were concerned we were going on honeymoon. Some honeymoon this is. Sophia and Frank knew about the tests I was having done but they promised faithfully to keep it to themselves until we knew what was happening and we could give all the facts at once and not sporadically.

(Present Day)
“Mr and Mrs Clifford sorry to have kept you waiting. Congratulations by the way.” The doctor broke the silence and the staring contest Michael and I had seemingly entered.
“Thanks Doctor Smith.” I smiled politely at him, my nerves getting the better of my other knee now as they both jumped in unison.
“I’ve reviewed the scan results and your other results and it seems we have discovered the cause of your blackouts, memory loss and temper.” He looked over the file again just to make sure before looking up at us. It was like we were on one of them reality shows where they pause forever until they announce the name of the winner. “You’ve had a bleed on your brain.” He looked over at me as I felt Michael’s hand tighten on mine. “It seems like it was some time ago, but after you’re accident. The blood is being reabsorbed by your body but it’s a slow process and whilst there is still the excess fluid around the area it affects the pressure and that’s why you are experiencing the symptoms you are doing. There are two ways to resolve this. Either you let your body do what it’s been doing and we will prescribe you medication to control the symptoms. You would need regular scans and tests to ensure that your body is still trying to rectify the issue and it will be the longer of the options. The other option is a operation where we can drain the fluid and your body will be able to return to its usual self quicker. Of course the operation is risky, the brain is a fragile organ and a number of negative outcomes could occur. It’s the quicker option but its also the more riskier option. I have found you information leaflets on the operation and you have time to think about it and discuss it. Do you have any questions?” He finished, looking at both of our stunned faces.
“None that I can think of.” I spoke out trying to gather my thoughts.
“I get that this can be a lot to take in and that you can’t think straight at the moment. So I shall arrange for another appointment to meet with you both next week so you can ask any questions and hopefully help you decide what path to take.” He told us truthfully as we both nodded.
“Thank you Doctor Smith.” Michael spoke for us both as I took the leaflets gripping onto them as tight as possible as we exited the office.

Notes