Page 92 of Champagne Nights

“I’m so proud of you for doing this.” My aunt hugged me tight. “And even if it doesn’t work, it’s okay.”

“I know, and I’m not getting my hopes up. But I have to try.”

After saying our goodbyes, Ethan and I went back to my apartment to get my bags and take them back to his house, where we would spend the night and head to the airport first thing in the morning.

Walking into the hospital, nervousness engulfed me. My life could change drastically in a matter of a day, and I wasn’t sure how to cope with it. Don’t get me wrong; this was what I wanted, but I was still scared.

“Aubrey, it’s so good to meet you finally. Come here. I feel the need to give you a hug.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Marchetti. Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“Of course. Please have a seat.”

Ethan led me over to the chairs and then sat next to me, holding my hand the entire time.

“Okay,” Dr. Marchetti spoke. “The first thing we need to do is an ultrasound of your eyes so I can get a better idea of what’s going on. I know that the optic nerves in both eyes have been severed from the accident, but I need to see if there is anything else we’re dealing with. So, let’s go across the hall and get this started.”

Walking across the hall into another room, he had me sit down while bringing a machine up to my eyes.

“You have a lot of scar tissue that has formed, which is normal, and there’s a lot of inflammation. Once we remove the scar tissue and reduce the inflammation, I will inject the severed nerves with mutation cells, including stem cells, to get the nerves to regenerate. Now, I want you to know that it could take several months for you to get your vision back completely. There is a small chance, Aubrey, that this might not work. You could still either be completely blind, or you may have some residual sight.”

“I understand, Dr. Marchetti. Even if it doesn’t work, I’m okay with it because this is how I’ve lived my life. It working would only be a bonus. But trust me, I’m not getting my hopes up.”

“Okay.” He patted my hand. “Let’s do this. Be back here tomorrow morning at five a.m. We’ll get you prepped and in surgery at six. It should take around four to five hours for the procedure.”

“Are you okay?”Ethan asked as he held me tight after we made love.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been quiet all day.”

“I’m just a little scared.”

He kissed the top of my head.

“I know you are, and I’d be worried if you weren’t. But everything is going to be okay. Even if it doesn’t work, you would have lost nothing.”

“I know.”

“I love you, sweetheart, and I will be right here by your side no matter what happens. I will support you, love you, and give you everything you need and want. You’re stuck with me for life, whether you want to be or not.”

I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. “I love you, and there’s no other person in the world that I would rather be stuck with.” I lifted my head and kissed his lips.

“Good. Now, let’s get some sleep. You have a very big day tomorrow.”

“Good night, Ethan.” I lay my head back on his chest. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby. Good night.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ethan

The truth was that I didn’t sleep a wink all night. I was worried about Aubrey’s surgery. One, in case it didn’t work, I didn’t want her to be disappointed, and two, because Dr. Marchetti had a talk with me on the effects regaining her eyesight could have on her emotionally. He said that she would have to learn to see all over again, and that could send her into a depression. He told me that it would become a developmental process, like learning a new language, and to be patient with her and help her as much as I could.

I was starting to have second thoughts about the whole thing. What if this affected her teaching? I could never live with myself if she became emotionally damaged by having this surgery. As we were getting ready to leave the next morning, I asked her if she was sure she wanted to go through with it.

“I’m sure, Ethan. Why are you asking me that?”

---