At which point, first responders were promptly dispatched to the scene. And while ultimately, they were not able to prevent the series of explosive blasts, all persons in the area were safely evacuated in time and the firefighters were more easily able to contain and mitigate the damage, thanks in large part to the swift response of the off-duty fireman who happened to be on the scene…This is Darby Fletcher, reporting for WTCH News…”

I chew on my nails as I pace the waiting room from end to end. I try to keep my eyes off of the TV mounted on the wall. The fiery images of the building where my sister was supposed to open her daycare make me want to hurl.

What if Ben hadn’t showed up? What if Sophia had been inside when the place exploded? What if he hadn’t gotten her out in time and they both got hurt?

My stomach is in knots as I wait for details on her condition. I've been on the other side of this scenario. I've been on the inside of the examination room, participating in the patient's initial assessment while the family waits outside for news. 

I'm not handling this well. Neither are my parents. They're sitting next to each other on the uncomfortable plastic chairs. Cousin Franco and Nonna Lucia are there, too. My father's eyes are red as he fights off tears. My mother's head is bowed and she has her hand clasped with Nonna’s. The old lady discreetly twirls her crystal rosary beads between her fingers and utters prayers under her breath.

My gaze moves over to Ben. He's leaned against the doorframe, quietly standing watch. He looks completely distraught as he shoves his fingers into his hair again and again. When our eyes meet, the raw fear in his eyes causes me to brace myself for the worst. I don't know what condition he found my sister in. I don't know how long she was in that state before he scraped her off of the cold, hard floor. I don't know if she'll be all right. It's driving me crazy.

Finally, the doors burst open with a flurry of action. "Is the ER prepped?" Dr. Elliot barks at one of the other interns.

"Yes. Yes, sir."

I rush over in that direction as they wheel the gurney out of the room. "What's going on?" my father asks as he leaps to his feet. My mother clutches his arm as she waits for the doctor to speak.

"We're going to have to operate," the doctor announces. "The baby's in distress. She's not getting enough oxygen. We have to perform a C-section before it's too late."

"But she's not at full-term yet," I say, shaking my head back and forth.

Dr. Elliot dismisses my concerns. "She's close enough. And it's the baby's best chance of surviving. We need to get that fetus out and on a ventilator immediately."

I walk fast, keeping pace with the group of medical professionals heading to the operating theater. "Well, have you run a tox screen? Were any poisons found in my sister's blood? What about an EKG? Why not start with hyperbarbic oxygen therapy? She hasn't had seizures, has she? And what about the baby's vitals? Are there signs of fetal hypoxia? I want to see the ultrasound results."

The doctor’s face contorts with irritation. "We've already evaluated the situation and worked out a care plan," is all he tells me.

"I'm coming with you. I want to be in the operating room."

Dr. Elliot spits out a short laugh. "Not a chance, Dr. Gallo. You're in no state to be in an OR. You stay here with your family."

"Please. I need to be there for my sister."

The man's movements screech to a halt and he pivots to face me. "Get a hold of yourself, Angela," he says sternly. "Go comfort your family and let me do my job! Let me save your sister and niece!"

I feel myself crumble as the medical team hurries to the elevator. I've never felt so helpless. All throughout my time here, I’ve been complaining that nothing ever happens in this hospital, I’ve been craving this type of drama. And here it is. But this isn't some stranger, some random patient. This is my sister, my niece. And there's nothing I can do to make sure that they'll be okay.

Mom's distress sounds fill the air and dad does his best to restrain her as the elevator doors close with her youngest child lying unconscious inside. I feel Ben's arms come around me and I melt into his warm hold, my anxiety bursting out in loud, long sobs.