Chapter 246: Is there any news yet?

Flame POV

The doctors took him in for surgery almost two hours ago. What is happening and why is it taking so long. I look over at Pickle he's eyes are already on me, a small smile forms on his face.

He's sitting across from me holding River. She's been asleep for almost a hour now. I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and jump up when I realize the hand belongs to Ryder! My Ryder!

"Cervello!" I say throwing myself on him crying while I kiss him.

He moves my hair holding his hand to my face "My love, what do you need?" He says sweet and soft. He holds me tight against his body.

"You! I only need you!" I kiss him hard as my tears mix in our kiss.

"Thank you for coming my love. I needed you." I cry out just holding my head to his.

"I know baby. I got here as soon as I could." He says kissing me soft on my lips.

Gio and Marco walk in with my father they have food and coffee.

Gio is still using his cane he'll need it forever now. It's still just odd watching him like this. He's taking over as Marco's second since he's been back. My father's been slowly teaching Marco to take his place and they both agreed Gio was the only one they wanted to be his second. I jump up and go hug my father, Marco and of course Gio.

I've been helping his family a lot over this past year and half. They have a gorgeous little boy and his wife just had a baby girl about four months ago. They all now live in one of the houses in the compound. Marco, Stephen his nephew and his sister live in the other two.

"Any news on our boy yet?" Gio asks hugging me tight. I shake my head.

"These are from Graziella." He says handing me a few containers. I kiss his cheek "Please send her my love and thanks." He nods taking the seat next to Pickle and River.

"She gets prettier everytime I see her." Gio says in Italian looking at me. I smile at him and nod.

"Does she remember yet?" He asks again in Italian. I shake my head a tear running down my cheek.

"Run!!" River screams jumping to her feet, breathing heavy. Gio and Marco quickly surround my father.

"I'm so sorry, excuse me." River says running for the bathroom. I look at Pickle.

"I got her love." I say patting his arm. I lean down and quickly kiss Ryder as I head to find her.

I enter the bathroom and she's on the floor in the corner. Her knees are pulled up to her chest and even with her head down I can see her body shaking with sobs. I sit next to her pulling her close to my body.

"Shhhh your okay sorellina." I say as I kiss her head. She lifts her head looking at me.

"I'm so scared!" She says shaking harder now.

"Me too." I say quietly. She looks at me before wrapping her arms around me.

I rub her back and pet her hair as she cries harder.

"I was dreaming of them. They were being chased by some men. I was in a bubble and they had to make it me to be safe. It was awful."

I help her clean her face, giving her a shot from my flask.

When we get back to the waiting room I stop and watch my father for a minute. His arm is around Lucy and I notice as his eyes never leave her face. I take a deep breath. I think there's something more then just comforting her like my father keeps saying. I hope my father will open his heart and maybe even love again.

My thoughts are interrupted as the doctor comes back in. We all stand. I hold my breath and Ryder's hand as he tells us how the infection has spread. They had to take more of his leg but they are confident that after this he'll make a full recovery. He'll have to stay here for a week or so recovering before they will release him to travel. He goes over some issues that soldiers may have with this kind of injuries. He talkes about depression and something called Phantom limb syndrome. Where he will have the sensation, often painful, that an amputated or missing body part is still present, moving, or experiencing sensations like burning, itching, or stabbing. PTSD will also be a issue and counseling is strongly advised. Drug and alcohol abuse will also become an issue as he struggles to accept that missing part of him. He hands my father a bunch of papers to fill out.

"Can we see him." I ask. The doctor shakes his head.

"I want him to rest a few more hours then the military will need to ask him some questions first." He says squeezing my hand.

"Thank you." I say as he shakes my hand then my father's.

"Donations can be made where?" Marco asks walking over to him. Him and the doctor talk for a minute before Marco walks to the big desk outside the waiting room.

"Who's River?" The doctor asks after all our questions have been answered.

"That's me." Her small quivering voice says walking over to him.

"He's been calling out for you since his breathing tube has been removed." He says. River puts her face in her hands as Pickle pulls her to his chest.

"Has he woken up?" She asks the doctor.

He nods "Yes briefly. Only a few minutes at a time. He asked for you then the second time he told us to find Spencer." He says looking around the room. River sobs harder.

"Is there a Spencer here as well?" He asks looking at the men around the room.

River collapses as her tears get to be too much.

Pickle quickly lifts her to his arms and carries her back to the chair.

"He's my brother, he's one of the missing men. He's his best friend." Lincoln says wiping away his own tears.

"I'm sorry." The doctor says.

"Can we please speak to the Commander or whoever is in charge I would like to have an update if they have one." Lincoln says shaking his hand.

The doctor smiles and yells something in German to the nurse at the desk.

"I'll find someone for you to talk to right away and may god be with those missing."

"Thank you." Me and Lincoln say. He hugs me tightly to his side.

My phone beeps I quickly pull it out of my pocket.

I smile a little "Lucy. They found Kenny. My people just picked him up at the airport and are getting him on a plane to us as we speak." I say walking to her. She jumps up hugging me "Thank god!" She says as my dad stands pulling her into his arms.