Chapter 69

The Disturbed Family continued with their celebration of Malachai's birthday, though the celebration was somber. Everyone that knew what was going on with Matt was worried about him, especially David and Brie.

David was starting to get pissed. He told the Doctor to call him the moment he got out of surgery with Matt. There was no way it too this fucking long to remove a damn bullet, unless... he didn't dare think it. He looked at the face of his wife and knew she was thinking the same thing. The bullet severed his femoral artery. Fuck, he shouldn't have thought it, but it was too late for that now. The thought crossed his mind.

While they were cutting the cake, David's phone rang. "Hello?"

"Mr. Draiman, this is the Doctor."

"Hello, Doctor. How is my brother- in- law?"

"Stable, but gravely critical. The bullet is out, but we had to fight to get the bleeding to stop. The bullet nicked his femoral artery. It wasn't severed, but it was badly damaged."

David let out a sigh of relief. "But he's going to be ok?"

"Too early to tell. You told me to call you the moment I got him out of surgery, and that's what I've done. He's still in Recovery. I will keep you posted, you have my word."

"I believe you, Doctor. So far, you're the only person in the Agency who's given me his word and kept it."

"Well, Mr. Draiman, I'm in the business of saving lives, not taking them. I've taken a special interest in your brother- in- law's case because of who you told me he is. The man really is a hero, not just of the cause, but of our country as we used to know it."

"Yes, Doctor, I know. I've had the pleasure of reading his file."

"Then you know the hell he went through in Iraq."

"Yes, Doctor, I know."

"Well, Mr. Draiman, I know you and your family are celebrating your eldest son's birthday. Tell him Happy Birthday for me, that his Uncle Matt is alive and well."

"I will. Again, thank you, Doctor."

"No problem. Good bye. I'll call you again in a few hours after he's awake."

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The eyes of every adult in the house were on David as he put his phone back in his pocket. "He's stable", he said and they all let out a collective sigh.

"Thank God!" Kristen said. "I'm glad he's going to be alright."

"Well, it's too early to tell from what the Doctor said. He's critical at the moment, but resting comfortably."

"But the bullet is out?" Nicole said, one arm around Dan's waist.

"Yes, the bullet is out. It tore open his femoral artery. That's what took the Doctor so long to call. They were wrestling with the blood loss."

"I hope he's going to be alright", Tina said, clinging to Mike.

Brie wrapped her arms around David and gave him a gentle squeeze, "There you go, saving me again", she whispered in his ear. Out loud to the group she said, "He will be. My brother is a fighter. He's not going out without one hell of a fight."