Chapter 35
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Jack
It’s been the longest thirty-six hours of my life. This waiting room grows smaller by the minute. Doctor McCormick has returned to see us twice. He talks to Mom, not me. His reports haven’t changed much. Lily’s still stable. Her vitals have gotten a little stronger. Other than that, it’s all I know.
ICU is the best place for Lily right now. Their visiting schedule is nothing short of evil. This hospital’s visiting hours are 8 am to 10 pm. No one left last night until Lily was out of surgery, regardless of their schedule. My family, brothers, and friends have been in and out of the hospital all day. I refuse to leave. At least a few of my brothers stay with me at all times. The hospital staff doesn’t like it. The Sheriff allows it as long as we’re quiet. Nathan has questions. I’ve answered a few. Dad’s holding him off until we know Lily’s okay. The doctor still won’t confirm if she will be. ICU’s visiting hours are for two people for fifteen minutes every even hour on the hour from 8 am to 8 pm. They don’t deviate from it for anyone. I haven’t missed one.
My alarm goes off, alerting me that my first visit with Lily is in fifteen minutes. I peel myself out of the uncomfortable chair and start toward the door. It’s been too long since I’ve seen her. Jay follows me. My cousin won’t leave me. We’ve taken up residence in the waiting room. Jay won’t go inside the ICU. He always waits outside the doors for me to return.
Dana waits in the hallway outside the waiting room. She spent the first eight hours with Lily. I haven’t seen her since her shift ended the next morning. The other nurses don’t come get me like this.
“Good morning, Jack.” Dana smiles up at me.
“Morning. You’re happy today.”
“It’s a good day to smile.” Dana walks beside me to the elevator.
“Glad you think so,” I grumble.
“I know so.” Dana pushes the number three button after the door closes.
Is she lost? “We need two.” I reach to push the button for the ICU floor.
Dana grabs my hand. “Not today.”
“What?” There’s the universe throwing me a little hope again.
Even Jay feels it. He grabs my upper arms from behind and looks around me to Lily’s nurse.
“She’s not awake yet.” Dana smiles. A real smile, not one just trying to be nice. More hope blooms. “But she doesn’t need to be in ICU anymore. We’re moving her to a regular room.”
I never thought relief could be heavy. It pushes me down. I squat right here in the elevator. Jay’s hands tighten and shake. He releases a long breath. When the doors open on the third floor, not the second, today, Jay helps me stand.
We follow Dana into a private room. A fancy private room, but it’s empty. Lily’s not here. Dana moves about the room, pushing buttons on several machines. The monitors blink to life.
“Where is she?”
Dana keeps working. “She’ll be here in a few minutes. I thought you’d like to be here waiting for her.”
This is the best nurse I’ve seen yet. Well, Lily’s a nurse. If she’s anything like Dana, I see why she misses it. Until an angel is settled in their new location, they can’t have a job. They need a new name and ID first. Nick gets those made for us. Hopefully, Lily will soon be able to return to the job she loves.
“Yea. Thanks, Dana.”
She’s right. I wanna be here when they bring Lily in.
“I’m glad she’s going to be okay.” Jay pats my shoulder and pulls out his phone. “I’ll step out and let everyone know.”
“Jack.” Dana’s smile fades.
I release a slow, long breath. Hope slips again.
“She’s going to be okay, right?” I ask.
“She still has a long way to go. She’s doing better, getting stronger. She doesn’t need constant supervision anymore. She’s fighting, Jack. Help her fight. You can be here in this room with her all the time. Whisper encouragement in her ear. Tell her you love her as often as you can. This is good. It’s what we want for her. It means she’s on the right track. Tell your family, but be honest with them about it.”
Jay nods and steps out into the hall to make the calls.
It wasn’t confirmation Lily would pull through, but it’s the biggest hope anyone and the universe has given me. She’s fighting. That’s good. Great even. My angel’s fighting. Nothing will stop me from helping her fight.
“It’s good.” Tears well up in my eyes. “I’ll take it.”
“I thought you might.” Dana smiles again. “Once we have Lily settled in, I’ll help you get set up to stay with her.”
“You’re not going back to ICU?” I’d rather she didn’t.
“No. I’ll be staying with Lily. Can I get you anything for now?”
“I don’t know what I need,” I admit. “Just make sure Lily has what she needs. I’ll figure things out as I go.”
“I’ll see that she does. Right now, I think this room, and you are exactly what she needs.”
“This room is fancy.” I’ve never seen a private room this nice. It has a sitting area on one side with a couch.
“This room was requested for her,” Dana says.
Requested? Did Dad do this for her? He had to.
“My dad?”
“Uh, no.” Dana glances at the doorway.
“I requested that Lily have this room.”
I turn to face the man standing in the doorway. My mouth drops open. Jay laughs behind him.
“Grayson Westbrook.” I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“Hey, man.” Grayson walks over and clasps my arm. I’ve tried to talk him into becoming a Viking Warrior. He chose a career in the music industry instead.
“Why?” I’m grateful for his help, but it makes no sense.
“I heard what happened and wanted to help. You’re my friend. I can’t ignore that. Dana couldn’t give me any medical info, but she’s really attached to Lily.” Grayson winks at Dana.
“You two know each other?”
“Kinda obvious, cuz,” Jay laughs.
“She’s married to my band leader.” Grayson glares at me. “And don’t snap at my drummer’s wife anymore.”
“I’ve gone off on a lot of people in this hospital. How am I supposed to know who that is?” I’m really surprised security hasn’t actually tossed me out.
“Tru was the student doctor with Doctor McCormick after surgery.” Dana pushes Grayson and Jay out the door when two nurses arrive with Lily. “I need to get my patient settled in her room.”
“Thanks, man.” I wave to Grayson, but my eyes stay on the unconscious woman in the bed as it moves into the room.
Lily’s here. It’s time to help her fight through this stage. She’s not out of the woods yet, but a path now leads toward the light.