When our matching blue eyes connect, the love I see there steals my breath."Cole, you're not accountable for my death; you never were.It was simply my time."The sincerity in his voice melts the massive iceberg of guilt I've carried for so long, years of pain dissolving like ice in sunlight.
"Never, ever think you shouldn't play because of me and what happened.Even if you never perform for a crowd, at least play for yourself."His voice catches."And know I'm goddamn proud of the man you've become.I love you, son."
These are the words I've needed to hear for fifteen years.My hands descend to the keys of their own accord, fingertips tingling with anticipation.As I begin to play, I sense Dad's smile, feel his presence beside me as the music flows from some deep, hidden place inside me.The melody surrounds us, and for the first time in forever, I embrace the freedom of creating music, reconnecting with the part of myself I thought I'd lost.Playing from my heart and soul is ridiculously liberating.I close my eyes, letting this moment seep into every fiber of my being.
"When will he wake?"
"When he's ready, sweetheart."
"I miss him."
My daughter's soft voice, filled with sadness, pulls me back.My eyelids part slowly, revealing a stark white ceiling.
What happened?Where is my father?
I push the lingering echoes of piano music aside and raise my head, discovering I'm in a hospital bed.Sam sits hunched forward in one of those solid wooden chairs that numb your ass after an hour, her fingers lightly touching my arm.The moment I move, she shoots upright, those beautiful blue eyes – so like mine – filling with tears.
"Hey, sweetheart."
She lifts herself carefully, wrapping her arms around me in a gentle hug.The fresh apple scent of her shampoo fills my nose, and something in my chest cracks open.
"Dad!"Her voice breaks on the word."I-I missed y-you so much.I-I thought I lost you too."
When she pulls back to meet my eyes, I see the terror she's been carrying."Sam, I'll always do my best to come back to you."The promise feels carved into my soul.
A nurse with raven-black hair steps forward."Welcome back, Mr.Walker.How are you feeling?"
Before I can answer, the door opens.Brian and Bella appear, their smiles a mixture of relief and concern.Samantha settles back in her chair as Brian approaches, tapping my leg."Glad you're back, my friend."
Without warning, the image of Alex lying limp in my arms crashes through my mind.The sound of that flatline rings in my ears, drowning everything else out.
The heart monitor beside me goes crazy as panic claws up my throat."Alex!"Her name comes out strangled."Where is she?"
Samantha's hand grabs my fist."Dad, she..."
I stare at her sad face, watch her lower lip tremble, and my world starts to implode.I shake my head violently.
"No!"The word tears from my chest as I force myself upright, ignoring the screaming protest from my muscles."Get this off me," I growl, clawing at the IV and heart monitor.
"Mr.Walker.You need to lie down."
I glare at the nurse as she grips my shoulder.She raises an eyebrow, unfazed."Stop it!I'm here to help, but if you choose to be a difficult patient, I'm going to be your nurse from hell."
"I've been there already."
"Cole!"Brian's voice booms through the room."Alisha is alive.So lie your fucking stubborn nasty ass back in bed!"His hand clamps on my arm, steadying me.
The words take a moment to penetrate.
Are they telling the truth?
"It's true, Dad."Sam's fingers squeeze mine."Alisha is okay."When I meet her gaze, there's nothing but honesty there."Please lie back, Dad," she pleads.
"Listen to that smart daughter of yours, Mr.Walker."
My body sinks into the mattress as relief floods through me."That's better," the nurse says, watching my heart rate normalize.
"She's alive," I whisper, hardly daring to believe it.
