Sarah nodded in understanding before inclining her head to look behind him. Paul looked behind him too before turning back to her with a subtle nod.
Nikki watched Sarah walk over to her niece, who could only be described as shivering as she held herself against the wall.
“Hey, Amy,” Sarah spoke softly as she came to stand before her.
Amy gave her a weak smile, a myriad of emotions swimming in her eyes.
“Oh, come here.” Sarah drew her into her arms, and after a few tense seconds, Amy’s arms came up to hug her back.
Nikki felt warmed by their interaction, and a smile made its way to her face as the scene before her chased away the nerves dancing to a strange beat in her stomach. Her eyes sought out Paul. He was already staring back at her with a knowing glint. His head inclined, acknowledging some unspoken confirmation about the two young women. Just then, Trish’s doctor walked in.
“Ms. Murphy, how are you?” he greeted Nikki as he came to a stop before her with a bright smile.
“Honestly? I’m nervous,” she confessed, clasping her hands before her.
“That’s to be expected, but you needn’t worry. Trish’s vitals have improved a great deal since she woke up. She is conscious of who she is, so that’s a good sign that there is little to no permanent neural disruptions. I must caution you however that she is still a bit out of it, so don’t mention anything about the accident because we don’t want to overwhelm her. That could delay her progress significantly.”
“Thank you so much, Dr. Smith,” Nikki replied, grateful for his explanation of her sister’s current state. “Can I see her now?”
“Yes, of course, but only one or two at a time,” the man advised her.
Nikki turned to Amy and held out her hand for her to take it. Amy’s eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth opened and closed as she tried to speak, but in the end, she jerked her head from side to side.
Nikki walked over to her niece and gently entwined their fingers. “You don’t have to be afraid, Amy. I’m sure you are the first person Trish would want to see.”
Amy’s chest rose and fell rapidly as her eyes shuttered. She swallowed, slackening the tension in her jaw as her eyes slowly opened. Her head hesitantly nodded, and that was all the agreement Nikki needed. She gently pulled her niece toward the room Trish was in.
After a slight pause, Nikki pushed the door open and entered the room. The beep of the machines and the tubes running from Trish’s arms and her nose were there like before, but as Nikki slowly approached the bed, she noted that her sister no longer wore an oxygen mask, and the ventilator was pushed to one side of the room. Trish’s chest rose and fell freely, and this brought a relieved smile to Nikki’s lips. Her hands went up to cover her mouth, and she looked down at her sister before turning to look at Amy, who remained by the door. Nikki turned back to Trish and took the remaining steps until she stood above her.
Nikki reached down and took her sister’s hand in hers and leaned forward until she was a few inches from her face. “Trish, it’s me, Nikki,” she whispered softly.
Trish’s eyes flew open almost instantly, and tears pooled in their depths when they finally focused on Nikki, who had tears of joy and relief flowing down her cheeks as well.
“Nikki,” Trish spoke, her voice coming out weak and brittle as she continued to stare up at her as if unable to believe her eyes.
“Hey, Sis.” Nikki gave her a watery smile.
“Nikki,” Trish repeated, a smile finally turning up the corners of her mouth. She tried to raise her arms but could only move them a few inches above the bed.
Nikki gathered her in her arms, holding her carefully so as not to disturb the needles in her arms. Tears flowed freely down her face as she sobbed with both joy and remorse. “Oh my God, Trish, I thought I lost you,” she wept. “I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you.”
Trish managed to raise one of her hands, and she patted Nikki’s head reassuringly. “I’m here,” she forced out.
After a good minute, Nikki disentangled herself from her sister and sat in the chair before bed. She reached out to lovingly run her palm down Trish’s cheek. “I’m really sorry we grew apart. All those years…I should have done something, more than I did…” Noticing the look of distress on her sister’s face, she quickly changed the subject. “We can talk about all that another time when you’re much stronger. There’s someone here you’ve been dying to meet.” She smiled brightly.
As if suddenly realizing they weren’t alone, Trish’s eyes darted toward the door where Amy stood looking over at her with already wet eyes. Trish’s hand went to her mouth as she stared in shock at her daughter. More tears flowed down her cheeks, a guttural sound forcing its way through her lips. She lifted her hand as far as she could, beckoning for Amy to come closer.
Slowly, Amy walked over to the bed and grasped the hand her mother held out to her. Nikki slid out of the chair and walked to one corner of the room with a smile on her lips.
“A-A-Amy?” Trish asked, even as the tears blurred her vision.
“Yeah…it’s me. Your daughter,” Amy confirmed for her. This only caused Trish to sob bitterly as she tugged on Amy’s hand, pulling her down to her chest. Amy’s hands went around her mother, and without warning, she too started to sob uncontrollably.
“I’m so-so sorry,” Trish whispered against her hair, her voice filled with pain and regret.
“I know,” Amy responded, not moving out of her mother’s embrace.
“I love you so much,” Trish spoke with much feeling. Amy didn’t respond to her mother’s declaration this time, and slowly, they separated.
