Dr. Abayon assured us that it could take time for her to wake up but thatshe would. I won't be okay until she does. Until I see her beautiful piercing eyes, feel her reciprocate my touch, and hear her voice, none of this will feel even remotely okay.
Every part of me needs her as severely as my lungs need oxygen pumping through them for survival.She is my life support. If the past six years without her proved anything to me, I'm nothing without her.
I don't want to be anything without her.
Sitting beside her bedside, I lean over and brush a stray hair away from her cheek, letting my hand linger on her skin.
"Hey baby," I say, stroking the apple of her cheek with my thumb. It's time to wake up now, Rosie." I keep my voice soft, but the need in my tone is evident. I lean down and kiss her forehead, and as I do, I hear the shuffling of the door opening behind us.
"Mr. Cole," Dr. Abayon says softly, giving me a brief wave as I turn to see her.
"How's our girl?" She asks, clearing her throat as she presses further into the hospital room.
Our girl? No, she's mine. Only mine. Back off, lady.
"She still hasn't shown any sign of waking up." I press my lips into a straight line as I reach for Via's hand.
She nods once, and then a smile meets her face.
"Well," she begins, "As expected, that may take some time, and that's perfectly normal. The good thing is that all of her vitals remain stable. After everything she has endured," she visibly cringes at the words, "she probably needs the rest." Dr. Abayon leans in and rubs Via's arm gently.
A soft knock at the door cuts her off. "Ander," Izzy's voice quietly fills the room.
"Hey, Iz, I thought you were going home and getting some rest?" I ask as she walks in further, looking as shitty as I feel. She just shakes her head. I sent everyone away for a bit. We had all been here for hours without sleep, and they needed rest.
"I just. . . couldn't." I nod, not putting up an argument because I get it. She drops her gaze to Via and then to Dr. Abayon.
"I'm sorry to interrupt. Should I?" She points to the hall and then holds my gaze. I shake my head and say, "Stay." Then, I shift my gaze back to the doctor and give her a nod, signaling her to continue.
Dr. Abayon clears her throat again and shifts uncomfortably, making my heart sink further into my gut. I can tell that whatever she's about to tell us isn't good news, and I'm not sure where this will go or if I'd be able to handle any more news today. I inhale, filling my lungs, and clench Via's hand tighter, bracing myself.
Before the doctor can continue, I feel a fluttering movement in my hand that isn't mine. I look down to see Via's index finger twitching in my hand.
"Doc. . ." I scream, pointing to Via's finger, and Dr. Abayon looks over and then flashes a soft, sympathetic smile, looking between Izzy and me.
"Well, it seems someone is trying to wake up." She looks between Izzy and me again, her face shifting to sadness briefly before resuming the stoic expression it previously held.
"Brain injuries are a tricky thing. We need to tread lightly. We aren't sure what she remembers, and after everything she's endured, we don't need to press her too hard once she's awake."
Izzy and I shared a look between another and an unspoken agreement not to bombard her, and then both nodded.
I release Via's hand as I make my way to lay in the bed next to her, clinging to her and being extremely careful not to move her or to hurt any of her injuries further.
"Hey, my Rosie," I whisper into her ear as I gently kiss her neck and rub my thumb in circles across her cheek. She starts to stir restlessly; her eyes squeeze shut as if she is stuck in a dream she can't escape.
"Hey V," Izzy says as she leans down and kisses Via's forehead softly.
Her eyes remain closed, and she groans in pain as she shifts uncomfortably. I pull out of the bed and resume my stance next to her bedside, reaching for her hand, but as soon as I grab it, she pulls it back.
Ouch.
She is starting to wake up, and that's all that matters.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Foley. My name is Doctor Abayon. I'm the lead physician on your case. You're in the hospital."
The doctor begins speaking to Via as if she's fully awake. The more she does, the more Via stirs restlessly as if she's trying to wake up. Dr. Abayon signaled for us to take a step back from the bedside, so Izzy and I released her hands, and each took a step back. Watching helplessly. Dr. Abayon pulled a phone out of her pocket, held it to her ear, and quietly spoke into the receiver, calling for assistance to room 311.
"You're safe here, Ms. Foley. You're safe." The doctor continues as she leans in with a flashlight, pulling Via's eyelids open, one at a time. In true Via fashion, as she goes to do it a second time, she swats the doctor's hand away with a groan, sending the flashlight flying to the floor as two nurses enter the room.
