I look up at them for a split second, and by the time I look back at Via, her eyes are fucking opening. Izzy and I gasp in unison, the relief filling the room between us and staff alike.
It isn't quick by any means, and as her beautiful steel eyes are fully open, they stay trained on Dr. Abayon.
Her brows are furrowed in confusion. She presses her hands down on the bed next to her sides, pushing down to adjust herself in the bed, and she instantly winces and howls out in pain.
Out of instinct, I take a step closer. I want to reach in and help her, but one of the nurses darts a handout, stopping me.
My spine steels and I flash a look at the staff. The nurse leans in and whispers, "We have to take it slow so as not to startle her." Letting out a sigh, I nod in agreement, and I take another few steps back toward the window just out of Via's line of vision, but to where I can still see her, and I pull Izzy with me.
Izzy throws me a glare that would set me aflame if it could, but I'm unbothered. We both lean back against the window sill with our arms crossed over our chests, and we let the staff continue.
My leg is bouncing uncontrollably, and every part of me wants to pull her into me right now.
I don't want to take this slow. I need to hold her.
"Can you tell me exactly what hurts Ms. Foley?" Dr. Abayon presses, and her tone remains gentle.
Via's mouth moves as if she's speaking or trying to, but no words come out. She grabs at her throat, wincing and clearing it audibly. She coughs a few times and then lets out the word "everything" in a raspy, low voice that is barely audible. It may be low, but I hear her, and just the sound of her sweet voice sends shivers throughout my core.
Dr. Abayon nods and smiles, obviously pleased that Via spoke.
"This here is Ashley," Dr. Abayon continues as one of the nurses steps forward next to Via's side. "Ashley is one of your nurses, and she will give you some medicine through your IV to help ease the pain and get you comfortable. You may feel a littlesting, but it shouldn't hurt." Via blinks a few times at her words as if she's trying to process them, but she nods.
The nurse I now know is Ashley. She steps forward and reaches for Via's arm with the IV. She gets to work as Dr. Abayon continues talking and accessing Via.
"You've been through quite the ordeal, Ms. Foley. You are so strong, and we will take good care of you."
Via clears her throat again, her brows still furrowed, and the look of confusion on her beautiful round face kills me. As the seconds pass by quickly yet in slow motion, all at once, her look of confusion quickly morphs into panic.
"Why am I here?" Her voice is still extremely strained, raspy, and gravelly.
I take another step forward, needing to touch her. Needing to let her know I'm here, the other nurse, whose name tag reads Victoria, steps in front of me again and shakes her head sternly, nudging her chin and gesturing for me to take another step back like she's scolding a child. Izzy huffs a sigh next to me, growing just as frustrated as I am.
I can't fucking take this.
Ashley finishes administering the medicine through Via's IV and stands next to Victoria, creating a human wall separating Via from us.
Dr Abayon, who I have to give it to her, seems to have the best bedside manner of any physician I've ever witnessed, takes another step towards Via, grabs her hands, and rubs across the top of each of Via's hands.
"You were involved in an incident that left you very injured, but you, my dear, are doing fabulous."
Dr. Abayon pauses for a few moments before continuing.
"Can you tell me anything you might remember?" She continues rubbing Via's hands gently, caringly.
Via raises her brows. She pulls her hands away from Dr. Abayon as she courses them over her face, rubbing her eyes.
I can see the lone tear gliding down her cheek as she wipes it away.
She shakes her head, dropping it into her hands, and I can hear and see the sob racking through her body.
She's fucking confused.
Dr. Abayon places a hand on her shoulder and asks softly, "Do you remember anything, Ms. Foley?"
"NO!" Via shouts, and I shrink into myself at the sound of fear in her voice.
The heat of anger is pumping through me, and I'm about to erupt. I clench my fists at my sides, my knuckles turning white from my own grasp. Izzy places her hand on my shoulder to calm me, and I simply shrug her off. I understand taking it slow not to scare her, but she needs me.
