I looked around the cramped hospital room and smiled when I saw Jackie. She was standing at the foot of Noah’s bed, and Rich’s arms were wrapped her as she clung on to him. It seemed that everyone was crying, but I knew they were happy tears. The relief in the room radiated of everybody, and it was obvious at the look on Dean’s face, that he couldn’t have been more happy. He was gripping Jen’s hand tightly as he made his way over and stood next to me.
I guess you won’t be having many more sponge baths from the nurses, huh ? He chuckled, wiping his eyes as he put his hand on Noah’s arm. Damn it Noah, you really freaked me out there for a while.
Noah’s head turned slowly towards Dean. It seemed to take him so much effort, but he did it. He looked at everyone surrounding him, and he may not have been able to smile but I could see it in his eyes. He was happy. Looking around the room, I could see my Aunt Flo leaning against the back wall with her arms folded, and she had a huge grin on her face as she met my eyes. I understood why she was staying back. She was giving Noah’s family some time.
I’ll be back, I whispered to Noah, leaning down to kiss him on the forehead. He squeezed my hand tightly and my eyes widened as he shook his head. It was barely noticeable, and I don’t think anybody else did notice it but me, but I saw it. He didn’t want me to leave, and I could see the desperation in his eyes as he looked at me.
I will always come back to you, I whispered gently, keeping my eyes on him as he finally let go.
Smiling, I stepped back and motioned for Jackie and Rich. They immediately moved forward and stepped up to Noah’s side, looks of utter happiness on their faces. Talk to him, I said. He’ll want to hear your voice.
I watched for a second as Jackie sat down in the chair and started talking to Noah about anything she could think of. Everybody else just gathered around his bed and sat there, looking at him as if they couldn’t quite believe it. Tears pooled in my eyes as I watched Noah reach out slowly towards JJ, who took his hand. It was then that Noah’s head turned towards me. I was standing away from his bed, watching as everyone just sat there with him.
I love you, I mouthed.
He blinked at me and I knew that if he could, he’d say it back. Leaning against the back wall, I sunk down to the floor beside Aunt Flo and she put her arm around me. I rested my head against her shoulder and looked up at her.
He’s really awake, I cried, everyone else’s voices fading away as I closed my eyes and let the fear finally roll off my shoulders. I knew he’d be okay. He promised me.
Of couse he’s okay, she whispered back, pulling me in closer. He had everything to live for.
I nodded and opened my eyes, looking up towards Noah’s bed. His hand was still grasping JJ’s, who was sitting very still on the edge of his bed, being very careful not to touch Noah too much. His mother and father were still sobbing and I could see how overwhelmed they were. Jackie was still chatting about anything and everything whilst everyone else listened. But the person my eyes were drawn to was Noah.
His eyes were closed again, but he was refusing to let go of JJ’s hand.
……………………………………………..
*4 hours later*
All of us were stood in the corridor outside Noah’s room and we were all extremely anxious. I couldn’t keep still, so I paced back and forth quickly trying anything to distract myself. My shoes pounded against the floor and it was all the more noticeable seeing as it was getting darker, the night drawing closer. The corridor was mostly deserted except for a couple of nurses doing their hourly rounds of the patients. Taking a deep breath, I ran my hand through my hair and started to pace faster, the nerves going in to overdrive.
For the love of God, would you stop pacing, Dean huffed. You’re making me nervous.
Sorry, I muttered, forcing myself to stop. Walking over to the opposite wall next to Jackie, I leant against it and tried to calm myself down .
We were all waiting for Noah’s breathing tube to be removed but there was no telling how he would be. None of us were saying it, but there was tension in the air. Everyone of us were just a little bit nervous, but it seemed that I was the only one who was showing it. Dean, Jen, Jackie and Rich were just standing there in complete silence, thoughtful looks on all their faces. Pierce was doing his best to comfort Julie who was trying her hardest to keep it together, and almost failing.
Don’t be nervous, I thought. He’s going to be okay. Of course he is.
My eyes were closed as I repeated that sentence over and over in my mind. But after a second, I felt a tugging on my trousers. Opening my eyes and looking down, I smiled when I saw JJ standing there looking up at me with wide eyes. I was starting to notice how much he looked like his brother. When he got older, they would practically look like twins (except maybe for the blonde hair).
Hey buddy, I smiled, kneeling down so I was face to face with him.
I felt everyone’s eyes on me as they all swivelled around to stare. No-one had really said anything except Dean when he had scowled at me and told me to stop walking, so the break from the silence was surprising. Lily, he muttered sleepily, I’m tired and
You want me to lift you up, don’t you ? I laughed softly as he nodded at me.
Reaching out my arms, I pulled him close when he stepped in to me and cuddled against my chest. As I stood up, ignoring the sharp pain in my knees, JJ wrapped his legs around my waist and placed his head in the crook of my shoulder. Stroking his hair gently, I looked around and saw Julie and Pierce smiling at me.
Looks like you’ve won both of my son’s hearts, Lily, she smiled.
I smiled back as JJ started to snore softly. The poor kid had gotten hardly any sleep over the past week as he was like me ; he rarely wanted to leave Noah’s side. Julie and Pierce always had to carry him out otherwise he wouldn’t go. Sighing loudly, I leant back against the wall but I didn’t get a chance to close my own eyes as the door to Noah’s room suddenly opened and Doctor Adams stepped out, one of the nurses I had seen a couple of times appearing behind him.
Did everything go okay ? Rich asked nervously.
The doctor nodded as the nurse smiled and walked past us all down the corridor. Noah’s doing very well. Obviously he hasn’t had any liquids down his throat a for over a week so he can hardly talk. His voice is very raspy and it’ll just take lots of water and time until his voice comes back fully. I lifted JJ a little higher and started to walk towards him. His progress is extraordinary. He has good muscle control but for the moment he has to stay in bed. He’ll be off balance and his wound still needs to heal a little more before he’ll be up and mobile, but for now he’s doing well. But the best news is that there seems to be no damage to his memory or speech, which is a common after effect when a patient wakes up from a coma. He appears to be a very strong-willed man.
Can we go in and see him ? Pierce questioned, already walking beside me towards his room.
Of course you can, Doctor Adams smiled. But he’s exhausted and to have you all in there won’t help him recover any faster. His body just needs time to mend so I’ll suggest that if you all go in to see him, just make it brief.
But Dean interrupted.
Trust me, he just needs time to rest and by the looks of things, so do all of you. Now is the time for all of you to breathe and relax. He’s going to be okay so for tonight, you can all go home and get a good night’s sleep. And by the time you come back tomorrow, you’ll see how much a good night’s rest will help everyone, Noah especially.
Okay, if it’ll help Noah, Julie nodded reluctantly. But can we all just go in and see him for a minute before we go ?
Certainly ! I would never stop you from visiting him. But I’m advising you as his doctor, that he needs a lot of rest tonight. He’s managed to drink some water so he’s able to talk, although not much at this point. He still needs time.
We’ll make it quick, Dean said, a small smile on his face.
Seemingly satisfied, the doctor nodded and span around, walking down the corridor and soon disappearing from view. Taking a deep breath, and still holding on to a sleeping JJ, I stood back as everyone else shuffled in to the room. Lifting JJ’s head, I kissed his forehead and smiled when his eyes fluttered open and he groaned at me.
Hey little man, you better wake up because there’s someone who wants to see you.
Who ?
Noah’s awake, I grinned, astounded at the surprising speed as he suddenly wriggled out of my arms and jumped down to the floor. JJ ran in to the room and I stood in the doorway as he stopped at Noah’s bedside.
My eyes travelled to the bed and I could only stare, completely mesmerised. Noah was sitting up against his pillows and he looked exhausted. His black hair was laying limply over hs forehead and his eyes still looked bloodshot, but he was still the most handsome boy I had ever seen. His muscled arms were still hooked up to different types of wires, but at that moment I knew. There was always room for doubt in my heart but I knew that he was going to be okay. JJ was sitting on the side of the bed as he held on to Noah’s hand, and everyone was saying goodnight to him. After a brief moment, Noah’s parents reluctantly said goodbye and took hold of JJ, who was crying when he had to let go of Noah’s hand. Everyone smiled at me as they passed and Jackie stopped beside me.
I’m guessing that you’re not going anywhere tonight ? she smiled softly, a knowing look in her eyes.
I nodded. There’s no way I can leave him Jackie. I just can’t do it.
I know, she whispered, giving me a quick hug. Keep your eye on him, alright ?
I will.