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Thoughts of the worst happening keep me from relaxing for a long time. Eventually, I have to force myself to focus on a better outcome. I picture us living in the B&B, maybe because it's the only place that we've been together. At first I make a sleeping schedule for us all, but then my brain focuses on the math of building an enormous bed, big enough to fit us all.
Who am I anymore? I chuckle to myself at the realization that I've gone from an angry loner avenging his terrible childhood, to mentally building furniture to fit a polyamorous family. I finally fall asleep daydreaming about what a perfect future would look like.
Dr. Franks arrives at daybreak. Lukas and Micah let him in and make a breakfast spread while Six and I sleep in a bit on the couch. Jackson is still asleep when we finally force ourselves up.
We give him more time to sleep, figuring that if his vitals are good that the extra rest will only be beneficial. We eat prepackaged danishes and cut fruit and talk about how much we miss Mrs. Coolson. Once we're all cleaned up and dressed, we decide it's time to face the music.
Micah and Dr. Franks are discussing what realistic expectations should be.
“It is possible that it would be too early to expect any results, but with the already above average healing, I would expect to notice something,” says the doctor.
Lukas wakes Jackson by wafting microwavable bacon and coffee beneath his nose. Jackson rouses with a groggy yawn.
“What the hell is that?” he asks Lukas, looking suspiciously at the bacon.
“It's microwave bacon. Not the best, but not bad.” Lukas shrugs.
Jackson wrinkles his nose and looks offended. I don't blame him, I'm not a fan, but for some reason I find it surprising and really amusing that Jackson has such high standards for his breakfast. I suppose he did grow up with Mrs. Coolson's cooking, but he's spent so much time on the road or camping, I would have expected him to have some experience with prepackaged foods.
“Bacon is a delicacy and should never be treated in such a manner.” Intentionally or not, he sounds so much like Bennet that it hurts, and I almost snort coffee up my nose.
“So how are you feeling?” asks Dr. Franks, cutting to the chase.
“Um…kind of amazing, actually. I don't want to move in case it's just a fluke, but I looked around to make sure I didn't accidentally press the morphine button. Not that I feel high or anything, but I have very little pain.”
“What would you say your pain level is at?” the doctor asks him.
“Like a one. The pain I feel right now is maybe equivalent to the soreness I've felt after a few days of hiking up a steep mountain.”
“That sounds…really promising,” says Micah, looking more hopeful than any of us have the right to be.
Call me pessimistic, but it just cannot be this easy.
“Do you mind if I check your bandages?” The doctor asks after writing down Jackson's vital signs.
“His blood pressure is definitely down from yesterday,” Lukas notices with a smirk. I wonder what that’s about?
Jackson gestures to Dr. Franks to go ahead, flinging the blankets away from his lap.
When the doctor peels back the bandage, he gasps. His face, usually a deep tan, blanches as he takes two steps back from the bed.
“What? What's wrong?” Six stands up from her spot on the couch to see. Astonishment creases across her forehead, eyes wide and hands covering her mouth.
“Holy shit,” Micah exclaims, his eyes wide.
Jackson doesn't speak, instead he sits up, flinging his legs over the side of the bed to stand. Ripping the bandage off, he reveals an actively healing scar, puckered and pink where just last night it was a bleeding wound.
The first thing he does is rip the rest of the wires and tubes off his body. Then, he bounds around the bed, picking up Six and twirling around before hugging her close to his body. Holding her head in one large hand, he smashes his lips against hers.
When he pulls away, her cheeks are flushed but also wet with tears.
“Does this mean we can help Bennet?”
Dr. Franks has yet to speak, still stunned.
“This is extremely promising,” says Micah. “I don't think we should get our hopes up yet, because Bennet's injuries are far more serious and we don't know the extent of his brain damage. But at the very least, this very well could save his life.”
“If he ends up being brain dead, does that count as being alive, though?” Lukas says, being practical as always.
