Page 54 of The Road Back to Us

“She is allowed one visitor if you’d like to come see her,” he said, pulling my attention back to the moment.

I looked from him then between my parents.

“I can stay with her?” I asked, my heart racing so fast the blood pulsed loudly in my ears.

He nodded and then started walking as I followed him into the unknown.

We went down several hallways until we finally stopped outside of Lyric’s room. I pushed out a breath and waited for him to let me in, but instead, he stood in front of it and held his hands in front of him.

“Like I said, Lyric hasn’t woken up yet. We’re doing everything we can to monitor her and the babies, but sometimes things can change in a heartbeat. You’re welcome to stay with her, but just know that we may need you to leave if things take a turn.”

I nodded, the lump in my throat getting tighter as I glanced at the door that held everything I loved behind it.

Forty-Eight

Cole

“Thanks, I’m okay,” I said quietly, holding the phone to my ear and speaking in hushed tones as I spoke to my mom. “I’ll let you know if anything changes. Thanks for taking the kids home, I appreciate it.”

“Of course. If you need us, call. We’re going to grab food on our way home, but I can always have Dad drop something off at the front desk for you if you’d like.”

“I’m good. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

I stared down at the floor as the sound of the monitors filled the silence around me. It had been three hours since I’d been allowed to sit with Lyric, and she still hadn’t woken up. Several nurses and doctors had come in to check on her and the babies, but I was starting to get concerned that she wouldn’t wake up.

I hung up with my mom and set my phone on the table beside me as I shoved my hands through my hair and let out a soft groan of frustration. I felt helpless, unable to do anything for Lyric, and hated that I had to leave everything up to fate or whatever the fuck was responsible.

“You should eat,” a soft voice said, the words barely audible.

I whipped my head up and stared in disbelief as Lyric’s eyes fluttered open and she slowly looked around the room.

“Oh, thank fuck,” I whispered, leaning in to grab her remote before pressing the call button for the nurse several times. I set it down and then gently cupped her face, thankful she was awake. “You gave us quite a scare.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” I said right as the door opened and a nurse walked in. She stopped and stared in disbelief as Lyric slowly turned to look at her.

“Well, look who’s awake,” the nurse said softly, propping the door open with her foot before leaning her head out and calling to someone else. “Tell Doctor Rodriguez she’s awake, please.”

She came inside, letting the door close behind her as she approached the other side of the bed. Her attention was immediately on Lyric as she looked her over before turning to check the monitors. A few seconds later, the doctor came in.

I stood up and moved out of the way, giving them space to work.

“I’ll come back in a few,” I promised her before slipping out the door to give them space to take care of the woman I loved.

I stepped into the hallway, leaning against the wall as I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed my mother. She answered on the first ring.

“Did you change your mind on dinner?” she asked.

“Lyric is awake,” I said, smiling as my heart flooded with warmth, hoping that everything would be okay after all.

Forty-Nine

Lyric

I sat in the hospital bed, listening while the doctor explained things. I remembered the truck coming straight at me and hitting the brakes as I tried to get out of the way. According to the doctor, the man driving the truck had a medical emergency and passed out before he hit me. I tried not to be angry with him because it wasn’t his fault, but knowing that I had several broken ribs and they were monitoring the babies because there was a slight decrease in fetal movement left me with so much rage that I didn’t know where to direct it.

The doctor continued explaining what they had done when I first arrived at the hospital, including blood transfusions after they did an emergency laparotomy to stop the bleeding. They were able to confirm that the placenta for each baby was intact and hadn’t been ruptured due to the impact of the accident. I would need to stay in the hospital for a few days while they continued to monitor the babies and watch for any signs of distress.