“Hi, Zach. This is Dr. Valerie Cruz. If you’ll recall, I recently took on Abigail as my patient.”
“Yes. Has, um… has something happened to her?” His voice almost caught in his throat, but he managed to get the words out. Zach held his breath, wishing Cael were here to steady him. To hold his hand and reassure him that everything was going to be okay, no matter what the news.
“In a manner of speaking, yes. Abigail had a sudden increase in brain activity early this morning followed by a brief period of consciousness.”
A hoarse sob fell out of him, and Zach’s eyes teared up. His chest tightened as he struggled to stay calm, afraid to get his hopes up. “She woke up? What, uh—” His voice hitched. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“After about forty seconds of wakefulness, Abigail slipped back into unconsciousness, and we’ve been unable to wake her with external stimuli since. At this time, your sister continues to remain unresponsive, however, scans show that her brain is functioning much like that of a person sleeping, all of which mean her chances now of waking in the near future are significantly increased.”
It took mere nanoseconds for Zach’s mind to comprehend. He stood, grabbing what was left of his sandwich, the wrapper wadding around it. “I’m on my way.”
“I had a feeling.” Zach felt the doctor’s smile through the phone. “I’ll have one of the nurses inform me of your arrival in the event you have additional questions.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Zach hung up, blinking back tears. He grabbed his Bluetooth earpiece and pushed it into his ear. As if on autopilot, his thumb scrolled to his contact screen and hovered over Cael’s profile picture. “I have to go, Riley. Abbey, she—”
“I know.” Riley smiled. “Go. I’ll lock up your office for you.”
“Thanks. And thanks for lunch. I owe you.” He rushed out the door.
“I want dinner.”
Zach halted, spinning around, confused as to why she would ask for a date when she knew he had a boyfriend and distracted by his need to see Abbey as soon as possible.
“Not just us, silly. With you, Cael, and Abbey. When she’s better of course.” She pressed her lips into a hopeful smile. “Now get out of here. That woman better be thrilled to have a brother like you.”
Zach ran up to Riley and hugged her. She squeezed him hard in return. He released her and hurried away.
“And drive safe!” Riley hollered from behind him
Zach beamed, his heart filled with joy and aching with hope. Abbey was fighting, and he’d be damned if he wasn’t going to help her win this battle—one of too many in her life. Call it a fucking war. That’s essentially what it had been for her since the night she was attacked a couple years ago. One fucking battle after another. It wasn’t fair, but if anyone could come out alive on the other side and win the war with death, it was Abbey.
***
Zach bit his lower lip, unable to stop the stupid, hopeful grin from breaking across his face nor the damn fucking happy tears moistening his eyelashes, as he read Cael’s text messages again.
Told you she would fight.
I can’t talk now, with a patient.
Call you as soon as I can. Maybe I can get Rick to cover my last 2 patients.
Keep me posted if anything changes.
Love you.
Zach checked the time on his watch. Four-fifteen. He’d have to pick up Taylor from daycare soon.
Since the doctor first called him earlier, there had been no change in Abbey’s status, which was both good and bad. She hadn’t woken again, but her increased brain activity also hadn’t shown any signs of deterioration. Of course, it had been less than a day. Anything could happen.
After speaking with Dr. Cruz when he arrived a couple hours earlier, Zach had moved the lone chair in Abbey’s hospital room closer to her bed and sat down. He’d texted Chloe then called his mom and dad, giving them the latest update before spending the next hour or so just talking to Abbey. He told her all about what Taylor was up to, that Mom was having a rough day but promised to visit later with Dad, how everyone missed her, and ended with the current status of his relationship with Cael.
“He’s been fucking amazing, Abs, especially with munchkin. I couldn’t have gotten through these last couple months without him. Hell, I couldn’t get through life without him. I can’t believe it took me so long to figure that out. And the way he kisses me, fuck, that’s the best. I can’t… I can’t even describe how wonderful it feels. And I can’t believe you knew.”
Zach’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen.
“Speak of the devil.” He pushed the button on his earpiece. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, I’m finally out of here. You still at the hospital?”
