Zach reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring Cael had given him several days earlier. He slid it on his finger, breathing in deep. Cael was the best thing that had ever happened to him. No one in his life could compare to the man who’d been at his side for so long. Zach didn’t care anymore. He wasn’t going to hide the fact that he was in love with his best friend.
Zach’s phone rang. His heart stopped when he saw Dr. Cruz’s name flash on the screen.
He cleared his throat before answering. “This is Zach.”
“Hi, Zach. It’s Dr. Cruz. I’m sorry to call so late.”
“It’s fine, doctor. How’s Abbey?”
“Why don’t you come down and ask her yourself? She’s awake.”
Zach almost dropped the phone. Tears rolled down his cheeks. “She is?” He choked out the words.
“Yes. She’s been awake for the last thirty minutes. We’ve been running tests. She seems to be comprehending the situation and talking. She’s asking for Taylor.”
Zach cried, unable to find the words to respond. He sniffled, forcing himself to calm down. “I’ll be down there as soon as I can.”
“We’ll see you shortly.”
Zach palmed his phone and ran inside, forgetting the whole situation with his grandparents. Everyone was in the living room, gathered around the coffee table, even his grandmother who was sitting beside Cael, talking to him, with Taylor in her lap. For a moment, Zach wondered if his brain was playing tricks on him.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” his mom asked.
Everyone looked at him. Cael jumped up and came toward him.
“Abbey’s awake. She’s asking for Taylor.”
Tears sprouted in everyone’s eyes as Cael reached Zach and wrapped him in a hug. Zach squeezed his arms around Cael as tightly as possible and buried his face against his neck, crying hard.
“Told you she’d come back to us,” Cael whispered, his voice strained. He kissed Zach’s hair, hugging him long and hard. “We should go, shouldn’t we?”
Zach nodded and rubbed his eyes then wiped the tears from his cheeks. “I told Dr. Cruz we would be there as soon as we could.”
Zach and Cael took off with Taylor with the understanding that Alex would bring his mom and grandparents in a few minutes. Walking into the hospital with a different sense of urgency than before, Zach clutched Cael’s hand in a tight grip as he carried Taylor with one arm.
Dr. Cruz stood at the patient information desk as if waiting for their arrival.
“Hi, Zach. Cael.” Dr. Cruz gave them a genuine smile. “Hi, Taylor.”
“Hi, Dr. Cruz.” Zach glanced at Cael. “So, how is she?”
“Abbey is doing quite well considering. She’s a little slow to comprehend and respond, but she is responding appropriately, though she is having some difficulty forming her words. She also doesn’t recall anything from the day of the accident, which is perfectly normal. We haven’t tested her motor skills yet, but she was able to grasp a cup and drink from it, so that’s promising. She is waiting for you. Just try to be patient with her. I’d like to limit the number of visitors at first so she’s not overwhelmed. The three of you can go in and see her.”
“My parents and grandparents will be here shortly.”
“The nurse will be able to inform you when they arrive so you can switch. Let’s keep visitors to two at a time, plus Taylor.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
Zach held Taylor as Cael opened the door to Abbey’s hospital room for them. He entered slowly with Cael right behind him, his hand on the small of his back. Fresh tears came to his eyes when he saw Abbey sitting upright in her hospital gown, wide awake looking at him.
“Abs?”
Abbey’s eyes shimmered. “Zach. You brought my baby,” she said, her voice soft and weak, her speech a little slow.
“Mama!” Taylor squealed, dropping her binky, thankfully hooked to the strap. She bounced and giggled, leaning and reaching toward her mom.
Zach tightened his hold on Taylor so she wouldn’t fall forward and moved closer to Abbey.
