“Matt’s showing definite signs of emerging from the coma,” Dr. Davies confirmed. “His brain activity has been increasing steadily, and now we’re seeing physical responses. This is very encouraging.”
“Can we see him?” Stephanie asked again.
“One at a time for now,” Dr. Davies said. “And keep visits brief. His system is still recovering. Stephanie, why don’t you go first? Five minutes, then someone else can take a turn.”
Stephanie nodded, already moving toward the doors. Lynda caught her arm, pulling her into a quick embrace.
“Talk to him,” Lynda whispered. “He might not open his eyes yet, but I know he can hear you.”
After Stephanie disappeared into the ICU, Lynda sagged against Susan, who wrapped an arm around her friend’s waist.
“He’s coming back,” Lynda said. “I was so afraid, but he’s coming back to me.”
“Of course he is.” Susan blinked back her own tears. “He loves you. That’s stronger than anything.”
Dr. Davies excused himself to check on other patients, promising to return in an hour for another assessment. Mark came back into the waiting room, his face transforming when he saw Lynda’s smile. Amy explained what had happened, and he pulled her into a bear hug that lifted her off her feet.
“Maria would be so proud of him,” Mark said thickly. “Fighting this hard to come back.”
The mention of Matt’s late wife hung in the air for a moment, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was simply true. Maria would have wanted him to survive, to have the second chance at happiness he’d found with Lynda.
Lily tugged on Susan’s sleeve. “Does this mean Grandpa will wake up all the way?”
“It means he’s getting better,” Susan answered. “But it might take a little more time before he can talk to us.”
“That’s okay,” Ethan said seriously. “We can wait. Grandpa’s worth waiting for.”
Susan’s heart swelled at the child’s simple faith. She thought about Paul. He was probably working in his kitchen and checking his phone for updates. She thought about Isabel and Kathleen, who would want to know about Matt’s progress. She thought about the whole community that had been holding its collective breath, waiting for news.
Most of all, she thought about Lynda and Matt, about the love they’d built despite their fears and reservations. About choosing to risk your heart even when you knew how much losing hurt.
When Stephanie returned, her face was blotchy but peaceful. “He moved his head when I spoke to him. Just slightly, but I saw it. He knows we’re here.”
“My turn,” Mark said, straightening his shoulders. “I’ve got some things to say to him about scaring us all like this.”
As he headed into the ICU, Stephanie settled back into her chair with Lily while Ethan returned to his coloring. Amy sat beside Lynda, both women quiet but no longer gripped by that terrible waiting tension.
Susan pulled out her phone and texted Paul: Good news. Matt’s responding. He squeezed Lynda’s hand.
The reply came within seconds: Thank God. How’s Lynda holding up?
Better. Amy’s still here, and Stephanie and her family are here, too. It’s helping.
And how are you holding up? Paul asked.
Susan paused, considering the question. Her back hurt, she was exhausted, and the hospital’s fluorescent lights were making her headache worse. But beneath all that was something else—a deep gratitude that they’d reached this moment, that Matt was fighting his way back.
I’m okay, she typed. I’ll call you later tonight.
I’ll be waiting. I love you, Susan.
She stared at those last four words, feeling their weight. He’d said it before, in response to her raw confession the night of the accident. But seeing it again, stated so clearly and simply, made something settle in her chest.
I love you too, she typed back.
Around her, Matt’s family continued their vigil, taking turns sitting with him, bringing him back with their voices and their presence. Susan looked at Lynda, who was watching the ICU doors with hope written across every line of her body.
Matt was coming back. And when he fully woke up, he’d find himself surrounded by everyone who loved him, ready to help him heal and move forward into the life he and Lynda had chosen together.
