Chapter 89
Waiting game
Asthedayspassed,Gray felt stronger.Riley's parents had been staying at his place while he was in the hospital.It made little sense for them to spend money on an expensive hotel room when they could stay there.
Lady Thatcher made sure that Riley's care was covered, no matter the cost.She had enlisted her beloved caretaker, Raeni, to prepare easy meals so everyone could stay well fed.Today, she'd even convinced Riley's parents to leave the hospital, "just for a wee moment, my lovelies," and had taken them to a quiet restaurant, offering them a break from the din of hospital machines.
Riley looked bad.The bruises under her eyes, once vibrant hair now limp on her pillow.And the bandages wrapped around her ribcage told the story-four broken ribs.Gray felt sick knowing that he'd broken them, but the doctor kept assuring him, "If you hadn't been so forceful, her heart wouldn't have started again."
Started.Again.
Even Bear could visit her, though he howled and cried at the sight of her unresponsive body.Eventually, he laid his head in her lap and closed his eyes, refusing to leave until they gently pulled him away.Marta had moved into Riley's house to keep Bear company, and Cam even let him come to work, serving as a morale booster for the staff.A reminder that Riley was with them, even if she couldn't be there physically.
Gray sat beside her, holding her hand, speaking to her in soft murmurs when no one else was around.At night, when the hospital was quiet, he'd slip into her bed and lay beside her, talking to her for hours.He didn't know if she could hear him, but it made him feel better.
"Remember when you tried to get me to wear that bikini?It was ridiculously small.That's when I knew you were special."
"We should go rollerblading soon."
"Where's that tiny island you sneak off to?I want to go with you.I want to go everywhere with you.Come back to me, Riley.Please, my love.Wake up."
But after days of talking to her, nothing.Not even a twitch.
Gray heard someone clear their throat and looked up to see a petite woman standing in the doorway.
"Hello.I'm Shanti.Lady Thatcher sent me to wash this young lady's hair.Am I interrupting, or can I get started?"She smiled warmly at Gray.
"Oh, of course.Sorry, I was just..."He trailed off, forgetting what he'd been saying to Riley.
"No worries, you can stay and keep talking to her while I work.Maybe you could help me?This bed's high for me."She gave a small laugh, gesturing to her short stature.
Gray fumbled with the bed controls."Yeah, of course.We've been moving it up and down depending on who's visiting."He lowered the bed and pulled it away from the wall."Just be mindful of all the tubes and monitors."
"Perfect.Now, can you help me with my supplies, and we'll get started?"Gray nodded, grateful for the distraction.
Together, they lifted Riley's head and placed it in the shallow basin Shanti had filled with warm water."She's got a lot of hair, oh my!"Shanti poked Gray in the ribs playfully.He blushed, remembering how much he loved Riley's hair.As he ran his fingers through it, Shanti added shampoo.
"We can't deal with all of this at once, but we'll get her scalp clean.When she wakes up, I'll come back for the rest.Sound good?"
Gray smiled, appreciating how she was including him.
"Just massage her scalp gently; we don't want too many bubbles.Whoops, I forgot my brush.Keep doing that, and I'll be right back."
Gray looked a little lost but continued as instructed, massaging her scalp.He leaned in and whispered, just in case Shanti came back quickly, "When you're out of here, I'll do this for you whenever you want."He kissed her temple, and as he did, he noticed her fingers.
Did they just move?
His heart raced.He leaned in closer, pressing lightly on her head again."Riley, can you hear me?Move your fingers again, my love."
He watched, holding his breath.Her pinky twitched.He gasped and looked around frantically.Where was Shanti?Where was the call button?
Shanti returned just as Gray blurted, "She moved!Get the doctor!"
Shanti's eyes widened, and she rushed back out to the nurse's station.A nurse ran back in."What moved, Gray?"The staff knew him well by now.
"Her pinky!Watch."He put pressure on Riley's head again and whispered, "Show them, Riles."
After what felt like an eternity, Riley's entire hand jerked.
