Dr.Corey approached Riley, scanning the board with her vitals."Riley, this is Dr.Corey.Can you hear me?"
He had seen this before.Patients waking from comas but not aware they had woken up, trapped between reality and the darkness they'd been in.Gently, he laid her back down.Her sobbing subsided, replaced by quiet sniffles.He grabbed his penlight and shone it into her eyes.Riley blinked, then her gaze focused.
"Hello, Riley," Dr.Corey said with a reassuring smile."Welcome back."
Chapter 91
Recovery
"Isayweshouldhavea big celebration!"Declan announced, leading the team down the hospital corridor."I mean, an all-out 'you're awake' party, with all the snacks!"He beamed, his usual carefree demeanour returning as he walked with Cici beside him.Marta and Daniel followed close behind, while Cam jogged to catch up after finding a parking spot.
"Maybe wait a few days before you organize a crazy party for her?"Cici side-eyed him.Declan was always the joker, using humour to cope with emotional situations.He'd been as worried about Riley as the rest of them, but Declan's way of dealing with heartache was by cracking jokes, keeping spirits high.
"You just want us to throw you a big party," Cici teased, nudging him."Go do something heroic, and I'll plan it for you."
Declan grinned, nudging her back."You know me too well."
As they entered Riley's hospital room, a collective sigh of relief washed over them.There she was; sitting up in bed, supported by a pile of pillows.Some colour had returned to her cheeks, and the smile she gave them was electric.They had missed her.
"Grayley!"Declan shouted as he clapped Gray on the back and patted Riley's foot."You two are a sight!"
Gray shook his head, confused."What did you just call me?"
"Oh yeah, mate.You two are like one of those Hollywood power couples, so I figured you needed a name.'Grayley'--it's perfect!"
Declan stepped back quickly as Cici tried to swat him."That's terrible!"she cried.
But Daniel laughed and gave Declan a high five."No, it's brilliant!'Grayley'--yup, that's gonna stick."
While they laughed, Marta and Cici moved closer to Riley."How are you feeling, hun?You scared the ever-loving shit out of us," Marta said, kissing Riley on the cheek.Cici brushed a lock of hair away from her face.
Riley smiled weakly.Speaking had been hard since she woke up, her body feeling like a truck had run it over, and her broken ribs made every breath painful.In a raspy voice, she managed, "Thank you."
Declan, suddenly emotional, shouted, "I gotta get drinks!"and bolted out of the room.No one would see him cry, but that small sound from Riley instead of her usual powerful voice had hit him hard.
As the door swung shut behind him, Gray retold the story of how Riley had woken up.He had already filled in her parents that morning, omitting the screaming for their sake.The nurses had agreed to keep that quiet too.
Riley listened to her friends, feeling lucky.Gray had explained what had happened, and she knew, deep down, what went wrong.She wasn't sure if someone had told her in a dream or if she'd heard it while in her coma.
"Did you know we were here?"Daniel asked, wondering if all their talking to her had made any difference.
Riley swallowed hard, looking at Gray for help.
"When she woke up, Dr.Corey, the night doctor, asked if she remembered anything," Gray explained."She said the last thing she remembered was being underwater and hearing the dolphins...then nothing.Right now, it's easier if you ask her soup questions."
"A what question?"Marta blinked, confused.
"You know, 'Would you like soup?'--yes or no answers.Haven't you heard that before?"
"Oh, you mean a 'fries question,'" Marta said, laughing."Got it."
"Fries, soup, same thing."Gray chuckled."It's easier for her."
Riley reached for Marta's hand."Bear?"she whispered.
Marta grinned."That mutt's fine.Spoiled to the max!Gray's been helping me with him, and Cam's turned into a softie.He lets Bear come to work, says it's 'for staff morale,' but he's lying.He loves that dog as much as the rest of us!"
Before Riley could respond, Declan burst back through the door, holding drinks for everyone."Cinnamon roll!"
