BLINDSPOT-REPATA LUV

READE RISES (REPATA)

Please forgive the brevity.  

Edgar Reade returned from the dead, so to speak (after Red Reddington
rescued him, through various contacts of his). He reunites with Tasha Zapata
and his infant daughter, Isabel.

"You came back to me," she whispered. "I don't...I really don't know how I would have gone on without you. You coming back to us is a miracle-in a way I knew that you would."

Reade continued slumbering in his induced coma state. A large scar bisects his left eyebrow and she couldn't be consoled when Reddington's physicians advised her that he'd been in traction for several months due to broken hips, legs, and left shoulder.

"Your baby...she's so much like you, Reade. She's so beautiful: a perfect blend of us-and sometimes it's hard to look at her because I see her in you. She's bossy like me, and even at her age, she's so helpful and caring. When I cry she puts each of her little hands on the sides of my face and...ella me consuela (she comforts me). Aparte es muy chiflada: tendremos que echarla de nuestra cama la pobrecita ! (Also she's spoiled: we'll have to kick her out of our bed poor baby!)

I never should have left you," Tasha sobbed. "I know that you said to but I should have disobeyed. And I know that if I had Izzy would also have died, but the three of us would have been together. I'll be here every day, and your baby has a little fever but I'll bring her soon. She looks like both of us, really-those serious eyebrows of yours, and your nose...she's mocha-colored, with long curly hair-more liso (wavy) like mine. She's SO FUNNY, Reade, and NOSY! She's crawling already..." a nurse entered then and announced that Reade is to be slowly brought out of his medically-induced coma.

Outside at the nurse's station, the ICU nurse says "I'm Micki, by the way-I should have introduced myself earlier."

"It's fine," Zapata says, blotting her tears. "Natasha: Tasha to my friends." They exchange 'mucho gustos ' (nice to meet you).

"I've wanted to ask you...why do you call your man 'Reade' instead of Edgar or Eddie?"

Tasha laughs. "All of the people in our friendship circle do. We were in law enforcement, and it's common to address colleagues using their surnames. It just stuck."

"Got it. He should be back with us by Friday morning-three days-at most. "I overheard your friends: the Wellers, talking about what Ed did in that cave-in: saving you and...and we're so happy and pleased that he survived and has found his way back to you...we all consider it such
an honor to care for him. I know Ed-READE-from before: he and my fiance played ball together at Michigan-Trey was a running back-" (both pause for the obligatory 'GO BLUE'! and Micki continues): "I was at the University of Texas at the time and we hung out as much as we could. I could see even then how much Trey loved him, and I love him too. You have a special, special man in there, Tasha."

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FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Seconds after her mother brought her to Reade's bedside the baby blurts "¡APA, Mami! Mia Apa" and wriggles in Tasha's arms, her little arms reaching out to Edgar. "¡Calma, usted Señorita! (Calm down Miss) Tasha mock-scolds, and hands the child over to her father. Micki comes in to
change an IV bag, smiling at how Izzy she immediately bonded with her daddy, crawling about, exploring; her mother stood close by in case she tangled with tubing or some such...allowing the toddler into the bed broke some hospital protocols, but she's happy to let it pass...

"Guys: your friends the Wellers left a message that they'll be by later tonight, before visiting hours end; also Ms. Patterson and her husbands are about thirty minutes away," Micki said. "ED-I mean READE-having you back with us is such a joy. Good night. Bue Bye, Linda."

They bid her good night and Tasha said "It's as if the baby's always known you; she wants to be close to you: watch...she tried to pick Izzy up and she screeched in protest, trying to squirm back from her mother's arms and back onto the bed.

"Huh," her man said.

"SEE!," she laughed.

"How about that...by the way: I heard every word you said, while I was in the coma. I'll never regret sending you out of there...and...if...you've ...moved on, I understand..."

"NEVER! If you didn't...survive, I would have raised Izzy ALONE! There's NO ONE-there could NEVER BE ANOTHER MAN, Reade-NEVER!"

Izzy says "Kiii! in agreement.