The Ballad of Eddie Munson

Coming Home

Lissa's soft voice filled the room as she read Return of the King; the words drowned the steady beeping of the EKG machine. Every few sentences, her eyes shifted up, hopeful to see his chocolate button eyes looking back.

Wayne shifted in the chair next to Lissa. "I might need more coffee." He looked at Lissa, "Need anything?"

She shook her head, "I'm good, thank you."

Lissa yawned as Wayne left the warm medical room. She attempted to finish the chapter, but much needed sleep overpowered her.

—

Groggy, Eddie began to rouse. He blinked rapidly, his brain failing to recognize his surroundings. A plaster ceiling, faint, natural light, machines beeping steadily - a cold, clinical room. Goosebumps spread across his skin. The machines beeped faster. Eddie looked to his side, rubbing the crust from his eyes and clearing his vision. Lissa?

Slouched in the armchair next to his bed, Lissa slept with his worn book against her chest. She snored lightly.

The beeping slowed, his muscles relaxed, he took a deep breath. Eddie tried to stretch, but his body ached. He winced and drew in a sharp breath.

Lissa stirred at the change in sound. She rubbed her eyes, they stung from exhaustion. She looked at Eddie, her chest tightened and tears welled in her eyes.

He looked at her with a crooked smile. "Hey, sweetheart."

She leapt out of the chair to stand by his side and grabbed the railing of the hospital bed, all words and coherent thought were lost.

Through the ache, he reached up and laid a palm against her cheek. His eyes watered, his smile soft. "Just had to check." He moved his hand toward the back of her neck and pulled her toward him.

She cried as their lips met. She pulled away suddenly and looked at the door, "I need to tell them you're awake."

His hand squeezed lightly, bringing her attention back to him. "They can wait." He kissed her again.

The railing dug into her ribs, losing herself in the moment. The door opened, Lissa straightened quickly, embarrassed.

"Ah, Mr. Munson, welcome back to the land of the living." Dr. Owens stepped into the room and sat on a stool opposite of Lissa. Wayne followed Dr. Owens. Lissa sat back down, allowing Wayne to reunite with his nephew.

"Eddie," he cried, lifting Eddie into a hug. Eddie hugged back tight, despite the sharp pain.

After Wayne released Eddie, Dr. Owens introduced himself. "Hop and the kids were kind enough to fill us in on everything that happened. I've gotta say, this isn't my first rodeo with the strange and unusual, but for what you went through, you're pretty unscathed and that" he nodded "is very strange and unusual." Dr. Owens set his clipboard onto the counter behind him.

Eddie looked back to Lissa and Wayne before looking back to Dr. Owens "Wait, what do you mean?" He inclined the bed to keep face to face with Owens.

"We've run every test we could - skin, hair, blood, saliva; we've been monitoring your brain activity, and everything is coming back normal." He waved a hand, "Sure, you'll have scarring and you might have PTSD, but kiddo, you are healthy and ready to go home."

Everyone faced the door, watching Hopper enter the room. "Hey," he removed his cap.

"Ah, back in uniform." Dr. Owens pointed out.

"Yeah, Powell was apparently relieved. But I didn't mean to interrupt, the nurse let me know he was awake."

Staring at Hopper, Eddie's eyes were wide and his stomach tightened.