The Christmas Wish

Chapter 10

Tommy's POV

It has been several weeks since we were rescued and brought to the base hospital. The surgery had been successful and Luke was alive. He was still asleep after they had taken him off the medication and after a couple weeks, he still hadn't opened his eyes. The crew had to go home not long after. I had told them to go home since there was nothing more they could do here and I would keep everyone updated on him. I spent every day by his side hoping that one day he would wake and we could go home. The doctor and nurse come in every day and check on his vitals. There has not been much of an improvement. It breaks my heart to see such a lively guy with so much to live for just lying there.

"Hey man, it's been a couple weeks and the doctor says it is all up to you to wake up. You've got to. Think of Laura and your baby girl, they need you. You've got to wake up. Besides, I am tired of just sitting here doing nothing."

I chuckle to myself, hoping that he can hear me. I gave his hand a squeeze, and I swear I felt him squeeze back. I squeeze again to see if I was imagining, and again, I feel it. This time, it was a definite squeeze. I look up, and I could see his eyes flutter, and I stand up as he opens his eyes wide in a panic and tries to pull out his trach tube. I quickly pull his arms down, and he starts to thrash around.

"Luke, stop. You are okay. We are safe. You are in a hospital. We made it out. Calm down."
He slowly relaxed, and I let go of his arms. I press the call button and let them know that Luke is awake. The doctor quickly comes in to assess him.

"Hello Mr. Williams. Glad to see you awake. I am going to assess your vitals first and then we can take that tube out." He checks all his vitals and his pupil reflexes as well as the reflexes in his arms and legs. Everything is great except for the right leg. I can see he is frustrated about that. "Okay Mr Williams, I am going to count to three and you are going to blow out as I remove the tube. Do you understand?" Luke nods his head yes and the doctor takes hold of the tube. "Ready? One.... two......three." He pulls the tube as Luke exhales, and as the tube is removed, Luke starts coughing. I quickly get some cold water for him, and he drinks it down.

"What...hap....happened?" Luke asks in a raspy voice holding his throat.

"We were rescued, but you were shot in the process. They brought you here, and the doctor saved your life."
"Thank you. Where are Cap and the others?"
"They had to return home. I told them I would let them know how you are doing."
"I would like to thank them. How am I looking, doc?"
"Everything is looking good, but you have severe nerve and muscle damage to the right leg. There is a significant amount of tissue missing from your calf. There will be a lot of surgeries to repair, and there is no guarantee that we can save the leg."
"I know that there was something wrong with it. I haven't been able to feel or use it since the explosion. Do what you can, doc."
"I've got to call everyone and let them know you are awake. Laura will be so happy."
"Please don't tell her yet. I don't want her to know her husband may be a burden when he gets home."
"Come on man, you can't do that to her. She is probably a wreck right now.:
"No, I can't do that to her."

Fine, I think you are making a huge mistake."
He goes quiet as I get up to call Brandon. It rings several times, and he finally answers. It sounds like I have woken him, and I had forgotten about the time difference.

"Hello?" he answers sleepily.

"Hey Brandon, it's me Tommy."

"Oh my god, man, it's so good to hear your voice. How are you doing?"
"I am doing well. Glad to hear from you too. I just wanted to call and let you know Luke is awake and doing well."

"That's awesome! Can I talk to him?"
"Sure, let's walk back into his room."
I walk back over to the bed and hand him the phone. He looks at me in question, and I just shake my head.