What I Couldn't Live Without

Ch. 2 - Footprints

Footprints - Molly Kate Kestner

"Mom and dad told me, when you were on the way they wouldn't love me any less. Well I didn't believe them, I thought you'd take my place. I didn't know a best friend is what I'd get."

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Y/N's POV

It's been a week since Evan was taken off of the ventilator. Doctor Perez says his brain activity looks good so he could wake up any time.

Every day we walk in with a sense of hope and excitement, and everyday he stays sleeping, we leave feeling nothing but disappointment. We have been reminding ourselves that it could be so much worse than it actually is, and we're trying to stay positive, but it's so emotionally draining.

Mom and Dad were in Evan's room with Flo while Lizzie and I went out to eat somewhere nearby. We talked about life and how unfair it is sometimes, and also tried to talk about wedding plans. Lizzie has been trying her best to keep up with it, but obviously, it's been a bit difficult.

We walked back to the hospital room with to-go bags in hand from the chinese restaurant we were just at, and handed out each dish to their respective requestor.

"How's he doing?" I asked, sitting next to my dad on the couch with Lizzie on the other side of me.

"The same as he was doing before you left." Dad said, running a hand through his hair.

We sat in silence for a while. Me reading a book on my phone and Lizzie scrolling through emails while the other three ate their food. The only thing rippling through the silence was the TV set at a low volume, and the buzzing of various pieces of medical equipment.

"That smells good." I heard come from a strangled voice in front of me. It was actually more of a croak, but everyone in the room understood and shot out of our seats immediately.

Evan.

"Oh, thank God!" Flo cried as she wrapped her arms around his neck, careful to avoid injuries and wires, and sobbed into his shoulder. "Thank God."

"Evan," I said as I approached his side, moving hair out of his face, and feeling tears forming in my eyes. "Thank God, you're awake."

"I'm going to go get Doctor Perez." Lizzie said as she ran out of the room.

Mom and Dad took turns greeting their son as Flo was still attached to him, definitely not moving anytime soon. Lizzie ran back in only a moment later with a few doctors in tow.

Doctor Perez greeted Evan and started asking him questions while the other two checked the data coming off of the machine monitors.

"Do you know where you are?" The doctor asked, clipboard in hand.

"Um, a hospital?" Evan answered, flinching at the pain of using his voice for the first time in months.

"Correct," Doctor Perez chuckled. "But, do you know where? And if it hurts to talk, you can just nod."

Evan shook his head, meaning he didn't know where exactly he was. "I'm assuming Atlanta?" He whispered.

"That's right. What's the last thing you remember?"

Evan looked at me with a worried expression before dropping his head and slumping his body.