Carolina Blue

Part 20

Carolina's POV

About a half hour has passed when MaryAnn renters the waiting room. I can tell her face is more tear stained, and I am worried about what Cope will look like, but it has to be better than when I saw him lifeless at the arena.

I look at Lukas who places his hands on his legs and pushes him up. We walk in silence to Cope's hospital room. As we reach Cope's hospital room door, I hear Lukas and I both take a tight breath simultaneously. We then reach for each other's hand looking for comfort and strength. As I lead us into Cope's room my mind is filled with the beeps of several monitors, and my vision is filled with a Cope that looks entirely different than any version I have seen of him. My other hand goes to my mouth to slow the sobs that I know are about to overflow.

I slowly let go of Lukas's hand and walk cautiously to one of the chairs next to Cope's bed. I place my hand in his, but unlike normal there's no reaction, no squeezing as tight as Cope could to get me riled, no twitch of the fingers, nothing. I decide to try and talk to him, knowing that they say sometimes coma patients can still hear what is surrounding them. "Cope." My voice is shaky. "I need you to be strong."

Lukas walks up and stands behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder and gives it a comforting squeeze. I continue, "C'mon Cope I know you want to wake up and say something smart ass about how that was one hell of a ride."

Lukas flashes a slight smile at that, then adds, "Yeah, Cope ya gotta wake up for your girl and your best friend. We need you. I wanna hear you joke that this is my fault that I encouraged you to go for the red bull when you were set on the black one."

I look up at Lukas noticing that his eyes are glassy, and I reach up to place my hand on his that is still on my shoulder. Lukas adds quietly, "I'll gladly take the blame for this buddy if you just wake up."

I then add in my own whisper, "I love you Cope."

There's a small knock at the door and we look over to see Rhett. "Hey" Rhett says, then walks over closer to Lukas and I. Rhett then continues, "If ya'll want to stay here I understand, they told MaryAnn the next twenty-four hours are very critical. If you want I can take your truck back to Bennett's and do the chores in the morning and come back tomorrow. Or if you all want to come home that's fine too."

I bit my lip nervously checking the time it reads now almost one in the morning. However, I have no intention of going home and to bed, my brain is too wired from everything today. I look up at Lukas gauging his reaction and see that he's already looking at me almost asking what I would like him to do. He must see something in my eyes that gives him the signal to answer, "Thanks Rhett, I think we'll stay. As long as Carolina will let me that is."

I look up and tip my lips up just a tad into an almost sad smile and answer, "of course."

Rhett nods and then says, "Hey Carolina, are you okay if Lukas and I step out for a second so I can have him give me the keys and talk about chores."