The Expansion of the Universe {Completed}

Fifty-Eight | "What is this really about?"

With Liza's progress, Elijah seemed to have received a sudden, intense burst of energy and hope. Any semblance of sadness was entirely washed away, and she felt pride (for once) that she had been the one responsible.

For the remaining portion of the day, after she'd squeezed his hand, he was bustling about like an overeager child. Every time he left to get food or drink, he would reenter and instantly snatch up her hand and ask, "Will you say 'hello,' babe?"

So far, she had been able to greet him with a hand squeeze every single time. Not that her exhaustion mattered much; she would fight through it however many times she needed, so long as she was always rewarded with a loving kiss on the forehead and Elijah's crow of, "That's my girl! A fucking warrior, doll, I swear."

Yeah, she was, wasn't she?

When her mom entered later, Elijah didn't wasn't a second. "Hey, Eli," the woman started, only for Elijah to cut her off.

"Liza squeezed my hand!" He exclaimed exuberantly. "She knows I'm here!"

There was a pause, and Liza heard the woman suck in a sharp, shocked breath. "Eli," Mom started gently, and Liza was confused by the sympathy in the woman's tone, "there's clear movement in the brain according to the tests, but keep in mind what they said about physical movement possibly being due to—"

"Ma'am," Elijah's own tone was respectful but firm, "I know what they said. They also said that she has been becoming more aware recently. I'm telling you: This wasn't reflex. She's done it more than once." Softer, he added, "It sucks ass to get our hopes up, and you know I wouldn't do that to you."

Ah. Liza understood. Her poor mother was simply trying to protect herself from disappointment. She certainly couldn't fault the woman for that.

"Liza," Elijah called her name, and she focused on him immediately. "It's okay if you can't, sweets, but try to tell your mom, 'hello,' okay?"

Okay.

Liza waited patiently as Elijah allowed her mom's hand to replace his own. The woman's fingers were far more petite, and the skin was softer, though there were still rough, calloused patches that came from hard work and constant use.

Once Mom's hand was tucked around hers, Liza pushed aside the feeling of fatigue that was creeping up in the back of her mind. She couldn't fall into slumber quite yet; she had something still to prove. She'd be damned if she couldn't give her mom the same hope that she had been able to give Elijah.

Her body, tired as it was from both her minimal actions and her inward burst of adrenaline, was slow to respond. Nonetheless, after zeroing in on the nerves and muscles of her fingers, she repeated her earlier act and pressed down against her mom's skin.

The response wasn't as immediate or loud as Elijah's.

Rather, after a short silence, her mother released a gentle gasp and a murmured exclamation of, "Oh, my goodness, Lizzie."

And then came the tears, but they weren't loud sobs like Elijah's. In fact, the only reason she knew her mom was crying at all was due to the occasional sniffle and a tear-clogged whisper of, "I'm so proud of you, baby."

Inwardly, Liza beamed.

All she had been trying to do, since she first found herself hidden away and unable to make human contact with everyone, including her own mother, was reconnect with the woman and make her proud. Even though this was not how Liza had originally intended to accomplish such a feat, she was thrilled by her mom's words, nonetheless.

"She's amazing," Elijah agreed with a happy sigh. "The best. Hear that, Milo?" Milo must have come with Mom. "Your mom's the bravest woman alive, and she'll be back, watching us tussle in the backyard in no time."