Linstead - Broken hearts

Chapter 62

Sam rushes to Erin's side and holds her hand, waiting to feel something. She feels nothing and hopes that's a good sign. Jay didn't rush to her side but went outside to call doctors and nurses to examine her. They were all soon disappointed by the medical professionals.

"I swear!" Maya insists.

"I know, honey, it's normal, it's a sign she's recovering, but it doesn't mean she'll wake up right now."

"When will she wake up?" Jesse asks.

"Well, we don't know, it depends on her. It could be that..."

Erin moans a bit while slowly opening her eyes.

"Mommy." Maya screams, drawing everyone's attention.

The nurse and doctor move them away from her.

"Erin..." the doctor says, and Erin blinks and opens her eyes again, confused and not knowing where she is or what's happening. The nurse turns off her breathing machine and gets a glass of water for her.

Erin grimaces while sucking on the straw. Her throat is dry, and her whole body aches.

"Welcome back," the doctor says to her.

"I... I..." she starts.

"You need to rest. I'll ask only yes or no questions, and you can nod or shake your head for us, okay?" the doctor asks, but is ignored as she looks at her children.

"I will never, ever leave you," she says, looking at Maya and Jesse.

"I love you, Mommy," Maya says, moving closer to her.

"I love you too," Jesse says, also moving closer.

"I love you all," she says, still weak but needing to say it.

"Erin..." the doctor calls.

"I want..." she continues to ignore him.

"You need to rest."

"I'm okay."

"Babe, listen to the doctor," Jay asks.

"I'm okay," she says again. "I just want, I need you to know that I love you." She looks at the four most important people in her life. She doesn't remember anything but feels she needs to say this to them.

"We love you too," Sam says, with tears in her eyes.

"It's okay... Erin, do you remember what happened?" the doctor asks.

"Not very well," she replies. "I need more water." She asks, and the nurse brings it. Her voice is more hoarse than usual, but it doesn't hurt.

"What do you remember?" the doctor asks. She's speaking softly and weakly, but she's talking, so he allows it.

"I was in the car, I looked at Jay through the rearview mirror, then I saw the light turn green, and when I followed, I don't remember clearly, everything went black very quickly."

"You had a collision."

"Kids..." Jay interrupts the doctor. "Let the doctors do their job, let's go." He says, looking at the doctor, who understands what Jay wants.

"Let's go, I'll take you for ice cream," Sam says, guiding them out.

"I want to stay with Mommy," Maya replies, not moving and looking at her mother.

"Me too," Jesse says.

"I just need to be evaluated, and then you can come back. Is that okay?" Erin asks, and Jay doesn't wait for them to respond, holding them by the shoulders and moving them away from Erin.