Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 3: Comeback

Joe's POV

The soft click of the hospital room door opening made me look up from my vigil at Ally's bedside. There stood Kevin with Willa and Delphine.

My heart clenched at the sight of their worried little faces, their eyes wide as they took in the sterile hospital room.

"Hey, baby girls," I said softly, trying to muster a reassuring smile despite the exhaustion and worry that had been my constant companions for days.

"Come in. It's ok."

Willa, ever so protective held Delphine's hand as they approached Ally's bedside.

Their eyes widened further at the sight of all the machines surrounding her.

"Ally sleep?" Delphine asked in a small voice, her bottom lip trembling as she clutched her favorite stuffed rabbit closer to her chest.

I nodded, kneeling down to their level.

"Yes, sweetie. Ally's in a very deep sleep right now. The doctors are helping her get better."

Willa's brow furrowed, her eyes never leaving Ally's pale face.

"But why won't she wake up? We brought her favorite flowers."

She held up a bouquet of tulips, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the clinical whites and grays of the hospital room.

"Those are beautiful," I said, my voice thick with emotion, "Ally will love them. We'll put them right here so she can see them as soon as she wakes up."

Kevin, stepped forward to help arrange the flowers in a vase while I lifted Delphine and Willa onto my lap so they could see Ally better.

"Can she hear us?" Willa asked, her little hand reaching out hesitantly to touch Ally's.

"I think she can," I said, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, "Why don't you talk to her? Tell her about your day."

Willa nodded solemnly, her face scrunching up in concentration.

"Hi mamma," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I miss you. I drew you a picture. It's of us having a tea party with my stuffed animals. Mr. Fluffles misses you too."

I felt tears pricking at my eyes as I watched my daughters with Ally. They'd grown so close to her over the past year, and seeing them here, so concerned and loving, made my heart ache.

The guilt I'd been carrying since that moment with Sophie felt heavier than ever.

Delphine sniffled. "Sing?"

I nodded, smiling through my own tears. As I began to softly sing Ally's favorite song - Hesitate, I caught Kevin's eye. He gave me a supportive nod, wiping away a tear of his own.

Halfway through the song, my voice cracked. The sight of my daughters clutching to Ally's still form, the weight of guilt and fear I'd been carrying, it all came crashing down at once. I tried to hold it together, but a sob escaped my throat.

Willa and Delphine looked up at me with concern.

"Daddy?" Willa's small voice quivered.

I couldn't speak. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to breathe, my body shaking with the force of my sobs.

All the emotions I'd been holding back for days – the terror of almost losing Ally, the shame of my actions, the exhaustion of keeping it together for everyone else – it all poured out at once.

Kevin immediately stepped in, his voice gentle but firm.

"Hey, girls, why don't we go get some ice cream from the cafeteria? Give your dad a moment with Ally."

Willa, always perceptive beyond her years, hesitated. "But my daddy's cryin'-"

"It's ok, sweetie," Kevin assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Your dad just needs a little time. We'll come back soon, alright? Maybe we can bring back some ice cream for him too."

Willa hugged me tightly before sliding off my lap.

"Don't cry, daddy. Mamma will wake up soon. She promised to teach me how to braid my hair, remember? And she never breaks her promises."

I managed to nod, pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads as Kevin ushered them out.

As the door closed behind them, I completely broke down. I clutched Ally's hand, bringing it to my tear-stained cheek.

"I'm so sorry," I choked out between sobs, "Ally, please, please come back to us. I can't do this without you. The girls need you. I need you."

My body shook as I wept, all the pent-up emotion pouring out.

"I love you so much," I whispered, my voice raw, "More than I can ever explain. Please baby, come back to me. I'll spend every day making this right. Just please, wake up. I can't imagine a world without you in it."

Images flashed through my mind – Ally's radiant smile, her infectious laughter, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she is passionate about.

The thought of never seeing that again was unbearable.

With my hands in hers, my face pressed against the hospital bed, crying and pleading, I suddenly felt it – the slightest twitch of her fingers against mine.

"Joe?"