Unexpected Love

26. A Christmas Miracle

As the days turned into a week, the weight of Lucy's absence became heavier and heavier on everyone's shoulders. December 8th came and went without any sign of improvement, and Angela found herself clinging to each moment spent by Lucy's bedside like a lifeline.

Tim, and Nyla came every day, bringing Lila with them in hopes that her bright smile and chatter would somehow penetrate the darkness enveloping Lucy. Sargent Grey stopped by too, his usual gruff exterior replaced by one of quiet concern.

They all sat together in a vigil of sorts, united in their love and worry for Lucy. Angela barely slept, instead choosing to watch over her, holding her hand and whispering words of encouragement and love.

*Please come back to me,* she thought desperately, her own strength waning with each passing hour. Tim tried to convince her to go home, to take care of herself, but she refused.

Lucy needed her. And so, she remained, a constant presence in the sterile hospital room. On one particularly bleak afternoon, as snowflakes danced outside the window, Angela sat with her head bowed, her hands clasped tightly in Lucy's.

She didn't know what else to do, what else to say. All she knew was that she couldn't lose her. Not now. Not ever. "Lucy," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Please wake up. We need you."

Angela's fingers trembled as she carefully brushed Lucy's hair, each stroke a silent prayer for her partner's recovery. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks, but she didn't bother to wipe them away, allowing them to fall onto the hospital blanket.

Lucy lay there, motionless, her chest rising and falling only because of the machines that kept her alive. It wasn't fair. *Why her? Why now?* Angela couldn't help but wonder.

With a shaky breath, she set the brush aside and picked up a small bottle of nail polish. Christmas colors - Lucy's favorites. She had brought them from home, hoping that the familiar scent and sight of them might somehow reach Lucy, buried deep in the haze of her coma.

Gently, Angela began to paint Lucy's nails, coating them in a festive mix of red and green. It was such a simple act, but now it felt like the most important thing in the world. "Look at these," she managed to say, her voice thick with emotion. "You always did love Christmas." She tried to laugh, but it came out as a sob instead.

As she finished the last nail, Angela leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Lucy's cool knuckles. "Come back to me," she whispered against her skin. "Please. Lucy please, I can't live without you! It was supposed to be our first christmas!" she cried hysterically.

As Angela pulled away from Lucy's hand, something caught her eye - the faintest flutter of movement. Hope surged through her veins like liquid fire as she stared at Lucy's face, willing it to change.

And then, it happened. Lucy's eyelashes moved again, ever so slightly. Angela's breath hitched in her throat, her eyes widening with disbelief. Could it be? Was Lucy finally coming back to her?

"Lucy?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. The room seemed to hold its breath as she leaned forward, her heart pounding in her ears.

And then, a miracle - Lucy's eyelids began to flutter open, revealing the familiar hazel gaze that had been absent for so long. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, Angela's tears falling freely onto Lucy's pale cheeks.