"How are you?"
"I don't know."
"How is he?"
"I don't know."
"How do you not know?"
"I don't know."
I could hear Elijah's voice, but I could barely comprehend it. I had been at the hospital for about an hour with no word about my dad. All I knew was that he was in surgery, and they would let me know what was happening as soon as they could.
Dean had driven me to the hospital, and one by one, Sam, Elijah, and Janelle showed up. They all asked me the same questions, Elijah getting angry when Dean told him we had no news. Klaus showed up when Elijah went to go find a nurse, and I continued to pace.
"Audrey," he seemed to sigh, hugging me tightly. "I'm so sorry."
I didn't say anything, just hugged him back. I heard him asking Dean what had happened, but the words were slightly muffled since my face was pressed into Klaus' chest. I didn't strain to hear what Dean said, I had heard and repeated the answer enough times.
"Anything?" Dean asked when Elijah came back.
I pulled away from Klaus, walking back towards Dean and wrapping my arms around his right arm. "Yeah, did they say anything?"
Elijah gave me a sympathetic smile. "Nothing yet."
I sighed, sitting down and putting my head in my hands. "Oh my God."
Dean sat down, rubbing my back and pulling me into him, kissing the top of my head before gently resting his chin there.
"Ms. Anders?" a dark-skinned nurse with a tight bun called.
I stood up, bringing Dean with me. "Yes?"
"He's out of surgery. He's asleep, but if you'd like to visit with him you can. Two at a time, please."
Dragging Dean by the hand, I found the room the nurse had told me my dad was in. I stopped at the door, taking a deep breath before stepping in the room. He looked calm, his forehead slightly bruised by his fall, and a bandage wrapped around his forehead. I dropped Dean's hand, taking a seat in the chair next to the hospital bed. Gingerly, I raised my hand, taking my dad's in mine.
A nurse came in a few minutes later, looking at his charts.
"He'll be okay, right?" I asked, my voice shaky.
The nurse gave me a sympathetic smile. "He should be. We think he'll wake up tomorrow, and once he's awake we can run a few more tests."
"What happened?"
"Brain hemorrhage. It wasn't too bad, but he'll need to start monitoring what he eats and start taking care of his body."
"What do you mean it 'wasn't too bad?' He collapsed!"
"It could have been a lot worse. Believe it or not, he's lucky." She smiled again before leaving the room.
"Oh my God," I rubbed my eyes, hard enough that when I opened them my vision slowly faded back in.
"Should we go home?" Dean asked.
"No." I snapped. "I'm not leaving until he wakes up."
--
"Wake up, baby." Dean whispered, shaking me lightly. I had fallen asleep in the chair next to my dad's bed, in quite an uncomfortable position. I stretched, groaning as I tried to wake myself up. "I brought you some coffee."
