Trauma changes people. trauma changes everyone.
All rights for the 9-1-1 cast and all rights to most of the plot goes to ABC. New plots and new characters belong to me 🫶
Book continues in Apparition! 🫶
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EDDIE
The first rays of sunlight crept through the blinds as I padded quietly to the kitchen. The house was silent, save for the occasional creak of the floorboard beneath my feet. I glanced at the clock: 6:45 AM. Too early for the kids, but late enough that I couldn't justify crawling back into bed.
I filled a mug with coffee, letting the warmth seep into my hands as I sipped it. The caffeine was barely starting to work its magic when I noticed someone in the living room.
Lydia.
She was curled up on the couch under a blanket, a trash can sitting beside her. My stomach tightened, and I quickly sat my coffee down on the counter. Moving over to her, I crouched beside the couch and gently shook her shoulder.
Her eyes fluttered open, and a soft smile tugged at her lips when she saw me. I mouthed, "Are you okay?"
She nodded and then spoke, her voice slightly hoarse. "My hearing came back."
Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile back. "That's great news," I said, feeling the weight of the past two weeks lifting slightly. There was already more life in her expression than there had been since this whole ordeal started.
I sat back on my heels. "Why are you out here?"
She blinked a few times before answering. "I felt nauseous last night, and I had a horrible headache. I didn't want to wake anyone up."
Reaching out, I placed a hand on her forehead. "You don't feel warm," I said, reassured that she wasn't running a fever. "It's probably from your concussion. After breakfast, I'll get you some anti-nausea medicine, okay?"
She nodded, looking around the room with a faint hint of curiosity.
I stood up, brushing a hand through her hair lightly as I said, "I'll get you some cereal."
"Thanks," she said softly, her voice steady but still tinged with exhaustion.
Back in the kitchen, I grabbed a bowl and the box of cereal, my mind racing. I pulled out my phone and dialed Buck's number as I poured milk into the bowl.
"Why are you calling me at 7AM on my day off?" Buck groaned on the other end of the line.
I chuckled. "Lydia's hearing came back."
There was a beat of silence before Buck's voice erupted, "Really? Are you serious?!"
I couldn't help but laugh again. "Yes, Buck, I'm serious."
"Be there in a minute!" He said quickly before hanging up.
Shaking my head, I brought the cereal back into the living room, setting it down in front of Lydia. She smiled as she took a bite.
"Buck's on his way," I told her.
She nodded, chewing quietly. "Okay."
Grabbing the remote from the coffee table, I handed it to her. "Want to watch something while we wait?"
She smiled faintly. "Sure."
I settled on the couch next to her as she flipped through channels, eventually landing on a reality show as I sipped on my coffee. We watched in comfortable silence, her occasional small laugh breaking through the quiet.
