Chapter 22

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by glambert6370

by glambert6370

~Joey's POV~

Daniel leaned his head against the car window. I grabbed his hand. The hospital released him today. He's been awake for two weeks now. He's been in physical and regular therapy every day. It's so good to have him back. Things are moving slowly. After he woke up, he fell asleep. The doctor said that that was completely normal. He said that waking from a coma takes a few days. They wake up slowly, go back asleep, and wake up again in a cycle.

Waking up was somewhat scary. He'd go back to sleep, then he'd wake up, cussing and screaming, ripping at the IV's. We had to teach him simple things again. He'd wake up crying. The doctor said it was because his memories were slowly coming back, and it was a lot for him to take in. It'd scare me half to death. I wouldn't leave his bedside. We slowly got him to eat solid foods again. We had to help carry him when he started walking again. The therapist said that he was already much farther along than most coma patients. He already had a strong awareness of speech and understanding. Most coma patients are in a hospital months after they wake up. But I'm just so glad to have him back.

"I moved in with my friend, David. We used to live together a while ago. You can stay in my bed." The doctor also said that it was important that he shouldn't be alone. Daniel sort of 'hmm-mm'ed. I slowly pulled into the driveway. I called David out and he helped me carry Daniel inside. He leaned on our arms and we brought him to the couch. David smiled weakly and walked upstairs. Daniel and I sat in silence. It's strange. It feels like he's totally different; like I'm meeting a new version of him.

"Congrats on the book and song." Daniel said, looking me in the eyes. I turned to face him, surprised.

"So it's true? You can hear in a coma?" Daniel winced when I said coma.

"Yes, but it sounds muffled and distant. Can we not talk about it?" He said, clearly uncomfortable. "How did you find my Mom?"

"I have my ways." I said, trying to act like I hadn't gone through his whole house to find her number.

"Thank you." Daniel leaned over and rested his head on my lap. I stroked his hair.

"Daniel?"

"Hmm?" He moaned.

"I missed you so much. Please be in my music video."

"Of course." He leaned up and kissed me. Our first kiss in months. My heart fluttered. Daniel pulled away when he saw that I had started crying. "Why are you crying?" He whispered, his eyes sleepy and concerned.

"I was so scared. I planned for us to have a romantic Valentine's Day dinner. And the first time I ever saw you lying on the hospital bed, my heart broke. You were so pale and lifeless. It's like you were gone. And having you back feels surreal. Sometimes, I feel like I'm gonna wake up, and you'll be gone. That you're not here anymore and I've just gone insane to cope." I looked down and let my tears fall into my lap.

"No no. I'm here." Daniel cupped my face. "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. I won't leave you. I'm so sorry." He pulled me close and hugged me tight. I shook against his strong body. Usually, I'd try not to cry this hard in front of him. But I let myself go. I've been praying to have him hold me like this for months.

"I hate that lady who did this to you!" I shouted.

"No, don't say that." Daniel held me at arms length. "She came in almost everyday when you weren't there." I looked up, shocked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"She came in almost everyday, alone. She sounded so sad and traumatized. She said that she'd do anything to go back and redo that day. She told me how guilty she was because she could see how torn you were. Joey, she doesn't deserve to be hated. I understand how angry you are, but please don't hate her." Typical Daniel, always seeing the good in everyone. That's why I love him.

"I love you so much!" I pulled him into a heated kiss. God how I've missed that. I've missed the scruff of his beard on my chin. I've missed how softly he cups my cheek. I leaned into the kiss, implying that I want more. But Daniel pulled away. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Daniel smiled and leaned into another kiss. He started leaning backwards on the couch. I took the hint and crawled on top of him. I kissed him harder. Daniel closed his eyes and stopped kissing him. I studied his face and saw how tiredly he looked up at me.

"You should sleep." Daniel 'hmm-mm'ed and closed his eyes. Right away, he drifted off and fell asleep. I brushed his hair out of his face and kissed his cheek. I grabbed a blanket and draped it over him. I turned around and watched him sleep. Part of me couldn't help but freak, thinking of him lying there in that hospital. But he's not. We're out of this nightmare for good.