Family in Progress

Hospital

Samantha's POV

About an hour passes before we can speak to a doctor about Micah's condition. Everyone is here with us, but I can tell they're getting tired and restless.

"Dad, Sophie. You guys should go home, it's getting late. Louis is here with me, and I'll be sure to keep you guys updated."

"Are you sure, sweetie?" Sophie asks.

"Yeah, it's fine. I don't want to keep you guys here when it's not necessary. Plus you guys aren't very far away so if I need something I know I can call."

They both wrap me in a hug before we say our goodbyes. Sophie readjusts Micah's blankets and kisses him on his forehead once more before finally heading out. I know how much they want to be here for me, but this is something I need to do on my own. Micah is my son and I'm the one who is supposed to protect him. I love my parents to the moon and back, but this is my battle, not theirs.

Louis stands over my shoulder as I sit by Micah's bedside, and begins rubbing my shoulders. Only he knows how I'm truly feeling, because we are both in the same situation here. Micah is our son and he's here, in the hospital, dealing with something no child or person should ever have to go through. His hearing and his health is something nobody can physically control, and that's the hard part of it all. Louis and I are helpless parents here.

I check my phone to see what time it is, and it's almost five. Micah woke up about 20 minutes ago and placed his order with our nurse for the meal he wants for dinner.

"Mama?"

"Yeah sweetheart"

"My head hurts really bad, and my ears hurt too." He begins crying as he cups his hands over the side of his head. I quickly get up from my chair and cradle him in my arms. Louis walks into the room a few moments later with the food we ordered for Micah and ourselves. He sets it on the hospital tray and gets everything out for Micah.

"Your dinner is here sweetheart, and I'm going to go talk to your nurse to see if we can get you some more medicine to help your pain."

Louis takes my spot on the bed and I pay close attention to the way Micah adjusts so easily when he is around Louis. He holds up the little toy truck and rolls it up and down Louis arm as he smiles. I shut the door behind me.

I look around for a moment, trying to spot Micah's nurse. When I turn a corner I'm met with a thump to the chest.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean-" I look up into the eyes of Zach. What is he doing here?

"Hey, they told me his room was down here. So sorry for running into you like that. How is he?" he looks behind me into the room and I know he spots Louis.

"Um, yeah hes doing fine. I was actually just coming out here to find his nurse. I wasn't expecting to find you here." I fold my arms in front of my chest.

"I almost didn't come, but I heard from your brother that you guys came here. So here I am." I just nod and lead him back to Micah's room. I don't know how Louis will feel about him being here, but he is my friend and I know he cares about Micah, I don't see the harm in him coming to check on him.

Louis looks him up and down before reaching his hand out to greet Zach, and he quietly thanks him for coming. For a second I think I'm imagining this exchange, but I know I'm not. I know Louis doesn't want to cause a scene in the hospital room. I move to stand next to Louis and wrap my arm around his waist, he dips his head down and kisses the top of my head.

Its been about half an hour now, and shortly before Zach left, Micah's nurse came and gave him some medicine for his pain. She told us it might be a little while before we hear from the doctor about when we will be able to get him discharged. I check the time and its almost 8 o'clock, I can tell Micah is fighting the urge to sleep. I reach for the bag that Sophie dropped off earlier and pull out a pair of pajamas for Micah to change into so he doesn't have to sleep in the itchy hospital gown.

I sign to him and tell him to come with me to the bathroom to get ready for bed. He asks me why he has to sleep here, and I tell him its because the doctors need to watch over him tonight. He asks if Louis and I will stay with him and I tell him we will be right here all night, and that we won't be leaving. I slip his shirt over his head and help his with his pants before kissing his little nose. I pull him to my chest and we stay like this for a few moments, when I release him he kisses me on my nose and signs to me 'I love you'.