Back To You

Chapter 16

Delilah had a concussion. She was sleeping according to the doctor. It was her brain's way of healing. She would wake up when she was ready. Luke made the hardest phone call he had ever had to make. He called his parents in Georgia and told them their youngest was in a coma of sorts.

Even though they were divorced and had been for ten years, Tommy and Le Claire made the drive from Leesburg together and held onto each other as they watched over their daughter.

Cole held onto her hand as she slept. "Cole." He looked up and saw Luke standing there with a cup of coffee. He gratefully took it. "Thanks." Luke motioned towards the door. Cole kissed Delilah's fingers and stepped out into the hall. "Man, why don't you go get some sleep? I'll stay with her." Luke asked.

"I'm fine." Cole took a long swig of the coffee. "I want to be here when she wakes up."

"Cole, man, you haven't slept in two days and the doctor said she is fine. She'll wake up on her own. I promise to call you when she does. But you look like hell and you could use a shower."

He looked at Luke. "Alright... But just to shower. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"I won't leave her side." Luke promised. Cole walked back into the hospital room. "Hey, it's me. I'm gonna go take a shower and shave. I'll be right back. Your brothers gonna stay here." He brushed hair back from her face. "I love you." He kissed her forehead.

Luke watched from the door way as Cole talked to his sister. His heart was heavy. He could see the worry and pain on Cole's face. He also could see the love in his eyes as he looked at her. He knew it was real because for  two days he had hardly left Delilah's side. They had to pry him away to make him eat.

Luke took the seat that Cole had vacated. "Hey, Liley. It's your big brother. I am gonna need you to open those blue eyes. Come on, Liley. Please. You're drivin everyone crazy. Especially Cole. He's a wreck. This is the first time he has left your side since he got here. He really does love you. It's written all over his face. I want you to open those eyes and tell him how much you love him." He smiled and dropped his head. "Please, Lila, just open your eyes and I'll buy you a brand new car. Whatever you want. I'll let you pick it out. Just open your eyes." He prayed and he held to her hand. "When you were born and mom and daddy brought you home from the hospital, I was seven so I didn't want another sister; I begged them to take you back. You were probably a week old when I finally realized that you were there to stay. Mom had put you in the bassinet in the living room. I went to get a better look at you. You were a pretty cute kid even though you were squishy." He smiled at the memory. "I reached down to touch your hand and you wrapped your hand around my finger. I was a goner at that moment. You have always had me wrapped. Come on, baby sister. Please open those eyes." He felt the tears fill his eyes. "Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?" He dropped his head to the side of her bed.

"I learned from the best...." He heard her croak out. He looked up to see his sister turn her head towards him. He squeezed her hand, "Liley?"

"That's my name don't wear it out." She opened her eyes and groaned. "Why the hell do I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck?"

"You don't remember?" Luke asked.

"No. Everything's kinda fuzzy. Where am I?"

"The hospital. You've been unconscious for two and half days. I need to get the doctor and call mom and dad."

"Wait." She grabbed his hand. "Is Cole here? I thought I heard his voice."

Luke nodded. "He hasn't left your side. I made him go shower. I'll call him."