Forever Halstead

Chapter Five: All This Time

Kaylin Elizabeth Halstead

May 21st, 2035

Chicago Med

Chicago, IL.

11:00 AM

Aunt Brooke and I arrived in Chicago a half hour ago, dropped our pages off at the hotel since our room was not ready, and made our way over to Chicago Med. Mrs. James Scott greeted us in the entryway; while carrying on a phone conversation, she gave us welcoming hugs. When she hung up the call, she lead us to the waiting room.

"Hey Hales, what's the latest?" Brooke said with concern in her voice.

"As far as we know, and I just explained to Quinn, Drew was unconscious when we arrived yesterday. He started breathing slow breaths on his own this morning. We have yet to know whether he can hear us. It's clear from the impact of the crash that he suffered from a concussion. However, the good news is that Dr. Halstead informed us that Drew's nerve endings have restored; he was able to move his fingers considering the fact that Drew arrived to the hospital in a coma. Due to the pressure of the crash, he did however fracture the bones of his leg, so when he regains all breathing strength he will need extensive physical therapy after reconstructive surgery." Haley said with hope in her tone.

"Mrs. JS, that is great news! I hope that he wakes up soon." I said happily.

"Kaylin, only time will tell, but I have hope he will recover." Haley said hugging me.

As we made our way around the partition I saw Uncle Will briefing my parents. My Mom spotting us, waved in a gesture that would imply to walk over.

"Hi Mama, how are you doing?" I asked after giving my parents hugs.

"I'm just fine, Hon. I'm more worried about how you are today." Mom said rubbing my back.

"I am doing my best, I'm happy that it's our four year anniversary. I'm grateful that Matt survived the crash. I'll be at ease completely once I get to see him. I just hope with all of my heart that Drew survives this." I said, holding back tears.

"Will said it won't  be much longer, Matt's visiting hours start at noon. Drew is making great process, so it's only a matter of time before we hear anything more. " Mom replied.

"Okay, does Matt know I'm here?" I asked nervously, holding back tears.

"No, he does not.  But he knows today's date, so I'm sure he will be thrilled to see you.' Mom responded with tears in her eyes. 'I know how much he means to you, and I am so proud of the young adult you have grown up to be, happy anniversary!"

"Thanks, Mom." I replied, tears falling from my eyes.

My parents walked me over to the group, while I waited for visiting hours to start I greeted Matt and Drew's parents. The one thing I knew for certain was that I made the right choice traveling to Chicago no matter what shape my best friend and boyfriend were in, because they were alive; after all this time: the history we have shared together, it only seemed necessary for me to be here to support them after everything they have helped me through.

12:00 PM

As I wait nervously for Matt's visiting hours to start, my cell phone rings at full volume.

"Sorry, guys. It's Carolyn. I'll be right back. Let me know if Uncle Will shares any new details." I said clearing my throat, walking out of earshot from my relatives.

"Hey Car, what's up?" I said answering the phone on the third ring.

"Hey Kay, I'm fine, just helping Bex and Colleen clean up this disaster zone of a dining room." Carolyn laughed uncontrollably.

"Oh my gosh, we totally forgot to clean up before we left. I'm so sorry." I said laughing wholeheartedly.

"Unfortunately that's true,  but it's alright, we understood that you both were in a different mindset this morning." Carolyn replied with worry in her tone.

"Yeah, I guess we were. Things are going well so far though. I'm just waiting for word that Matt's visiting hours have started." I replied.

"I hope that you are staying strong. I realized that your four year anniversary was today. Did you bring that gift for him along with you?" Carolyn asked excitedly.

"I am doing my best too. Yes, I did. However, there are more gifts that I left at home. I only brought the present that fit in my carry-on. I am hoping there will be a table in his room where I can leave it for him." I said happily.

"That's a great idea. I am sure he will be so happy to see you. Does he know you are there?" Carolyn asked.

"No, he does not know I'm here--" I said.

Mrs. Adams was walking over to me, so I took the phone away from my ear.

"Mrs. Adams, what's going on?" I said concerned.

"Hey Kaylin, Matt's hours have started. Are you ready?" Mia replied

"Oh, great. Thanks Mrs. Adams. I'll be right there." I said in a rush.

I lifted the phone back up as Mrs. Adams walked back to the waiting room

"Car, I have to go. Matt's hours have started. I'll call you back later." I said before hanging up the phone.

***

"Hey Hon, do you want me to lead you to Matt's room?" Mom asked walking over to me.

"Yes, please. Can I bring this to him?' I said taking a small box out of my jacket pocket. 'It's one of his anniversary gifts."

"Of course you can, he has one for you too." Mom replied.

"Okay, great. I'm ready, thank you for walking me over there. How do you feel being home? I know this must be a lot to take in." I said, putting my arm around Mom's shoulder as we walked through the entrance that separated the hospital from the waiting room.

"It's a humbling feeling. To be back around my roots, to see the people in my life that helped me grow into the woman I am today; but I would not trade a single decision your father and I made if it meant you would never meet your relatives. You have such a strong sibling type of bond with Carolyn, I could not imagine a better childhood for my girls than the one I chose. I'm so grateful for the opportunities I had growing up, but getting the chance to meet my sister Brooke was an option I could not give up and I know that I only wanted the best for all of you, so no it's not overwhelming for me to be back here, but I have such gratitude and great memories to be thankful for." Mom said smiling, wrapping her arm around my waist as we walked down the hallway toward Matt's room.

***

When my mom sees Matt's room number she gives me a hug, mentioning that she would stay out in the hallway to give us some privacy. As I walk toward his room, I get butterflies and place my right hand on my stomach in hopes of calming them. Stepping through the door frame, I saw Matt was preoccupied reading a magazine, so I knocked three times--in a patterned we created for each other--on the door to my left. After hearing the knock he immediately dropped the magazine and smiled in my direction, which eased my nerves immediately.

"Hi Babe." we said in unison.

TO BE CONTINUED. . .

A/N: Thank you all so much for 2,000 reads of this novel so far. That's remarkable! I know I take time off from publishing often, but that's a good thing. I write these chapters after much thought and preparation are taken into consideration because I want to give you the most accurate dialogue and character development as I am able to convey. I cannot thank each of you enough for your support. I started this series a little over a year ago with One Day Is Today, and as I start to slowly wrap up that novel, I've realized how fortunate we are as a community to receive such immediate feedback from our readers and to have this kind of outlet readily available to us is such a blessing.