I've Come So Far to Meet You Here - A7X/M Shadows

Waiting.

Matt had gotten them a room at a Hampton Inn directly across the street from the hospital so they could be close. Nadine had went back to her house to get some rest since it was already daylight and she hadn't slept all night. Matt sat on the bed flipping channels while Nora stared out the window blankly. Her mind was tired but it wouldn't let her rest.

"I'm going to take a shower." Nora said as she headed to the bathroom.

She turned the water on as hot as she could stand it and stripped down. She got in the shower and let the hot water wash over her. She scrubbed harder than necessary with a bar of the complimentary soap. She was trying to wash away the worry that clung to her skin.

A few minutes later she got out and dried herself. She wrapped up in her towel and went to grab an outfit from her backpack. She picked a sports bra, tank top, boy shorts and a pair of gray basketball shorts. She wanted to be comfortable but ready to go back to the hospital in a moment's notice. She went back into the bathroom to get dressed and brush her hair and teeth.

When she came out Matt had fallen asleep sitting up, the remote in his hand. Nora couldn't help but smile. She gently climbed in bed beside him. She made sure her phone volume was turned up all the way and sat it on the nightstand. Matt fluttered his eyes open and saw her so he re-positioned himself. Nora laid her head on his chest and tried to get some rest.

***

A few hours later Nora shot awake with tears in her eyes. She'd had a terrible dream that James didn't make it. She frantically checked her phone, there was nothing. She decided to text Tasha just in case.

"Any updates?"

"The swelling has went down, surgery is scheduled for 1:30 today"

"Be there shortly. Need anything?"

"Cigs pls"

With that, Nora got up to make coffee. She was going to need it today. She was running off of four hours of anxious sleep.

***

Nora got to the hospital at 11:30. She left Matt in the room so he could rest. Tasha gave her some more details. Things seemed to be going well, James should be moved to a regular recovery room after his surgery. As far as they knew the swelling hadn't affected his brain but he was still heavily sedated.

Nora went back to visit him and while he didn't speak, he opened his eyes for just a moment and looked at her. It was then Nora knew everything would be okay.

***

At 4 pm James was out of surgery and in recovery. If they were lucky he'd be awake and talking in a couple hours. He needed a lot more tests and all the broken bones meant he'd be in the hospital a while but everything was going to be okay.